Waterproof Patagonia pack is perfect for paddleboard commuters

Yikes, that is lurid.

Situations in which we find ourselves completely immersed in water are so rare that, for it to have happened, events must have taken a somewhat disastrous turn. We’ll be expecting rescue, and thus happy with the Stormfront’s high-vis hue. However, should you be the kind of Floppy-Fringed Flynn that regularly paddleboards or fords rivers with your laptop, you might be happy with one of the other grey and black colours.

Aren’t most outdoorsy rucksacks waterproof?

Nope. Water resistant, in some cases. Or with a rain cover scrunched up in a wee pocket. There are some that are fully waterproof, but they tend to have a fiddly roll-top closure, like a proper outdoors dry bag. The Patagonia Stormfront, though, is both completely submersible and has a zip-up main compartment.

Witchcraft! How is it so?

Because not all zips are constructed equal, is how. The Stormfront uses a TIZIP zipper that really, really hates water. We’ve not had our hands on one, but the suggestion is that it is just as easy to open as a normal zip, despite its tight seal. Inside there’s 30 litres of storage, with plenty of room to fit up to a 15in laptop. And on the outside, befitting such a gnarly carry-on, there’s straps for your fishing kit or ammo or EPIRB emergency beacon.

If you’re really entrusting your Macbook to a sub-aqua experience, you may find the price of the Patagonia Stormfront, £230, to be reassuringly expensive.