Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack Review

The Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack is a unique hip pack with an interesting expansion system that can adapt to your carrying needs. This versatile pack offers flexible storage solutions, whether you are hiking, running errands, or walking your dog. The 2L capacity provides easy access to the essentials and added flexibility of storing gear outside. This compact, adaptable sling can be worn as a hip pack or crossbody sling, making it exceptionally versatile for different activities and personal preferences. The thoughtful organization includes a top-loading main compartment for larger items and a secondary front pocket with three stretch mesh pockets for smaller everyday essentials.

External Components

The main fabric on the Arterra FALCON2L is 840D micro Ballistic Nylon with PU film backing, which provides excellent water resistance while feeling remarkably durable and rugged. This material gives you confidence that the pack will withstand substantial use without concern. Inside, you’ll find a 210D nylon lining with PU film backing to complement the exterior durability.

The hardware is equally impressive, with PU-coated Zoom zippers for enhanced weather protection and a handy Hypalon tab for easier gripping. While the zippers generally glide smoothly across the pack, they can occasionally catch around corners when the bag is fully loaded. The pack utilizes quality Woojin Acetal buckles and incorporates a D-ring for attaching additional gear. It is perfect for attaching accessories like a Heroclip or securing items like a small water bottle or hand sanitizer.

This pack has dual compression straps with easy-to-use buckles that provide minimal compression when needed. When it comes to branding, this pack takes a minimal approach with just their logo on a small tab on one side of the pack, maintaining a pretty clean and straightforward aesthetic. What sets this pack apart is its innovative Falcon Wing Expansion system, which consists of a pseudo-exterior pocket that expands to carry larger or bulkier items. The compression straps allow you to secure gear and cinch it close to the bag, creating a versatile external carry pocket. This functionality proves particularly useful for items like a light jacket, hat, gloves, or similar gear. Other potential uses include carrying a small umbrella, compact tripod, or dog leash. While it may sound convenient to try to secure a water bottle here, depending on its size and shape, this would likely be impractical and not very secure.

The Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack has a wide, comfortable strap that provides an excellent carry experience regardless of how you wear it. While not as soft as seatbelt-style webbing, the traditional nylon material feels durable and slightly textured. The pack functions well as a hip pack or crossbody sling, easily adapting to different use cases. A chunky plastic buckle anchored to one side lets you remove it quickly without awkwardly lifting the pack over your head. This is especially convenient when wearing a jacket or trying to take the pack off while strapped in by a seatbelt. 

The strap management is a nice touch that requires no additional maintenance or configuration. The end attaches directly to the strap for smooth adjustments, and there’s an elastic keeper for any excess. For extra comfort, the back panel incorporates a plush mesh padding that provides plenty of cushioning against your body in either carry position.

Fit Notes

The Arterra FALCON2L has a pretty versatile aesthetic. You can wear it as a hip pack or a crossbody sling in front or back, allowing it to adapt to different settings and uses. It has a minimal form factor with a wing design that conforms nicely to the body in either carry style. Its signature Falcon Wing functionality covers a decent portion of the front, giving it a more inconspicuous look, which can be particularly nice while traveling. The pack is pretty comfortable in both carry modes, and switching between them is intuitive and easy.

Inside The Pack

The front compartment on the Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack has a single zip design with three stretchy mesh slip pockets inside for added organization. These mesh pockets have a secure lining at the top of the slip pocket, adding secure storage for smaller items while maintaining accessibility. One notable drawback, however, is the pocket’s somewhat awkward accessibility. The zipper sits at the bottom of the pack, requiring you to move the Falcon Wing out of the way to get to it. While not a huge issue, it creates a minor inconvenience when retrieving items from this compartment quickly.

The main compartment has a top-loading design with a wide dual-zippered opening, making storing and retrieving gear easy and efficient. At the top of the compartment, you will find an attached key clip with an accented carabiner that secures your keys to one side of the pack. While this may prevent the keys from getting lost, they still move freely around the compartment, depending on how you’ve packed your gear. It is worth noting that the design requires you to completely remove the keys when you need to use them, which is an important consideration when organizing all your gear.

For additional organization, the main compartment also includes a small zippered pocket perfect for smaller or more sensitive items. This dedicated space is ideal for storing smaller essentials like hand sanitizer or lip balm, keeping them separate from your larger gear. The remaining space is a flexible storage area that easily accommodates everyday carry items. In our testing, we had no difficulty storing larger smartphones like an iPhone Pro Max alongside an Ekster Wallet with room to spare.

The Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack offers a unique blend of versatility, durability, and functionality in a compact form factor with an innovative feature. The Falcon Wing expansion system provides flexible storage that adapts to your daily needs. While the front pocket may be slightly more challenging to access, it’s a minor drawback, not a huge issue compared to the rest of the pack’s versatility and functionality. The durable materials and robust hardware should last a while and protect your gear. The strap system and flexible carry methods make this an exceptionally versatile pack that can accommodate your gear in various use cases. For those looking for a compact everyday carry solution that can expand when needed, the Arterra FALCON2L Hip Pack might be a worthy consideration. Its minimalist aesthetic and clever functionality make it appropriate for urban environments, travel scenarios, and outdoor adventures.