First reaction when you put it on?
Wow, that's light!
How do you like the design?
A lot. Really well made.
What about materials and build quality?
No complaints. The fabric is tough and the pockets are brilliantly stretchy.
And what do you make of the weight?
Great! Ultralight.
Rab Veil XP is an ultralight waterproof pack for moving fast in the mountains. You can get it in 20 or 30 litres and in two back lengths – 43 and 48 cm. The 20-litre version weighs 476 g.
Domča is used to getting around at a jog. Nicely in rhythm. That's why she picked the ultralight Rab Veil XP 20. And she used it practically every day. "Things like running from work to a company breakfast, when I need to carry a change of clothes. For those easy jogs when I have to get from one place to another with my stuff, it was perfect." And with 20 litres of space, even a spare pair of shoes fitted in.
Otherwise she gave the pack its winter airing mostly on ski tours. "Because I didn't have anything else that was more suitable. I strapped the helmet on the outside, put the skins in the mesh pocket and my change of clothes in the waterproof main compartment." Domča used the side pocket for her water bottle. And when she set off on a classic hike? "It's so light I couldn't even feel it on my back."
The harness is shaped like a running vest with a double sternum strap to keep it stable even at high speed. The hip belt closes with Velcro and has laser-cut ventilation holes. The back panel is made of breathable 3D mesh.
Ski touring gave the pack quite a beating. After all, it isn't built or primarily intended for winter conditions. "At first I was a bit worried about it, because the fabric looks really delicate. But its durability surprised me. And I have to say I haven't found a single sign of damage on it so far."
The outer fabric is waterproof, the seams are taped and all of it – together with the roll-top closure – meets the IPX4 standard. That means water can splash on the pack from every direction and everything inside stays dry.
Being petite, Domča was at a bit of a disadvantage. The Rab Veil XP only comes in a unisex design – there's no dedicated women's version with a narrower harness. "So the pack didn't fit me quite as well as it should. But when I cinched it down properly and didn't fill it right to the top, it wasn't too bad. Luckily it has loads of straps and cords to tighten, so you can work with it."
Either way, the back system proved itself. "It's really just breathable fabric. Nothing hard or stiff, which I think matters for running." Domča also described the shoulder straps as nice and sturdy. "And even when I loaded the pack up, it still kept its shape. You just have to pack it symmetrically, otherwise it tends to lean to one side."
The ultralight philosophy means clever placement of pockets, compartments and loops so that everything is within reach with the pack on your back. That's why it has an under-arm attachment for folding poles, stretch side pockets with room for soft flasks and zipped pockets on the shoulder straps.
When you're moving fast in the mountains, you need your things close at hand. Lots of pockets, big and small – cleverly placed, of course."The pack is actually a lot like a running vest. I carried my phone and plenty of energy snacks in the zipped front pockets. And I used the space for two soft flasks too," says Domča.
"I also like the roomy main compartment and the zipped inner pocket." And when Domča didn't fill the pack completely, the roll top let her squash it down so nothing bounced around inside. "But the pole pocket struck me as a really neat touch. Since I'm used to loops, which the pack has as well, at first I didn't know what the pocket was for." In the end Domča cracked it – the pack gives you two ways to stow your poles.
The roll-top closure with side buckles lets you quickly expand or compress the pack depending on how much is inside. A top compression strap also helps keep the load – and the whole pack – stable on your body.
