Matador Freerain 22 Review (2026) — Best Packable Daypack

Name: Matador Freerain 22
Brand: Matador
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 7.9 (1 reviews)

This is a secondary pack, and judged as one it is excellent. It weighs 9.5oz, stuffs into a fist-sized integrated pocket, and the roll-top and coated fabric make it genuinely water resistant rather than nominally so. Carried inside a larger pack it becomes a summit pack; thrown in luggage it becomes a travel daypack. As a primary hiking pack it is poor — the shoulder straps are thin webbing, there is no frame, and the load sits as an undifferentiated blob against your back.

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$80 retail

7.9

/10

TrailCraft Score

What Works

9.5oz and stuffs into a fist-sized pocket
Waterproof coated fabric with a roll-top closure
Useful as a summit pack or travel daypack
$80
Surprisingly durable for the weight

Limitations

Thin shoulder straps — uncomfortable above 10lb
No frame or structure
Effectively no organization
Not a primary hiking pack

At a Glance

Capacity22L

Weight9.5oz / 269g

FabricWaterproof coated nylon

ClosureRoll-top

FrameNone

Packed sizeFist-sized

WarrantyMatador limited

Score Breakdown

Value for Money

8.2

Comfort

6.4

Organization

6.0

Ventilation

7.0

Durability

7.8

What Sets It Apart

The use case is basecamp and travel rather than trailhead-to-summit. Carrying a full overnight pack to a campsite and then wanting something small for an afternoon walk is a common problem, and 9.5oz is a cheap solution. It is also the pack that lives permanently in a car for unplanned stops.

A waterproof 22L pack that stuffs into its own pocket

Who This Is For

Backpackers wanting a summit pack, travelers, anyone who wants a spare pack in the car, and hikers who need a waterproof backup.

Note: Prices are current as of August 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

Also Consider

Gossamer Gear G4-20 — Best Ultralight Overnight Pack, $240
Zpacks Nero 20 — Lightest Frameless Pack, $200
Osprey Talon 22 — Best All-Around Day Hike Pack, $160

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All 14 options in this category ranked side by side.

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Common Questions

Can this be my only daypack?

Only for light loads and short hikes. Above about 10lb the thin straps become uncomfortable quickly.

Is it fully waterproof?

Water resistant. The fabric is coated and the roll-top sheds rain well, but the seams are not taped, so sustained downpours will eventually find a way in.