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Review: Outdoor Products Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack

posted by gumptiongear October 31, 2012 0 comments

Rushing rivers and tireless tropical storms aren’t the only adversary for adventure travelers.  Damp foliage, sea spray, mud and even unexpected downpours can wreak havoc on regular backpacks and destroy or ruin whatever electronics or gear you’re packing along.

Whether you’re taking that once in a lifetime adventure in monsoon ridden Malaysia, or looking for a pack that can handle your next Stand Up Paddleboard adventure, Outdoor Products Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack may be the right fit for you.

Outdoor Products designed the Amphibian Weather Defense Pack to block much, rain and snow to keep your gear absolutely dry whether you’re braving a downpour on your way to class or hiking through the Cascades during the rainy season.

You won’t have to worry about your valuables turning into a soggy mess when you’re using this burly but simple pack made from tough 420-denier fabric with TPU coating.  The roll-top style top closure and waterproof welded construction will keep water from infiltrating your valuables while a convenient waterproof zipped side pocket keeps your cell phone and keys safe.

For the times you need to schlep your pack from kayak to campsite, the typical dry pack can be cumbersome and tedious.  So the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack has a lightweight suspension system and grab handle for easy transport.  Ventilated shoulder straps and back panel help keep you cool when the heat is on and adjust easily for a comfortable fit.

And while waterproof backpacks seem to focus on the protection of our valuables from the elements, in an emergency situation the Amphibian Weather Defense is a valuable tool for loading and storing water.  Featuring 20 Liters of space for your essentials, the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack feels downright cavernous.  While some may miss the convenience of internal dividers, this pack serves its purpose perfectly well – stash your gear, and adventure on with no fear.

Last but not least, convenience is not only in the build of a pack, but in the price.  Towards those ends, the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack follows in the line of Outdoor Products belief in combining quality and value for the customer.  When this pack hits the shelves in Spring of 2013 you can expect a price tag that hovers around $40.

The Critique…
The Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack will prove to be a great addition to the Outdoor Products line-up of affordable and durable products.  And while this pack is ready to help protect your gear from Mother Nature’s worst, our field team offered a few critiques of the pack.

Our gear guru’s suggested that the addition of an internal, custom-fit padded gear case with an adjustable divider would be an added benefit allowing the user a method of separating their various gear or electronics. The second critique centers on the suspension system.  While the ventilated harness system is comfortable for shorter outings, they do retain moisture.  As such we’d prefer a mesh covered slotted foam harness system so shoulders stay drier after your wet adventure.

Bottom Line…
Whether you waded into a river a little too far or spent twelve hours in a torrential downpour, that’s no problema for the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack. Whatever you need to keep dry, is – as long as it’s safely inside the Amphibian Weather Defense Pack.

Manufactured by Outdoor Products, the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack will be available this Spring for approximately $40 MSRP at OutdoorProducts.com and other reputable online retailers.

*Gumption Gear Review received the Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack Pack from Outdoor Products at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review.  The items featured are provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.