Steph Wetherell recommends the Rab Exion 55 – but notices one issue worth considering if you’re in a bigger body.
This Rab Exion 55 backpack is a well-designed and versatile bag with a plethora of pockets and an easy to adjust back system. If you are the kind of packer that likes everything to have a specific place, this might be the bag for you.
Steph Wetherell recommends
This pack is a good choice for people who want a backpack with a lot of features and pockets.- lots of pockets
- easy access
- hipbelt may not be ideal for those with large waist to hip ratio
| Quick Specs |
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| Price: $250 | £230 (available from Rab) Weight: 2.05kg (L/XL), 1.95kg (M/L) Volume: 55l Materials: 330D Nylon stripe dobby and 600D polyester both with Hydroshield coating Features: Zipped bottom compartment, internal hydration sleeve, ice axe/trekking pole loops, side and base straps, rain cover Closure: Floating lid, front U shaped zipper Back: Adjustable, curved frame, foam and mesh panels Hipbelt: Foam and mesh Pockets: front stretch mesh, 2 side stretch mesh, 2 external zipped lid, 1 internal zipped lid, 2 zipped hipbelt, 2 stretch mesh shoulder strap Sizes: Narrow/Womens (43-48cm), M/L (48-53cm), L/XL (53-58cm) Men’s version? Womens (Narrow Dimensions) and Unisex versions rab.equipment |
There are three pockets (two external, one internal) in the top of the pack alone that hold a combined 5 litres of kit. There are two mesh pockets on the shoulder straps that are a perfect for sunglasses or snacks, along with hip belt pockets, two side pockets, and a big stretch front stash pocket. The risk is forgetting which pocket you put something in. A U-shaped front zip allows you to access the main body of the pack from the front and made access much more straightforward.
Pole attachment points, an integrated raincover and a pouch/access for a water bladder are all there too. The fabric is durable and held up well on rough terrain, and the pack as a whole boasts 28% recycled content across fabric, frame and trim.
The V-TRAX back system was straightforward to adjust with a hook and loop adjustable panel that slides up and down. The back itself offers a good amount of ventilation with the thermoformed harness and a nice amount of padding on the shoulder and hip belts. It’s a pull-forward adjustment for the hip belt, which made it easy to tighten to the right level.
They offer a ND (narrow dimension) specific fit for women and those of smaller frame, but it was too short in the back for me (43-48cm), so I opted for the unisex option instead. However, as someone with a large waist-to-hip ratio, I found the straight cut of the hip belt a little uncomfortable and I missed the curved hip belt that many women’s specific packs offer (not an issue when we tried the pack on a male hiking partner). This pack is a good choice for people who want a backpack with a lot of features and pockets but may not fit curvier people so well.
How Steph tested
These rucksacks were tested across South Wales during the winter and spring of 2026. Steph is a size 20 and is 5’10 tall, and tested the rucksacks on a range of different length walks. Weights are from her own scales. This review was first published in the July 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. You can compare it with other in our guide to the best backpacking packs.
