The Arc’teryx Mantis 26 Backpack is here to lay down the gauntlet to all its carrying rivals. Beloved by outdoor enthusiasts, the popularity of Arc’teryx has swelled in recent years, and as well as its ‘can’t believe it’s keeping that much rain off’ outerwear, it has also got a wide range of packs, covering a variety of uses so that you’ll be able to find one whatever you’ve got planned. 

Which brings us to the Mantis 26 backpack. It’s a reasonably spacious daypack and one that, as we’d expect from Arc’teryx, comes absolutely jam-packed with features. While this brand might’ve made its name in the great outdoors, the Mantis 26 backpack could be angled towards more city-based adventurers, or those who spend their time going through airport security – but still look like they could head off-grid at a moment’s notice. Regardless, we’ve given it a thorough testing to see what’s good about this pack and what isn’t. 

Sphere Score

For

• Remarkably spacious overall
• Variety of pockets means you can organise your gear easily
• Internal sections are well laid out

Against

• Sheer variety of pockets means you can lose track of where your main items are
• Laptop pocket isn’t lined so can feel a bit scratchy
• Does tend to fall in on itself when not fully packed

Tech specs 

• Price: £140
• Weight: 140g
• Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish
• Padded back section
• Sternum strap and removable waistbelt 

What has the Mantis 26 Backpack got to offer?

It’s easy to see – even from these images – that the Mantis 26 has a whole lot of pockets to offer. It’s one of this pack’s biggest plus points – versatility. You’ve got the twin outer pockets which are great for must-have items like passports or hand sanitiser, while inside there’s a large main section which provides ample room for everything else. 

We like the smaller interior pockets for the storage of valuables, too. There’s a handy loop for attaching your keys to as well. At the top of the pack, you’ll find another pocket and this one is bang-on for sunglasses cases, or even a bottle of sun protector for when you’re in warmer climates. 

Then, you have an elasticated bottle pocket on each side. Though these are handy, you need to watch out with larger bottles as the pockets only go so high – if your flask is too big then it can easily fall out when you lean over. 

Commuters will appreciate the integrated laptop pocket and, though it isn’t lined with soft materials like many rival packs, it’s elasticated to help keep things where they should be. Arc’teryx says that this zone can also be used to store a water bladder if you’re heading further afield. Given the Mantis 26 backpack’s sturdy construction, this could make it a useful option for mountain bikers or bikepackers, too. 

The back panel is quite rigid and has a padded finish, so you shouldn’t have too many issues when carrying bulkier items.

What is the Mantis 26 made from?

 On a greener note, the Mantis 26 backpack is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and coloured using a ‘dope dye’ process which uses less water than traditional methods. Speaking of colours, you’ve got five to choose from, ranging from the desert-grade ‘canvas/euphoria’ mix to the more traditional ‘black sapphire’, which we’ve tested here. 

Wearing – what is it like?

Sling the Mantis 26 Backpack over your shoulder and it’s an immediately comfortable experience. One of the big bonuses of this pack is its sternum strap and removable waist strap. Having both in place makes carrying heavier items far less strenuous and helps to disperse the weight more effectively over your back. The back section is nicely padded, though it can get quite warm when you’re on the go on a hot day. It would be nice to have some extra ventilation sections at the back to help solve this. 

As we’ve mentioned, there are a vast number of pockets integrated throughout the Arc’teryx Mantis backpack. This does mean that you’ve got an easy way of storing your gear right where it needs to be. However, with so many pockets and dividers, it can sometimes be tricky to remember exactly where you put something – a case of too many options, perhaps. 

How robust is the Mantis 26 Backpack?

Each strap pull has a robust nature to it and the operation of each zip is smooth and easy – which is just as well, given how many of them there are on this pack. It’s also simple to adjust how the bag fits to your back, even when you’re out and moving. 

We’ve not had an issue with any of the features of this pack durability-wise during our time with it, but that is something that only time will tell – we’ll update when we can. 

The polyester external skin does a good job of fending off general bumps and scrapes, though since it’s relatively thin it can tend to fold in on itself when you’ve not got the pack fully loaded. However, if you do need to load this bag up then it’s got more capacity than you’d expect from its 26-litre name; a day trip away could see the Arc’teryx Mantis backpack prove to be right at home. 

To finish

It’s often tricky to find an all-rounder, but the Arc’teryx Mantis 26 backpack is just that. Whether you’re looking to take it to school, on an outdoor adventure or through the hustle and bustle of a daily commute, it’s the kind of bag which answers a whole lot of questions. 

While the interior of the bag could feel a little more plush, you can’t argue with the level of versatility that it offers. With so many pockets, the Mantis 26 provides ample storage options and allows you to file away everything you need, right where you need it. At £140 it does lie on the more expensive end of the backpack spectrum, but given that this could prove to be all the backpack you ever need, then it seems like a worthwhile investment to us.