Very well done. Clear and to the point on each category. Maybe the biggest compliment I could give you on your style is that there's no need to "speed up" the video to 1.25/1.5/etc. :).
Thanks for this breakdown as I didn't even know there had been an update. I have various other Matador products but not this pack. My daypacks tend to just be whatever lightweight slings or packs I'm into at the time... I actually don't even care if they ever roll up into that little pocket again because I just throw them flat in the bottom of my 20-40l. I really like the breathability of the straps and WR zippers on this so if I decide to justify another bag purchase... This may be the one! Cheers!
Laying flat at the bottom of your pack is a great idea, I often keep my daypack packed, and just store it in my carry on fully packed. Easier than moving everything back and forth.
I've tried a few of their packable backpacks. Because the Freefly and Freerain don't have any padding or frame I think the smaller sizes work best. If I was going to go with a larger one I would switch to the Beast, it has a metal wire frame and is much more comfortable to carry heavier weight.
Yey! Thanks for this review! Did it feel/look like you’re carrying a garbage bag on your back? I have the previous freerein 24 which has the same fabric as the previous freefly 16, love its functionality but my only gripe was looking like I was carrying a garbage bag when I don’t pack it full and feels too slippery. I was hoping that this version would be better in that aspect.
Neither one is better than the other, I think it's more of a use case. Like if I'm trying to pack as small as possible and didn't need as much room, or was using it for shorter amounts of time, I'd go with the Freefly. If I needed more room, was carrying more gear for a longer time, I would want better padding and comfort so I would use the Tortuga.
I find it feels a little weird on your back as there's nothing holding the bottom of the bag to your body but you kind of get used to it after a while. I can get both my z fold trekking poles in the gear loop and it's a great little day hiking bag if you pack it right. Also it packs down to nothing and you can have it in your main multi day pack and use it for day hikes from a base camp or hostel.
I see that the 16 L is not fully water proof like the 22 L is. But for all practical purposes, would the 16 L still perform great in the pacific northwest in regular rain?
Yeah absolutely, the Freefly is extremely water resistant. Waterproof fabric and zippers, sealed seams. It could leak a little in heavy rain, but regular PNW drizzle is fine. The Freerain is a 100% waterproof drybag if you want something even more waterproof.
Hi! I love your videos, they've been so influencial in shaking down my packing for more efficient travels. For this bag, do you think it would fit a 24oz steel water bottle? ~4" in diameter. Thank you!
Thanks! No, I just tried it with a metal Kleen Kanteen about 3 and 5/8" in diameter and it doesn't fit. The outside water bottle pockets are pretty slim. You could always just put it inside the bag though.
I will be doing a year long travel in 2024. Looking at packable backpacks for walking around cities ect.. Would this be a good pack for that? Do you have any other recommendations I can look at? I like the Waymark 18L Dark Sky pack as well, I will have my Mystery Ranch Coulee 30L for bigger hikes.
Freefly or Freerain (waterproof) are as a small packable daypacks. They don't have any structure so not great for long hikes or heavy gear, but for a small bag to carry stuff around for the day they are perfect. Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack is similar small packable waterproof drypack, but a little cheper than Matador. I'd also check out Aer Go Pack 2, it's a little heavier and bigger, but is amazing in terms of comfort for the size and space it takes up. This one I ususally lay flat in the bottom of my bag instead of rolling it.
I have yet to find a weight capacity for these bags. I need to get a bit over 12 pounds of stuff into it, would that fall out the bottom when I picked it up?
No, this bag is solid. I don't know what the max weight is, but for fun I just tried packing it full of heavy stuff. ~6 liters of water, a big book, 2 cans of beans. Weighted in at over 18 lbs. It's not comfortable to carry, but the bottom won't fall out.
Yes, it has two exterior side water bottle pockets. They are deep and fit most thinner style water bottles, but aren't wide enough for the larger fat Nalgene style 1L bottles.
All the changes seem great except for the design of that extra fabric at the bottom. I wish it matched the black of the rest of the bag. Just a nitpic.
Are you talking about the On-Grid Packable Backpack? I haven't tried that one yet but I like the look of it. It's slightly heavier and doesn't pack down as small, but has a laptop sleeve, and thicker waterproof coating. So maybe more durable? Other than that these bags are very similar other than the look. Packable Backpack looks more "urban" and Freefly looks more like a technical pack.
@@OneBagTravels yea, thanks. I was thinking of their on grid backpack. I’m not as concerned about packability as I am about a more traditional edc carry. The on grid looks pretty much like the best of both worlds.
@@RealMuperSan Yeah I think that one looks better for EDC. The On-Grid actually looks more like the previous model of the Freefly. It's like they updated it into a technical pack, then invented a new bag and called it the On-Grid.
For just city walking (not hiking) what's the optimal size? 16, 18 or 24? Also an occasional beach --but that wouldn't be frequent. Guess could also get a tote but wondering about the day packable options.
I use this pack a lot, also been testing the Osprey Ultralight Day pack (20) which has worked well for me. I think 16-20 liter range is sufficient for carrying water, snacks, battery pack, light jacket or a towel. 24 liters is a little large for what I usually carry for the day, but it really depends on what you have.
![fellow fellow - PROUD feat. INK WARUNTORN [STRING QUARTET]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BQrVkMPTdHE/mqdefault.jpg)
Very well done. Clear and to the point on each category. Maybe the biggest compliment I could give you on your style is that there's no need to "speed up" the video to 1.25/1.5/etc. :).
Thanks! =)
Thanks for this breakdown as I didn't even know there had been an update.
I have various other Matador products but not this pack. My daypacks tend to just be whatever lightweight slings or packs I'm into at the time...
I actually don't even care if they ever roll up into that little pocket again because I just throw them flat in the bottom of my 20-40l.
I really like the breathability of the straps and WR zippers on this so if I decide to justify another bag purchase... This may be the one! Cheers!
Laying flat at the bottom of your pack is a great idea, I often keep my daypack packed, and just store it in my carry on fully packed. Easier than moving everything back and forth.
Thank you for the video! There's hardly any reviews on the upgraded version of this backpack. You did a good job.
Thanks!
Thanks for your video.
Thanks for watching!
Front mesh pocket would make this killer
That would be nice
Very thorough review. Thanks. Wondering if you ever tried the larger matador?
I've tried a few of their packable backpacks. Because the Freefly and Freerain don't have any padding or frame I think the smaller sizes work best. If I was going to go with a larger one I would switch to the Beast, it has a metal wire frame and is much more comfortable to carry heavier weight.
Thinking of pairing this with the Freefly Packable Duffel? Any thoughts on that duffel bag versus the Transit30?
I haven't tried either of those but the Transit isn't on their website anymore so i suspect the Packable Duffel is an update to the Transit.
Yey! Thanks for this review! Did it feel/look like you’re carrying a garbage bag on your back? I have the previous freerein 24 which has the same fabric as the previous freefly 16, love its functionality but my only gripe was looking like I was carrying a garbage bag when I don’t pack it full and feels too slippery. I was hoping that this version would be better in that aspect.
I mean, it doesn't not look like a garbage bag 😆 The new version is way less shiny, slippery than the old one.
When comparing this freefly16 and the new tortuga packable bag which one do you feel you gravitate towards more
Neither one is better than the other, I think it's more of a use case. Like if I'm trying to pack as small as possible and didn't need as much room, or was using it for shorter amounts of time, I'd go with the Freefly. If I needed more room, was carrying more gear for a longer time, I would want better padding and comfort so I would use the Tortuga.
Can you get a 15” laptop in there? You mentioned the new version is a bit narrower and taller.
Yeah it fits in there fine, but it makes the pack into a rectangle.
I find it feels a little weird on your back as there's nothing holding the bottom of the bag to your body but you kind of get used to it after a while. I can get both my z fold trekking poles in the gear loop and it's a great little day hiking bag if you pack it right. Also it packs down to nothing and you can have it in your main multi day pack and use it for day hikes from a base camp or hostel.
That's a good point, I use this mostly for travel so the gear loops don't get used much. But I can see it being a great base camp day hiking bag.
Thanks for the great review! Does it have or is it possible to use with a water bag? I mean is there any pocket inside and an outlet?
Freefly is very water resistant, but not a water bag. The Freerain is Matador's waterproof dry bag with a roll top closure.
I see that the 16 L is not fully water proof like the 22 L is. But for all practical purposes, would the 16 L still perform great in the pacific northwest in regular rain?
Yeah absolutely, the Freefly is extremely water resistant. Waterproof fabric and zippers, sealed seams. It could leak a little in heavy rain, but regular PNW drizzle is fine. The Freerain is a 100% waterproof drybag if you want something even more waterproof.
Hi! I love your videos, they've been so influencial in shaking down my packing for more efficient travels.
For this bag, do you think it would fit a 24oz steel water bottle? ~4" in diameter. Thank you!
Thanks! No, I just tried it with a metal Kleen Kanteen about 3 and 5/8" in diameter and it doesn't fit. The outside water bottle pockets are pretty slim. You could always just put it inside the bag though.
I will be doing a year long travel in 2024. Looking at packable backpacks for walking around cities ect.. Would this be a good pack for that? Do you have any other recommendations I can look at? I like the Waymark 18L Dark Sky pack as well, I will have my Mystery Ranch Coulee 30L for bigger hikes.
Freefly or Freerain (waterproof) are as a small packable daypacks. They don't have any structure so not great for long hikes or heavy gear, but for a small bag to carry stuff around for the day they are perfect. Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack is similar small packable waterproof drypack, but a little cheper than Matador. I'd also check out Aer Go Pack 2, it's a little heavier and bigger, but is amazing in terms of comfort for the size and space it takes up. This one I ususally lay flat in the bottom of my bag instead of rolling it.
Thanks I will look at the AER as well@@OneBagTravels
I have yet to find a weight capacity for these bags. I need to get a bit over 12 pounds of stuff into it, would that fall out the bottom when I picked it up?
No, this bag is solid. I don't know what the max weight is, but for fun I just tried packing it full of heavy stuff. ~6 liters of water, a big book, 2 cans of beans. Weighted in at over 18 lbs. It's not comfortable to carry, but the bottom won't fall out.
@@OneBagTravels Thanks, that is what I was hoping for!
is there a top handle or do you need always use the shoulder straps to pick up the bag?
There's a top handle, but it's small, more like a handle for hanging the bag on a hook, as opposed to a handle you would use to carry the bag
Does this bag have room (two pockets) for water bottles?
Yes, it has two exterior side water bottle pockets. They are deep and fit most thinner style water bottles, but aren't wide enough for the larger fat Nalgene style 1L bottles.
All the changes seem great except for the design of that extra fabric at the bottom. I wish it matched the black of the rest of the bag. Just a nitpic.
I agree, I like the simple black. The gear loops aren't really necessary either.
How do these compare to their collapsible backpack?
Are you talking about the On-Grid Packable Backpack? I haven't tried that one yet but I like the look of it. It's slightly heavier and doesn't pack down as small, but has a laptop sleeve, and thicker waterproof coating. So maybe more durable? Other than that these bags are very similar other than the look. Packable Backpack looks more "urban" and Freefly looks more like a technical pack.
@@OneBagTravels yea, thanks. I was thinking of their on grid backpack. I’m not as concerned about packability as I am about a more traditional edc carry. The on grid looks pretty much like the best of both worlds.
@@RealMuperSan Yeah I think that one looks better for EDC. The On-Grid actually looks more like the previous model of the Freefly. It's like they updated it into a technical pack, then invented a new bag and called it the On-Grid.
For just city walking (not hiking) what's the optimal size? 16, 18 or 24? Also an occasional beach --but that wouldn't be frequent. Guess could also get a tote but wondering about the day packable options.
I use this pack a lot, also been testing the Osprey Ultralight Day pack (20) which has worked well for me. I think 16-20 liter range is sufficient for carrying water, snacks, battery pack, light jacket or a towel. 24 liters is a little large for what I usually carry for the day, but it really depends on what you have.
what bottle are you using here?
That's a Vapur bottle
@@OneBagTravels Thank you!
could the updated Freefly fit a 15" inch laptop?
Yes it fits, but it takes up a significant width of the bag and won't be a very comfortable cary.