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The new, climbing inspired Verro 20 day pack from Arc’teryx proves surprisingly versatile.
Very few people would just use an Arc’teryx pack for its intended purpose, they are just too good (and expensive). We even used the climbing specific Ion Organizer as a messenger bag and gym pack and I’ve seen plenty of people using the super technical Alpha SL as a commute pack.
The new Verro 20 Backpack has it’s design fundamentals firmly in the climbing space, but as you will see it’s pretty versatile and you’ll find yourself reaching for it time and again whatever your activity.
The Verro 20 is a climbing specialised pack with featured tailor made for indoor climbing sessions and (maybe) outdoor sessions that required small amounts of kit. It is well designed (as you would expect from a premium brand) and has some great features that any climber will find useful.
The main body is made using highly durable and burly 210D Cordura fabric that has a tight weave and a PFAS free DWR to help keep the pack shower proof. This has proved excellent when using the pack in ‘commuter’ mode on wet cycleways and roads. Another great detail is the taped seams on the outer compartment – again, helping to keep the weather off climbing shoes and chalk bags. So, we have a burly fabric that will easily take the rough and tumble of a day at the crag. The base is stiffened to add some structure and help keep the pack upright on the ground.
There are three main compartments in the Verro 20: a full length, zipped front compartment that has a laminated interior finish. This is large enough to hold a chalk bag and climbing shoes and keeps the smelly and chalky stuff away from clothing and/or tech. I found it was big enough for a pair or shoes and a smaller chalk bag, a larger bouldering bucket was a bit of a squeeze. If the bouldering bag is flatter in design that will work, but some of the more modern flat bottomed style bag will be a challenge. The closure is a full length revered coil zip and has a stiffened storm flap to keep rain out.
Then there is a central, stuff style, compartment that has an aluminium hook closure. This is great for all those items you need quick access to such as a lightweight layer, climbing harness, belay devices, water, etc. It doesn’t extend the full length of the pack so you are a little limited to what you can put in it. But it is a very useful part of the pack. It also has an excellently placed small, zipped pocket for keeping keys, work lanyards and some snack bars. It is perfected placed for quick access without having to unbuckle the top – exactly the sort of small but great detail you’d expect from Arc’teryx.
The final compartment is a zipped larger component that is plenty big enough for all you other climbing needs such as a few quickdraws, belay device and clothing. It is at the back so is kept well away from chalk. It has a zipped, mesh security pocket which has a key clip and is plenty big enough for larger style phones and anything else you need to keep secure. There is also a large mesh pocket that is big enough for a 14” laptop or hydration bladder. If you are using a hydration bladder then is is a tube holder but no exit hole. So you will have to be inventive with the zips to get the tube where you want it. It is a great sized compartment and I was able to kit plenty in for all the activities I have been using it for. It is finished with a Aquacloil zip closure for extra water resistance.
As stated in the tagline the Arc’teryx Verro 20 has proved to be very versatile and you will find yourself quickly using it for a whole range of activities. I have used it for commute by bike and public transport – brilliant; hiking – brilliant, indoor climbing – pretty much perfect and outdoor bouldering – brilliant. I also intend to start using for my lightweight air travel adventures where I pack just enough for a few days in an under the seat pack – I’m confident that it will be great for this too. In no time at all, it has quickly become my go to daily pack. Arc’teryx say that the pack could be used for a sport climbing day where the draws are in place – I think it would be a bit of a push. Perhaps somewhere guaranteed warm, dry and sunny but in our UK changeable climate we need to pack a little more and a 20L pack can be a bit tight – you’d need to be inventive, or ruthless (which is no bad thing)!
Finishing touches include: large, glove friendly and branded zip pulls, removable waist belt (which I removed), chest strap which is daisy chain adjusted, stiffened foam back panel with embossed Arc’teryx branding; refined, embroidered Bird logo in reflective stitching and discreet, embroidered Verro 20 branding at the side. There are a couple of small improvements I would suggest on any future updates. A meshed side pocket would be useful for holding hiking/running poles and/or a water bottle and some daisy chain tape on the outer pocket for clipping climbing shoes onto, which is popular wit some climbers. Other than these small tweaks it’s a great pack and well worth the £180 price tag. One final note on sizing, the Verro 20 pack comes in one size – regular and is quite narrow and therefore elongated in designed. It may not suit smaller body sizes, in which case you may want to consider the Konseal 15 pack.
The Arc’teryx Verro 20 Backpack is unisex in design and comes in one size – regular. There are three colour options and the SRP is £180.
It can be bought from Arc’teryx UK or the London and Manchester stores – which are well worth a visit.
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.
