Fly Fisherman's 2025 Gear Guide Best New Pack: Simms Headwaters Backpack

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Backpacks have the capacity to take enough gear for an all-day fly-fishing adventure, but the problem is often finding one item in all that jumble. And with a traditional top-entry backpack, you have to take the pack off to dig around and find what you are looking for. The new Simms Headwaters Backpack solves this problem with a zippered side access panel. You can unbuckle the waist belt, slide the backpack around into a sling position in front of you, and open the side panel to see the contents. In backcountry match-the-hatch situations, where you are frequently changing flies, this feature is key. Inside the side access compartment there is a large zippered organization sleeve and an adjustable divider to keep things organized.

The Headwaters Backpack also has a separate roll-top waterproof dry bag where you can store jackets, dry clothes, and other essentials and keep them separate from the easy-access side compartment which is protected by a water-resistant but not waterproof or submersible zipper. The pack is built from tough 630D nylon with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating on the exterior and polyurethane (PU) on the backside. The total carry capacity is 28L.

The pack also has a hydration bladder sleeve, two large stretch-mesh side pockets that can securely stow rod tubes or water bottles, and large hip-belt pockets that can adequately house a cell phone. The breathable shoulder straps and back panel keep you cool while on the move, and the adjustable hip and chest straps help for heavier pack days. On the left shoulder strap there is a tool docking station and a Simms-logo looped fly field. The right strap has its own zippered pouch for small items.

The net sleeve is easily accessible on your left, opposite the side-access panel. Two other exterior water-resistant pockets feature a key ring and additional quick access storage. Overall, this is the pack for adventure-driven anglers.—Amy Bachle

$379.99 | tridentflyfishing.com

To read all of the nitty gritty, field-tested reviews of new fly-fishing gear for 2025, grab a copy of Gear Guide 2025 at https://www.osgnewsstand.com/product/ff-gear-guide-2025.

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