Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack Review

The Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack is the little brother to the brand’s popular 30-liter version that does not fail to deliver. Fully waterproof and designed to be flexible enough to carry various gear, it can handle whatever you throw at it. Whether you are navigating the rainy city streets or embarking on a weekend adventure, this backpack has the capacity and functionality to keep your items safe and dry. It features a nice amount of capacity with a minimalist approach to organization inside. It is also fully waterproof, although that requires a specific configuration for best results; we’ll go into that in more detail later.

It is made from recycled materials, aligning with Finisterre’s commitment to making “exceptional products in more responsible and transparent ways.” A fun fact about the brand’s name: it is derived from the Latin “finis terrae,” which translates to “end of the earth.” 

They have incorporated that into their functional products for “those that love the sea” to make a line of fully waterproof rucksacks. It can also be used as an impromptu dry bag. The rolltop functionality plays a vital role in this while also allowing for more flexible carry by expanding to fit more gear.

External Components

The Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack uses a 100% recycled nylon shell with PU coating for a waterproof finish. Combining this material with welded seams and its rolltop construction makes this pack waterproof. Often, backpacks will promote waterproof materials, while the bag itself is not waterproof (or even weatherproof). Yet this backpack sets itself apart from the rest by providing waterproof protection and the ability to use it as a dedicated dry bag. Dry bags are often used in outdoor activities to offer a reliable and secure place to store gear like phones, wallets, documents, etc.

Whether you live in an area that frequently rains or need a flexible backpack that can protect your gear from the elements and serve as a dedicated dry bag, this backpack makes an excellent choice. The 100% recycled nylon shell stands up to water but also collects fingerprints and smudges incredibly easily. While this is not a huge deal out in the elements, it is something to keep in mind in the office or classroom. It is easy to clean, though, with just a little bit of soap or detergent and a sponge.

This pack has two large daisy chain attachment points on the front, running vertically up the center. These connect to the buckle that secures the rolltop closure. At the bottom of the daisy chain, there is a dedicated D-ring for a more secure attachment point. As you can see, there is no shortage of attachment points on this pack.

This backpack features a simple grab handle on the top made from nylon webbing. While not the most comfortable, it does the job for short hauls. The only other way to carry is the shoulder straps, which sit fairly wide, something to keep in mind if you have a smaller frame or more narrow shoulders.

They provide a plethora of attachment points for everything from sunglasses to carabiners to extra pouches. The shoulder straps have an identical layout with a simple nylon webbing attachment point that is perfect for hanging sunglasses near the bottom. Above that is a plastic triangular attachment point ideal for larger carabiners. This plastic hardware attaches with nylon webbing and feels pretty sturdy. It ensures a strong attachment point for extra security, although since this is still attached to a shoulder strap, we don’t recommend super heavy loads. Heavy gear attached here will weigh down the front and pull everything to one side, throwing it off balance. The final attachment points sit above the plastic one. It is a simple daisy chain style best suited for smaller gear since, depending on the placement of the straps, these will rest on top of the shoulder.

As for the comfortability of the shoulder straps, they are adequate. They have decent padding and are pliable without any foam core. The plastic adjusters work well and use an interesting approach with dedicated elastic loops on the outer side of the ends. These little strap loops, while providing a dedicated place for you to adjust the length of the strap, also work well for just casually hanging your thumb while walking. Aside from that, there is no sternum strap or hip belt, but we don’t miss it on a 20-liter pack, though your mileage may vary.

The back panel does provide a nice amount of padded foam that looks sewn into the nylon shell. The foam core has a nice amount of give and offers additional support and structure, but it is not the most comfortable on extended trips. While we appreciate the extra padding, it lacks any ventilation or air channel, which can be problematic for those who sweat easily. During short trips, like the commute to work or a trip to the beach, this likely won’t be an issue; however, during extended hauls or navigating through an airport, we would probably recommend other options.

Fit Notes

The PU-coated nylon shell gives it a unique aesthetic that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It has a tarp-like aesthetic that will stand out even with the mostly-black colorway, which includes small orange accents. It certainly feels and sounds very tarp-like when handling the pack. Thanks to its unique aesthetic, it will surely draw heads, which could be a pro or a con, depending on what you are going for. It could be an excellent talking point or conversation starter in casual environments, but it sits on the bolder side of the spectrum for professional settings.

Inside The Pack

The Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack takes a minimalist approach to secondary compartments with just a single front zippered pocket on the front. Thanks to its design, materials, and construction, this pocket is “showerproof,” protecting your gear from light or harsh weather. The zipper runs vertically up the side on the front and has a zipper garage designed to help block weather from entering at the seam, which is a nice touch.

The front pocket has a surprising amount of capacity. While not waterproof, this pocket provides quick and easy access to the essentials. We do not doubt that this pocket will protect the gear inside from the weather; however, we would not recommend storing sensitive items here when using it as a dry bag, as water can still get through. One thing to note—the opening of this pocket does not sit all the way at the edge of the pocket, so in our testing, smaller items tend to get lost back there when entering from the side. We may have temporarily lost a minimal wallet behind here. Additionally, this pocket has a rather small opening, and thanks to the material, it does not allow any stretch or flexibility. Those with larger hands may have a harder time getting their hands in or out of this pocket. 

As you may have already guessed, a rolltop closure gives the Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack its waterproof functionality. An adjustable buckle helps secure the rolltop so it does not unravel. The opening also has a nice orange accent around the rim. This accented rim has a thin, structured core to help form a tight seal. It also has snap closures at both ends for an additional secure closing seal. These two work well together when rolling the rolltop down to ensure a waterproof seal. Finisterre advises that you must roll the top down at least three times to make it fully waterproof. This also allows the pack to be used as a dedicated dry bag. For this, we recommend rolling the top down as much and as tightly as possible and then securing it with the buckle for extra peace of mind.

The PU-coated nylon shell and rolltop closure do an excellent job protecting your gear from water, but they also block out any light. This can make it challenging to navigate around the spacious main compartment. There is very little visibility, thanks to the all-black aesthetic, so spotting contents inside can be a potential problem. We frequently reached for a flashlight, especially when searching for smaller items inside—just something to keep in mind, especially in low-light environments.

The Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack includes an integrated padded laptop sleeve that snaps into the back for a secure fit. We like the application of this, as it can be easily secured to the back of the bag or casually thrown in. The one disadvantage we will note is that because visibility is so low in this main compartment, snapping the laptop sleeve in place may take some trial and error the first few times.

The laptop sleeve can fit up to a 13-inch laptop and has a hook-and-loop closure to secure the contents inside. In front of that is a minimal slip pocket and an additional zippered pocket that runs the length of the front slip pocket. There is also a key clip at the top, which is easy to use. When securely snapped into the back of the main compartment, this laptop sleeve acts as a dedicated organization panel.

The removable laptop sleeve or organizational panel works like a dream, allowing you to conveniently store most of your essentials in one place. Whether you are setting up at your desk in the office or a table at a local coffee shop, the ability to pull this out and place it next to you makes setting up and packing up a breeze. While it is a fairly simple concept, its application is excellent.

The rest of the main compartment is a nice spacious cavern for all your gear. While not the most optimal for small gear that can be easily lost in the black bag, we find packing cubes or tech pouches work well to combat this. On a short commute to a local coffee shop, we were able to fit a medium-sized tech pouch, a pair of wireless headphones, and a light jacket with plenty of room to spare.

The Finisterre Drift 20L Waterproof Roll Top Backpack is an excellent choice for a highly versatile and durable waterproof pack. Its 100% recycled PU-coated nylon material, welded seams, and rolltop closure make it a formidable contender in the arena of “actual” waterproof backpacks. However, the lack of ventilation on the back panel and the tarp-like aesthetic may not mesh well with every style. The bold aesthetic, plethora of attachment points, and minimal approach to organization make it an excellent choice for daily commutes, outdoor adventures, and any other activity where you may want to keep your gear dry.