Arc’teryx Brize 25 Review

Arc’teryx is one of my favorite brands for shell jackets; as an alpinist, I love their attention to detail and the careful selection of materials— two things that always help me to rationalize the premium price. 

Only more recently have I started using their backpacks. As with their shell jackets, Arc’teryx packs deliver straightforward simplicity and premium aesthetics that never disappoint. The Brize 25L is the fourth backpack I’ve had the chance to deeply test and review.

When looking at the design of other packs like the Alpha AR and the Alpha FL, I can notice the essentialism built around a specific type of activity: alpinism. The Brize, instead, is considered more of an all-rounder. To be honest, it doesn’t even look like it was designed for the outdoors. When I first received the Brize, I was skeptical. 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not an “ultralight purist”, but I enjoy the simplicity in my gear. After using only pure roll-top alpine rucksacks for an extended period, I’ve become very aware of the importance of weight, especially when the pack contents will be heavy climbing gear and ropes.

The multi-featured Brize seemed to me to be more like a small tactical pack. Well, I was wrong. After two months of use, this little “25 liters” has become my go-to daypack, and I can’t get enough of using it.

Design

Looks

Despite my first impression, the Brize 25L is indeed designed with outdoor use in mind. Even if 905 grams of weight might sound like overkill for such a small capacity, the fit is so comfortable that you forget about it.

Arc’teryx describes it as a versatile daypack ideal for hiking, to travel and daily use. In the 32L version (that is targeting men), the closure system of the lid is slightly different, becoming a more traditional lid top style where a drawcord closure separates the access to the pack. (In this version, there is also a rope strap, intended to carry a climbing rope under the top lid.) Since I’m 173cm tall, I found the 25L fitted my back almost perfectly.

Construction

The shape of the pack when filled up looks like a sturdy “T”, where the lid looks like a mushroom’s top. The Brize maintains this shape also when empty; this is for me a nice plus since most of the simpler/thinner packs (look at Dyneema ones) lose their appeal when not filled to the max capacity.

Materials

The nylon used for the Brize (N630p and N420p-HT) feels sturdy, thick, and premium. Arc’teryx claims it’s water repellent but suggests using a pack cover in continuous rain conditions. I’ve used the pack, filled with my laptop and tablet, commuting by bicycle through the infamous Japanese rain season, and I didn’t have any problem with wet gear. I believe this backpack won’t repel water less than the Alpha AR; that was my daily commute pack until now.

Features

The ice axe loops and the two practical bungee cord attachments suggest alpine use (or at least glacier crossing). However, I didn’t really test the pack for climbing. I successfully carried my tripod and trekking poles around the city and while hiking, also thanks to the four handy side compression straps—something I would love to see on their alpine models as well. The sternum strap and the waist strap are probably overkill for such a small backpack, but I guess they are an excellent addition.

Performance

Space

Arc’teryx claims the Brize 25L carries a volume capacity of 22 liters in the main compartment, 1.5 liters in the top lid pocket, and 0.5 liters for each of the side pockets. Since it’s a small bag that doesn’t stretch, I found it difficult to fit much more than that capacity, so bringing more than my laptop and work-related gear and a small bouldering gym kit (climbing shoes and a change of clothes) would be challenging. However, the top lid pocket can fit more items than what you think is possible.

Organization

The thing I’m delighted with the most is the external pockets. The accessibility of the pockets made me realize how well designed the Brize is. Being able to access side pockets to grab my water effortlessly or sneaking a snack from the top lid without taking the pack off my back was, for me, a game changer.

The internal features are a medium size internal pocket to fit a MacBook 13″ (or a hydration bladder) and a small security pocket that barely fits my wallet. At the top of the pocket, there is a little strap to hang your hydration bladder. The “exit hole” for the bladder’s tube is right at the top of the security pocket. 

Comfort 

The Aeroform™ thermoformed back panel (that improves airflow) is very comfortable and indeed helped my back ventilation in humid summer trekking or even just for my morning work commute. Let’s be honest, I still haven’t found a backpack that doesn’t make your back sweat, but I can say the Arc’teryx designers did an excellent job with the Brize.

The extra-padded shoulder straps are very thick for my tastes, and I couldn’t manage to attach my Peak Design camera clip, but they are definitely more comfortable when compared with the straps of the other packs I’ve been using.

Alternatives to Consider

In the same price range, there is a wide choice of backpacks. In the “classic outdoorsy” category, there is the Osprey Stratos, Gregory Miwok, Patagonia Nine Trails, Black Diamond Nitro, and The North Face Borealis.

With a similar capacity in the ultralight range, there is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak.

Nice to Have

In order to use the Brize as a proper camera gear carry, it would’ve been nice to be able to unzip along the length of the backpack for increased accessibility to my equipment. It would also be great if the shoulder straps had daisy chain webbing to attach my Peak Design camera clip. 

Having the same pack made in n315LCP (like the Alpha AR) or X-Pac would have made it lighter and more attractive to me. 

Verdict

Arc’teryx is not cheap, and at this price point, there are so many packs that fall in the same category as the Brize. Most of them offer better organization or lighter fabrics, but indeed, the Brize is built to last for a long, long time.

Personally, I love the comfort, and I love how carefully thought out it is for an urban context or hiking days. I believe you need to fall in love with your gear from the very first use, so if you are thinking of getting a Brize, just follow your heart. 

This article was written by new contributor, Riccardo Parenti, Italian-born photographer and product designer living in Tokyo. You can check out his work here. Welcome to the team, Riccardo!