Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L review: Affordable versatility

The nature of life nowadays means that adaptability is often the greatest strength of a piece of kit, and this is where the Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L excels.

It's a waterproof daypack that features lots of thoughtful hiking elements and is just as happy on the trail as it is on an everyday mission. It’s lightweight and functional, with a simple design but still some personality.

You can choose from three colours, obsidian black, ocean blue and olive green.

It also doesn’t cost the earth, as it’s consciously made and built to last, thanks to its durable and recycled nylon fabric. All this at a very fair price of £74.95.

Back system: Panel, frame and harness

The Red Lightweight Waterproof pack features a soft mesh back panel that's well-padded and breathable. It doesn't have a stiff frame, which means the pack can be rolled up and stuffed inside another.

Some hikers might find this setup too flimsy and that it sits too close to the skin, however I found that it moulded nicely to my back and gave a nice sensation of walking with the pack rather than against it.

Hiking in the Maltese heat, my back was sweatier when compared to the Rab Veil XP 20L, but much less sweaty when compared to the Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop (both of which I also had on test).

The pack’s harness is comfortable, with good width shoulder straps, which are nicely padded without being too bulky. I really liked the shape of these against my shoulders as the straps offer a really good level of support while hiking.

The hip belt is supportive and has neat envelope style stash pockets, with enough space for a few bars or small phone, and there's one chest strap which is adjustable and has an integrated safety whistle.

While the chest strap works well with light loads, I would prefer two of them for when the load gets heavy, like the Rab Veil XP 20L pack offers.

The pack also has a reinforced base which Red says makes the bag durable and protects against rough terrain. The packable nature of the rucksack makes it very versatile, suited to traveling as well as to the trails.

Back length and sizing

The Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L comes in one size, 66x44x18cm. It’s a shame that different size options are not offered but for me this size worked well once adjusted via the shoulder and waist straps.

I’m 180cm tall and found this pack a decent fit, however, this pack might not suit smaller sizes.

Volume, shape and weight

The pack has 22 litres of storage, which is ample for a day hike and even enough for an overnighter in warm weather.

There's adequate of space for a lightweight sleeping bag, bivvy, food, backpacking stove and extra pair of clothes for a summer soirée, but you'll be a little tight for space outside of the warmer months.

The pack weighs 636g, which makes it lighter than many including the Osprey Talon 22(901g) andLowe Alpine AirZone Ultra 26 (746g), a version of which has been for a long time my go-to day pack.

The pack is not as light as the Rab Veil XP 20L pack (476g) but offers 2L more storage. It’s also worth noting that the Rab is designed like a running vest, whereas the Red pack sticks to a more traditional hiking blueprint.

For more storage, you could look at the Zpacks Nero 38L which weighs just 308g and offers more storage however it lacks the environmental credentials and versatility of the Red backpack, and costs a lot more.

Features: Lid, storage and weather protection

Made from a 190D recycled nylon Taslan material, the Red Lightweight Waterproof is durable and holds up against scratches and abrasions. It also has a PFC-free waterproofing with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head, which means it'll protect your gear from downpours without having a negative effect on the environment.

The pack also features machine-stitched and taped seams, which Red says are easily repairable, giving the bag a long lifespan. While I haven’t yet needed to make any repairs to this pack, it’s important for me that this bag is made to be repaired and not replaced.

The roll-top closure is very easy to use and has a weatherproof seal, as well as clips either side to compress the bag down and secure the opening.

Inside is a zipped pocket within the main compartment which is big enough to fit plenty of valuables. One small limitation with this pack is due to the material used, the inner lining is dark which can make it tricky to find what you’ve stuffed inside.

There's also an external zip pocket for quickly accessing valuables and double mesh pockets which fit decent sized water bottles. There's also reflective safety detailing and an external bungee system, which is another thoughtful feature on this pack.

It's great for stuffing any unneeded layers and then accessing them quickly when the weather changes, as well as a set of poles.

Speaking of weather changes, my tests concluded this pack offers great waterproofing.

While I couldn't test this in torrential rain, I subjected the pack to artificial ‘rain’ from all angles and submersion. It was impressive that for a neat price, everything is kept dry inside and moisture is repelled efficiently.

Verdict

The Red Lightweight Waterproof Pack 22L is an excellent waterproof daypack, offering ample storage and versatility as well as having good environmental credentials.

The pack is thoughtfully designed and the harness offers a comfortable fit for all day hiking, as long as you're not on anything super technical or demanding. At £74.95, it offers excellent value for money.

About the author

Emma Cole is an outdoor and adventure journalist who tests gear across climates – from Jordan’s deserts to UK trails – for top publications like Cyclist and Cycling Weekly.

As host of The Passion Stories Podcast, she explores the why behind people’s passions, often through sport and sustainability. Emma also consults on eco‑focused campaigns, combining real‑world adventure with storytelling.