Jon Doran enlists his partner to help review Rabs latest daysack for womenReviewSpecsGalleryRetailersRab might not be a traditional pack brand, but the Sheffield-based down and clothing outfit has drawn heavily on the expertise of its pack-specialist Lowe Alpine stablemates to create an ever-expanding range of backpacks including the impressive new Airox ND22L day pack, a hot-weather friendly, lightweight womens pack with a difference.The ND designation it stands for Narrow Dimension is actually Lowe Alpines longstanding womens-specific pack marker. It means that the packs are narrower and shorter, mainly to suit the female anatomy, but also to cater for anyone of a slighter build. Its all based on genuine research and design rather than a performative shrink and pink process too. Theres lots more to the Airox than that, but our tester appreciated the neat, female-friendly fit. On a hot, heat-wave weekend, the pack was just the right size for everything needed for a day in the hills, up to and including a lightweight shell jacket just in case.xxxxxHydrationThere are multiple water-carrying options, an internal sleeve and central outlet for a hydration reservoir, but also two mesh side pockets that can take a water bottle each and, a feature borrowed from running vest and adventure race packs, a wide shoulder-strap pocket designed specifically to hold a soft-flask within easy reach.Theres also a mesh phone, bar or gel pocket on the other shoulder, two cavernous hip-belt zipped-pockets, a big bucket stash pocket on the front of the pack and a zipped top-pocket too. And then, of course, the main compartment with zipped access.Even this is a little bit different. A deep zip means you can pretty much open up the entire back panel like a big trekking pack, for easy access to deeply buried treasure. All of which is fantastic and optimal for organised kit loading. Fun fact: a Lowe Alpine research project back in the day, found that women appreciated having multiple pockets far more than men, who in turn would happily carry their kit in a pack modelled closely on a large bin liner.xxxxxIn the hills, those pockets were brilliant. It turned out to be very straightforward to access snacks, wallet, phone, a sun-hat, a 5m dog long line, sun cream, a one-litre water bottle, an actual paper map, a lightweight windshell, some very fetching sun-glasses, two apples, a banana and the sort of bunch of keys traditionally carried by prison warders, without ever having to open the main compartment. Mind blown.There is one potential downside to the runner-vest, pocketed shoulder straps though, theyre quite wide and have noticeable edging, which our tester found slightly uncomfortable for her narrow shoulders. Theres also the thorny and personal issue of the boob-strap interface. Our advice is to consider trying before buying to be on the safe side.Back systemIf two of the packs design influences are running and trekking, the back-system is squarely cadged from the sort of ventilated, trampolene-type back systems Lowe Alpine has been producing and perfecting for years. Theres nothing massively radical about the AEROFIT back, think maximum mesh area, a perimeter frame and board to keep the air-gap, erm, gapped and shoulder straps and hip-belt lined with comfortable, but lightweight, perforated breathable mesh.xxxxxThe good news though, is that it works very, very well indeed, both in terms of giving a really comfortable, evenly spread carry. And, to our testers delight, keeping her back enviably dry on the sort of summers day when most packs leave your back a sodden, soggy mess, dont ask how I know etc. You can equally well use it in cooler weather conditions too, but its one of the most effective hot weather harnesses weve used, which given the state of the UK climate, is probably just as well.While were talking weather, the pack also comes with a neat-fitting. waterproof, zip-out rain-cover housed in a handy base pocket and very effective at prolonging dry spells, at least during our testing. Other stuff? Weight is impressively light at 850g, particularly considering all the bells and whistles that come as standard and build quality feels excellent with tough 140D and 212D ripstop nylonfabrics and industry standard buckles and zips.xxxxIf youre a trekking pole user, youll be glad to hear theres a small, but perfectly-formed bungee-based pole-holding system. And if the stripped-back 22-litre capacity isnt quite enough for you, there are also narrow dimension ND28 and ND34 versions of the Airox with more conventional lidded access to the main compartments, but the same back system and running-type shoulder pocket arrangements.Also in the range, so men dont feel too left out, are standard dimension Airox 18L and 24L packs, the latter basically a mens version of this pack, as well as larger 30L and 36L models.VerdictAll in all the Airox ND22L is a really neat, well-designed and impressively effective hot-weather pack designed with the female form in mind. The multiple pockets and stowage options make it easy to organise and access your kit for a day out on the hills. It carries really nicely, as well or better than many non-ventilated packs and overall, is a great advert for Rabs burgeoning pack range, which is well worth considering if youre in the market for anything from an all-round day pack right up to a full-on 80L trekking load-hauler. The good news is that womens options are offered right through the range apart from climbing and mountaineering packs which are designated unisex.The Rab Womens Airox ND22L retails for 120 and should keep your back dry and comfortable for years to come.More info at: www.rab.equipmentWeight: 850g / 1lb13.9oz (Size S-M)Main fabric: 140D nylon (69% recycled) with yarn dyed nylon 210D rip stopSecondary fabric: 420D NylonFabric lining: Embossed 200d Polyester (100% recycled)Volume: 22 / 1343cu.inDimensions: 50 x 28 x 25cmBack system: AEROFITBack length: 16-18 / 41-46cmFind your local Rab stockist using the store locator below:https://rab.equipment/uk/stockists