Quechua NH Arpenaz 100 Hiking Backpack
At 0.4lbs, this $10 Decathlon pack challenged everything I thought I knew about budget gear. But can something this cheap actually deliver real value?
Our Verdict
An ultralight budget pack with basic functionality but limited durability and comfort, ideal for casual day hikes
Harness System
Minimal padding with basic straps and undersized grab handle
Storage Capabilities
Multiple pockets keep essentials organized in this minimalist 10-liter pack
Water Resistant
Handles light rain fine, but extended downpours will penetrate
Others
Thumb loop aids strap adjustment
Our opinion reflects our personal experience with the product. We encourage you to consider our assessment alongside your own research to determine if it's the right fit for you.
Buying Options
$9.99
30-Day Return
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Full Review
Look, I'll be straight with you: when someone mentions Decathlon, my brain immediately goes to "budget gear." After years of replacing worn-out fleeces and pants that barely survived a season, I'd written off the French retailer as strictly entry-level territory. But maybe, just maybe, I need to give their pack lineup a fair shake.
As a parent constantly juggling family adventures and gear budgets, I've always wondered if true value could exist beyond rock-bottom pricing. The Arpenaz 100 has me questioning whether my bias against budget gear is justified. Honestly, maybe it's time to test if cheap really does mean compromised.
First Impression
At 190 grams (6.7 oz), this pack immediately stands out for its minimal weight. You can barely feel it in your hands. The material feels notably thin, and Quechua claims it's water repellent, though I'll reserve judgment on that feature until proper testing. Because the material is so thin and the bag lacks structural support, it tends to sag noticeably when empty, giving it a somewhat deflated appearance.
Also available in black, state blue and yellow ochre at the time of this review.
Quechua did use a tougher, more weather-resistant fabric on the base panel, given it's the area most likely to take abuse from rocks and wet ground. From a price point perspective, these material and construction choices make sense, but they do raise questions about longevity.
The lightweight construction suggests this pack targets the ultralight crowd or casual users rather than heavy-duty applications.
I picked up the dark green with tropical floral print because my son was drawn to the pattern. There are other colorways available if botanicals aren't your thing. From what I gathered online, this appears to be an improved version of the original model that dates back to around 2015. The design includes one dedicated hydration pocket and a side zipper for quick access. Apart from that, there isn't much happening on the exterior.
The stitching isn't as refined as premium packs, whether these material choices hold up remains to be seen.
However, there's one detail that stands out for the wrong reasons. The barcode tag is stitched directly to the exterior, and while I understand it's placed there for convenient self-checkout scanning, it's honestly an eyesore. Most people will probably trim it off after purchase. It's a minor annoyance, but these small details add up when you're evaluating the product.
Harness System
Speaking of details, the shoulder straps are about as basic as they come. You won't find a sternum strap or strap keepers here. Both the shoulder straps and back panel do feature ventilated mesh fabric on the contact surfaces, which should help with airflow during warmer days.
Form padding on the back to provide better cushioning.
One interesting detail is the thumb loop integrated into each shoulder strap. This small loop serves multiple purposes: you can hook your thumb through it for better leverage when adjusting strap length, or use it to secure excess webbing after tightening.
The grab handle up top feels a bit undersized for a full adult hand, which could make lifting a loaded pack slightly awkward. Given the pack's focus on weight savings, this minimalist approach to the harness system keeps things light but doesn't offer much in terms of comfort features.
Storage Capabilities
Where the harness keeps things simple, the storage layout follows suit. The pack opens in a horseshoe style, giving you decent access to the main compartment, which is essentially one large storage cavity where you can throw whatever you need inside.
For a 10-liter pack, the Arpenaz 100 handles load testing well.
For a 10-liter pack, the Arpenaz 100 handles load testing well. I managed to fit two lunch boxes, one spare change of clothes, a disposable rain jacket, two face towels, stationery, and a water bottle without maxing out the space. The pack maintained its shape reasonably well under this load.
Even with its minimal structure, the bag also includes a zippered pocket along the back panel to separate smaller items from the main storage area.
The side access zipper offers a convenient on-the-go solution for grabbing frequently needed items. Instead of stopping to take off your pack and dig through the main compartment for something simple like a snack or phone, you can simply swing the bag forward off one shoulder and rotate it to your front for quick access while still wearing it. This becomes particularly useful on trails when you want to grab something without breaking stride.
Worth noting: left-handed users may need some adjustment since the zipper placement favors right-side access.
However, because the material is so thin as mentioned earlier, you need to be careful about what you carry inside. Avoid anything sharp that might damage the polyester from within, and don't count on this pack to protect fragile or delicate items. The material offers zero protection against hard knocks.
I noticed the mesh pocket doesn't hold water bottles securely, bottles can slip out easily, which could be problematic on uneven terrain.
The mesh water bottle pocket topped with elastic allows water drainage in case of leaks, though having only a single hydration pocket feels limiting for a hiking bag.
Water Resistance
Given how thin the fabric feels, testing the water repellency claims felt necessary. I placed a paper napkin inside the pack and thoroughly misted the exterior with water.
The material has a PU coating that can handle light rain showers.
Surprisingly, the napkin stayed completely dry after the initial spray. I left water droplets on the surface for 30 minutes before checking again. The napkin remained dry and the bag successfully repelled the moisture. That said, when I felt the interior with my hand, the fabric seemed like it might eventually allow water to seep through with prolonged exposure.
The water resistance works fine for light rain or brief moisture exposure, but extended downpours will find their way in through unsealed seams and zippers.
Technical Details
Dimension
15.7 x 8.6 x 5.9 inch
Weight
0.4 lbs
Storage
10 litres
Material
Polyester, Polypropylene
Customer Reviews
"Overall great improvement from the predecessor model. The back and straps offers a comfortable padding for long hike/walks. Size of the bag is sufficient for daily necessities and is a good alternative for a small-medium sized sling bag. Something for Decathlon to consider for the next version: a more premium material (cordura fabric etc) that maintains the bag overall shape and more internal compartments/clever slots. Size of the bag is good - not too big and not too small for edc. Hence, hope that Decathlon will continue to maintain and improve this lineup of bag."
"The gap between the 2 straps is too narrow. I bought it for my 5 years old son and the straps leave some red rashes on his neck where rubbing with the straps. It will definitely caused some injury if using for long hours. The material could be a concern too, it could be too hard."
"Affordable, simple backpack for fuss-free travels. Good for kids, lightweight, easy to clean. Value for money."
"I am very disappointed with the quality of the mesh for the water bottle. After 4 days of use, the mesh is already torn at the bottom of the water bottle. As soon as you put it on the ground, the bag leans towards the water bottle, the mesh scrapes the ground, and tears immediately. It's a shame, I thought it was great. And the 2 bags I bought are like that."
Material tear easily
Water bottle mesh holder tear easily
- Affordable price point that makes replacement painless
- Extremely lightweight at 190 grams (6.7 oz)
- Multiple compartments for organization
- No structural support, causing sagging when empty
- Very thin material raises durability concerns
- Grab handle feels undersized for adult hands
- Minimal comfort features overall
Conclusion
Despite its compact 10-liter size, this isn't a bag marketed solely to children. Plenty of adults carry these on trails and around town. My personal take is that while the Arpenaz 100 might not rank high on quality metrics, the cost really does make up for those shortcomings.
I can genuinely see myself or my son using this bag, tossing it around without worry, and not stressing if it takes some abuse. That peace of mind is worth something. I can see a lot of parents who aren't hung up on brand names or premium construction finding real value here.
If the bag eventually tears after a season or two of use, the low price point makes replacement painless rather than painful. For what it offers, I'd recommend picking one up. It's genuinely worth the cost.
