On the 26L Backpack, the main storage compartment is accessible via a latch-down flap and a central zipper that lets you splay the thing wide open, a feature that leads to easy access as well as the ability to overstuff the bag (which, admittedly, I’ve done). There are more organizational sleeves and loops in here too, including a removable laptop sleeve that makes it a solid commuter pack when you need it to be.
After the experience in Marin, CamelBak lent me bag samples for testing for a few weeks. However, when I didn't hear from them about mailing the bags back I kept quiet because I loved them so much. Since that warm April day, the bags have been with me to Japan, El Salvador, New York, and Philadelphia and have joined me on dozens of bicycle commutes to my Bay Area studio.
CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack on a test hike
CamelBak's goal was to create a bag that works well for traveling, hiking, and commuting and working—varying targets with only a small overlap between them. After weeks with both sizes of the bags, I think the A.T.P. line checks enough boxes in each category to call it a success and doesn’t leave much to desire. One critique: the shoulder straps on the pack are fairly thin, which may not be the best for wearing the bag for extended periods of time, especially fully loaded. With that said, I don’t think they designed the bag with that in mind; this is a daypack, not an overnighter.
The quality of the bags feels top notch, so much so it's easy to forget that they're almost entirely recycled. Sometimes when you hear “recycled,” it evokes a thought that some corners were cut (no pun intended) and some quality was sacrificed in order to use those materials, but that's not the case with the A.T.P. bags.
Somehow, they have it all and can do it all.
SHOP NOW
Artist Nicole McLaughlin
You can never have too many backpacks. Check out our guide on Best Daypacks for Hiking where we share some of our top picks.
