Ortlieb Atrack ST Review

Overview

The Ortlieb Atrack ST is a 34L pack built around the same PS33 nylon and TIZIP waterproofing tech that made Ortlieb’s bike panniers famous, but shaped like a duffel-meets-backpack that opens flat via a long side zipper instead of a top lid. The “ST” stands for Short Torso — it’s the shorter-fit version of the standard Atrack, aimed at smaller riders/hikers, and it drops the load-bearing hip belt found on the full Atrack. It’s best understood as a travel and multi-sport pack — think bikepacking, packrafting, ski touring, or an international trip where you don’t want to think about weather — rather than a dedicated backcountry backpacking pack.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Weight	1450 g (~3.2 lb)
Volume	34 L
Dimensions	56 x 28 x 27 cm
Waterproof rating	IP67
Max load	13 kg
Material	PS33 Nylon (PVC-free)
Back length adjustment	XS–M, stepless
Hip belt	Non load-bearing (mesh pocket only)

Performance

Waterproofing. This is the whole reason to buy an Atrack, and it delivers. The Atrack ST is rated up to IP67, meaning it’s dustproof and protected against water penetration during temporary immersion. Practically, Ortlieb uses a tough, PU-coated nylon fabric that’s PVC, PFC, and BPA-free, with the fabric able to withstand full submersion down to one meter for up to 30 minutes. That’s a genuinely different tier of protection than a “water-resistant” hiking pack with a rain cover — if you’re kayaking, packrafting, or riding in a downpour, your gear stays bone dry.

The zipper. The TIZIP closure is the pack’s signature feature and its biggest quirk. Multiple reviewers note it’s stiff out of the box — one tester found the zipper pull is large and easy to operate even with gloves, but the zipper itself is difficult to open and close, though silicone spray helped it run more smoothly; it must be pulled until it “clicks” at the end of its run to be waterproof. A Varuste.net buyer echoed this, noting you have to be patient opening it at first, especially if everything’s fastened and you remember you forgot something inside. Budget a few extra seconds every time you want something from the main compartment — it’s not a grab-and-go pack.

Carrying comfort. Because the ST drops the structured hip belt, this pack rewards moderate loads rather than heavy ones. One long-term tester summed it up bluntly: the pack doesn’t feel as comfortable under lighter loads, but praised that the strap and hip belt configuration didn’t feel overly bulky nor frail — an adequate amount of support and comfort without compromising either, even when loaded with a 70-meter climbing rope and gear. Don’t expect it to disappear on your back the way a dedicated 3-lb backpacking pack with a proper suspension does — this is closer to a rugged travel duffel with straps.

Packing shape and organization. The clamshell opening is where this pack really earns its keep for travel. One reviewer called the shape “sleek,” noting it’s sleek, has no buckles getting stuck on transit armrests, and fits into overhead bins beautifully — surprisingly effortless to toss into overhead compartments even stuffed full at 34 liters, fitting one storage area after another thanks to the intentional lack of extra pockets, clips, or loops, keeping it a manageable cylinder when loaded. Internally, four inside pockets made it easy to organize small items like toiletries and to “gut” the bag quickly at a climbing crag.

Build quality. No surprises here — Ortlieb’s reputation for German-made durability carries over. Reviewers of the broader Atrack line note there’s no mocking the Atrack’s quality, as it’s still made in Germany and shows, with the only likely weak points being the plastic buckles, and even those should prove durable unless persistently strained. Ortlieb backs that up with a five-year warranty.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely submersible waterproofing (IP67, rated to 1m for 30 min) — not just “resistant”
• Clamshell opening packs and unpacks like a duffel, ideal for travel and gear organization
• Tough PVC-free nylon construction that should hold up to years of abuse
• Short-torso fit fills a real gap for smaller-framed hikers and riders
• Stepless back adjustment (XS–M) lets you fine-tune fit rather than picking from fixed sizes

Cons

• At 1450 g for 34L, it’s noticeably heavier than comparable non-waterproof packs in this volume range
• TIZIP zipper is stiff, especially when new, and needs to be pulled fully to “click” shut for the seal to work
• No load-bearing hip belt, so heavier loads (near the 13 kg max) feel less supported than on a dedicated backpacking pack
• External organization is minimal by design — great for a clean packing shape, bad if you want quick-access pockets
• Not really an ultralight backcountry pack — this is a travel/watersports/bikepacking crossover piece

Who Should Buy This

The Atrack ST makes the most sense for smaller-framed travelers, bikepackers, packrafters, or climbers who need one bag that can survive rain, river crossings, or baggage handling without a liner or pack cover, and who value the duffel-style access more than ounce-counting. If you’re a thru-hiker chasing base weight, this isn’t your pack — the weight and lack of a real hip belt work against you on multi-day trail miles. But if your trips involve boats, bikes, or airports as much as trails, it earns its keep.

Verdict

The Atrack ST does exactly what it promises — it’s about as close to truly waterproof as a backpack gets, wrapped in a genuinely clever duffel-style layout that’s excellent for travel and wet-weather multisport use. It’s not a lightweight hauler for long trail days, and the zipper takes some getting used to, but for the right use case (river trips, bike touring, rainy international travel) it’s hard to beat. I’d rate it a 7/10 — outstanding at its core mission, with trade-offs that are clear rather than hidden.