The Rab Exion 48L represents a significant stride for Rab, signaling their expansion into the realm of traditional hiking backpacks. Moving beyond their established ultralight and smaller bag focus, this 48-litre rucksack is meticulously crafted for multi-day treks, overnight adventures, and even lighter spring bivi and bothy trips. It's a pack where comfort, robust functionality, and ample carrying capacity take center stage, promising a more relaxed and enjoyable journey on the trail.
The V-TRAX System
Rab's new V-TRAX system
The cornerstone of the Rab Exion 48's design is its V-TRAX carry system. This system is engineered with a thermoformed harness and dual-density foam, ensuring consistent contact with your back. This design intelligently provides cushioning support precisely where it's needed, while minimising bulk in other areas. The outcome is a construction that adeptly manages weight, excels at carrying substantial loads, and delivers immediate, lasting comfort over extensive distances.
My personal experience on a recent multi-day hike confirmed the system's effectiveness; the backpack proved exceptionally comfortable from the moment I put it on. The V-TRAX hook-and-loop adjustment mechanism made achieving a precise and tailored fit remarkably straightforward. The wraparound harness construction further enhances stability and overall comfort by maintaining full contact around the waist. This, combined with a plush lumbar pad and a well-cushioned hip belt, provides generous padding, effectively mitigating pressure points and significantly boosting long-term comfort during demanding days on the trail. The integrated 6mm aluminum frame plays a crucial role here, providing essential structural support and efficient load distribution, enabling the pack to handle surprisingly heavy loads with ease - something I was particularly impressed with.
Thoughtful Organisation and Practical Access
The Exion 48 truly excels in its practical organisation, making gear access a smooth experience whether you're mid-hike or setting up camp.
The U-Shaped Front Zip: This is, without a doubt, a standout feature that genuinely streamlines packing and unpacking. The U-shaped front zip grants incredibly easy access to the main compartment. I absolutely loved being able to quickly retrieve items without the need to uncinch the lid or rummage blindly through my pack. It's a small detail that makes a huge difference for me.
Spacious Front Mesh Pocket: The large mesh front pocket offers a highly convenient and readily accessible spot for items you might need in a hurry. I personally found it ideal for stashing my waterproofs and a foam sit mat, keeping them easily accessible. However, a word of caution from my own experience: while practical, this mesh isn't designed to withstand sharp objects. On my very first outing with the Exion, I unfortunately snagged it on a thorn bush, resulting in a couple of small tears. It's a reminder to be mindful of what you place against it to avoid similar incidents.
Generous Side Pockets: The pack features two large mesh side pockets, which I found perfectly accommodated my water bottles and cook system, with a bit of room to spare. While their capacity is excellent, I did find that accessing items from these pockets while wearing the bag wasn't always seamless due to the compression straps running over them. While these straps are effective at securing gear, they can slightly obstruct quick access to water bottles. A quick loosening helps, but it requires a conscious effort, which can be a minor inconvenience when you just want a quick drink.
Lid and Hipbelt Storage: The fixed lid of the Exion 48 is well-equipped with both internal and external pockets. The external pocket is a good size for items you want to keep handy, while the zipped pocket inside the lid offers secure storage for valuables and surprisingly ample space for other essentials. Additionally, the two pockets on the waist strap are a very nice touch for smaller personal effects. I found them perfect for storing my phone, wallet, sunglasses, and a few trail snacks, keeping them within easy reach.
Robust Construction and All-Weather Readiness
The Rab Exion 48 is built with resilience in mind, utilising durable materials designed to withstand diverse outdoor conditions. The primary fabric is a 330D Nylon Stripe Dobby with Hydrosheild Coating, complemented by a secondary fabric of 600D polyester, also with Hydroshield coating. This combination speaks to a pack crafted for both longevity and reliable protection against the elements.
A particularly well-executed feature for unpredictable weather is the integrated pull-out rain cover. Stored neatly in a small zipped compartment at the bottom of the pack, it ensures you're always prepared for sudden downpours. What really impressed me, and gave me great peace of mind, were the two loops positioned on either side of the bag, which the cover conveniently loops into. This simple yet effective design ensures the cover sits snugly against the pack. Furthermore, the ability to cinch the cover down guarantees a tight fit, providing confidence that it won't blow off or allow water to penetrate, even in challenging weather conditions. I really liked how secure it felt.
Weight, Volume, and Rab's Evolving Vision
Weighing in at 1.64kg / 3lb 10oz (for the M-L size), the Rab Exion 48 is clearly not positioned as an ultralight pack. This weight reflects Rab's deliberate move into the more traditional backpacking market, aligning their offerings with well-established brands renowned for comfort and durability. The core philosophy behind the Exion 48 is evident: to provide robust functionality and exceptional comfort for multi-day treks, where a slightly higher weight is a worthwhile trade-off for enhanced carrying capacity and thoughtful features. Despite its weight, I was genuinely surprised by how well the pack's well-engineered carry system allowed it to handle heavy loads with surprising ease. With a generous volume of 48 litres, it offers ample space for extended adventures.
Additional Features
Beyond its core attributes, the Exion 48 integrates several additional features that enhance its overall utility on the trail:
- Walking Pole Attachment Points: Dedicated attachment points are included for securing your walking poles when not in use. While a useful addition, I did find that using them requires you to take the pack off, which can be a minor interruption.
- Dual Base Compression Straps: Located at the base of the pack, these straps are crucial for cinching down the load and providing stability, preventing gear from shifting unnecessarily during movement.
- 3L Bladder Compatibility: The Exion 48 is fully compatible with a 3-litre hydration bladder, offering a convenient way to stay hydrated on the go without needing to stop and access water bottles.
Conclusion: A Reliable Companion for the Long Haul
The Rab Exion 48L Hiking Backpack is, in my opinion, a very well-conceived rucksack that masterfully blends traditional design principles with modern functionality. Rab has clearly prioritised a balance between exceptional comfort and a suite of intelligently designed features, positioning it as a strong contender for backpackers who value reliability and user-friendly design. While it won't be the choice for those chasing minimalist ultralight setups, its outstanding comfort, efficient load transfer, and smart organisation make it a highly reliable option for multi-day hikes and overnight adventures where enduring comfort and accessibility are paramount. It's a dependable companion that I've enjoyed using, and I believe it's truly ready to support you through unhurried miles.
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