The Yeti Panga 28 Backpack - A Waterproof Fortress for all Your Outdoor Gear
| Date: |
1/15/19 |
| Tackle type: |
Storage |
| Manufacturer: |
Yeti |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.66 -
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Introduction:
No longer just a company that makes bear-proof hard coolers, Yeti
has now expanded into a wide range of soft coolers and bags that are designed to
protect your gear from just about everything mother nature can dish out. The
Yeti Panga backpack takes everything that the company learned while building the
Panga Duffel Series and puts it all into a convenient, still fully
waterproof, and more ergonomic backpack design.
|
Yeti
Panga
Backpack
28
Specifications
|
|
Material |
High density
nylon and
TPU
lamination |
|
Dimensions |
20" x 12
1/2" x 7" |
|
Volume |
28L |
|
Weight |
3.9lbs |
|
Water
Resistance |
100%
waterproof
(submersible) |
|
Features |
HydroLok
Zipper,
laminated
shell,
multiple
lash points,
removable
chest strap,
removable
waist belt,
laptop
sleeve, mesh
stow pocket |
|
MSRP |
$299.99 |
The Yeti Panga Backpack 28 is a
100% waterproof backpack designed for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts
Impressions:
Yeti is truly a powerhouse in the industry today, and what started out as a
niche cooler company for anglers has transformed into a household brand name.
While most anglers still probably know the company best for their
over-engineered coolers the company has successfully expanded into drinkware,
bags, and even apparel. I think the Yeti logo trucker must be one of the most
popular caps anglers wear these days, and you are hard pressed to go into any
office and not see one of your colleagues drinking out of a Yeti tumbler.
The Panga is designed to be worn
comfortably even for longer treks and weighs in at only 3.9 pounds
While the Yeti brand has become mainstream, this Austin based company
continues to work hard to stay close to their hard core roots, and the Panga
Series of bags are designed to deliver the same type of class leading durability
and protection that their original hard coolers were known for. I am surprised
that there are not that many big brands building fully waterproof backpacks, and
besides a few OEM and mostly roll up dry bag style packs, the biggest
competition for the Panga probably comes from Patagonia and Simms. It seems like
a no-brainer for the outdoor enthusiast on the go, especially with all the
electronics that we all carry around these days.
I used the Panga for a lot of
fishing but also as a primary personal bag for trips from the Eastern Sierras to
Hawaii and beyond
In terms of styling the Yeti Panga is a mid sized pack, offering 28L of
capacity, and weighs in at 3.9 pounds. The backpack looks like it is built like
a tank, with a completely TPU coated shell, and comes with one giant compartment
which is accessed via the HydroLok™ Zipper that is designed to provide a
reliable seal from even complete submersion.
Time to see how the Yeti performs
as a fishing pack
Real World Tests: To test the Yeti Panga I really wanted to get a feel
for the backpack not only while fishing but when used as a primary backpack for
traveling all over the world. I brought the Panga with me on trips to Japan,
Hawaii, and on numerous trips in California, using it to stow not only tackle
and nourishment, but also critical electronics including my laptop, cameras, and
drones.
Unlike with other packs where I
was constantly worried about my electronics getting wet the Panga inspired
confidence to get into the water
