The complete guide
Coated fabric vs a rain cover: why this pack has both
A water-resistant coating on the fabric handles light rain and splashes, but it isn’t designed for sustained downpour — seams and zips are the weak points where water eventually gets through. That’s exactly why this pack pairs a tear-resistant 600D Oxford shell with a separate detachable rain cover: the coating deals with everyday drizzle without needing to deploy anything, and the cover goes on when a UK forecast turns into the kind of rain that lasts all afternoon. It’s a distinction worth understanding before buying any “waterproof” tactical backpack — coated fabric alone is rarely enough for genuine British hiking conditions. The 36-litre capacity with expandable compression sits in a useful middle ground: enough room for a weekend’s kit including a tent and sleeping bag, without the bulk of an 80-litre expedition pack for a two-day trip.