Field-Proven: 19 Days on the River
When we talk about waterproof construction, it isn’t theoretical.
During his River Thames Source to Sea expedition, Ed Pratt used the Aonyx 25 as his primary waterproof backpack for 19 days straight.
This wasn’t a controlled product test.
It was continuous exposure to water, wet ground and unpredictable river conditions.
Continuous Exposure
River expeditions create a specific kind of stress on equipment.
Your gear isn’t just exposed to rain.
It is repeatedly in contact with water.
Ed Pratt’s Source to Sea challenge followed a simple rule:
In order to make progress, he had to follow the course of the river exactly.
If he was moving towards the sea, he had to be in the river.
That meant 210 miles of wading, swimming and kayaking down the River Thames — alone and self-supported.
Over the course of the journey, the Aonyx 25 moved with the river as required — carried while wading, secured to the front of a kayak, pushed ahead through shallow sections and subjected to repeated immersions.
For 19 consecutive days.
It was continuous practical use under the exact conditions the river demanded.
See the Aonyx 25 in continuous river use during the Source to Sea challenge:
Footage courtesy of Ed Pratt.
Construction Under Real-World Stress
In expedition environments, small weaknesses compound quickly.
Stitched seams can allow gradual ingress.
Poor closures fail under repetition.
The Aonyx 25 uses:
- Fully welded seam construction
- Roll-top mechanical sealing
- Reinforced stress points
That construction is designed to resist water ingress during sustained wet exposure.
Waterproof performance is not about dramatic submersion tests.
It is about consistency over time.
A Necessary Distinction
Like most roll-top backpacks, the Aonyx 25 is not rated for prolonged submersion.
However, during real-world expedition use involving repeated water contact and brief submersion, its welded construction and roll-top seal proved resilient.
Understanding that distinction matters.
Lightweight, Expedition-Proven
The Aonyx 25 is designed as a lightweight waterproof backpack for everyday carry and travel.
Expedition use demonstrates something important:
Lightweight does not mean fragile.
It means efficient.
When weight matters, simplicity matters. And reliability matters.
Field Proof, Not Marketing Claims
Outdoor gear earns credibility through use.
Nineteen consecutive days in river conditions is not a laboratory test. It is field proof.
Choosing with Confidence
If you need a lightweight waterproof backpack that has proven itself in sustained wet environments, the Aonyx 25 is built around that principle.
If you require greater capacity and extended load support, the Caiman 40 expands that capability.
In both cases, construction remains the foundation.
Following the River Thames Source to Sea challenge, Ed selected the Caiman 40 for the his next expedition... Watch this space.