We Spent a Week With CamelBak’s Go-Anywhere, Do-Anything Backpack

Can one pack really do it all?

man standing by white flower bushes wearing white camelbak backpack

Published August 15, 2023

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Updated August 16, 2023

Brand: CamelBak
Product: A.T.P. 26
Price: $180
From: Camelbak.com

What makes a great adventure travel pack? The answer depends on who you ask. In our book, it must do two things exceptionally well. First, it has to be comfortable. A disagreeable backpack, no matter how cool, is an unused backpack. Next, it must be versatile. Can it code switch between the airport, a drizzly night on the town, a business meeting and a day hike?

With its first foray into the adventure travel space, CamelBak aims to meet the needs of any journey. So, does the A.T.P. 26 check all the boxes? Our tester put one through its paces to find out.

man using macbook with camelbak sleeve next to him on table

camelbak backpack pocket with keyring holder

man standing at train station with bike as purple train goes by wearing camelbak backpack

What We Like

After just one week with the A.T.P. 26, it was clear to our tester why CamelBak is the leader in performance pack design. The bag’s supportive, breathable back panel and shoulder straps made short walks easier and longer hikes more comfortable. The brand’s technical background is further exemplified by the lightweight, DWR-treated Cordura Re/Cor textile employed across this pack. A minimalist chest strap taps anodized aluminum clasps and a sequential loop system for easy fit-tuning. Speaking of aluminum clasps, CamelBak utilized metal hardware across the board to ensure lasting durability and infinite recyclability.

man wearing sunglasses holding camera while wearing white camelbak backpack

man walking carrying white camelbak backpack

camelbak backpack back panel with camera

And then there are the pockets — all 10 of them. With that many zippers, snaps and layers of fabric, the A.T.P. 26 could easily become too bulky or cumbersome. But CamelBak managed to thoughtfully integrate each feature — like a sneaky hydration bladder sleeve tucked into the back panel — and create an intuitive user experience while maintaining a sleek profile. Everything has its place, and nothing is difficult to find when you need it.

Finally, the backpack’s main compartment is among the friendliest our tester has encountered. The full-length front zipper and origami-style folding lid offer quick, wide-open access to bulky items like a laptop, sweater, camera or packing cubes.

man standing holding white camelbak backpack

Who It’s For

CamelBak started with a clear vision of the A.T.P.’s end user. “This bag is for the spirited person who doesn’t want to have four or five bags,” says CamelBak Industrial Designer Patrick Shields. In other words: someone like Shields, who recently embarked on a two-week international trip with just the A.T.P. 26. Turns out, that’s all he needed. The pack served him well from trails and markets to coffee shops and business meetings. But you don’t need to travel internationally to appreciate the adaptability of the A.T.P. 26 — the pack is a worthy daily driver, especially if you’re the type to slot a hike between meetings.

man walking in forest wearing camelbak backpack

The Verdict

The best measure of success for a multifaceted pack may seem counterintuitive: Does it disappear while you use it? Based on our tester’s initial feedback, the A.T.P. 26 does just that. Remarkably, its “everything you need, nothing you don’t” design philosophy wasn’t lost between early sketches and the final product. Its pockets are ample but purposeful. Its materials and silhouette are handsome enough for the workplace and technical enough for the trailhead. Its features are subtle, intentional and versatile.