Ortlieb's waterproof
Light-Pack Pro 25 is the most comfortable frameless pack I have ever used - due to the inflatable back pad made of (very) non-slippery material. I can't provide a complete review, because I have only had it for two days. But I took it out for a long trial on some technical trail yesterday, and it's the first time a fully loaded frameless pack has given me no bother at all in the roughest sections - not even the hint of extra wobble (compared to a pack with a frame) I get from my Vaude Rock UL (old version). Also, it rained fairly hard for quite a while, so I can say that the waterproofing currently works fine... but that's no surprise given the brand and the newness of my specimen. I'm fully expecting durability, but that's just due to Ortlieb's reputation. I weighed mine at 380g - 5g lighter than advertised and about 30g heavier than my Vaude. But since I no longer need a rain cover, I actually save some 50g.
As I say, mine was packed pretty full yesterday - as if for a long trip. But you can adjust the degree of inflation for your load - less to carry, add more air. That's useful during stops in towns/hotels or at commercial camping sites. If you blow it up hard for just a few items inside, you have a daypack that doesn't look and feel limp.
I hope and
think the fabric is tough enough for ungentle trail riding. Obviously, it's not a pack you want to chuck around unnecessarily. But I don't think it needs too much pampering en route. Think twice, perhaps, about ducking under low fallen tree trunks... but do so anyway for your own well-being (I'm guessing that the front of the pack can easily take a scrape or two, not quite so sure about the glossy sides with regard to particularly nasty thorns). In the worst case, I predict that small tears can easily be mended double - inside and out - to maintain the waterproofing.
I'll be using mine for bikepacking only. Not for day rides or other purposes. I think that should guarantee a long enough life. Oh... and why am I so bothered about durability and toughness? Because the pack ain't cheap for its volume. I spent € 99.99 on mine after inspecting it and pondering for almost an hour in the shop.
