Arc'teryx  Alpha FL 20 Pack

I really wanted to like it this pack. And it's disappointing, reaching out to Arc'teryx, which makes many products I love, justify this pack while ignoring my comments pointing out leakage in light drizzle/sleet/snow while they focus on heavy precipitation. The pack: great size, light weight, and the outer fabric seems durable. Two improvements would be making the zippers actually water tight and having a removable waist belt. Used for the 1st time on a trip in Oct where I encountered very light rain and light snow/sleet. The external pocket according to the website says "External WaterTight™ zippered pocket". I had items in this pocket including phone and tissues that got wet. On a 2nd day, in the same conditions, I purposely put tissues in the top of this pocket which all got damp again. I did this as a test so that I could be 100% sure I zipped the pocket all the way. Nothing got wet in the internal zip pocket, however, based on the bag design with only a drawcord and no external roll top I'm not sure the internal pocket would keep items dry if there was heavy precipitation and the collar filled up with water. You definitely cannot count on your gear staying dry in even light precipitation! These were the customer support responses to the issue: "While the fabric on your backpack is waterproof, water penetration will always be a small possibility under certain circumstances on any zipper. Our zippers pass rigorous tests to meet their standards of extreme wet weather, but for instance, if there is water pooling up on the zipper teeth, there will be some moisture that seeps through. To add some extra context, there are no completely waterproof zippers on the general outdoorwear market today (except on specialized dry suit products, however, they are very heavy and are stiff/difficult to operate)." A response from their website: "Hello, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We understand how disappointing it can be when gear doesn’t perform as expected, especially in wet conditions. While we’re sorry to hear you’re unhappy with the outcome, we’d like to clarify a common misconception around the term “WaterTight™.” As noted in the product description, this backpack is weather-resistant, not waterproof, and the zippers are designed to be water-resistant, not fully waterproof. WaterTight™ zippers typically feature a coating like Polyurethane or DWR (Durable Water Repellent) that helps shed moisture. They’re built to resist light rain, splashes, or brief exposure, but they aren’t sealed tightly enough to block water under pressure or prolonged contact. We appreciate your feedback on the design and understand your concerns about the waist belt and internal protection. Your insights help us continue to refine our gear and improve how we communicate its intended use. If you have any questions about alternative packs or gear better suited for heavy rain, we’d be happy to help."

It is about time that Arc’teryx brought back the original FL30 pack. This one does it all - it is an excellent on-route pack for almost every discipline, and good for light cragging too. The new gen FL30 is much bigger and I have sadly missed the original FL 30 (which was actually 23L and expanded to 30). This new FL 20 has similar dimensions to the beloved original pack while added all the improved features from the new versions, including the second zip pocket, the lash points, and hadron fabric. Wonderful, wonderful stuff! Oh, and don’t mention the Alpha SL23… that one definitely went the wrong direction. Thank you for bringing back the legend!

I just bought one of these, so have not used it. It will replace a Cierzo 25 and become my main carry-on when travelling, my daypack when trekking and my first choice when I need waterproofness. I was looking for: a waterproof body, at least one external zip pocket, a way to attach 2 hiking poles or 1 ice axe, a smooth back panel, an internal panel to keep things from sticking into my back (and help the pack stand up) and a way of being cinched down when not full. This has all these in a well-constructed, lovely looking pack. The shoulder straps and waistbelt look the same as the FL30, so it likely could handle a surprising load (a lot of water?). While not light, the robustness is reassuring when you are remote. It seems long in the body, but sits well below your head, so should not get in the way. Overall, I'm very impressed.

I used this project for scrambles and multipitches in the rockies. Super durable and carries so much more than the 20L it's rated at. My only complaint is that the fit of the shoulder straps is definitely meant for men. The strap is almost the width of my shoulder and rubbed the side of my neck constantly. Would love to see a female specific fit.

I love so many things about the pack: capacity, comfort, quality, material, color etc. However, the main closure on the top of the pack is terribly designed. It just cinches with a cord, no protective over flap, so rain/water can just trickle in making useless as a waterproof pack which is the reason I bought it. I am returning it.

Overall amazing pack, I love the weight and how easy it is to get into when you need something. Only thing I wish the pack had was a hydration bladder cut out to run a bladder when you want to. You can jerry rig it to get the same function, but It would be a great addition from the factory.

Great backpack design. It is simple (no danglies), light, waterproof, comfortable, and durable. Thank you !

An excellent waterproof and lightweight bag for long routes in the summer and multipitch ice in the winter.

Very light, and I like the extra pocket added. Very good upgrade!