It was meant to be a pack for day trips around Czechia. But a chance to spend the summer in Iceland? Even if it came up at the last minute, that's not something you turn down. So the 24-litre Rab Airox flew north too.
"We packed in quite a hurry and it's the only pack I have here," says Filip, which means the Airox has to handle everything. Evening walks under the midnight sun as well as trips lasting several days. "But I'm thrilled by how versatile it is," Filip continues. "I managed to pack everything for a three-day hitchhiking trip into it. Including food for the whole time and camping gear." Admittedly, though, Kika had to carry the tent, since her pack happened to be a few litres bigger.
The Rab Airox is available in 18, 24, 30 and 36 litres. Each also comes in a dedicated women's version (marked ND) with a narrower build and shorter back panel. The pack weighs from 730 g (18 l) to 1,280 g (36 l).
And Iceland in spring? Calling it changeable weather doesn't begin to capture how quickly everything can turn. "Setting off in full sunshine doesn't mean we won't also get rain, snow and a rainbow to finish along the way," laughs Filip, remembering that this is exactly what happened to them on the Fimmvörðuháls hike.
A gorge full of waterfalls. At the start the weather really was fairly decent. But by the last of the twenty-seven waterfalls it was raining so hard it was no fun at all. Of course, in Iceland you get used to it. You have to. But what about the pack? "This is where I was glad of the integrated rain cover, which fits the pack really well," Filip says. "Combined with dry bags inside, all my gear stayed nice and dry even through hours of persistent rain."
The Rab Airox has shoulder-strap pockets – unusual for a hiking pack, but practical – suitable for soft flasks, energy bars or a phone. The perforated shoulder straps are also adaptable and extra breathable.
"But that's what I like most about our Icelandic adventure," says Filip – he never really knows where he'll end up. He and Kika work at a remote hotel in the middle of nowhere. "We don't have a car, public transport here either doesn't exist or is extremely expensive, so we have to hitchhike. We load our packs with everything that might come in handy and see where someone takes us."
Which means Filip's Airox is often stuffed to the brim. "But even fully loaded it sits comfortably on your body," he explains – the design lets you carry the weight closer to your centre of gravity. "And if you pack it properly, you can hardly feel it on your back."
"Compared to other packs I've tested, it has a really well-thought-out back system," he adds. "I like the ventilation and the mesh construction, which is genuinely comfortable."
The Rab Airox has a back system with tensioned mesh that hugs your body while spreading the load evenly. This leaves a gap between your back and the pack, so heat escapes and fresh air flows in.
So all that's left to answer is how well you can organise your things in the pack when packing for every eventuality. "It has an inner hydration sleeve, which is always a big plus for me," Filip highlights one of the positives, although "sometimes it's a bit harder to get the bladder in because of the curved back system. But with a bit of practice, after a few goes, it's a piece of cake."
"I like lots of loops and bungees on the outside of a pack," Filip continues, explaining his preferences for hanging all sorts of things – from a mug to a cap. "But this one only has three karabiner loops and a pole attachment system," he says of what he misses on the pack. Even so, in his own words, he always managed to attach everything he needed in the end. "And on the other hand, when a pack isn't covered in loops, it looks pretty sleek."
And finally – how did the Rab pack cope with Iceland's capricious spring in terms of durability? "Even though I exposed it to all kinds of rough conditions and overloaded it quite a few times, I can't see any signs of wear on it," Filip concludes.
In the Rab Airox you can stash your gear in the mesh side pockets, the large front pocket or the top pocket with a key clip. There's also a separate sleeve for a 2-litre hydration bladder and a bungee system for attaching trekking poles.
