Why We Chose The Ortlieb Atrack ST Backpack: Highly innovative, secure, waterproof, and incredibly versatile.
Ever so often, along comes an outdoor product that seemingly makes a considerable slice of products from that same product genre redundant overnight. The ISPO Award-winning, and critically-acclaimed, Atrack ST Backpack from Ortlieb is one such product. Taking what you thought your backpack could be and elevating it to new heights, there’s a lot to love about it.
Before we delve too deep into the bones of this thing, let’s first drop a shout out to the fact that the Atrack ST is the first fully waterproof backpack that opens up like a full-on travel duffel / suitcase.
“Trekkers, cyclists, ski-tourers and canoers, arguably for the first time ever, have a backpack they can all genuinely rally behind”
Whether you favour getting wet in rivers, lakes, oceans or just on hilltops when it’s raining, you won’t need to worry about your items stored inside the pack. That’s because the Atrack ST’s extremely durable, PVC-free nylon material and TIZIP zipper are 100% waterproof. Trekkers, bikepackers, ski-tourers, kayakers and packrafters, arguably for the first time ever, have a backpack they can all genuinely rally behind.
With its super long waterproof zip that’s located on the same side as the backpack straps (against your back), getting stuff out of your pack has never been so easy. Rather than having to blindly stick your hand in and out of the main compartment and trying to find that one item you want purely by touch alone, the Atrack ST provides you with the opportunity to open the entire thing up before peering inside it.
Internally, there are four zippered pockets on the Atrack while on the outside there are two net pockets perfectly suited for water bottle storage. The daisy chains on the front of the pack are a nice addition, one that allows you to attach extra gear, while the wide, padded hipbelt with small zippered pockets provide comfort and a place to store items you need on the go.
The adjustable back panel is simple, but effective, and means that no matter your height you’ll be able to create a setup that feels compatible. The Atrack’s ergonomic shoulder straps, as well as the useful volume compression belts and hermetic seal for a drinking tube, round off Ortlieb’s offering here superbly. Available in three different sizes and three different colours, the Atrack ST will journey with you from city to summit, summit to sea, and from sea all the way back to city. A truly excellent backpack, this.
