Why We Chose the Ortlieb Daypack Metrosphere: Waterproof, stylish, unique.

Making a product solely for use in the wild places is inefficient, right? Surely it makes sense to craft a stylish daypack that’s just as at home on the tube or in the office as it is on a knife-edge mountain ridge in the rain. That way, the potential market is at least doubled. Well, the old cliché goes that Germans don’t tolerate inefficiencies, which is perhaps why Franconian waterproof equipment specialists Ortlieb have created the Metrosphere range.

Along with two duffle bags and the 34-litre Atrack backpack, the 21-litre Daypack completes Ortlieb’s Metrosphere range of waterproof products that aim to bridge the gap between big business summits and big mountain summits. 

Who Is The Ortlieb Daypack Metrosphere For?

According to Ortlieb, its Metrosphere products are ‘for everyone who moves between worlds.’ The worlds in question are the hustle and bustle of city life and freedom of the great outdoors. The Daypack is a good size for the office commute – it even has a padded laptop compartment, while its weight and waterproof qualities make it a desirable companion for casual day hikes. In truth, its main features point to the fact it is primarily designed for business use but there’s no reason not to take it along on easygoing hikes.

Waterproofing

Ortlieb are a brand that pride themselves on the waterproof qualities of their premium products, using high frequency welding and advanced bonding methods to achieve hydrostatic head (HH) ratings of around 100,000. To put that into context, you can expect a mid-range waterproof jacket to boast an HH rating of around 10,000, so we’re talking seriously waterproof here.

The Daypack’s structured nylon benefits from this waterproof technology and is rated as completely dust proof too. It’s fair to say, whether you’re caught in a downpour between the bus stop and the office, or out amidst Lakeland drizzle, your gear will remain dry inside the Daypack’s main body.

Features

As well as the laptop compartment, another business-orientated feature is the ID-tag pocket, which is designed for address cards. There are two zippered outside pockets, though unlike the main body these are not waterproof. Like a dry bag, the main sack closes using a roll top, which secures with a metal hook, while a handle allows you to carry the pack with one hand. As the part that comes into contact with other surfaces the most, the bottom of the Daypack is reinforced to guard against abrasion.“There’s no doubt about this thing’s waterproofness

Contoured shoulder straps and polyurethane back padding create a comfortable fit and ventilation channels provide air flow. The back panel is not as nuanced as what you’d expect from a dedicated hiking backpack – perhaps the price to pay for such urban stylings. That said, we’ve still found it to be comfortable, even with the pack fully-loaded.