A cavernous waist pack for long days…or for every day.
Kitchen Sink
One of the most obvious features of Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack is its size: cavernous. A large bag works in my favor because I am always late, so my packing style is not a style so much as it is grabbing and throwing things into the bag, then struggling to get it zipped.
I always have enough room in my Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack. I have the standard items, which rarely leave the pack. Those are always organized in the flat mesh divided pockets on the inside of the pack: two pens, a face mask (because you never know), and iPhone accessories. Then I throw in my iPhone 12, which is encased in a bulky Otter case, my wallet, and my inhaler and spacer. It has been so nice to have a bag that has room for the spacer because it’s kind of central to improving the efficacy of the asthma meds.
I still have room in the Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack to add a rolled up t-shirt or even my new favorite button-up travel shirt. The pack is about three inches deep, so it has plenty of room to expand.
Also, there is a key lanyard with a high contrast orange carabiner-style clasp for my keys. I never used to use these, but as I get older and more forgetful I think they are essential for organization. I am done with dumping out my pack at the trail head parking lot in a fit, desperate to find my car keys after a hike.
Options
With the main compartment’s spaciousness and organization, I still have some storage needs. That’s why I appreciate the zippered pocket on the front of the Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack. I stash my toiletries in this pocket: lip balm, a small tube of face sunscreen, and other personal products.
Just like the main zipper on the pack, which is covered by a flap of material to provide weather protection and give the pack a sleek appearance, the front zippered pocket zipper hides under a protective flap of material. I love the large and easy-to-grab zipper pulls on both pockets that make it so simple to access items when I need them.
Built To Last
The Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack is made out of a durable, ripstop nylon that has a subtle grid pattern. All of the seams are sealed in nylon binding with top stitching. The pack is lightly padded on the back, which is nice. It protects me from feeling every item against my stomach and adds a bit of structure to the lightweight material.
The pack has a handle on the back, so it’s easy to grab and go when I’m in a hurry. The adjustable waist band is quite a bit narrower than I am used to on a waist pack, but I’m ok with that. I thought it might be a problem when the pack was full, but I wear the pack so many ways that it has not been an issue. I tend to wear it more as a cross-body bag than a waist pack because it holds so much. My problem with a large pack like this: if I have the room I will use it.
Still, the pack has nylon loops at each end of the waistband so if I wanted a wider, more substantial band I could swap one out from another bag.
I am not very nice to my bags. I fling them, drop them, sit on them, leave then in my hot trunk, get them wet. I love that no matter how badly I abuse this pack it stays zippered and intact.
Bottom Line
I’ve been wearing the Eagle Creek’s Ranger XE 3L waist pack every day for 11 days, and it feels just right. It’s large enough that I can use it as a purse or a pack. I can stash nylon grocery bags in it so I can stop at the grocery store on my way home from a hike in the park. I can toss an over shirt in if I’m going to be out at night. There’s room for a large water bottle if I want to ditch my day pack for a day-long outing. If I ever can’t think of a use for it, Eagle Creek has stitched a label inside the pack that lists several ways I can live more sustainably! I love that.
I have tested many Eagle Creek products over the years, and I still use all of them. I even still own a backpack from the early ‘90s!
Details
Available in black, blue, orange. This pack is also designed to pair with other Eagle Creek items.
$39 available at Amazon (free Prime shipping)
Manufacturer: eaglecreek.com