YETI is thought for making high-quality, dependable gear, and the Panga Backpack isn’t any exception. It’s moveable. It’s sturdy. And it’s greater than waterproof.
A totally submersible, waterproof pack could seem extreme however, in lots of circumstances, it’s important. If you’re an aquatic human, there are occasions once you’ll have the gear you’ll want to hold dry however getting it moist is unavoidable.
While a whole lot of gadgets can get moist, there are some gadgets like your cellphone, digicam, towels, or additional layers which are vital to maintain dry. Whether you’re wading throughout a river, on a bumpy boat trip, paddling within the ocean, or fishing in a creek, you’ll need a pack you possibly can depend on.
In quick: There’s a large distinction between waterproof, waterproof, and submersible. For the final word on-water and in-water safety, a submersible dry bag is the best way to go. YETI’s 28L Panga can be a backpack-style bag, making it a singular standout within the submersible drybag class.
Off the highest of our head, Watershed Dry Bags and Patagonia even have one, however the YETI Panga received us over with its 100% submersible, sturdy, and dependable design.
YETI Panga Backpack Review
What Does Submersible Mean?
Not solely is the YETI Panga pack waterproof, nevertheless it’s additionally absolutely submersible. That means, if all the things is correctly closed, the contents of the pack will likely be absolutely protected for half-hour at a depth of 1 meter. The Panga has been examined to the worldwide business score of IPX7.
Pack Features
The Panga backpack is an hermetic citadel that’s designed to be each waterproof and extremely sturdy. To be certain that your gear stays dry, the pack sports activities a tricky, high-performance waterproof, and leakproof zipper.
The ThickSkin Shell is made from high-density nylon and thick TPU lamination and is supplied with MetalLock {hardware} that ensures the backpack is puncture- and abrasion-resistant and is able to withstanding any and each journey you throw at it.
In addition to being sturdy and useful, the bag is designed to be comfy. The Panga options ergonomic, padded DryHaul straps, detachable chest straps, and a waist belt for added stability whilst you journey. The backpack additionally contains loads of QuickGrab Lash Points for clipping or tying on any additional gear you’ll have.
Additionally, the pack contains inside group to make sure that your gear is safely stowed. A stowaway mesh pocket is ideal for storing necessities and an inside sleeve works nicely for storing a laptop computer. The Panga is appropriate with YETI’s SideKick Dry Gear Case, all their Rambler Bottle Slings, the MOLLE Bottle Opener, and Zinger.
On-Water Testing
In order to seek out out if the Panga was price its salt there was just one logical factor to do: take it to the water. I threw my cellphone, a towel, snacks, and different necessities into the backpack and ventured all the way down to a river close to my home to go paddling.
Before heading out, I double-checked all of the zippers to make sure that all the things was sealed. To be sure it’s all sealed, you merely slide the zipper absolutely into the U-Dock and apply strain. If you hear/really feel any air or any leaks, begin once more till you don’t hear something to make sure that you might have a strong seal.
Once I used to be glad all the things was sealed, I strapped the Panga onto my paddleboard, and loaded my canine onto the board. We put the Panga to the check straight out of the gates. My moist, muddy canine ran over it repeatedly, splashing water on it as he trampled backwards and forwards throughout the board (and the pack).
Mid-paddle, I fastidiously unzipped all the things to retrieve my cellphone and snap some pictures. As promised, all the things was fully dry. When we had been completed paddling, I submerged the pack within the pool after which hosed down the pack earlier than retrieving my gear — which was completely dry.
The YETI Panga is marketed to be waterproof and sturdy, and it actually lives as much as its promise.
While the straps bought the job achieved, they weren’t extremely comfy — nice for trekking to the river, however I wouldn’t need to put on the pack on longer hikes. I appreciated the interior mesh pocket to stash my keys and the exterior lash hooks for attaching my water bottle.
The Competitors
At $300, the Panga will not be an affordable backpack. There are quite a few dry bag backpacks in the marketplace for beneath $125 (Quiksilver Sea Stash, Billabong Surftrek Storm Backpack, RVCA Weld Backpack, and the Dakine Cyclone II). Slightly nicer choices embody Patagonia’s Disperser Roll-Top Pack ($219) and NRS’s Bills Dry Bag ($180).
While these baggage are cheaper and waterproof, they aren’t submersible just like the Panga backpack. The solely related choice we discovered was Patagonia’s Guidewater backpack which presents related options on the identical worth level ($299) — which we’ve but to check for comparability.
Conclusion
If you’re on the lookout for a bag that’s going to maintain your gear dry it doesn’t matter what, the YETI Panga is the pack for you. It’s reliably waterproof and extremely sturdy. Dogs, youngsters, loopy adventures — the Panga can sustain with all of them.
At 27 L, it’s bought loads of room for the gear you want for an epic day of adventuring on the water. And added parts like lash loops and inside pockets up the worth.