Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Arro 16 Backpack

I wanted a backpack for travel that would meet airline personal carry-on dimensions. The solid back panel measures 17 inches (43cm) long and it is 12.5 inches (32 cm) at its widest point. The thickness would depend on how much you would stuff into it (6-9 inches). So it would meet most personal carry on guidelines. As for comfort, I dislike flimsy ultra-lightweight backpacks as they are uncomfortable for long day trips. This pack is solidly build, with 1cm thick foam shoulder straps that are very comfortable and do not "dig in" to you and has a semi-flexible back panel about 6-7 mm thick. You could stuff some serious cargo weight into this backpack and not feel uncomfortable wearing it. The chest straps and waist straps are there if you need them. It is slightly heavy at 890 grams, (just under 2 pounds) but the comfort of fit makes up for it, because when I use my old ultralight backpack it feels heavy on me because of poor fit. Comfort of wear makes up for the extra 450 grams of weight. Overall, this is a good daytrip pack that you can also take on your next airline vacation if you want to do some hiking. The only concern I may have is the long term durability of the 2 mesh side pockets at the bottom of each side, (water bottle holder on one side and velcro pocket on other side). The mesh looks kind of flimsy and may not hold up to long term abrasions that inevitably happen, but that is a concern, nothing bad has happened yet.

i really like it. the back pack is very well done and great quality. the front pocket is useful, but things do get disorganized there, so i am using smaller baggies with stuff inside to keep it more organized.

The quality of the bag is much higher than I expected. Although the bag is small - what I was looking for. It does get dirty quite easily, but can be cleaned off.

I bought this backpack some months ago and it has become my main commuting one. There is enough space for my 16in laptop even without the sleeve. Good waterproofing and an overall great product.

I wanted a backpack for travel that would meet airline personal carry-on dimensions. The solid back panel measures 17 inches (43cm) long and it is 12.5 inches (32 cm) at its widest point. The thickness would depend on how much you would stuff into it (6-9 inches). So it would meet most personal carry on guidelines. As for comfort, I dislike flimsy ultra-lightweight backpacks as they are uncomfortable for long day trips. This pack is solidly build, with 1cm thick foam shoulder straps that are very comfortable and do not "dig in" to you and has a semi-flexible back panel about 6-7 mm thick. You could stuff some serious cargo weight into this backpack and not feel uncomfortable wearing it. The chest straps and waist straps are there if you need them. It is slightly heavy at 890 grams, (just under 2 pounds) but the comfort of fit makes up for it, because when I use my old ultralight backpack it feels heavy on me because of poor fit. Comfort of wear makes up for the extra 450 grams of weight. Overall, this is a good daytrip pack that you can also take on your next airline vacation if you want to do some hiking. The only concern I may have is the long term durability of the 2 mesh side pockets at the bottom of each side, (water bottle holder on one side and velcro pocket on other side). The mesh looks kind of flimsy and may not hold up to long term abrasions that inevitably happen, but that is a concern, nothing bad has happened yet.

I have the Arro 22 which I use for day hikes and is excellent, but I find it unnecessarily big for commuting. After a recent holiday, I went back to my usual commuting bag and realised how disappointing it was compared to my Arro, so I decided to replace it with an Arro 16. Excellent decision. The Arro 16 is exactly the same as the Arro 22 but in miniature - comfortable straps, feels great against my back, useful compartments (esp the waterproof front pouch), and it's hands down the best-looking backpack I've ever seen. The 16 is just the right size for daily use - work things, lunch, change of clothes, etc. My commute involves a 6 mile walk to work, so it was well worth upgrading to this super bag.

I've been using this Arro 16 pack for 20 years in an London urban environment, it has not failed me to date. Its great see that it has be re-introduced in this size. Perfect commuting day backpack.

I recently bought this bag but I realized that the zipper on the inside was inside out, was confused at first but concluded it as a factory flaw

Mostly used this backpack as a daily pack when skiing. Enough storage to hold basic necessities (extra midlayer, extra lenses, water bladder, lunch, etc). Very nice quality, although I think the outermost panel is prone to getting dirty and hard to clean.

This item needs to be returned. There is a small stain on the front of the backpack in the lower corner. I bought it to be used as a gift, but I could not use it in that capacity. The quality of the workmanship is impressive. The attention to detail is very fine. The stain renders it useless to me. however. Please allow me to. return this item.

This is a good quality daypack and durable. But...after wiping off some dirt on my pack with a wet soapy cloth, the remnants of the towel got stuck and ingrained into the rubbery fabric on the back of the pack. I cannot do anything to wipe it off, I have tried everything. So I am very disappointed.

The front area picking up dirt constantly is very real. Once that front panel area becomes dirty, have fun cleaning it! What another review stated here is correct -- it will pick up the lint off any cleaning cloth you throw at it. If there is a lint-free cloth I can use to clean it with, I have not found it yet. I have tried dish detergent, J-cloths, etc. This will make the bag look EXTREMELY ugly (see the previous reviewer's picture). Imagine trying to rub a towel over some shaving stubble -- your stubble will pick up lint from the towel. That is the effect that this front panel exhibits. It is made of a very rough and practically designed to do this. Very strange design. Arcteryx did respond to that person's earlier review, but they did not give detailed instructions on care or how to clean it. They just said "Use a lint free cloth" or something along those lines. Detail, please, otherwise, there is no way I could honestly recommend this bag to anyone other than a hobo.