Did Arc’teryx Accidentally Make the Perfect Travel Backpack?

Although it’s meant for the mountains, this feature-rich bag is fantastically well equipped for your next trip.

Black Arc'teryx backpack with red zipper pulls and a top handle against a green background.

Published 4 hours ago

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Traveling puts a lot of pressure on your bags and luggage.

Whether it’s checking a bag at the airport, throwing your pack into your truck bed for a road trip or desperately rifling through your carry-on daypack for that elusive meat stick you know you packed, travel bags take a lot of abuse.

Bright orange backpack with black straps worn over a pink jacket, person holding a white snowboard. — The Quintic 16 may have been designed for the snow, but it fits right in on long travel days.

That’s why I’m convinced Arc’teryx’s newest bag is perfect for travel, even if it’s designed for the mountains.

Travel tough

The Arc’teryx Quintic 16 is a compact freeride pack designed to move with you through the snow, which just happens to makes it an ideal travel pack.

A bag that’s meant to be comfortable on the most challenging mountainous terrain will certainly be able to hold its own at the airport.

Black Arc'teryx Quintic 16 backpack with red zipper pulls and compression straps. — The highly technical N400r-AC² nylon ripstop fabric is impervious to abrasions.

Constructed with N400r-AC² nylon ripstop fabric, a highly technical material that is both lightweight and strong, the Quintic 16 also features taped seams on the front panel and top pocket, which provide targeted weather and abrasion resistance.

The strategically-placed taped seams and AC² fabric also lend this compact pack the strength necessary to combat being tossed around, squished and jostled on travel days.

Man wearing bright orange waterproof jacket with black backpack straps and black gloves, blue ski goggles on head. — Sternum and hip straps keep the Quintic 16 in place.

The glove-friendly main entry opens wide, and there’s additional rear access to the pack; these qualities score lots of travel points, as well as being useful on the slopes.

Functional features

A flexible inner compartment divider is included so that storage configurations can be customized based on changing needs.

More gear can be packed in the front or back of the pack, depending on what you require.

Bright orange rectangular backpack with black straps worn by a person in a pink jacket and black helmet. — The S-curve back of the Quintic 16 means it won’t move while you’re adjusting bindings … or tying shoes after TSA.

While this is essential on-mountain, it’s incredibly useful if with a carry-on, as well.

The S-back curve of the back panel provides as close a fit to the body as possible, which is crucial while riding but also makes long hauls wearing the pack more comfortable, too.

Person wearing an orange jacket and gray pants carrying skis and a black backpack with a helmet attached. — External straps can hold your helmet and skis — or that extra layer that you want easily accessible in the airport.

There’s a fleece-lined top pocket that is designed for goggles, but would work just as well holding your sunglasses, eyeglasses or small essentials like Airpods.

The minimal weight of the Quintic 16 seals the deal; at 2 pounds and 12 ounces, this pack sits quietly on your back, and can fill it with all of your travel essentials without feeling weighed down.

Availability and pricing

The Quintic 16 is available now on Arc’teryx’s official website, retailing for $230.

Arc’teryx Quintic 16 Backpack

$230 at Arc'teryx

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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