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Arc'teryx Brize 25 Review

A classic daypack that will last the basic user a very long time.
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Price:  $159 List | $159.00 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Durable and simple
Cons:  Minimal pockets, unpadded waist belt, minimal back venting.
Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 4, 2018
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66
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 16
  • Comfort - 25% 8
  • Weight - 25% 3
  • Versatility - 25% 8
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7
  • Durability - 10% 8

Our Verdict

The Arc'teryx Brize 25 is a solid little pack. It is simple, clean, and carefully thought out. With a narrow profile and limited extra pockets, it rewards the careful packer. The molded foam back panel isn't as sophisticated, regarding venting, as our top-scoring packs. Overall, the Editors' Choice Osprey Talon 22 has more features and greater comfort. The Arc'teryx is a little more durable.

Color Updates

The Brize 25 is available in some new colors this season, like the silver/grey Neptune shown above. The design of the pack remains the same as the version we tested.

February 2019


Compare to Similar Products

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This Product
Arc'teryx Brize 25
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award  
Price $159.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$139.00 at REI$109.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$54.95 at REI$39.95 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Durable and simpleComfortable, stabilizes heavy loads, thoughtful design, modular, recycled fabrics.Tons of features, fully adjustable, comfortable, well ventilated, separate hydration compartmentLightweight, only the necessary features, comfortable suspension for the weight.Affordable, minimalist design, lightweight, super packable.
Cons Minimal pockets, unpadded waist belt, minimal back venting.Non-adjustable frame, only decent ventilation.Runs small, side mesh pockets are debatably smallUncomfortable with heavy loads, not durable.Few features, thin shoulder straps and hip belt.
Bottom Line A classic daypack that will last the basic user a very long time.The most comfortable and stable daypack in our review also has just the right features for many outdoor adventures.This pack offers a time tested versatile design that is ready for any adventure.This pack is an excellent value, providing all-around performance for light and fast activities at a bargain price.A simple pack that's easy on the wallet, ultralight, and super popular.
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Brize 25 REI Co-op Traverse 35 Osprey Talon 22 REI Co-op Flash 22 REI Co-op Flash 18
Comfort (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
5
Weight (25%)
10
0
3
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
10
Versatility (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
6
Ease Of Use (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
Durability (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
5
10
0
4
Specs Arc'teryx Brize 25 REI Co-op Traverse... Osprey Talon 22 REI Co-op Flash 22 REI Co-op Flash 18
Weight (ounces) 32 53.69 27.44 12.64 9.07
Measured volume (liters) 19 48.34 22.56 23.44 17.89
Back Construction Padded and slightly vented Spring steel Vented, contoured Simple foam pad Simple foam pad
Hydration Internal sleeve, bladder not included Internal hydration sleeve Externally accessed sleeve, holds up to 3L, bladder not included Internal hydration sleeve Internal hydration sleeve
Hipbelt 3/4" webbing, removable 3D Contoured hip belt Broad, padded, with pockets 3/4" webbing removable 3/4" webbing removable
Number of pockets 4 9 9 5 2
Description of Pockets 2 stretchy mesh side, One external "lid", one internal zipped. 1 main top loader, 1 outer flap with nylon/stretchy-mesh, 1 outer zippered, 1 top lid zippered, 1 top lid mesh, 2 side stretchy mesh, 2 hip belt 1 main compartment zippered, 1 stretchy mesh shoulder strap, 2 waist zippered, 2 side stretchy mesh, 1 back stretchy mesh, 1 top zippered, 1 open hydration reservoir pocket behind back panel 1 main top loader, 2 side stretchy mesh, 1 top lid zippered, 1 outer zippered 1 main top loader, 1 outer zippered
Materials Nylon Recycled 200D ripstop nylon, recycled 400D Oxford packcloth Nylon Nylon Nylon
Outside Carry Options side straps, ice axe loop, small daisy chain Ice axe loop and bungee holder, 12 attachment loops along bottom and sides of pack Bungee helmet tab, Blinker light patch, ice axe loop and bungee holder, front-side pole carry bungee loops Ice axe loop and bungee holder, daisy chains, attachment loops around back panel 1 exterior daisy chain
Whistle no Yes Yes Yes Yes
Key Clip Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Notable other Features None Uplift compression straps really tighten down the load Blinker patch, front-side pole carry loops Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum and hip belt straps, attachment loops to add compression cords Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum and hip belt straps
Weight : Volume (oz/L) 1.68 1.11 1.22 0.54 0.51
Weight : Volume Ranking 16 9 13 2 1

Our Analysis and Test Results

Arc'teryx makes products that are generally highly acclaimed. They have a history of excellent construction and simple design. The Brize 25 pack meets these expectations, but most daypack consumers are looking for more sophistication and more features in their pack. For the fan of simplicity, the Brize is worth consideration.

Performance Comparison


Solid construction and careful design are the Brize's strong points. Other packs edge ahead overall with more features and better ventilation comfort.


Comfort


The Brize is your basic hiking rucksack. This is especially true when considering comfort. The shoulder straps feature gentle contouring and generous padding. The waist belt is minimalist. The back panel is subtly vented with mesh and molded foam. It is this back panel that sets the others apart. All of the more comfortable backpacks we have reviewed have better venting in the back panel than the Brize. The Editors Choice Osprey Talon 22, for instance, has a carefully tensioned back panel that leaves room for air to flow between bag and back, aiding in the evaporation of your perspiration. The Camelbak Fourteener 24 also has better ventilation. For carrying daypack loads, up to 25 pounds or so, the Brize suffers only for the lack of a padded waist belt.

Like the rest of the pack the back panel of the Brize 25 is relatively simple. The mesh and foam combine to lend a little ventilation while maintaining even support.
Like the rest of the pack, the back panel of the Brize 25 is relatively simple. The mesh and foam combine to lend a little ventilation, while maintaining even support.

Weight


For as simple as the Brize is, we wish it were lighter. It weighs more than a number of the more featured packs. The weight comes from the thick shoulder pads and burly fabric. The fabric will last a long, long time, but you'll be carrying around extra ounces that whole time.

Versatility


In this case, the Brize 25's simplicity is a virtue. Simple packs are more versatile. If you use your daypack for only day hiking, you want carefully arranged pockets, sophisticated ventilation, and various strapping points. If you will also use this pack for rock climbing, travel, or day-to-day use, simplicity is better. In all these other areas, extra pockets and super rigid ventilated back panels are liabilities. The simple, flexible construction of the Brize makes it more suitable for other activities. For this, it does well.

Day pack side pockets should hold a one liter water bottle. The Brize passes this test.
Day pack side pockets should hold a one liter water bottle. The Brize passes this test.

Ease of Use


Again, the simplicity of the Brize edges it ahead here. The one main compartment, complemented by two simple zipper pouches, is easy to figure out. Of course, when you are used to them, the many options of something like the Gregory Zulu 30 enhance your usage. Our one gripe about the ease of use of the Brize is in the narrow main compartment. For this volume, the pack is particularly tall and narrow. The distance from the front to the back of the pack seems very low. This makes it carry close to your body, but getting stuff in and out is compromised.

The tall narrow profile of the Brize is comfortable but makes packing a little trickier. Stay organized and it will work out fine for you.
The tall, narrow profile of the Brize is comfortable, but makes packing a little trickier. Stay organized and it will work out fine for you.

Durability


This bag will last you a long time. Our experience with this pack, other products from Arc'teryx, and our experience with packs made of this weight of fabric suggests a great deal of durability. Our test regimen does not allow us to test every product to failure, but we are confident in our ability to extrapolate durability from the prodigious usage we do execute.

Simple and clean. The external (and internal for that matter) lines of the Brize 25 are smooth with minimal extra paneling pockets or straps.
Simple and clean. The external (and internal, for that matter) lines of the Brize 25 are smooth, with minimal extra paneling, pockets, or straps.

Best Applications


This is a day-to-day hiking and commuting bag for he or she that can organize their stuff without a plethora of straps and accessory pouches.

Value


Arc'teryx equipment is not cheap. At this price point, in our daypack review, you have access to packs that have more features and greater comfort attributes. That said, there are no packs in our test that will last as long as the Brize. When it comes to dollars per use, the Brize is a great value.

Conclusion


As a classic hiking rucksack with modern durability and just a few careful add-ons, the Brize might be for you. Consider all your options. If you value durability and simplicity, the Brize might come out ahead.


— Jediah Porter