Rab's Veil XP is the big brother of the well-received Veil 6L and 12L running vests, and designed with loftier ambitions in mind. Ideally suited to big running adventures, mountain marathons and long-distance fast-hiking missions, it is available in both 20L and 30L volumes. The Veil pack would also suit day walkers keen to enjoy a running-style close fit, and convenient features such as shoulder pockets. But perhaps its biggest selling point is that it is waterproof. Remarkably, however, the 20L weighs less than 500g, thanks to its lightweight fabrics and clever construction. So can such a lightweight pack manage a heavy load and stand up to a proper battering, in truly awful Scottish weather? We've been finding out… 

In use

There's no question that this new addition to the Veil series looks the part - it is a beautiful thing; sleek and stylish. Its unique selling point however, is that it's fully waterproof and has been tested to IPX4 - thanks to its fully taped seams, and silicone-coated PFAS-free waterproof fabric. Rab's logic is that with this new pack, you can ditch your dry bags and save weight, while everything in the main storage compartment stays dry. I have now used this pack in every kind of Scottish grimness and can confirm that it is indeed waterproof!

Packing all your kit into a single volume has other benefits too. It's more efficient, in terms of filling the space available and it's frankly more comfortable (forget that lumpy feeling you get when carrying a bag of drybags). But personally, I would probably still use dry bags on any fast-packing trip or mountain marathon – not only for organisation of camping kit in a single compartment but also to ensure that key items, such as spare layers or sleeping bag are separated from used wet kit and protected from the lashing rain when the pack is open. Having said this, just knowing the bag is fully waterproof was a definite nice-to-have on those really wet days on the hill - nine days out of 10 in the West Highlands!

For me, the standout feature of the Rab Veil XP is its weight – for a 20L pack it really is light, at just  476g. There are several equally lightweight models on the market, but most I've used have felt flimsier. The lightweight fabric of the main pack is combined with a 'mono mesh' vest-style harness, which is not only super light but absorbs 70% less water too. There is a Velcro belt that is also made of mono mesh and even the large side release buckle is extremely lightweight (to the point where it feels a bit flimsy but I'm yet to snap it).

The 3D mesh back system is well-padded, without being stiff, and feels super comfy on the go. At first sight I thought it might wet-out if you got really hot and sweaty, but in reality it wicks away moisture brilliantly and goes pretty much unnoticed, no matter how heavy the load. This is probably the highest praise you can give a back system.

Another massive plus for this pack is its seemingly endless storage capacity. For single, big mountain running days, I have found the 20L very hard to fill; it seems to swallow everything you throw at it. Thankfully the roll top closure with side buckle means that you can expand and compress the volume to suit your needs. This design really helps improve the versatility of the pack, which I have used for all sorts of outings, both short and long. The mesh front stash pocket is a must-have for all bags in my opinion and this one is nice and big. The same is true of the side and hip pockets (one hip compartment is open and the other zippered). The side pockets are stretchy, with a low enough cut that they can be easily accessed by reaching backwards, but enough depth to offer practical storage. The front stash pockets are on the small side however, and you can't fit much in them when carrying full softflasks (maybe just wrappers or a gel).

Fit

The addition of a hip belt on this design gives the Veil XP essential stability when the bag is full. The belt is sturdy and much more effective than the thin tape strap you see on most fastpacking products, which really helps limits the bounce - depending on how much you've got in it and how well packed it is of course.

The unpadded shoulder straps are thin but wide, which helps spread the load and keep the carry comfortable. It has a unisex design and is available in two sizes, S and M, at back lengths of 43cm and 48cm respectively. Compared to a traditional running vest, the addition of a hip belt makes it essential to purchase the correct back length. My test pack has a S/M label which doesn't correspond to the production sizes, and on me this feels too long to be worn with the belt around my waist but too short to be worn on the hips. It's worth noting that the belt also sits high on the model pictured on Rab's website, so I would definitely recommend trying before buying if you can. Why not add a bit of weight and jog around the shop floor to get a feel for the fit!

If there is one feature of this pack that doesn't sit right with me (quite literally) it's the bungee chest strap system. These thin, elasticated cords are very much par for the course on running vests but it's unusual to see them on such a big pack, designed for carrying a heftier load. On a larger volume bag these straps would more usually be made of a static/non-stretch tape. The bungees do give the harness system a fully adjustable, snug fit but they add a bit of bounce when the pack is fully loaded, and even creep a little if cranked in. If you're a woman, they also 'cut in' when taut, on account of their being so thin. I don't find this an issue when the bag is packed for a single day out but it feels less comfortable and less secure as the kilos increase. Perhaps it'd be possible to replace them with your own alternative.

I love that this pack is ultralight and it really is unbelievably comfortable but is it perhaps too lightweight for a solid fast-packing load of, say, 5-6kg? Only time will tell. The mono mesh harness is really thin (as the name would suggest) but also strong, which puts a lot of strain on the shoulder strap seams for example. The same can also be said of the side pocket seams which have started to come away a little on my bag (see photo). While this pack doesn't necessarily 'feel' all that robust, Rab do have a reputation for making tough and durable products, so I'm hopeful the damage will remain limited.

Features

The Veil XP comes with front pouches for 2 x 500ml Hydroflask bottles. These are easy to slide a bottle in when full (faffing with insertion of softflasks is a personal bugbear) and there is an elasticated loop above each, to help stop them flapping about too much. There is also space for a water bladder in a separate back compartment.

Within the top of the main compartment there's a handy zipped pocket with a key clip, which is big enough for a phone and several other smaller items.

I really like that this pack has little tape loops at the bottom front, which could be used for securing larger camping items or attaching an ice axe – further adding to its versatility. There is also haul handle on the top, which I have found myself using more than expected, when moving the full pack around.

A brilliant and quite unique feature of the Veil XP is the pair of in-built side sleeves for Z-pole storage. These work in the same way as a pole quiver and are a quick and easy way to stash running poles, compared to fiddly elasticated straps. There are also attachment points for poles on the front of the harness but I find that these spring cord locks chafe against my inner arms when running - happily they can easily be removed.

Summary

I really rate the Veil XP 20L for its lightweight design and versatility. It's a reliable companion for a wide range of adventures, in any kind of weather. Although I take some issue with the adjustable bungee cord system on the front, it is still a really comfortable and secure pack for big, single day adventures. You can get a lot of kit in a Veil XP 20L but you might not fancy cranking-in those skinny chest straps if you're packing several kilos, and really my only question mark is its comfort with heavier loads.