Go Light, Go Far: Patagonia Terravia 22L Pack Review

I think we’ve all personally used a variety of Patagonia packs here at CGR. I’ve always found them well-featured, durable, and user-friendly. The new Patagonia Terravia Pack 22L is no exception. This lightweight hiking backpack has been designed with day hikes in mind, offering plenty of features and a comfortable fit for diverse terrains, including urban exploration.

The pack I tested was the 22L version, which I found to be more than ample for warm-weather excursions. The Patagonia Terravia range also includes 14L, 28L, and 36L versions, along with three sizes (S, M, and L). This ensures you should find a size to suit your packing requirements and body composition.

Construction & Durability

Firstly, the main body is constructed from 70-denier recycled ripstop nylon, which is incredibly durable and will withstand plenty of abuse. The base is made using thicker 200-denier recycled nylon. Patagonia has successfully maintained a soft feel in the base, making it easier to access and deploy the integrated rain cover that comes as standard. The main body nylon features a water-repellent PU coating applied to the inner, and the seams are fold-stitched and taped to minimise water ingress. This setup worked well when I was caught in heavy showers, but I’d always advise using a lightweight dry bag for anything you absolutely need to keep dry.

Back System & Comfort

Moving onto the back panel, these are lightweight, flexible panels that are raised to create a slight channel down the centre. The panels are mesh-lined, and the foam inserts are also perforated to offer some breathability. To be honest (TBH), I’ve yet to test any back system that keeps my back dry when working hard – and I’ve tried plenty, including some outrageously expensive 3D-printed rucksacks! So, the back panel worked well enough; it was super comfortable, and its flexibility meant it conformed to my back shape regardless of what I was wearing. At the top of the back, there’s a hose port for those who use a hydration bladder – the internal bladder pocket is large and will easily accommodate a 2L bladder. There are also left and right hose retaining loops, making it easy to configure to your preference.

Straps & Pockets

The shoulder straps have proven to be very comfortable. They are 2.5 inches wide at the top and taper to 2 inches at the bottom, so they should fit most standard shoulder widths. They feature a tenacity mesh on the outer and a softer mesh on the inner, making them comfortable to wear next to the skin. They’re also fully breathable, ensuring comfort even when the pack is fully loaded. The adjustable chest strap is satisfyingly made using a standard buckle that clips into a daisy chain stitched edging tape. This means once you’ve adjusted it to fit, it won’t slide out of place – a common annoyance on many packs, making this a definite plus for the Terravia.

The straps are easy to tighten and loosen with a sliding buckle that keeps the strap firmly in place yet releases easily. There are also two well-sized pockets on the soft and comfortable hip belt. Again, they have mesh panels with a top made from the 70-denier body material. Reverse coil zips with glove-friendly reflective tags complete them. I keep my compass in the left-hand one and either some food bars or my phone in the other (if my jacket doesn’t have a chest pocket). There’s plenty of room for any smaller items you want quick access to. The hip belt is fully adjustable and features a burly buckle that’s also glove-friendly.

Unique Features & Storage

Interestingly, Patagonia hasn’t added a mesh pocket on the front of the 22L pack, which has been a prominent feature on many packs in recent years. Instead, they’ve opted for an old-school tension cord. This design choice eliminates the need for compression straps and improves pack stability by allowing you to add tension and compress the contents. This is particularly beneficial for maintaining stability when covering technical ground or on fast, steep descents. There are also two pole loops that could double up as ice axe loops (I’d definitely consider using this pack in spring conditions in Scotland or the Alps when carrying a piolet).

I don’t usually carry my poles on a dedicated pole system as I find they move around too much, and I only deploy them for descending. I often carry them in a side pocket if available or inside the pack. I’ve done this successfully with the Terravia, as the side pockets are nice and deep for my compact poles and water bottles. I then lock them in using the pull tag designed for the standard pole system, which has worked well. For testing purposes, I used the loop and found the best way to secure a pole is to put the tip in the loop, twist it around a few times to tighten, and then lock it in using the tag at the top. That worked okay, but I’ll still be popping them in the side pocket for now. The side pockets could be improved by adding a more durable base, and I’m a little unsure how robust they will be in the long term.

There are three top pockets on the Terravia 22L: the one nearest the back panel is ideal for smaller items you might need quick access to, such as a head torch, glasses, phone, and sun cream. There’s also a key clip to make them easy to find after a tough day on the trail. The main zip provides access to the main body; it’s a double zip that opens the pack wide enough to fit plenty inside – easily enough for most types of day out, perhaps excluding a full climbing rack and rope. I could fit an adult’s emergency kit, extra insulation, lightweight shells, sandwiches, and still have room to spare. I used the large bladder pocket to stow maps and a foldable seat. The front pocket is an intermediate size for stowing items such as gloves, hats/caps, and any other items you might need easy access to, including food bars. All pockets are finished with YKK reverse coil zips and reflective tags. Finishing touches include classic Patagonia labels and a well-sized grab handle. All this in a 672g lightweight package.

Verdict & Value

All in all, the Patagonia Terravia Pack 22L is a great hiking pack. Comfortable and well-featured, it will serve you well on many outdoor adventures for years to come. And if it does need repair, you can always use the Worn Wear repair service, which is a fantastic initiative. As you’d expect, Patagonia’s ethical standards are what other companies benchmark themselves by, so you can be assured that any manufacturing is Fair Trade certified, recycled materials are used where possible, and all other materials are Bluesign certified.

The Patagonia Terravia Pack 22L is well-priced at £100. It comes in two colour options and sizes S, M, and L. It can be purchased directly from Patagonia UK and selected retailers.

Disclosure – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers who accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item.