Review: Orvis Pro Waterproof Zip Backpack

This rugged 30-liter submersible backpack is welded together using high-frequency electric fields to fuse the materials together. The weld is often stronger and more waterproof than the original single ply. The backpack is built from 840-denier nylon coated with thermoplastic polyurethane. After using this pack for rafting trips, fly fishing through summer thunderstorms, rappelling under waterfalls, and swimming through slot canyons, I’d say Orvis designers chose just the right material. It’s light, soft, and pliable, but still durable enough to take it anywhere and trust it with your most valued possessions, whether that’s a phone, laptop, camera, or the sandwiches you’d like to stay dry for lunch.

The main compartment closure is a 27-inch TiZiP Masterseal zipper that is air-tight and pressure tested, and creates a wide opening that’s easy to get bulky items in or out. To avoid losing track of smaller items like your phone, passport, or keys, there are two zippered, hanging organizational pockets inside. There’s also an exterior pocket with a YKK water-resistant zipper that can handle surf spray and rain.

The padded back panel, lumbar belt, and shoulder straps are all made from the same honeycombed closed-cell foam. It’s cool and breathable for long days on the water. The lumbar belt has two easy-access zippered pockets (not waterproof) and the shoulder straps have accessory docks so you can clip on an Orvis Chest Pack or the smaller Chest/Hip Pack. You can store a water bottle in the large outside mesh pocket, and secure it with an elastic tether. Probably my favorite part of this backpack is the integrated net storage sheath that allows you to slide a net between the waterproof bag and the back padding. A comfortable net carry like this is a common convenience on many regular fishing packs these days, but hard to find on a submersible pack like this.

$329 | orvis.com