Matador Freerain Waterproof Backpack 28L - Review 2025

A PACKABLE WATERPROOF BACKPACK

At first, we find the Matador’s compressibility and packability impressive. We really like the air flow-friendly shoulder straps. It’s very lightweight and comes with a small pouch which makes it very convenient.

But for hiking, it seems flimsy and we were hesitant use it with any heavy loads. We were also a bit put off by the loose shape and many strings hanging about. Luckily, those concerns changed.

After using it, we realized that its design has been thought-through and there are some pretty cool features incorporated into the Matador Freerain.

There are a lot of redeeming qualities that make this pack great for a day hike or even as a waterproof solution in the city.

Being keenly aware of comfort, we’d not recommend it for very technical trips with heavy loads, but it excels when the contents are lightweight, like extra clothing and some food. That includes a couple of water bottles.

Read more about the limitations and how this bag has a clear use in certain situations.

DETAILS AND EXTERNAL FEATURES

The Matador is a lightweight waterproof backpack with more features than any other packable option. It has a narrow shape but expands a lot, with its roll-top opening. There are several Hypalon attachment points that are good for holding gear externally.

The harness system gives it a special touch, with its transparent monomesh shoulder straps that feature load lifters at the top. These are easy to pull with the pack on your back and lift the load for easier carrying.

The weight distribution becomes even and the pack feels fairly comfortable even when fully loaded, due to the sternum strap and pocketed hip belt.

When combined with the load lifters, the Matador feels very secure and adjusts well to the body which is a plus for traveling or hiking with extra gear. The load lifters and the hip belt are nice additions that are not seen often on packable bags

There is no padding on the shoulder straps but despite that, their wide ergonomic contoured design feels comfortable. They are also high in breathability which is an added bonus of this particular mesh fabric.

There is a sleeve and a port for a hydration pack in the back which is certainly convenient for more technical hikes.

CONSTRUCTION AND WATER RESISTANCE

The Matador Freerain28 compresses for travel so its materials are overall very flexible and ultralight. It is made with 70D Robic® nylon UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) reinforced ripstop, PU and UTS waterproofing and 50D nylon mini-ripstop.

Its seams are sealed internally, it has monomesh transparent shoulder straps that give it a distinct look and there are Hypalon™ and tether point reinforcements.

The Number 5 YKK® zippers have PU-coated sealing and there are YKK® ultralight, wide entry angle side release buckles. All these come together with a 210D bonded nylon thread

The Matador is 100% waterproof–which we proved during torrential rains–but it’s not submersible. That’s to say, it survived our 2 minutes in the water float test.

CAPACITY AND POCKETS

Its 28L capacity leaves plenty of room for everyday items, gear and other paraphernalia for hiking or traveling. Its many attachment points and loops add to its spacious nature.

It has two deep and stretchy water bottle pockets and we like that they are snug enough and bottles do not slide out like on other packs. They are quite narrow though, so bulkier water bottles may not fit.

The additional clip buckles are easy to open and are there to hold bottles or longer gear in place, which is a nice secure feature.

The Matador features a large side-opening front pocket, great for everyday items like a smartphone or keys. Since it is a packable pack, there is less structure and the items stored in the front look rather bulgy but that is a minor detail.

The main compartment has a secure rolltop opening with a waterproof zipper.

To safely keep water out, it needs to be rolled up at least 3 times and secured with the buckle clip, which can be clipped to the side of the back or the top, creating a handle for easy grabbing.

PRICE/QUALITY RATIO

The Matador is not a budget packable bag. It is at the higher end within its category, but top brands follow closely in pricing. There are many other affordable choices out there, but to be frank, the materials, supreme waterproofness, excellent packability and external storage options justify its higher price.

It carries well, it has some ergonomic features and shoulder strap breathability. And with the 28L capacity and convenient pockets it is a good choice for traveling and hiking or as a pack to bring along in your luggage.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER WATERPROOF BACKPACKS

If you are looking for a fully waterproof affordable backpack there are several options available. We compared it to the FE Active Cloudbreak 30L backpack, which offers external storage, is abrasion resistant, has water-bottle pockets and offers a high IPX8 waterproof rating.

We also compared it to the Fogland Waterproof Backpack, which is made of significantly less flexible material, has excellent waterproofing, comes at a higher price but has good internal organizing and a laptop sleeve, is abrasion-proof and can hold items externally.

On the other hand, if you are after a packable option, then the Venture Pal pack is a budget option with similar capacity and great packability but it is not waterproof.

If you are simply looking for an everyday backpack instead, then you can see a list of options in our guide for the best everyday backpacks. You can also explore packing cube options and additional dry bags to keep your Matador organized and utilize all that space it offers.

DO WE RECOMMEND IT?

We certainly recommend the Matador Freerain 28L as the best packable backpack among waterproof options. It takes no space in luggage and has a versatile character. Being extremely lightweight and supremely waterproof, it has a lot of usefulness.

It works well as an additional bag to have in your gear set, it can double as a hiking and traveling bag or as a waterproof everyday pack for those rainy days biking or commuting when a bit extra protection from the elements is needed, if you don’t mind the loose shape that is. Its array of attachment loops is convenient.

It does not have a dedicated laptop sleeve but you could carry a computer in the hydration sleeve if it’s in a laptop sleeve of its own. Otherwise, there’s little protection for the computer.