As summer turns into fall here in New England, I start thinking about what I need to bring to stay outside longer. Cold weather is more demanding of you, your clothing, and your gear. Those demands require heavier fabrics and easy access to bulkier items.

So, in the fall and winter, on top of my flannels and beanies, I like to pack a hatchet, my JetBoil, some soup, and an extra layer, just in case. And who can forget a few cold ones to catch the sunset with?

But just because I’m carrying around big and bulky things doesn’t mean I need a big and bulky daypack.

Prometheus Design Werx (PDW), an outdoor clothing and gear company based in San Francisco, has produced clothing and gear for hard use in all environments for the last decade. Aimed at the active and self-reliant, PDW considers the environment and your demands when introducing a new product. Its WUULF Pack, a 24L daypack, is a fine example of that mission and its ability to execute.

In short: The Prometheus Design Werx WUULF Pack 24L is a multipurpose top-loading daypack with a 500D Cordura shell and flame orange 140D nylon ripstop lining. The pack features a floating lid that allows the capacity of the main compartment to expand from 24 L to 28 L. A removable laptop sleeve makes it adaptable for day-to-day use as well. For survival, bushcraft, day hikes, and even work commutes, this is a solid little number.

If you’re looking for daypacks, compare the WUULF Pack against those on GearJunkie’s guide to The Best Daypacks.

Review: Prometheus Design Werx (PDW) WUULF Pack 24L

Design & Features

Externally, the WUULF pack has dual daisy chains down its front. It also has a MOLLE-compatible bottom and shoulder straps. These features allow for considerable expansion to carry more accessories.

There is a large water bottle pocket on each side of the pack that fits standard 32-ounce water bottles and can be cinched down for smaller items.

There’s also ample strap management, load lifters, ice tool loops, and a removable waist belt. For easy storage and retrieval, the pack has grab handles on the top and bottom as well as both sides. 

Internally, the PDW WUULF Pack is lined with PDW’s signature “flame orange” ripstop nylon. Some reviews have stated that this liner needs to be toned down. But I find that it’s great for retrieving something from the pack — especially in the dark. It’s brighter and reflects more light, making it easier to distinguish objects.

There is also a removable laptop sleeve, so if you’re running straight from the trail to work or vice versa, you can easily stash your computer. This compartment can be fully opened for complete access and synched down to keep the contents protected from the elements. A water bladder pocket and tool pockets on each side offer adequate storage.

One nice extra touch is a flap that covers the zipper. That can be buttoned at the top to hold it in place and provide more protection from the elements.

The PDW WUULF Pack uses an HDPE frame sheet with a T6061 aluminum rod stay for a frame. This is more ideal for a pack this size and complements the ventilated EVA foam back panel.

The pair combined creates an excellent final fit. They allow the pack to hug your body and move with you. The load lifters and waist belt allow you to fine-tune the way you carry the pack’s weight. 

First Impression

The W.U.U.L.F. in WUULF Pack stands for “Wilderness Utility Urban Lay Flat.” PDW describes it as “a modern interpretation of the classic, alpine style, top-loading summit assault pack.” It’s been “built for multiple environments” and is “made from premium materials” for “versatile performance.”

I have read a lot of great things about a lot of packs in the past. I’ve also been in marketing for more than 20 years. So, I may be a little jaded when it comes to the way a brand describes its products. However, when this pack arrived, I quickly realized its characterization was spot on.

Off the bat, it’s hard to ignore how rugged the overall build is. For most daypacks, a 210D shell is more than adequate. However, when building out a pack meant for multiple environments and activities, there’s nothing wrong with going with a heavier denier. The WUULF has a 500D shell and a 140D liner. It’s burly and ready for action.

Secondly, PDW paid a lot of attention to both organization and expansion. You can attach or remove accessories easily to help you adapt from one adventure to another. The MOLLE on the shoulder straps is a great spot to hang a knife, light, or handheld GPS unit, while the MOLLE on the bottom is perfect for a bedroll or tent. 

Finally, the vertical front zipper allows for lay-flat access, so I don’t have to rummage as much when I need something. I can just unzip the bag and see everything that’s inside.

WUULF in the Field

Like the rest of the country, summer in New England has been oppressive. But the week after the PDW WUULF Pack arrived, the day temps got down into the 70s with the night temps hovering in the high 50s. It was perfect weather to get out into the woods and stay out there. 

I’m a wanderer. I start on the trail and like any kid who forgot his Ritalin, I end up off somewhere looking at flowers and stones, taking random pictures. This pack is perfect for that. I could bend over, scramble over rocks, squeeze between trees, and the pack would stay in place. It wasn’t too big and bulky that it got in my way, either.

It’s the same experience you get when you have accessories lashed to the MOLLE or daisy chains. Everything lashes down tight. There’s nothing hanging off the pack and swinging around. 

On my first trip out, I packed the WUULF pack with all of the gear I needed, as well as a Hardcore Hammers Camp Companion Axe, rain jacket, and gloves. The overall weight of the pack was a stout 26.5 pounds. Just about perfect for a guy my size.

Within half a mile, I knew I didn’t need the waist belt. I’m not a fan of them in the first place. The weight wasn’t situated enough where I needed it to be, anyway, to transfer it off of my shoulders. So I took it off — it’s always nice to have the option to do that.

Overall, this pack did great in the rain. There were a few tight spots where I was bushwacking, and I never got hung up on anything besides a few spiderwebs. What’s more, the 500D shell never got saturated.

While not rated as waterproof or even water resistant, droplets beaded off of the Cordura. That’s a good indication that the pack will do well in the coming months as we get hit with more rain and, eventually, snow. 

I went on a few other adventures with the pack, random day hikes out and about, and then decided I would do an overnight with it. I was able to easily store my NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO tent on the bottom of the bag. The MOLLE panel and the straps on the tent bag made it easy.

Between May and October, I can get away with just a sleeping pad and sleeping bag liner. This minimal setup is great for the PDW WUULF Pack. 

Ultimately, the pack held all the gear, water, and food that I needed for that night. But I maxed it out internally. So, for any longer trips outdoors in the colder months, I’ll need to go with a bigger bag. I think the WUULF Pack would suffice for two or more nights in warmer weather, as my summer sleeping kit is minimal and less bulky. It would really shine if you were someone who slept in a hammock.

Sidenote: if you want to strap anything to the bottom MOLLE on the WUULF pack, I’d highly recommend the PDW’s SPD x Austere Cam Straps. With a cam strap, you never have to worry about it loosening up. Additionally, these look really good with the pack. 

Fit and Finish 

A lot can be said about the fit and finish of the WUULF Pack. Strap management was easy and helped the pack fit back and body comfortably. Even with some small accessories strapped to the outside, I didn’t feel like things were swinging around on the trail.

The frame sheet and load lifters work really well together to adjust the load on your back. Even at max capacity and without a waist strap, I never felt like the bag was dragging me down. By design, this pack hugs you from behind.

In more than 30 miles of hiking in a variety of conditions, it didn’t shift around too much. I also never found myself fiddling with the shoulder straps or sternum straps after my initial adjustments.

As the straps aren’t very thick, adding things to them (like a water reservoir tube or flashlight) causes the strap to flip around when you’re putting the pack on. That’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but something to keep in mind so you don’t get hung up. 

PDW WUULF Pack: In Conclusion 

I don’t like putting labels on things because I feel like it can pigeonhole their purpose. However, when I first approached testing and reviewing Prometheus Design Werx’s WUULF Pack, a 24L daypack, I had a very specific vision for it in mind.

Every year, when the weather in New England shifts from summer to fall, I reassess what I need a daypack to carry as well as how it carries those things. The timing was right and I was able to test this pack in that crux. In doing so, I realized that it’s actually well-suited for any season.

From accessibility to adaptability and its overall durability, the Prometheus Design Werx WUULF Pack is more than likely going to outlast a majority of the other 24-28L packs in my gear closet. It’s the kind of daypack you use for years, take a break from, and go back to. I’ve been using a top loader since high school, for college, the day job, and work trips, and this pack makes a great work bag, too.  

So, though Prometheus Design Werx may not be a household name like some of the other outdoor brands you know, it should be. After the Grateful Dead, Prometheus Design Werx is the best thing to come out of San Francisco. This pack is a testament to that.