Backpacks

Filson Dry Backpack | Review

Straight out the American North-West comes a roll-top backpack that’ll keep your kit bone dry

Why We Chose The Filson Dry Backpack: Comfortable transportation, reliable waterproofing, durable build

As you’ll probably be aware, we’ve been really big fans of Filson for a while now. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise to see the brand included once again in this year’s Outdoor 100.

One of our favourite things about Filson is the way they’ve got better and better at balancing the fashion side of things with the production of credible outdoor gear. Yes, they make high-end stuff that looks great but they also know what the outside can really be like and what people who are into the outdoors are after. Take their Dry Backpack. It’s super long lasting and durable and it’ll keep your stored kit dry even if it happens to end up fully submerged.

Who Is The Filson Dry Backpack For?

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who loves being in close proximity to water, you’ll definitely appreciate what the 28-litre Filson Dry Backpack serves up. Hikers who like going for long walks even when it’s raining, surfers who don’t mind hitting the coast even when it’s raining, and fishermen who, yes, don’t mind fishing even when it’s raining should all look at this bag and think “Yes, this right here is a bag designed for yours truly. Then of course, there’s its credentials for on-the-water pursuits like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Materials

In terms of materials used, what we’re looking at here is 840D nylon with clear ether TPU, nylon webbing, EVA foam and high density plastic. The EVA foam padding on the back and shoulder straps enhances comfort and without a bulky and suffocating compromise having to be made. The PU coated nylon meanwhile is waterproof, abrasion-resistant, and flexible.

Features

One of the standout features on the Filson Dry Backpack is the roll-and cinch closure with wide-mouth opening. Not only does this construction help to keep large volumes of water out in conditions where a zip might struggle but its wide-mouth opening also makes loading and unloading your gear an incredibly easy thing to do.

“This really is an excellent choice for outdoor types who are out and about come rain or shine.”

Other features worth discussing here are the adjustable, nicely contoured, shoulder straps with an adjustable sternum strap, and the external zip-closure pocket with internal zippered mesh pocket. Thoughtful touches that elevate this product from a mere roll-up sack to a fully usable outdoor backpack.

Filson are regulars in our Outdoor 100, and with good reason. Photo: Mike Brindley

It's got nicely contoured shoulder straps. Photo: Mike Brindley

A comfortable bit of kit to carry round. Photo: Mike Brindley

How Dry Will It Keep Your Stuff?

The combination of the PU-coated 840-denier nylon and ingeniously simple roll-top design means this really is an excellent choice for outdoor types who are out and about come rain or shine. Obviously, it’s unlikely you’re going to be fully submerged in water every 20 minutes on an adventure (only you’re SUPing) but this thing will do the trick in that scenario – especially if you’re going full Huckleberry Finn down the river.

Conclusion

It might be nearly three times more expensive than the similar Osprey Transporter Roll, but then this is Filson – what did you expect? Their stuff is never the cheapest and usually, as is the case here, you’re paying for high quality and also long lasting durability.