ProView – Rab Veil XP 20L Waterproof Pack Review

The Rab Veil XP 20L is an excellent choice for long mountain missions and ultra-lightweight fastpacking trips. It performs well while running, but is also a reasonable option for fast and light hikes and scrambles. The 20L capacity may be small for the average fastpacker, but could work well for those who are truly going as light as possible. The pack also comes in a 30L capacity for those who desire a touch more space for overnight missions.

Fit & Comfort

The Veil XP pack features a comfortable mesh harness and bungee vest closure, which did a good job keeping the pack tight against my back when running. I appreciated that there were multiple places to attach the bungee closure. The load felt secure against my back while running and hiking. 

The Veil XP is also incredibly lightweight, weighing in at just over a pound. Despite this, it felt relatively durable. If weight savings are a key priority for you, this pack delivers well.

Unfortunately, the waist belt didn’t do much to help stabilize the load when carrying more weight. As a five-foot-tall woman with around a 25-inch waist, the hip belt of a size small, even adjusted to the tiniest setting, was too big for me. If it fit better, I imagine it would do a decent job of stabilizing the pack’s load. I also wished that the hip belt was removable for lighter loads, as the vest closure alone seemed good enough for days when my pack wasn’t full. For fastpacking, however, the belt would be useful to keep the pack in place.

Finally, the torso length of the small was just a bit too big on me. I think that it would probably work well for those with longer torsos. For reference, my torso is approximately 15 inches long.

Features

The Veil XP is seriously loaded when it comes to pockets. The body’s exterior features an easy-to-access Z-pole carry sleeve, two big, mesh side pockets, and a large mesh front pocket that can be used to stash extra gear for your day (or multiday) on the trail. Each of the mesh pockets can expand substantially as a result of the stretchy fabric, and they felt relatively secure. These pockets would be ideal for stuffing an extra layer, a water filter, or the like. The Veil XP also features a zippered, waterproof, internal drop pocket for added organization inside the pack body. 

The vest closure features two soft flask pockets and two small zippered pockets. These zippered pockets could fit several protein bars, gels, or energy chew packets. The soft flask pockets could fit a phone, but the zippered pockets are a bit too small to fit one. Lastly, there is a side zip mesh pocket on the right side, expanding the capacity even further. This pocket easily fits a phone or several protein bars. 

The pack body is waterproof, which is a huge bonus for wet environments and unpredictable weather conditions. It will keep your gear dry if a creek crossing goes awry or the morning dew coats your gear after a night in the woods. The roll-top closure means that there is some adjustability in the pack’s capacity, and it feels pretty bomber (like a dry bag) for wet conditions.

Look & Style

Rab’s Veil XP is a very sleek pack. The main body and vest closure look nice, with very few unnecessary features or dangly bits. I liked the black and white colorway, though I did feel like my gear got a little bit hot since the pack isn’t particularly breathable (given its waterproof fabric). I did feel that the white hip belt could have been black to better match the rest of the pack. 

Durability & Construction

The Veil XP is made with very lightweight fabric, but it held up well during testing. Mesh is always a place for concern when it comes to durability, but I didn’t get any rips or tears in it while running. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily choose this backpack for slot canyoneering or climbing squeeze chimneys if I wanted to keep it in good shape. Overall, the pack felt solidly built, with sturdy seams and minimal possible failure points.

Friendliness to the Earth

The Veil XP is PFAS free, and made using 57% renewable energy. It incorporates 12% recycled content, but does not feature Bluesign-approved fabrics. Additionally, Rab tracks its greenhouse gas emissions and publishes good information about its sustainability progress on its website. The brand has also taken a major step toward transparency by publishing its Material Facts, which detail the recycled content and PFAS content of each of its products.

The Final Word

If you’re searching for an ultralight pack for mountain running, hiking, or fast packing, the Veil XP could be a good choice. Stacked with pockets, it offers high capacity without compromising a stable load carry. Folks with shorter torsos and narrow hips may want to look elsewhere, however. 

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