Arc’teryx Brize 25 - Review 2023

Arc’teryx products are known for their construction and simple designs, and the Brize 25 is no exception. Designed with durable material and exceptional stitching you can rest assured that this pack will serve you well as a comfortable daypack for hiking.

But the Brize 25 is definitely an all-rounder, whether you need a daypack, hiking pack, or weekend bag it’s got you covered. The one thing we truly enjoyed about this pack is the simplicity it offers you in terms of features and design.

Throw a jumper, a lunch, keys, phone and two water bottles in the side pockets and you got the gear you need for a day of hiking or even the daily commute. If you start to consider adding anything more to this repertoire, you’re going to start finding the limits of this bag.

But that’s the thing with a good bag. It’s what you make of it, and when you know what you’re dealing with, you don’t try to make too much of it. The Brize 25 hydrates you, carry your extra layers, and lunch in a comfortable way. Expand this with your 14-inch laptop and you’ve stretched it–adequately–to its limits. But it still will serve you well.

Construction

Design

The Arc’Teryx Brize 25 is a basic backpack with the versatility to be a hiking, travel, or daypack. They also focused a lot on comfort when it came to this bag. This pack is frameless with an ergonomic back panel vented with mesh and molded foam. The square cutouts provide some airflow but fail to keep you dry on hotter days. While the waist belt is fairly minimalistic the shoulder straps are gently contoured and thick padding.

Adjust the sternum straps using the daisy chain loops that run from the top to the bottom on the shoulder. The lack of load lifters is definitely not a deal-breaker since you can’t carry that much weight with a 25L capacity. The Brize 25 features two compression straps on both sides of the pack. These straps can be used to compress your bag or use them to secure items to the side of your bag. Additionally, we enjoyed the fact that this pack did a great job of keeping its shape both when it was filled to the brim or equally when left a bit empty.

Material

When you first see the Brize 25 you will notice the high-quality construction from the fabrics to the stitching. The base is made from N420p-HT nylon while the bottom panel is made from an even sturdier N630p nylon. The Arc’Teryx Brize 25 features well-padded shoulder straps that protect your shoulders when carrying heavy gear. The waist belt is made of thin nylon and lacks padding or support.

While the nylon feels sturdy, thick, and durable it doesn’t come without a cost. The fabric may last you for years and the thick padding will protect your shoulders but, you will have to carry around that extra weight. Even though Arc’teryx claims that the Brize is water repellent, we suggest investing in a rain cover if your planning on being in continuous rain.

Capacity

Main compartment

The main compartment is designed to hug close to your back so the compartment is narrow but tall. The 25L capacity fits an extra set of clothes, food, water, and a camera bag pretty easily. This makes it ideal for long-day hiking trips or a carry-on travel pack.

To keep the rain from getting through the seams, the zipper train is covered by a flap and runs from the sides toward the back plate, rather than out along the exposed side of the bag.

It has two zippers and it features a medium-size sleeve that can either fit a 14″ laptop or a hydration bladder. It also has a small security pocket for smaller items like keys, phones, passports, or wallets. The bladders tube exit is at the top of the security pocket.

External pockets

The Brize 25 has two side pockets that hold snacks, water bottles, or tripods. They are easy to reach and allow you to grab items without removing the pack off your shoulders.
There is also a zippered pouch on the top of the lid that fits more items than we thought were possible. This pocket is ideal for items you need quick access to like a flashlight, lip-ice, or sunscreen.

The Brize 25 comes with a high price tag. However, when we compare the price to the quality, durability, and use you will get out of the pack it is definitely worth it. The Brize comes in two colors black and Ladon, with the latter being essentially dark green.

If you feel that the bag is a bit small to your liking you can always opt for the slightly bigger 32L option. Overall if you need an indestructible backpack you can hike with, take to work, or use as a camera bag the Brizel 25 got you covered.

The Brize 25 is a minimalistic backpack that suits most occasions. Thanks to its heavyweight and durable material you can rest assured that this pack will last you through environmental and airport abuse. The Brize 25 can be used as a hiking pack, travel pack, or daypack thanks to its comfort, durability, and features.

With the external features–like daisy chain loops, 2 water bottle pockets and compression straps–combined with the factors of design for comfort, this is a well-constructed bag that can also be used for daily use.