The Nine Trails 28 is Patagonia’s larger hiking daypack. It is made in the way that stands true with their brand: simple, well built, and effective. Made with soft and durable nylon and a well-constructed hip belt, the Nine Trails 28 easily moves with your body as you move through the backcountry. The stretch mesh pocket and large main compartment opening allow great gear access. Where the pack does miss the mark is the lack of trekking pole accessories. It is also on the more expensive side of the price bracket⁠—though Patagonia is one of the most environmentally-friendly gear companies on the planet and they stand by their gear for life. For many, this makes the brand worth the premium that it commands.

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Patagonia has been creating streamlined packs for almost 40 years. Their first packs were purposely under-accessorized but innovative for their time. Now, Patagonia has packs purpose-built for almost every activity, from their amazing Black Hole Duffels to their climbing focused Ascensionist packs. The Nine Trails is designed for hiking, and it excels at this discipline. It is not complicated but ready to go wherever you need it to go. 

Patagonia has designed a female version of the Nine Trails as well for additional comfort on a female frame. Patagonia designates any equipment or clothing designed for a female with a “W.” Some people prefer equipment designed for the opposite sex, so while trying on gear, give everything a shot to find the perfect fit. 

The Nine Trails pack is available in several sizes as well. These packs use the same harness system, and the different sizes mainly play a role in the storage capabilities of each pack. The Nine Trails family includes sizes of 8L, 14L, 20L, 28L, and 36L. The 8L pack is a waist pack, which is great for trail running or cross country skiing. Meanwhile, the Nine Trails 36 comes with the same zipper set up as the mid-sized packs but also includes a top lip for additional storage. The larger the pack, the longer it will allow you to stay out in the backcountry.

Ventilation and Suspension

The Nine Trails 28 has a three layered back panel consisting of mesh, foam, and a flexible plastic sheet to create support while offering ventilation and comfort. The back panel sheet is removable, which can be a great feature if you are not carrying a heavy load or need to fit awkwardly shaped items in the pack. The shoulder straps use a perforated foam to keep air moving around the shoulders. The hip pads have a generous amount of padding to stay comfortable throughout the day.

The sternum strap is removable and adjustable, however, the hip belt is not removable. The pack also includes load lifters. This is a well-built harness system that will make you forget you are carrying anything on your back. The Nine Trails 28 comes in two sizes as well, S/M and M/L for different torso sizes, so it is important to try it on before buying to ensure you get the right fit for your body. 

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 comes with a lightly padded hip belt. The hip belt features zippered pockets for more storage and the ability to keep your pack on while accessing these items. Overall for the weight and size of the pack, this harness system is top of the line and will not let you down. 

Storage

The main compartment on the Nine Trails 28 uses an asymmetrical zipper system that runs almost to the bottom on the left side of the pack. This gives extra access to items that are packed near the bottom and makes everything easier to find. Inside of the main compartment is a small zippered valuables pocket to keep keys and other items safely tucked away. There is also the hydration bladder sleeve with a center hydration hose access point. 

On the front of the pack is a stretch mesh stash pocket, great for shoes or additional layers. It can be opened and secured by two buckles that are on different sides of the pack. The top panel of the Nine Trials 28 features a “hideaway” zippered pocket. The sides of the pack include two stretch mesh water bottle pockets, and the hip pads both include a zippered storage pocket in which to stash your favorite snack. 

The Nine Trails is missing designated straps for holding trekking poles, but they could be placed in one of the side stretch mesh pockets and kept in place with the compression straps on the side of the pack. As mentioned earlier, this is a streamlined pack that does not overwhelm with accessories. 

Material and Weight

The Nine Trails 28 is made with a highly durable 210D Cordura Ripstop Nylon. The pack is treated in a polyurethane coating and a DWR finish to help it shed moisture. The coating will help keep the pack going through years of use and abuse. It weighs 992g, which is great for a pack of this size and for the material that is being used. 

The stretch mesh can get damaged quite easily in rougher terrain, but this is true of the stretch mesh on any pack. 

The Bottom Line

Patagonia has done it again, creating another well-made pack for mountain adventures or taking the dog for a walk in the local forest. Built to last and not over complicated, the Nine Trails 28 will last almost a lifetime and will not disappoint. The price, $160, is a bit high, but that price affords you a lifetime warranty, the highest quality materials, and the knowledge that your pack was built in the most environmentally friendly way possible. 

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