The Beast is a great pack. Unfortunately Matador updated the Freerain just before I posted this video. It's essentially the same pack, most of the updates are to the materials.
I am female and have freerain28. It's very convenient for everyday use, from heavy groceries to trips of about a week. I took this and my freefly hip pack went on a 10-day trip to Nepal.
I‘ve already ordered the Beast 18, with plans to get the 28 when funds allow. For travel, I’d probably lay the 18 flat in my larger luggage. Or I’d use the 28 as both my travel bag and my daily bag at my destination. But the option to fold them up is nice for keeping them in a vehicle or cubby or something.
I would love to see your opinion on the freefly too. Im liking the beast as it is still small enough to put in the luggage and go for hikes on holiday as my carry on backpack is overkill for day hikes.
I have the older model of the Freefly 16 and use it as my main travel daypack. It's not as comfortable as the Beast, but it packs down way smaller. It's decently comfortable for carrying around all day and is virutally waterproof as long as it's not submerged.
@@OneBagTravels Sounds like it coukd be a better option then. I can pack it down in my luggage for a flight and use it for knocking out, but also day hikes on holiday. The beast looks the better bag, but guess the freefly would be better for me.
@@OneBagTravels You know what? Think I'm sold on the Beast, I want this to put in a my luggage for when I go on holiday and want to go out for a day hike. The Beast seems worth the upgrade on the Reign and although the Fly looks great, it seems more suited to knocking around cities and my Patagonia Atom is already fine for that.
Hey man, great review. I like the beast, how do you think it compares to the ULA atlas? Unfortunately, I can't get the atlas in Europe at the moment. What do you think about laptop carry with the beast?
Beast doesn't have a laptop compartment. It has an aluminum frame which gives it some stability, but it's not really designed to hold a laptop. You would probably want to use a separate padded sleeve. Atlas is a nice pack, but a completely different packing style than the Beast.
@@ferea87 Beast vs Atlas a daily carry pack, I like the Beast better. It's light, is packable but can still fit a ton of stuff. Has features that make it a good daily carry, decent backpack straps, stability with the frame. Atlas I like more as a travel pack, larger capacity, more durable fabric, better backpack straps. Can carry more weight comfortably for longer.
Can the Beast really fit under the seat as a perso al item with an aluminum frame? I'm going to Iceland and I am looking for a water resistant hiking daypack (waterfalls and all) that can also double as my personal item and it seems hard to find!
Depends on your airline, but it's a little tight for the 28L size. For example Iclenad Air personal item is 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9". The 28L size packed its 22" long, but the frame measures about 20". The wire frame isn't very stiff so it can bend a little to fit into smaller spaces. They also make a smaller 18L version which may work better. The Freerain could work for you too, it's more waterproof than the Beast with smaller dimensions.
@@OneBagTravels thanks. I'm flying United, which is 17" for personal item. If I can't find a good water resistant daypack that fits underseat, I might just pack one and use something else for my personal item. Thanks for your videos, they're very informative!
I don't know for sure, but the Beast will hold more weight comfortably than the Freerain. Freerain is frameless and smallish so I would keep the weight below probably around 15 lbs. Beast has a metal frame so it can hold more weight, but I still wouldn't go above maybe 25 lbs.
It's a great hiking pack. Water resistant fabric coating though, not waterproof. I don't know of any comparable waterproof packs. I checked hyperlite but their day pack is also only water resistant.
@@kyfisher3662 Yeah, I see that, thanks for the heads up. I've been working on my lighting and hope it's getting better. In this video I was relying on natural sunlight, I have a couple stuido lights now which I think help.
If you want new your best bet is probably an inexpensive duffel on Amazon. They're not going to be high quality, but they have some duffels in that price range that I'm sure would work for you. Your next option is to find something used.
Thanks! I was just looking at the beast last week. A timely upload! Have a great weekend.
The Beast is a great pack. Unfortunately Matador updated the Freerain just before I posted this video. It's essentially the same pack, most of the updates are to the materials.
I am female and have freerain28. It's very convenient for everyday use, from heavy groceries to trips of about a week. I took this and my freefly hip pack went on a 10-day trip to Nepal.
Nice, I like the look of that hip pack.
Appreciate this review and your attention to detail! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Nice comparison, very useful thanks!
Glad you liked it!
I‘ve already ordered the Beast 18, with plans to get the 28 when funds allow. For travel, I’d probably lay the 18 flat in my larger luggage. Or I’d use the 28 as both my travel bag and my daily bag at my destination. But the option to fold them up is nice for keeping them in a vehicle or cubby or something.
Beast is a great little pack, and the folding option is great
I would love to see your opinion on the freefly too. Im liking the beast as it is still small enough to put in the luggage and go for hikes on holiday as my carry on backpack is overkill for day hikes.
I have the older model of the Freefly 16 and use it as my main travel daypack. It's not as comfortable as the Beast, but it packs down way smaller. It's decently comfortable for carrying around all day and is virutally waterproof as long as it's not submerged.
@@OneBagTravels Sounds like it coukd be a better option then. I can pack it down in my luggage for a flight and use it for knocking out, but also day hikes on holiday. The beast looks the better bag, but guess the freefly would be better for me.
@@stevoelmo It's a trade-off, Beast is a better pack, but Freefly packs down smaller 🤷♂
@@OneBagTravels You know what? Think I'm sold on the Beast, I want this to put in a my luggage for when I go on holiday and want to go out for a day hike. The Beast seems worth the upgrade on the Reign and although the Fly looks great, it seems more suited to knocking around cities and my Patagonia Atom is already fine for that.
@@stevoelmo Good choice 😃
Hey man, great review. I like the beast, how do you think it compares to the ULA atlas? Unfortunately, I can't get the atlas in Europe at the moment. What do you think about laptop carry with the beast?
Beast doesn't have a laptop compartment. It has an aluminum frame which gives it some stability, but it's not really designed to hold a laptop. You would probably want to use a separate padded sleeve.
Atlas is a nice pack, but a completely different packing style than the Beast.
@@OneBagTravelswhich one do you prefer and why? I would use it as a daily carry (I carry quite a bit) and for short trips...
@@ferea87 Beast vs Atlas a daily carry pack, I like the Beast better. It's light, is packable but can still fit a ton of stuff. Has features that make it a good daily carry, decent backpack straps, stability with the frame. Atlas I like more as a travel pack, larger capacity, more durable fabric, better backpack straps. Can carry more weight comfortably for longer.
Is the free rain main compartment submerge-able?
Not really, it's 100% waterproof, but can leak if you dunk it.
Can the Beast really fit under the seat as a perso al item with an aluminum frame? I'm going to Iceland and I am looking for a water resistant hiking daypack (waterfalls and all) that can also double as my personal item and it seems hard to find!
Depends on your airline, but it's a little tight for the 28L size. For example Iclenad Air personal item is 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9". The 28L size packed its 22" long, but the frame measures about 20". The wire frame isn't very stiff so it can bend a little to fit into smaller spaces. They also make a smaller 18L version which may work better. The Freerain could work for you too, it's more waterproof than the Beast with smaller dimensions.
@@OneBagTravels thanks. I'm flying United, which is 17" for personal item. If I can't find a good water resistant daypack that fits underseat, I might just pack one and use something else for my personal item. Thanks for your videos, they're very informative!
Could I ask how’s the weight limit on this two backpack?
I don't know for sure, but the Beast will hold more weight comfortably than the Freerain. Freerain is frameless and smallish so I would keep the weight below probably around 15 lbs. Beast has a metal frame so it can hold more weight, but I still wouldn't go above maybe 25 lbs.
@@OneBagTravels got it!!!!it’s quite enough for me if it can load 25lbs.
I am going to have BEAST!!!
Thank you!!
wish the beast was waterproof it would be the perfect backpack for me it looks amazing
It's a great hiking pack. Water resistant fabric coating though, not waterproof. I don't know of any comparable waterproof packs. I checked hyperlite but their day pack is also only water resistant.
Checkout the Freerain 2.0 28 liter. I just picked it up but waiting on it to ship, looks dope from the website and videos though.
anyone else reach for the brightness button on there monitor?
Too dim?
@@OneBagTravels a little, would be ok if the bags were coloured but in black its hard to see the details
@@kyfisher3662 Yeah, I see that, thanks for the heads up. I've been working on my lighting and hope it's getting better. In this video I was relying on natural sunlight, I have a couple stuido lights now which I think help.
hi can u help me choose a duffel bag for going in snow at least in the 10$-30$ and a medium size I'm going on a trip soon in a few months
If you want new your best bet is probably an inexpensive duffel on Amazon. They're not going to be high quality, but they have some duffels in that price range that I'm sure would work for you. Your next option is to find something used.
@@OneBagTravels alright than thanks