Is the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack the Fully Waterproof Day Pack You’ve Been Missing?

Ortlieb has redesigned the traditional backpack to make it fully waterproof, but has it managed to keep it as functional as a regular pack design? Explorer Tom took the bag on as many adventures as he could over multiple months to find out.

Ortlieb is a brand best known for making waterproof panniers for bikes and is considered the gold standard among bikepackers. So when the opportunity arose to test out an Atrack backpack, I jumped at it. 

This backpack is a pretty unique design. It’s fully waterproof, the zipper is located on the side that rests against your back, and the whole pack opens out like a duffel. This has taken some getting used to, but I think I can now officially determine if we’ve been making backpacks wrong all along.

Why am I the right person to do this review?

The Ortlieb Atrack Backpack isn’t designed with a specific purpose or activity in mind – in fact, the Ortlieb website markets it as a pack suitable for all kinds of sports. Much like the bag, I’m in the midst of trying lots of outdoor activities, so I decided to take it with me on all of my new adventures to see what it’s made for.

I’ve been hiking, bikepacking, and canyoning for years. More recently, I’ve dabbled in rock climbing and skiing. I’ve used plenty of packs to carry gear over the years, from old borrowed bags to brand new gear I’ve been lucky enough to review. I’m also always on the lookout for products that can do a whole bunch of things well.

Quick Specifications

Weight: 1.56kg
Size: 45L (also comes in 25L & 35L)
Carrying Capacity: 16kg
Colours: Rooibos (reviewed), black, petrol, dark sand

Design

I’ve actually really struggled to write this review. Not because I don’t like the product, I really do, but because I keep trying to answer the question of whether this bag design is better than other, more traditional designs.

As a bag that’s designed to be waterproof as the main feature, it’s a totally different option from most backpacks out there. 

For starters, the straps are somehow on the front and the back (yes, I was just as confused initially)

Organisation

Inside the pack is one large 45L cavern. This is great for large, bulky items as it means there’s maximum space for them. It doesn’t allow for much organisation, though.

To combat this, there are four zip-up sleeves, two on each side of the zipper. These are rectangular and slightly larger than a phone. They’re great for small items such as keys, a phone, a PLB, a headtorch, or even a powerbank and cables.

The strangeness continues

The main problem with using these pockets is that while they’re at the top of the bag when you load it up, once on your back, they end up getting a bit crushed between the heavy objects in your bag and your back.

While the innovative frame and padding design stops this from being uncomfortable, it means there’s lots of weight and rubbing on these pockets, deeming them unusable for delicates such as sunglasses or food. This is more true of the lower pockets, as the upper pockets are often free, especially if the bag is not completely full.

There’s a pop-out cap on the bag with a matching cap on the water bladder that allows the water tube to come out of the bag without compromising its waterproofness. I haven’t had the stomach to test this out with all of my gear relying on it, however, I tested it in a bath and the inside of the pack remained dry.

Performance

So how does it perform? Well, as a backpack it’s great. It’s super comfortable and adjustable, it has plenty of storage, and access to everything inside is super easy once the pack is laid on the ground and opened up.

It does look pretty odd, though

Usability

But this is also my main gripe with the bag – you have to lay it on its back, undo the tensioning straps fully and then unzip it. I’m not sure yet if this is just because I haven’t become used to it, or if it’s actually a frustrating design, but it can be awkward, especially in places where space is limited.

For example, I took this as my carry-on bag on a flight and forgot to grab the cable to my headphones before boarding the plane. I had to wait for everyone to get seated before fully opening the bag and fishing around for it. The flip side of this is that once the bag was on the ground and open, I had great access to its contents.

Considering this is what allows the bag to be waterproof, though, I do think it’s a reasonable compromise.

So that’s the bad, what’s the good? Just about everything else.

It’s unbelievably comfortable considering the side against your back doesn’t have any internal structure – it’s just a thin wire frame on the outside with padding attached.

Incredibly snug

Waterproofing

It’s completely waterproof, and I mean completely. I’ve taken this on various canyoning trips, fully submerging the bag, dragging it against rocks and using it as a float to lie on with absolutely no issues.

This is thanks to the PVC-free nylon material and the Tizip zipper. This can feel a little sticky at times, especially the final part of closing and opening it, which seals off the inside, but once you get it going, it’s a smooth, confidence-inspiring slide.

I’m certainly not worried about it breaking anytime soon

Attachment Points

The Ortlieb Atrack Backpack has attachment points everywhere and comes with all sorts of straps to attach anything you could possibly want to it. From skis to skateboards, helmets, ropes, and any number of other things.

And a frankly impressive number of ways to change the strapping to suit your needs

While I haven’t tested all of these out, the ones I have used have worked impressively well. It definitely takes a bit of practice moving the straps around to suit your needs, but that’s only because of how many options this bag has.

So far it’s easily managed every requirement I’ve thrown at it

Pockets

The only real external pockets on the Atrack are the hip belt pockets, but these are quite small, and I’m actually yet to properly use them for fear of putting something that’s not waterproof in there, forgetting about it, and then submerging it.

I assume this is the reason there aren’t more pockets on the bag. Having said that, there’s no negative to them, and others may find them incredibly useful. In hindsight, they’d be the perfect spot to store a headphone cable prior to boarding a flight.

Don’t forget the drink bottle sleeves if you’re in a pinch – can always shove something in there too

Durability

This is an aspect of the bag I’ve been super impressed with. I haven’t exactly treated it kindly, scraping it along narrow canyon walls, throwing it off abseils into water, taking it on a couple of planes, buses, and trains, and there are only a few slight markings, none of which I’m concerned about.

One of the bottom internal storage pockets has a hole that’s slowly emerged. But considering it’s had climbing gear, wet and sandy ropes, and plenty of weight on it for a fair few kilometres of walking, I’m not too surprised.

The pockets are definitely the least durable part of the pack, and I’ve not used them much (especially the bottom ones) because, as I mentioned, anything in them tends to get a bit crushed by the weight of the pack.

Considering it’s only really delicate items that I want to keep separate from the main body of the pack, this is a little annoying. I’d much prefer to see a bigger pocket at the top of the bag when it’s upright.

I ripped mine, but now you know this,s hopefully you can avoid doing the same

Comfort

I’m surprised I’m saying this, but comfort is where this bag excels the most. Given the complete redesign compared to a regular backpack, I really didn’t think Ortlieb would nail this, but they absolutely have. This is one of the most comfortable bags I’ve used.

It’s super adjustable across all the straps and the frame length, and the padding is firm but comfortable and sits in all the right places.

Plus it comes with a matching water bladder and it’s out of the way rather than poking out at the back of your neck like most packs

My only complaint is that the frame itself is slightly too long to wear a helmet with. Standing up straight, this isn’t an issue, but when I’m on my bike it hits the back of my helmet and pushes it forward.

The same is true when wearing it in the water. As it’s waterproof, it’s also airtight, so it always has some buoyancy, and it pushes my helmet forward a lot as it rides up my back. This is an issue with all packs with frames that I’ve used, though, so I’m not holding it against this one too much.

Sustainability

It’s no surprise that a company built on making bike commuting gear cares about its sustainability. Ortlieb has a page on the website dedicated to it, where it talks about all of the brand’s aims. This includes being powered by 100% renewable energy by the end of 2025 (that’s pretty soon!), providing transparent communication each year about its CO2 footprint, and repairing over 18,000 products per year. 

The team also source more than 70% of their materials from Germany and makes everything in a German factory, which is also the warehouse, meaning transport routes are short and traceable (at least until you ship the products to Australia). The pack itself is PVC-free, and it comes in plastic-free packaging.

However, the main aim for Ortlieb is to produce durable products that last a long time, can be repaired when they finally break, and most importantly, encourage active transport.

Pretty sure this pack is going to last longer than the others

Price

At 240 Euros ($410ish AUD), the Ortlieb Atrack is expensive. But so is most of the rest of the gear we use, and if the waterproof nature of this bag is going to protect that gear, it may well save you a lot of money.

Is it worth the price? That depends on what you’re planning to use it for. If you’re just looking for a regular backpack, I recommend looking elsewhere, but if any part of your adventures involve getting very wet, the answer is yes.

It’s certainly a contender in the one-pack-to-rule-them-all race

Final Thoughts

What the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack excels at is versatility. It can handle just about anything you throw at it (or in it!) on the most rugged of adventures. Being completely waterproof is an invaluable aspect that well and truly makes some of the strange access and organisation features worth the compromise. If that’s what you need it for, you can’t go wrong.

However, if you’re after a simple backpack to do simple backpack things, this isn’t it. Look for something simpler, cheaper, and easier to use instead. The Atrack is optimised for the very specific need of 100% waterproofing – and that means some pretty odd design features that aren’t worth the hassle if that’s not a feature you require.

While I initially thought the bag was a bit weird, it’s just because it’s completely different to everything I’ve previously used. I’ve grown to really love this pack, and it’ll be my go-to bag for anything involving water for the foreseeable future.

Time to take my beacon coloured backpack on another adventure

FAQs Ortlieb Atrack Backpack

Is the Ortlieb Atrack backpack fully waterproof?

Yes, the Ortlieb Atrack is 100% waterproof thanks to its Tizip zipper and PVC-free nylon material, making it ideal for wet-weather adventures and water-based sports.

What’s the main difference between the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack and traditional day packs?

The Ortlieb Atrack opens from the back like a duffel and prioritises waterproofing, offering unique access and fewer external pockets compared to regular hiking packs.

How comfortable is the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack for long-distance use?

Surprisingly comfortable – despite its unusual design, the bag features adjustable straps, quality padding, and a lightweight frame that distributes weight well.

What sizes does the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack come in?

The Ortlieb Atrack is available in 25L, 35L, and 45L sizes to suit different gear loads and adventure types.

Is the Ortlieb Atrack Backpack sustainable?

Yes. Ortlieb uses PVC-free materials, manufactures in Germany with renewable energy, and supports repairability and long-term product use.

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