Matador DL16 Pack

A pocket-sized offering from Matador, the 4.1-ounce DL16 is an ultralight, compact pack crafted from a waterproof 30D cordura material. There’s no frame, no padding, no nothing—just a featherweight backpack that stuffs into itself for a perfect on-the-run companion. It’s too small to handle any real weight—forget lugging the laptop around, though a tablet fits no problem. On the road, this was an awesome secondary backpack, as our 30-liter packs were generally filled with camera equipment or adventure gear. When spontaneity would strike, be it for a quick hike or a jaunt to the local market, we’d quickly deploy the DL16 from its stuff sack and go.

Tester Comments:
“It’s not going to handle heavy loads well. It’s not going to blow your mind with features. It will, however, make you stoked that you have it handy when you’re going for a quick hike and all you need is a water bottle, a granola bar, and an extra layer.”

Bottom Line:
Well-designed and miniscule, the DL16 is a space-saving solution if you need a low-volume daypack.