The Klim Arsenal 15 is a mid-size hydration backpack for off-road, dual-sport, and adventure riders. Made of durable Cordura materials, it has a 500D exterior and a 600D back panel that’s waterproof to protect the contents from a rider’s sweat.
Fortunately, sweating is kept to a minimum due to the back panel with firm foam inserts to retain shape and allow full-time ventilation across your back. It also features removable torso straps that can be swapped out for the larger and longer Arsenal 30 straps if you need to increase the middle exposed section’s volume (jackets, more tools, or other cargo). The buckles are glove-friendly, and the elastic materials are heavy-duty.
I have been running the Klim Nac Pak for about seven years, and its durability is astounding. I frequently ride in extreme off-road conditions. This means I am on my side or back from a stall out or miscalculation on the trail a bit more often than I care to admit. I have yet to have anything break. Only the elastic straps show any signs of giving out—no surprise after seven years of hard use.
The Klim Arsenal 15 backpack ($150 MSRP) is a logical upgrade from the Nac Pak. I have been trying to reduce the weight carried on my back, and wanted a slightly smaller pack with the same flexibility. It measures 19 inches long by 10.75 inches wide, with a maximum depth of eight inches.
I no longer carry the bulk of my tools in the backpack, so all that extra room isn’t necessary. I can still stuff an oversized enduro jacket in the outer space and cinch it down with the straps, keeping it safe and secure. This keeps me from having to roll up the jacket oddly and stuff it into the hydration compartment, as you have to do on the smaller backpacks. There is room for two-way radio and cable routing.
The internal volume of each storage is on the small side, so you feel less on your back. There’s a water-resistant pack for carrying emergency tools. It’s water resistant—so much so that I wash it as I was the bike after a ride, and the tools inside stay dry.
The front pockets are large enough to hold a modern smartphone, allowing me to take quick photos on the trail. It also gives me instant access to trailside tools for suspension adjustment, tire pressure checks, and other jobs. Other riders may use the cargo space for rags, cash, ID, or other small items. There’s also an outer zippered goggle pocket.
The Klim Arsenal 15 backpack comes with a three-liter shape-shift bladder that will not knot up no matter what. The bladder’s hanging system is foolproof, with no rubber or Velcro. I expect it to last forever.
None of this matters if the backpack isn’t comfortable. Fortunately, with its curved shape and stiffer waterproof back panel, I hardly notice the Arsenal 15 is there over my under-jersey armor.
Other features include a rain cover, 3M Scotchlite reflective panels for riding after dark, a carrying handle, and an optional tool bag harness (which I didn’t test). Three colors are available: Asphalt, Petrol – Strike Orange, and Peyote – Potter’s Clay.
Given the seven-year life of my Klim Nac Pak, I expect to be writing a long-term update on the Klim Arsenal 15 in 2031. Thanks to the backpack’s comfort and convenience, I doubt I’ll need anything new in the interim.
