Exped Splash 15 Review

We’ve checked out numerous packable bags, rolltop packs, and gear that claims waterproofness. We’re curious about what sets the Exped Splash 15 apart and whether it’s a worthy travel companion. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The primary pack material that we’re working with here is PFC-free nylon. The fabric has a water column rating of 7000 mm, which is pretty incredible for how lightweight and malleable it is. While it isn’t completely waterproof or submersible, it’ll do the job, even in deplorable weather conditions.

As we mentioned, this fabric is thin. However, our experience with it has been generally positive. There are no rips, tears, or abrasions; it has kept our gear dry, and we dig the vibrant colorway. The material doesn’t hold its shape, so you can see what you’ve got stowed on the inside, which can look goofy. That said, this isn’t your daily carry, so who doesn’t mind looking a little goofy now and then if it’s convenient?

Because of the malleability of the materials, you can fold this thing up incredibly quickly, and it’ll fit in the palm of your hand. That means it’ll work in most slings, and you’ll have no issue finding a place for it in your daypack or rolling luggage. When you need it, unroll it, and you’re ready to go.

There’s a fairly large logo on the pack’s front face; however, it matches the colorway well, so it isn’t too loud. We’ve found this to hold true for most packable backpacks, for whatever reason.

We’ve got a YKK buckle and Woojin hard plastic adjusters on this pack, which both work well. Although YKK is known as a zipper brand, we haven’t had much issue with any of their hardware. Woojin is one of the best in the business, and the adjusters work well here.

The top of the pack is a rolltop closure, and there’s a thin piece of plastic in the top area to assist you in folding it. It’s quick and easy, but it might take a little more time if you’ve got the bag fully packed.

A lightweight handle on the top of the bag helps you get up and go quickly. There’s no padding or aeration, so it can dig into the wrinkles on your hands, but that’s not unexpected here. It’s a packable daypack that fits into the palm of your hand—it achieves that feat by being small and cutting out extras like comfort.

Fit Notes

Speaking of comfort, this pack lacks it. That said, what were you expecting?

There’s no back panel. Well, there is a back panel, but we think you know what we mean. It doesn’t have padding, aeration, or features to enhance your comfort while wearing it. As mentioned before, this bag can fit into small places when not in use, and it can do that by trimming off the fat.

That said, you can still make this a comfortable carry. If you’re smart about what you put along the pack’s backside, it can still be something you don’t dread carrying. Flat items do well, and things with some cushion are your best bet. For example, we’d prefer a sweatshirt to a book. The reading material is flat but will dig in on the corners. A folded sweatshirt will flatten as the other gear inside the pack pushes up against it and adds padding. This holds true for a coat, towel, or any garment.

The straps are thin and lack padding and aeration, too. Depending on how much you’ve stowed inside and how far you’re going, they can dig in and be uncomfortable. Luckily, there’s more than one carry method.

In addition to wearing it like a backpack, you can undo a hook-and-loop fastener in the center of the strap just under the carry handle, to create one long strap that you can wear like a crossbody messenger-style bag. If that wasn’t clear, a tunnel is sewn onto the bag, and the hook-and-loop fastener is inside. When you undo it, the strap doesn’t roam free; it just slides through, making one of the backpack’s shoulder straps quite long. It’s easy to switch up with a little effort but stays in place when you want it to, which can help remedy any fatigue that the straps were causing you.

Inside The Pack

The interior has a PU (polyurethane) coating and taped seams, which helps with this pack’s water resistance. Seriously, this thing will keep water out in most weather so long as the rolltop is secured properly. If you drop it in the water, it will be okay for a while, although we don’t recommend leaving it for ages.

Inside, there’s no organization. The outside doesn’t have any pockets either. However, despite lacking segmentation, we think this pack is better than a grocery bag or reusable shopping tote because of the top closure and carry methods. It can be challenging to load your gear in an organized fashion; however, you can remedy this by using small packing cubes and organizers, like a tech pouch.

The best feature of this pack is how packable and versatile it is. As we’ve covered thoroughly, it’s tiny, and you can fit it almost anywhere. That said, some users might not like the lack of organization. Still, because there isn’t any segmentation, you can use this for a wide variety of things, including larger items or odd-shaped gear, which we dig from a travel bag. You can use the same bag to carry pineapples home from the market as you would a sweatshirt on a variable weather day, which is helpful for one bag travelers, hostel goers, or digital nomads.

If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know whether or not the Exped Splash 15 will work for you. If you don’t yet, we’ll give you a few random cat facts to give you time to think about it.

Did you know that researchers don’t think that cats can taste sweetness?

Did you know that cat’s whiskers are roughly the same width as their body, so they use them to see if they’ll fit somewhere?

Did you know that when cats lay on their back in front of you, it often means they trust you?

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, have you decided yet? If not, check out the review video at the top of this page!