THE SELL: A gossamer duffel-backpack hybrid that’s essentially waterproof. THE TEST: The 60-liter Black Hole isn’t completely impervious to moisture—the seams aren’t taped, and the zippers aren’t waterproof—but it’s highly water-resistant. On a three-day raft trip down the Arkansas River, its DWR-coated and punctureproof polyester fabric (“like a truck tarp,” noted one tester) fended off repeated doses of splashy rapids and light rain. Attaching the padded adjustable shoulder straps is a cinch, and they were surprisingly comfy for quick schleps to the campsite. One tester even wore it on short hikes. THE VERDICT: An extremely versatile and practically indestructible gear hauler at a great price.
Durability: 5
Performance: 4.5
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