WATERFLY Hiking Backpack 20L review: light, comfortable and full of pockets

I unpacked the WATERFLY Hiking Backpack 20L at home, weighed it on my own scale, went through every pocket, and then took it on a 9 km forest loop on the Veluwe. That's one hike, so this is a first-hike review: what I can tell you after a real day out, and what I can't tell you yet.

First impressions

Out of the bag, the fabric feels genuinely robust. WATERFLY uses 600D polyester with 200D nylon, and you can feel it: it doesn't have that flimsy, papery feel you sometimes get at this price. The back padding is lovely and soft, the kind that already feels good before you've even set off.

On my own scale it came in at 620 g, exactly the weight WATERFLY lists. No rounding games, which I always appreciate.

On the trail

On 26 September I took it on a 9 km loop through the forest on the Veluwe. It was sunny and 23 °C. In the pack: a 1.5-litre Nalgene, a down jacket, two protein bars, sunglasses, a cap, my wallet and a hygiene kit with toilet paper and wet wipes.

It was really pleasant to carry, and what struck me most is how light it feels on your back. The shoulder straps are wonderfully soft, the chest strap was just as good as I expected with that section of bungee in it, and the hip belt sat really well.

It was really pleasant to carry, and above all, it feels light.

Despite the sun and 23 degrees, I didn't have a sweaty back. That's one warm day, not a whole summer, but it's a good first sign for the back panel.

Fit and comfort

Before the hike I expected the light padding on the shoulder and chest straps to stay comfortable with a load in the pack, and it did: the shoulder straps are wonderfully soft.

A detail I really like: the chest strap has a section of bungee built into it. Instead of clamping you shut, it gives a little as you breathe, so your chest can expand freely. It makes a genuine difference to how comfortable the pack feels.

The standout is the hip belt, which uses a cross-style construction I hadn't seen on a daypack before. It doesn't dig in, and it isn't over-long or bulky, which keeps the whole pack feeling light and tidy on your body. On the trail it sat really well.

Storage and features

This is where the pack really earns its keep. For a daypack there's more than enough space, and there are storage options everywhere:

• Two large stretch side pockets. My 1.5-litre Nalgene drops into either one with ease.
• A front bungee cord for strapping an extra layer or wet gear to the outside, and side compression straps to cinch the load.
• Trekking-pole attachment points on both sides.
• Hydration ready: an internal sleeve for a bladder of up to 2 litres (not included) and a hose port.
• A glasses holder on the shoulder strap.
• Pockets everywhere: small pockets inside for loose bits, a zipped inner pocket for valuables, and a zipped front pocket on the outside that's pleasingly deep.

Good to know: the padded main compartment doubles as a sleeve for a laptop up to 15.6", and the pack is carry-on size. So it works as a travel or commute bag too, not just on the trail.

The niggle: a stiff hip-belt adjustment

Nothing is perfect. The hip belt is fiddly to tighten from the front: the webbing moves stiffly through the buckle, so cinching it takes more effort than it should. On this hike it didn't bother me, but it's the reason this pack gets a 9 and not a 10, and it's the one thing I'd like WATERFLY to smooth out.

What I haven't tested yet

One hike on a dry, sunny day doesn't tell you everything. I haven't had this pack out in the rain, so I can't tell you yet how the water-resistant fabric holds up. I haven't carried trekking poles on it or used a hydration bladder on the trail either, and long days, heavier loads and long-term wear are still to come. I'll add dated updates to this review as I use it more.

Value and warranty

On features, this pack punches well above its price. WATERFLY also backs it well: every WATERFLY bag comes with a three-year warranty, extended to ten years free of charge when you register it at waterflyshop.com, whether you bought it there or on Amazon.

Who it's for

It's well suited to day hikes in the woods, light enough for days in the hills or mountains, and versatile enough to double as a travel or commute bag. After my first hike I'd give it a 9 out of 10. I'll keep using it and update this review as the kilometres add up.