Rab Nitron 25L backpack review: A spacious and stylish model, with plenty of support and ample protection for your gear

First impressions

A good hiking backpack is one of my non-negotiables on the trails. Whether I'm setting off for a quick day trip or gearing up for a multi-day thru-hike, you can be sure that I'll be bringing a comfortable companion to sling over my shoulders and store all the essentials.

The best hiking backpacks combine ample storage space with plenty of back and shoulder support, so you can trek in comfort and carry everything you need in one handy pack.

The Rab Nitron aims to be the perfect pack for day hikers. This lightweight, 100% nylon ripstop and polyester model has 6.5Ga (25L) of storage space and plenty of inner and outer pockets to store your water bottles, trekking poles, and other essentials. There's also a handy stash pocket, so you can grab gear mid-hike without having to unzip your pack.

The Nitron features a close-fitting vest-style harness with a mesh waist belt, designed to take the pressure off your shoulders and stop your pack from bouncing around too much. Its two shoulder straps can be tightened with smaller elasticated straps, while the breathable back panel sits comfortably on your mid and upper back.

Rab Nitron Pack: on the trails

I got my hands on this lightweight pack in April and have been testing it out on the trails ever since.

I've taken the Rab Nitron on loads of hikes over the past few months, putting it to the test over the varied terrain of the English countryside and even up the odd mountain in Wales' Cairngorms National Park.

Here's how it got on after plenty of use in all sorts of weather:

Fit and comfort

After many hours of trekking, I can confidently say that the Rab Nitron is an exceptionally comfortable backpack, with enough support to keep your back and shoulders feeling fresh after hours of trekking.

Its vest-style harness hits the often elusive sweet spot of a close, body-hugging fit that remains breathable after many miles of hot-weather hiking. Its comfy back panel puts a mesh layer between the bulk of the pack and your back to promote airflow, while the shoulder straps and waist belt wrap comfortably around your body. Both were easily adjustable, and neither pinched nor came loose in testing.

After multiple long-distance hikes, I was particularly fond of the close-fitting waist belt, which took the pressure off my shoulders and created a relatively even distribution of weight across my upper body. It's also handy if you want to grab something from inside mid-hike, as you can shake off the shoulder straps and rotate the pack without taking it off entirely.

The snug shoulder straps and waist belt came into their own when I was moving at speed. Fast hiking is a doddle with the Nitron pack, which stuck to my back without bouncing around as I upped my pace over varied wilderness terrain.

Storage

A capacity of 6.5Ga (25L) would typically be considered a little on the small side, but I found it more than enough to carry all my essentials. I was easily able to fit a few extra layers and waterproofs in, along with several other supplies for a long day of hiking.

There's also space for a 0.7Ga (3L) water bladder, so you can stay hydrated and sip while you hike.

Useful extra pockets on the pack's top, sides, and harness allow you to store several extras without sacrificing inner space. On the front, there are handy attachment points for trekking poles and a large mesh front stash pocket, which proves particularly handy when you want to grab a rain jacket or extra layer without unzipping your pack.

There's nothing worse than stopping every five minutes when it starts to rain or when you want a drink, so I really appreciated this extra space, especially the easy-to-access front stash pocket.

The storage on offer in the Rab Nitron fits its purpose to a tee. You'd struggle to fit a backpacking tent inside, but that's not what it's designed for.

If you're after a larger model, there are plenty of alpine haulers to choose from in our expert guide to the best backpacks.

Protection from the elements

The Nitron pack's tough 100% nylon ripstop and polyester exterior offers a decent level of protection from the elements without being fully waterproof.

It features a water-resistant Hydroshield coating, which forces light rainfall to bead off the pack's surface without providing full protection from heavy rain. As a result, the pack performs well in drizzly conditions and light showers, but falters when the heavens open.

I was caught in exceptionally heavy rainfall a couple of times in testing, and it wasn't long before my belongings got wet. Although full waterproofing would have been appreciated, it's hard to hold that against the Nitron, which was designed with the warm, drier seasons in mind, and makes no claims of being waterproof.

Unexpected heavy rain can be remedied with a waterproof rain cover, but this pack, frustratingly, doesn't come with one. Lots of other Rab packs do, which makes the omission even more annoying, and it's my only real gripe with the Nitron.

After three months of regular use, my pack is yet to degrade or take any real damage. The mesh back and strap materials remain comfortable and springy, while the stylish front appears as it would on the shop floor. Every stitching and detail remains in place, and the printed lettering is yet to peel off. It's impossible to know how it'll look in a year or two's time, but it's safe to say that the Nitron has passed the durability test thus far.

Price

For $120 (£95), the Rab Nitron pack is neither ludicrously expensive nor especially cheap. It's around what you'd expect to pay for a comfortable and smartly designed daypack, that's not built for extreme conditions or heavy rain.

It's comparable in price to tried and tested classics like the Talon 22 and Mammut Duncan 24, and a good deal for anyone in the market for a dependable pack for day hiking in pleasant weather (or with a rain cover).

Also consider

Comparison table

• The best daypacks: for shorter hikes and casual walks
• The best hiking backpacks: from the lightest daypacks to sturdy alpine haulers
• How Advnture tests products