Arc'teryx Bags & Packs

Arc'teryx Bags & Packs at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Arc'teryx began in 1989 making climbing harnesses, and the manufacturing technique that came out of that — thermolaminating instead of stitching wherever possible — is still what separates its bags from everyone else's. Fewer stitch holes means fewer places for water to get in and fewer places to fail under load.

The range here runs from the Mantis waist packs and daypacks through the Granville and Arro commuter bags to larger alpine packs. Below is how to work out which one you want.

The range

Waist packs and small bags

The Mantis line — 1 and 2 litre waist packs that carry a phone, wallet, keys and not much else. They are the ones people buy first and then use every day, worn at the waist or slung across the chest.

Commuter and daily packs

The Granville and Arro use weather-resistant fabrics and a roll-top or watertight zip, which in a Dutch city is the difference between arriving with a dry laptop and not. Clean lines, no external clutter, built to survive being thrown around.

Alpine and technical packs

Stripped-down packs for climbing and ski touring, where every gram and every attachment point is deliberate. Less comfortable for daily carry, far better on a mountain.

How to choose

Start with volume, honestly. Most people buy more litres than they use. Under 20 litres for a daily commute with a laptop; 20 to 30 for a full day out; 30 and up only if you are carrying kit for other people or staying out overnight.

Then decide about weather. Arc'teryx uses laminated construction and water-resistant fabrics widely, but water-resistant is not waterproof — only the sealed roll-top and dry-bag style models will survive sustained rain with the contents dry. If your laptop matters, buy the sealed one or carry a liner.

What to expect

• Laminated rather than stitched construction on many models — fewer seams, fewer failure points.
• Water-resistant is the default; genuinely waterproof only on sealed roll-top models.
• Minimal external attachment points on the urban bags by design. If you need to strap things on, look at the alpine packs.
• Arc'teryx runs a repair and warranty programme, so a damaged bag is often worth fixing rather than replacing.

Why buy from Behind The Pines

We stock Arc'teryx deeply in Amsterdam, bags alongside the outerwear, and we cycle in this weather ourselves. We will tell you when a cheaper bag does the job you have described. Orders ship from Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Are Arc'teryx bags waterproof?

Most are water-resistant, not waterproof. The sealed roll-top and dry-bag style models will keep contents dry in sustained rain; the rest will not. Check the specific model.

What size pack do I need?

Under 20 litres for daily commuting with a laptop, 20 to 30 for a full day out, above 30 only for overnight or group kit. Most people over-buy on volume.

What is the Mantis for?

A small waist pack for essentials — phone, wallet, keys, a compact camera. Worn at the waist or across the chest. It is not a day bag.

Why is the construction different?

Arc'teryx laminates panels together rather than stitching them where it can. That removes stitch holes, which are both a water entry point and a place where fabric tears begin.

Can they be repaired?

Arc'teryx runs a warranty and repair programme, and these bags are generally worth repairing given what they cost. Contact us and we will point you at the process.

Shop Arc'teryx Bags & Packs at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Browse the full Arc'teryx collection, check Arc'teryx Sale for reductions, or compare across brands in Backpacks.