Shedding Weight, Part 4: Lightweight Backcountry Fishing Packs

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Introducing our "Shedding Weight" content series, all about the latest lightest fly-fishing gear to help you get into the backcountry. It has been organized into multiple parts, published over the coming days. This is part 4. Find links to the entire series below.

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A well-designed pack can make or break a long day on the water—especially when every ounce counts. In this fourth installment of our five-part series, we examine three backcountry fishing packs that blend weight savings with smart design. Whether you need a fully submersible option, a streamlined day pack, or a lightweight vest system, we put them through their paces to see how they perform for anglers on the move.

Orvis PRO Waterproof Backpack 30L, $329

After decades of use I don’t know how I feel about waterproof, fully submersible bags for day use. A big yes to put my kit in a big dry bag on multi-day river trips and forget about it until camp that night. Even after decades the jury is still out for me, because once you put a wet item in that waterproof envelope, you contaminate everything with moisture.

Pros:

• By far the easiest waterproof zipper that I have ever used.
• Designing welded bag construction with the accessory pockets and features that Orvis incorporated is no easy task. Yes, the bag is expensive, in part because you are paying for those points or organization in a fully submersible bag.
• The back panel was spot on in length for this user. I typically am at the high end for medium back panels, and at the low end for large–most often going large. Twenty inches is my objective measurement for my back panel length. Potential customers should be aware that this pack comes in one size, and that the back panel is not adjustable.
• Great materials and patterning on the shoulder straps and waist harness. A super comfortable pack.
• 30 liters is about the right size for me on dawn to dusk all day missions.

Cons:

• Rod case storage could be improved by incorporating a bottom pocket so that the rod case does not migrate down.
• Stowing the net takes some practice. Mileage and practice will likely solve this.
• Side pockets on the hip harness could be larger to better accommodate a fly box.
• Not hydration compatible. That is a factor of the submersible nature of the pack, and not a design oversight. If a hydration reservoir is important to you that aspect should be noted.

If I owned this item: If I still lived in the Pacific Northwest instead of southwest Colorado, where we stare in wonderment on the occasions when it rains, this bag may be a favorite. As a day boat bag for me, earmarked for nothing but dry gear, this bag works out stupendously well. Would I use it in the backcountry in Colorado? Probably not. In the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, however, it may be the go-to pack.

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Patagonia Stealth Backpack 25L, $169

Three sizes accommodate a number of torso lengths

At 1009 grams, or almost 2 pounds, the Stealth Backpack is a non-starter for my backcountry use. My 55-liter multi-day pack weighs that. It is weight that I don’t need to carry. Part of that robust weight is probably attributed to its substantial polyester fabric. It is one of the first things that I noticed about the pack. In drawing a comparison to other packs in Patagonia’s line for hiking, the 28 liter Patagonia Terravia Pack weighs almost 50 percent less. While lacking some of the fly-fishing specific applications, it would be what I would lean towards as a backcountry fishing pack.

Pros:

Three sizes accommodate a wide range of user’s torso lengths.

• Docking point for forceps and zingers on the shoulder pads are spot on.
• The net holster integrated into the backpanel was the easiest to use of the three bags tested. The side loops on either side of the pack made for quick storage, if needed.
• A magnet fly holder on the shoulder strap securely holds barbless flies, while foam holders feed them to the ground.

Cons:

• In a major quality assurance faux pas my pack arrived without a sternum strap. All images in Patagonia’s web site show this pack with a sternum strap. That is a must-have piece of suspension for backcountry use.
• A very heavy pack. Its weight is comparable to the fully submersible Orvis pack.
• The medium size that I received was a bit short for my torso. Be sure to stop into a shop that specializes in backpacking to get measured when selecting a size.

If I owned this item: It would be a general-purpose travel bag for fly fishing trips where a robust fabric was desirable: stuff it under the airline seat in front of me, chuck in in the bed of the Hilux.

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Simms Flyweight Vest Pack, $199.95

Sizes: S/M and L/XL

The Simms Flyweight Vest Pack were also on my “most wanted” list. And it did not disappoint. From photos on Simms web site it looked like it took design inspiration from trail running vests. And a Black Diamond’s trail-running pack has been my go-to for many fly-fishing situations. The Simms iteration has all of the functionality and carrying dynamics of a trail running vest, but tailored to a fly angler’s points of organization. This is our lightweight champion of the test, coming in at 698 grams, or 24.6 ounces for a size L/ XL. Note to self when investigating: There is a “Flyweight Vest/Pack”, and a “Flyweight Fishing Vest”, and a “Flyweight Backpack”.

Pros:

• Immensely comfortable to carry.
• Lightest bag in the test.
• 15 liter back compartment accommodated food, extra water and extra clothing that I needed for a day on the river.
• Two main compartments accommodated two large fly boxes each.
• Two chest pockets held the remainder: tippets, extra leaders, split shot.
• Front drop pockets kept my readers super accessible, yet secure.
• The Magic Slider connector, which secures the vest pack to you instead of standard side-release buckles, is a work of art. It is secure and is easily operated with frozen hands.
• “Tidy tunnel” routes hydration tube through a tunnel on the shoulder straps. An execution that I am particularly fond of, not inexpensive to produce, and a nice touch by Simms.

Cons:

• Not enough secure placement / gear garages for nippers, forceps, etc. There is one point of attachment on the right side of the pack. This user found that placement to work fine. Left-handed users may not find that placement ideal. Having more options is good.
• I’d like to see the fabric that rests against your body a true 3D mesh, found on backpacks and most trail running packs.
• Sizing runs very small. That may be a clue to trail running vests being a point of design inspiration, where the average purchaser is of svelte build.

If I owned this item: It would be a go-to day in / day out bag for my fishing, which often involves a lot of walking on large ranches.

See Marty’s complete deep-dive Shedding Weight reviews:

• Part 1: Introduction (this article)
• Part 2: Waders
• Part 3: Boots
• Part 4: Packs (this article)
• Part 5: Other Backcountry Essentials

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