My guest reviewer Seth G has been testing the Camelbak Arete 18 pack while enjoying an international trip through five different countries with his family. Seth reports that it quickly became one of his favourite lightweight packs. His youngest son used it to carry all his clothing and essentials for three weeks. Once he arrived in each country, he repurposed it daily as a versatile city, beach or adventure daypack.
Seth says: “If you’re looking for an ultralight, minimalist pack that excels at travel and everyday use, this one is worth serious consideration.”
Features of Camelbak Arete 18 pack:
- Lightweight and Breathable Materials
- 3D Vent Mesh Harness
- Laptop Sleeve
- Side Stretch Pocket
- Adjustable Sternum Strap
- 1.5 liter reservoir
- Dimensions: 46 cm x 18 cm x 27 cm
- Weight: 350g
- Retain price: £59.99 (spotted for £42 on Amazon)
Website: Camelbak
Pros: What’s good about the Camelbak Arete 18?
Ultralight & Versatile: At only 350g, the Arete 18 feels almost weightless. It easily carried everything my son needed for three weeks of travel, then transitioned seamlessly into a daily pack for city walking, beach visits, adventure hikes, and grocery runs. Its low weight made it comfortable to live out of and carry all day.
Expandability & Packing: The drawstring top closure allowed us to overstuff the pack when needed (extra jackets, snacks, or picking up supplies on the go) while still compressing down nicely for lighter loads.
Pockets & Daily Use Features: Stretch side pockets easily hold water bottles. A zipper pocket on the front is perfect for keys, a battery bank, cables, etc. The main compartment offers plenty of room with a simple, open layout.
Hydration Flexibility: The included Crux 1.5L reservoir works great when you want hands-free hydration on hikes. We didn’t use this since we opted for individual water bottles while we were out. The two side pockets made it easy to keep them upright. Without the reservoir we were able to use the hydration sleeve for an iPad for the plane rides
Travel & Multi-Use Performance: This pack excelled as both a small personal item on flights as well as a daypack.
Cons: What’s not so good about the Camelbak Arete 18?
This is a minimalist pack, so it may not be the best choice if you prefer more structure. It lacks a rigid back panel, which means it offers less back support and airflow compared to more structured packs like the Rim Runner X22.
It also has fewer organization pockets overall. The front zippered pocket is easily accessible from behind, so we avoided keeping valuables or passports there — we used the internal sleeve instead for anything important.
Conclusion
The CamelBak Arete 18 is an outstanding ultralight daypack and travel companion. It’s perfect for people who want to stuff it in their suitcase and pull it out for the beach, or even for someone who loves the freedom of limited weight and bulk. Whether packing clothes for weeks or using it for daily adventures, its light weight, expandable design, and hydration option make it incredibly practical. Highly recommended for those who value simplicity and low weight.
Seth received the pack free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
Other packs you may want to consider:
Seth writes about his family adventures and kit at www.sethgrotzke.com.