YETI, a brand synonymous with rugged durability and high-performance outdoor gear, has become a household name in the world of coolers and drinkware, and can now add backpacks to their list. Every product we have tested from YETI has stood tall in in the durability area, ever YETI dog bowls are built to withstand the most destructive K9s!. The YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack is no exception to this reputation. Designed for both adventure enthusiasts and everyday use, this versatile backpack promises to provide a combination of durability, comfort, and functional storage space.
Note: We reviewed the YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack and it is also available in a 22L and 35L size and can compare them on YETI.com.
The YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack has a sleek, minimalist design that is both practical and stylish. It features YETI’s signature bold branding, but it’s not overly flashy or aggressive in its appearance. The bag comes in a range of colors including classic neutral tones like charcoal and navy, which fit well in both outdoor and urban settings. Its modern design makes it suitable for a wide variety of occasions, from hiking trips to commuting to work. It makes a great pack for laptops, short trips or even long days out.
Design , Materials, and Build Quality
The exterior of the YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack is constructed from a highly durable, waterproof, and puncture-resistant fabric, designed to protect your gear from the elements. The brand uses its proprietary “HydroLok™ Zipper” which ensures that the bag remains watertight even in heavy rain or wet conditions. This feature is particularly useful for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, kayaking, or any other environment where you may encounter water.
The fabric itself feels substantial and tough, giving the backpack a sturdy, almost military grade quality. The seams are reinforced with strong stitching, and the zippers, buckles, and other hardware all feel solid and built to last, as you would expect from YETI.
One of the standout features of the Crossroads Backpack is its EVA foam-backed panels, which provide structure and shape to the bag, helping it retain its form even when not packed to capacity. The foam also contributes to the bag’s ability to withstand impacts without losing its integrity, making it ideal for rough environments.
Shoulder Straps and Back Panel
The comfort of a backpack is critical for long days of wear, and the YETI Crossroads Backpack excels in this area. The shoulder straps are padded with high-density foam, which offers a good balance of cushioning and support. Whether you’re carrying heavy gear or just the essentials, the straps help distribute the weight evenly across your shoulders. The straps also feature adjustable loops, allowing you to customize the fit depending on your body size and preferences.
Additionally, the back panel is ergonomically designed, providing ventilation to keep your back cool and dry even during intense physical activity. The mesh construction allows airflow between your back and the bag, preventing the uncomfortable sweaty buildup that often occurs with less breathable backpacks. This makes the YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack a solid choice for hiking or even just commuting in warmer weather.
While the YETI Crossroads line doesn’t come with a built-in hip belt, it doesn’t detract from its overall comfort, as the 27L capacity isn’t large enough to necessitate one for most users. The lack of a hip belt means that it’s more lightweight and streamlined, ideal for those who prefer a minimalistic design. However, for users planning on carrying extremely heavy loads or going on multi-day treks, this could be seen as a drawback.
27 Liters of Storage and Organization
The YETI 27L capacity strikes a good balance between being large enough for daily use, travel, or short weekend trips, while still remaining compact and easy to manage. The main compartment is spacious and can comfortably hold everything from clothing and electronics to food and spare water bottles. The interior is lined with a soft, abrasion-resistant material, ensuring that your gear stays protected.
What stands out about the main compartment is its thoughtful design. There are multiple mesh pockets inside, which allow you to organize smaller items, such as cables, pens, or toiletries. These pockets help prevent smaller items from getting lost at the bottom of the bag, which is a common issue with many backpacks.
The bag’s unique “DryHide™ Shell” ensures that the contents of the main compartment remain dry, even in the rain. This water resistance is especially useful for protecting electronics or important gear like clothes and food, which need to stay dry in wet conditions.
Front Pocket and Side Pockets
The front pocket of the YETI 27L Backpack is conveniently located for easy access to smaller items, such as a wallet, phone, or keys. This pocket is not overly large, but it is spacious enough to fit all your daily essentials. The zipper runs smoothly, and the compartment is easy to open even when the bag is fully loaded.
On the sides of the bag, you’ll find two mesh pockets, which are perfect for holding water bottles or small items that you need to access quickly. The mesh material is stretchable, making it easy to fit various bottle sizes.
Laptop Sleeve
For tech-savvy users, the YETI 27L Backpack includes a dedicated laptop sleeve, which can hold laptops up to 15 inches in size and multiple. The sleeve is lined with soft, padded material to protect your device from scratches or impacts. This is a great addition for those who want a backpack that can serve double duty as both an outdoor pack and a work bag. We can easily put in a 15″ MacBook Pro along with a small portable monitor or an iPad.
Performance in the Field
As expected from a YETI product, the 27L Backpack performs admirably in harsh conditions. During testing, the bag showed excellent resistance to water, dirt, and wear. Whether it was subjected to rain, muddy trails, or rough handling, the bag showed minimal signs of damage or degradation. This is one of the key selling points of the backpack — its ability to withstand harsh environments without losing its functionality or appearance.
The high-quality fabric and reinforced stitching mean that the backpack is built to handle a heavy load, and the zippers maintain their smooth operation despite exposure to moisture and grime. For outdoor enthusiasts, this bag offers peace of mind knowing that their gear will stay secure and protected.
Weather Resistance
One of the standout features of the YETI Crossroads backpack line is its ability to keep water out. The waterproof exterior, combined with HydroLok™ Zippers, ensures that your gear stays dry even in heavy rain or wet conditions. This makes it ideal for activities like kayaking, hiking, or even city commuting when the weather can be unpredictable. It is also a nice little peace of mind when carrying camera gear, laptops or just wanting to make sure the boxers horts stay dry.
However, it’s important to note that while the bag is highly water-resistant, it is not fully submersible. It will protect your gear from a downpour, but it’s not designed for underwater use. If you need a bag for completely waterlogged situations, you may need to consider also using a dry bag.
Everyday Use
While the YETI Crossroads Backpack is designed with outdoor adventures in mind, it’s also perfectly suited for everyday use. This is where we tested our Crossroads pack out the most, daily commutes, the office, meetings, coffee shop and a few hikes and flights. The size is ideal for commuters, students, or professionals who need to carry laptops, documents, and personal items.The minimalist design is stylish enough for an office setting, while the durability ensures it can handle rough urban environments. Like most YETI products, although they are designed and rugged enough for the outdoors, a good portion of them never make it past the city limit signs and into the wilderness.
This bag really excels as a carry-on when flying, when stuffed in the overhead compartment, you can feel confident your laptop isn’t going to get smashed by someone arriving last on the plane and cramming their bags into a place where technically they shouldn’t fit.
The YETI Crossroads Backpack is a Keeper
The YETI Crossroads Backpack (27L) is an outstanding choice for those seeking a durable, water-resistant, and versatile bag that can handle both outdoor adventures, everyday use, or even just a bag for the office. With its rugged construction, thoughtful organization, and comfortable fit, it will meet the demand for most adventurers and activities. It is ideal for commuting and travel while still being able to handle wilderness adventures.
The pack is not cheap, retailing for $230.00 but it will last for years to come! Buy yours at YETI.com.
