The Rab Protium 27 – an otherwise excellent technical load carrier – has some compromising details.
The Rab Protium 27 is styled for more technical adventures, with a tapered bottom end for clearance when scrambling and a wider top which spreads the load across the shoulders.
Peter Macfarlane’s verdict
There are some frustrating and compromising details on an otherwise excellent load carrier.- stable
- comfortable
- good back system and harness
- side pockets are inaccessible in use
- heavy
| Quick specs |
|---|
| RRP: $175 / £130 (available from Rab) Weight: 1065g Capacity: 27 litres Materials: 100D Robic Nylon Ripstop, 140D Nylon Back system: adjustable air contour back system, semi rigid ABS plastic back system Pockets: hip fins with zipped pockets, large external front and side mesh pockets, zipped access with external and internal pockets Features: rain cover, hydration compatible Sizes: regular and L/XL Women’s version? Protium ND25L rab.equipment |
This shape works for running and mountain biking, although at over a kilo the Protium is a little heavy to be used for either. The excellent harness is height adjustable, and the padded and well-contoured shoulder straps easily slide up and down behind the stiffened back to Velcro into place at your chosen length. The stiff back helps to support a full load with stability and it has air gaps and mesh to promote moisture management.
The hip fins are the same mesh over foam design as the shoulder straps. They sit well on my frame and have good sized zipped pockets. The zipped main access is easy to use and there are pockets inside and outside at the zip which replicate handy lid pockets. On the front panel is a huge mesh stuff pocket with a securing buckle which I can even fit a small tent into.
There are attachment points for poles and axes and a small daisy chain which is great for a bike light or adding a bungee for expanding storage. The side panels let the Protium down. There are large mesh pockets perfect for bottles, sadly inaccessible when wearing the pack.
The pack is hydration compatible with a sleeve and hanging loop behind the back system but if you use bottles you have to take the pack off every time I want a drink. The pockets are also restricted by the compression straps, which can push bottles upwards on the move.
The construction necessary for the zipped raincover pocket in the base might be part of the reason the side pockets are set high. It’s a frustrating and compromising detail on an otherwise excellent load carrier.
Testing conditions
Reserve Ranger Peter rotated the packs on his regular 11km deer fence inspection walks in the Kilpatrick Hills and took them into the Munros through the winter. Peter is 1.8m in height and wears between regular and tall back lengths depending on design and brand.
This review was first published in the August 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with other daypacks in our guide to the best hiking backpacks.
