Matador  Beast 18 Technical Pack

$140.00
Members get an est. $14.00 in rewards

Move fast on technical trails with the Matador Beast 18 pack. It's lightweight and packable, and the flexible frame suspension system provides support while moving with you.

Color: Charcoal
Size: One Size
Quantity

Members get an estimated $14.00 (10%) back on this item as a part of your annual .

Members get an estimated $14.00 (10%) back on this item.
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Features

  • EVA foam-padded mesh back, shoulder straps and hipbelt add breathable comfort
  • Flexible spring steel frame moves with you
  • Removable hipbelt and adjustable sternum strap keep the backpack close to your body
  • Built from Robic® high-tenacity nylon fabric and reinforced with a UTS coating for weatherproofing and durability
  • Waterproof UTS coating adds up to 30% strength compared to traditional polyurethane coatings
  • Dual main compartment with half clamshell main zipper
  • 2 internal pockets with a key loop secure small items
  • Hydration-compatible design features an internal sleeve for a reservoir (not included) and 2 oversize water bottle pockets
  • External gear loops accommodate the tools you need for your objective
  • Hypalon™ reinforced daisy chain provides additional external storage
  • YKK® zippers and hardware throughout
  • For compact transport, the Beast 18 compresses into the included travel stuff sack

Imported.

View all Matador Daypacks

Technical Specs

Best Use

Hiking

Bag Style

Backpack

Frame Type

Internal Frame

Gear Capacity (L)

18 liters

Gear Capacity (cu. in.)

1,098 cubic inches

Weight

1 lb. 5 oz.

Fits Torso Length (in.)

16-21 inches

Fits Waist/Hips

25-48 inches

Material(s)

210-denier Robic high-tenacity nylon/EVA foam

Frame Material

Spring steel

Pack Access

Half clamshell

Number of Exterior Pockets

1 + main compartment

Hipbelt

Yes

Raincover Included

No

Reservoir Compatible

Yes

Dimensions

Unpacked dimensions: 10 x 20 x 6.5 in.; packed dimensions: 9 x 9 x 3.5 in.

Packable

Yes

Gender

Unisex

Buying Advice

Reviews
17 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

14 out of 16 (88%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

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Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, great pack
JoeHiker
3 years ago
Compact, lightweight, roomy, and comfortable/easy to adjust. What more do you want in a daypack? Water bottle pockets: check. Inner pocket to hold your keys/wallet: check. For those who like packing bladders: check.Sturdy fabric: check. Adjustable hip belt: check. Easy to strap your poles to when you don't need them AND they don't slap your backside: check. Should have bought this sooner.
JoeHiker
Phoenix area
14 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 2.0 out of 5 stars
A Bag That Falls Short, but Has Potential
justin
3 years ago
Received free product
I want to like this backpack, I really do. The look is very minimalistic and sleek. The weight is extremely light and yet it can fit quite a bit. It’s flexibility with the ability to stuff it into a small travel bag is awesome. However, it has one major flaw and a big preference flaw. First, the water bottle pockets on the sides are deep, but it is next to impossible to take the water bottles out on your own while wearing the pack. I had to take the pack off every time to grab my water bottles. Next, there are no hip pockets for snacks, or my phone, or my chapstick. They don’t have to be big, but I always appreciate having hip pockets to store stuff especially with a bag like the Beast where there are no smaller outside accessible pockets. I want to like this bag and, frankly, it has potential, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
justinReceived free product
Grand Rapids, MI
14 people found this review helpful

Customer Images

LDillefeld
Received free product
Chattanooga, TN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Amazing Small Pack

3 years ago

Overall this pack is very well designed and relatively light weight. The asymmetrical zipper on the main compartment allows for full access without the risk of gear spilling out. The smaller compartment has a depth of nearly the whole pack and has a smaller integrated pouch for smaller items like a wallet, phone, headlamp, etc. The pack is hydration bladder capable, however lacks a pass through for the drinking straw. The pack easily can hold both a softshell and rain protection, and has enough space for one change of clothes. On the back of the pack there are several gear loops. Another interesting feature of the pack is that it can be twist folded in half and stuffed in the small mesh sack that comes with the pack. The side pouches can easily facilitate trekking poles and will fit a standard 32oz. Nalgene bottle. It is really difficult to fit the bottle back into the pouch while the bag is on your back, which is disappointing. The only other feature I was surprised was not incorporated in this pack is a whistle in the chest strap clip, which this bag lacks. Overall, this pack is a nice addition and very well crafted and designed with many small thoughtful features.

Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Dave Dog
Received free product
Minneapolis, MN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Perfect sized backpack for hiking

3 years ago

This backpack is a great size for hiking and contains lots of features and pockets for organization. Starting on the outside, the fabric is a tough material with ventilation on the back and straps. There are standard gear loops and the side mesh pockets are big enough for a nalgene, but a tight fit. The main compartment is spacious for food/clothing and contains a pouch for a water bladder. One feature I didnt expect was a metal frame that helps with packing and putting the pack on. The backpack also folds into a small included pouch. I found this difficult to figure out and did not find it necessary, however I am sure one could find the trick to folding it. I would definitely recommend this backpack!

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
JoeHiker
Phoenix area
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Wow, great pack

3 years ago

Compact, lightweight, roomy, and comfortable/easy to adjust. What more do you want in a daypack? Water bottle pockets: check. Inner pocket to hold your keys/wallet: check. For those who like packing bladders: check.Sturdy fabric: check. Adjustable hip belt: check. Easy to strap your poles to when you don't need them AND they don't slap your backside: check. Should have bought this sooner.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Steve
Received free product
Bellingham, WA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great Pack - Not just for technical pursuits

3 years ago

I've been looking for a nice light 'day' pack in between my Kathmandu running vest and heavy Gregory overnight pack. I haven't used this for a technical climb yet but I've used it for a winter hike and as a casual overnight bag and here are my impressions: As a casual overnight/weekend bag: Obviously a bit overkill but it fits several changes of poorly packed clothes, toiletries, various charging blocks and cables and a switch carrying case no problem. As a day pack: I used this on a cold snowy day and packed for the worst - I had a large Alpha AR shell, a lightish weight synthetic puffy jacket, bulky winter glove shells, some snacks, pair of glasses, a few odds and ends, and some shoe traction. For water, I hooked up my 2L Gregory bladder. I didn't pack very well, but the pack felt light and comfortable on my back as I moved around. The straps, while not heavily padded worked fine - and I required minimal adjustment for it to sit right. It handled some light snow precip just fine as well.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Dominic27
Received free product
Washington D.C.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Big Things Come in Small Packages

3 years ago

This backpack is probably one of the best out there in terms of ultralight, packable, tehcnical daypacks. If you're looking for something more casual, then the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil pack or even the Cotopaxi Luzon might be more suited towards your needs. But if you need a packable summit pack that you can use on long backpacking trips or even a lightweight pack for a short overnighter then the Beast 18 is perfect. This pack is certainly a bit more expensive than comparable daypacks but for that premium you get truly rugged (no tears, scratches anything after a hard rock scramble and bushwhacking hike) materials and a waterproof coating that can resist light rain for a short amount of time. 18L may seem small but definitely enough space to pack a rain or lightly insulated jacket, 2L hydration bladder, snacks and more. Finally it definitely packs down smaller than the summit pack I used before, and one I would compare this most to (Eddie Bauer Bacon Pack). Definitely an upgrade and looking forward to using this for many years to come.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Chris
Massachusetts
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Best packable daypack for travel

1 year ago

Honestly one of the best daypacks out there, period, not to mention how packable it is. After a year of hiking and traveling this bag still looks great, has held up to lots of abuse, and I find myself continuously pleasantly surprised by the features and layout even a year later. The front pocket is fantastic, love that it's separate and enclosed. Great to keeping things separate like dirty items/flip flops/etc. The little stash pocket fits a lot more than it seems like it would, and I like that they put it inside the front pocket for a little extra security. I will say it is a little pricey for what you get when compared to other daypacks of the same price range, but the trade off of being able to pack it in the water bladder sleeve/laptop compartment of a larger travel bag is worth the price especially if you get it on sale like I did. Game changer for carry-on travel.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Lanky92
Received free product
Seattle, WA
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Great multi-use bag

3 years ago

This bag performs well for many uses. It worked well as a cross country ski bag and kept things dry as well as having enough room to fit a load of groceries for the week. The only drawback is how it's loaded. The bag has more space near the shoulders and led to a top heavy feeling when fully packed.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
LawSkier
Received free product
Columbus Ohio
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great Daypack.

3 years ago

Well-made day pack for inbounds resort skiing. Pleasantly surprised with a fit and finish up this bag water repellency is good for a day of skiing with snow. Big enough to hold snacks as well as a few light layering pieces. Bag seems very well-made, and with quality hardware. Enjoyed using it. Pocket organization is good, the off centered zippers make finding what I need easy and I wish more bags were layed out like this.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Robert
Kansas City
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

A+ daypack from Matador

2 years ago

Fantastic little backpack that easily fits into a bigger pack. Lays flat or twists into a little ball. The material is high quality and durable. My 13” MacBook Air fits into the hydration sleeve with half an inch to spare. Not sure you could fit a bigger laptop without distorting the shape of the pack. Extremely lightweight with an actual frame. I’m not sure there’s a better packable daypack on the market right now.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Twiggie
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Sizing is Inaccurate

1 year ago

I wanted to love this bag so badly; it seemed like a great fit for what I wanted. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me. I have a 16.5 inch torso length, but I have a very swayed back. The bottom of the frame digs into my tail bone area, so I'm not entirely sure how it's advertised as working for a 16 inch torso length.. maybe it's just due to my anatomy? Disappointed and returning, unfortunately. It seems great quality, though.

Age:25–34
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 17 Reviews

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