You Are Here:

Home >> Gear >> Extended-Trip Backpacks >> Arc-teryx Arrakis 65

View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.

Today's Question
Who makes the best three-season one-person condensation-free tent? answer

What’s the best boot for a Denali summit? answer

Today's Question
What’s the best hybrid bike under $1,000? answer

What is the best cold-weather, full-length parka? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Arc-teryx Arrakis 65

Gear Category: Extended-Trip Backpacks

$499

by Doug Schnitzspahn

Arc-teryx Arrakis 65 – Extended-Trip Backpacks: Reviews

Shana Novak

Cross a whitewater drybag with a technical backpack, and you might get something like the 4,393-cubic-inch Arrakis, this year's burliest—and priciest—offering. Built with a tough, waterproof, washable nylon fabric, this roll-top beast was unfazed during a torrential rain that eventually saturated other packs. Three exterior pockets let you get at small items quickly, and there's side entry to the main compartment, all of which are accessed via waterproof zips. "I threw it in the sand and generally abused it… and the zippers still pulled smoothly," said one tester. A pivot mechanism on the well-padded hipbelt keeps the pack centered even when you're off-kilter. The shoulder straps are a cinch to adjust. And you can jettison both if you just need a drybag. 5.2 lbs; arcteryx.com

More Extended-Trip Backpacks Info

2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Osprey Exos 46 Gear of the Year	$179
Marmot Diva 35 Killer Value	$119
High Sierra Sentinel 65 Killer Value	$110
Arc-teryx Arrakis 65	$499
Gregory Diablo	$59
The North Face El Lobo 65	$239
Mountain Hardwear Koa 35	$170
Gregory Maya	$99
L.L. Bean Mountain Guide	$119
Mountain Hardwear Napali 50	$190
Dakine Project Blue Recon	$70
Kelty Shrike	$80
Merrell Stroll	$45
Lowe Alpine TFX Summit ND 65+15	$330
Crumpler The Bumper Issue	$95
Granite Gear Vapor Flash	$180

2009 Winter Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Black Diamond Bandit AvaLung Gear of the Year	$170
Millet Prolight 27 Killer Value	$115
Deuter Cruise 30	$129
Mountain Hardwear Direttissima	$190
Dakine Pro 2	$100
CamelBak Scorpion	$60
Arc'teryx Silo 18	$99

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


The North Face Primero 60 Gear of the Year	$270
Deuter Futura Pro 42 Killer Value	$130
Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro ND 25Z	$125
Osprey Argon 70	$340
Ergon BA1	$150
Mountainsmith Bike Cube Deluxe	$65
Arc'teryx Cierzo 18	$50
Gregory Deva 85	$330
Black Diamond Instinct	$100
Hydrapak Laguna	$80
Kelty Locus 40	$150
Lafuma Naia 35	$140
Mountainsmith Phoenix	$290
Gregory Triconi 60	$250
Osprey Xenon 70	$340

2008 Winter Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


The North Face Patrol 35 Gear of the Year	$139
Bakoda Light Speed Killer Value	$60
Backcountry Access Squall Killer Value	$57
Black Diamond Anarchist 32L AvaLung	$270
Burton Audex iPod Boundary Pack	$180
Gregory Drift	$129
Mammut Nirvana 25	$119
Dakine Outtabounds	$160
Deuter Razor 23	$149
Mountain Hardwear Windpack	$220
C.A.M.P. XLP 290	$90

2007 Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian Gear of the Year	$250
Mammut Asana Killer Value	$139
Mountainsmith Needle Killer Value	$99
The North Face Terra 40 Killer Value	$109
MontBell Alpine Pack 50	$199
Source Deuter Streamer	$23
Mammut Direct 28	$89
Deuter Dryshield 30	$179
Marmot Garmsal	$119
CamelBak Helena	$80
Gregory Jade 50	$189
GoLite Lite-Speed	$130
Kelty Nimble	$170
CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Reservoir	$20
GoLite Pursuit	$150
Black Diamond RPM	$100
Nalgene Rapid Fill Tanker	$22
REI Ridgeline	$185
Mountain Hardwear Riff	$65
Osprey Talon 44	$159
Gregory Z 55	$189

2006 Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Arc'teryx Naos 55 Gear of the Year	$429
Osprey Aether 60 Killer Value	$199
Deuter ACT Lite 45+10 SL	$145
Mountainsmith AT 55	$199
Vaude Accept 55+10	$170
Gregory Arreba	$149
Marmot Bodie	$115
The North Face Catalyst 60	$349
The North Face Dogfish	$65
Jansport Endeavor Summit	$250
Mammut Energise	$89
GoLite Intuition	$170
Camelbak Isis	$80
Gregory Iso	$99
CamelBak M.U.L.E.	$80
Mammut Massif 45+10	$199
Mountain Hardwear Phenom	$119
Gregory Pingora	$199
Deuter Race X Air	$89
The North Face Ray 20	$79
Arc'teryx Razor 15	$125
Osprey Stratos 24	$119
Kelty Tecate	$60
REI UL 60	$130
Granite Gear Vapor Ki	$160

2005 Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Osprey Atmos 50 Gear of the Year	$199
Deuter Futura 38 AC	$109
Gregory Juxt	$129
Black Diamond Speed	$89

2004 Buyer's Guide Backpacks Reviews


Dana Design Raid Z Gear of the Year	$200
REI Mercury Killer Value	$185
Platypus Big Zip 2	$23
Jansport Body Wrap	$200
Osprey Ceres 50	$179
Eureka! Cilaos	$270
MSR Cloudliner	$21
Liquid Solutions Expedition	$21
Marmot Himalayan	$189
Nalgene Hydration TPE Bladder	$23
GoLite Infinity	$199
Lowe Alpine Mountain Attack 50	$149
Arc'Teryx Needle 65	$299
Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude	$230
Camelbak Omega	$28
Mountainsmith Phantom	$170
Hydrapak Reversible Reservoir	$23
Ultimate Direction SportTank	$24
Kelty Storm	$135
Source Widepak	$23
Gregory Z Pack	$169

Related Gear Features

Outdoor Retailer 2005 Outside Online
The gear world's global Big Tent returns to Salt Lake, and things get dirty. The Gear Guy reports.
Taking All You Can’t Leave Behind Away.com
The latest and greatest in gear-lugging luggage for the world-swept skier.
Break the Ice Outside Magazine January 2004
When the frost bites hard, fight back with the latest winter hydration systems
You Can Take It with You Outside Magazine October 2001
Just be sure to share the load with one of this year's best backpacks
Pack Rats Outside Magazine, February 2007
When we reviewed winterized packs (“Cold Storage,” February 2007), all of our favorites couldn’t fit on a single page. So here are four more ski-and-snowboard friendly backpacks that you can strap on wherever the snow is deep.
Ultrarunning 2007 Summer Buyer's Guide
Strange but true: It feels good to run all day. Prep yourself with this go-far gear.
Mammut Powder Away.com
Seal Line Urban Tote Away.com
The Perfect Wet/Dry Bag
The Headphones: Bose Acoustic QuietComfort 2 Noise-Cancelling Away.com
Play It Forward 2007 Summer Buyer's Guide
Sustainability meets performance in these eco-friendly products
‘Tis the Season Away.com
The Photographer
The Gear You Need: Backpacking in Southeast Asia Away.com
Light and packable gear for a month-long trip through the Golden Triangle.
What Chris Figenshau, Photographer, Brings Winter Buyer’s Guide 2009
The 37-year-old Victor, Idaho, resident spends over 100 days a year in the field, often chasing the world's best skiers around in snowy ranges from Bolivia to Morocco. Here's what he usually takes along.
The Gear You Need: Mountain Trekking in Peru Away.com
Save for dense snow cover and crampon-required icefields, if you’re looking to outfit yourself for trekking in places like the Peruvian Andes, we’ve got the goods.
A New Breed Away.com
The latest carry-on rollers, duffels, day packs, and messenger bags introduce both style and function to your next weekender outing.