We carry backpacks to keep things within reach, be it a laptop, a change of clothes, or water and snacks. But not all packs are comfortable to carry, and fewer still can claim to protect your belongings from rain, sleet, splashes, and general wetness.
Enter the YETI Cayo Backpack. It is a weather-resistant, rugged-bodied pack for carrying daily essentials and/or extra gear for that surfing session before work or a hike afterward. For comfort, the Cayo has adjustable straps to help balance heavier loads and uses YETI’s ComfortComb mesh backpanel for cushion and airflow.
The Cayo joins the existing YETI backpack line somewhere between the day trip, commuter-styled Ranchero, and the waterproof Panga dry bag backpacks.
YETI Cayo Backpack: Features & Design
The Cayo is neither waterproof nor a cooler. However, it is highly water-resistant, so you can confidently carry your tablet, laptop, camera, and other electronics through bad weather. Just don’t go underwater.
YETI built the Cayo with its tough DryHide Shell, a high-density and waterproof fabric that the brand used on some of its soft-side coolers for its resistance to mildew and punctures. The bag has welded seams and a polyurethane-coated zipper (rather than the waterproof zippers YETI uses in its dry bags).
The Cayo Backpack comes in 15, 25, and 35 L sizes. They retail for $200, $250, and $300, respectively. Each one has a handle on top for quick-grab carrying, and the two larger-sized packs have side handles. Its back panel has Hitch Point Grid-compatible loops, making it easy to attach accessories like the SideKickDry Gear Case or Rambler Bottle Sling.
Interior & Carry
Inside, there’s a 2L hydration reservoir sleeve and a water-resistant section for storing wet clothes or gear separately. That could come in handy if you have a swim scheduled before work or get caught in an unexpected downpour.
The bag’s stretch-woven internal storage helps keep the load from shifting and banging around.
Beyond storage and protection, there’s the pack’s comfort. YETI outfitted the Cayo with waist and chest straps to help adjust the fit based on the load of its contents. Those straps can be removed for daily commutes or streamlined travel. Additionally, the Cayo has a ComfortComb mesh back panel to help provide cushioned support and boost airflow.
Yippie Cayo
The Cayo backpack is geared toward anyone around water, be it rain or ocean spray. People living in the Pacific Northwest, or bike commuters who’ve been caught in surprise storms, will immediately understand the utility of this pack.
The water resistance, wet storage, and comfortable carry all add to the Cayo’s appeal. And the iconic “YETI aesthetic” gives it an extra cool factor.
Weather resistance is probably the bag’s main attribute, but the durability of its shell material means it should hold up against sweat, stains, sun damage, and general abuse, too. And the hydration sleeve, adjustable straps, and mesh back panel are all geared toward long days of use — on a hiking trail, a commute, or traveling.
The Cayo Packs are available in YETI Retail Stores and online right now — you just need to make (or have) a free account on YETI.com to purchase. The 15L and 25L sizes will be available everywhere to everyone (YETI account or not) on May 27. The 35L will be available later this summer.
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