AllOutdoor Review: YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

By Eugene L. •

When YETI brought out the new Cayo All-Weather Backpack last summer at ICAST, I was pretty interested, especially after getting rained on all day during the On-The-Water portion of the show. As someone who often gets caught out in the rain while fishing or hunting, a quality water-resistant backpack is always a plus. So, pretty much right after the show, I got my hands on a 15L YETI Cayo to test out on the water and in the woods, and test it I did. From Gulf Coast beaches to North Georgia Swamps, let’s see how well the YETI Cayo held up for 10 months of use.

Fishing Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

  • Weather-resistant Dryhide Shell
  • Breathable and ergonomic ComfortComb Mesh Back Panel
  • Quick-access pockets
  • Interior organization
  • HitchPoint Grid
  • 3-year warranty
  • Sizes – 15L, 25L, 35L
  • Colors – Olive, Black
  • Weight – 2.4lbs, 3.5lbs, 4.4lbs
  • MSRP – $225, $250, $300

First Impressions and Build Quality – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

First impressions of the backpack are that it is pretty solid, with the DryHide shell feeling pretty thick and tough. A concern I have with any water-resistant bag is that holes may form in wear areas, like the bottom of the bag. The bag itself is also pretty sleek, with minimal webbing on the outside except across the front. One thing I did notice is that there is a bit of fabric fuzz on some of the material edges. I assume that’s from the internal webbing used in the dryshell, and while it’s a bit unsightly doesn’t seem like it’ll cause issues.

Weather Resistance – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

So, as the name applies, the Cayos are not waterproof, just weather-resistant. While it does a good job of keeping water and dirt out of the backpack, the PU-coated zippers can let water into the bag under certain conditions. Additionally, there is a hole at the top of the pack for a hydration tube that, while shieled can still let water into the bag if dunked. But that’s the key thing, unless you are dunking the bag or being poured on by a crazy storm, I did not find any issues with water intrusion into the pack.

I found that the only times I got water into the bag were when I took a spill into the pond or stream and fully dunked it, or when I was washing the bag with a hose. While spraying the Cayo down with a hose, I found that water could go through the PU-coated zippers, but that’s not something you would expect to deal with during regular use.

Internal Pouches of the YETI Cayo

Internal Organization – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

I would say the internal organization for the Cayo is alright; the main body of the pack has a larger pocket. That would work for a hydration pouch, a couple of smaller pockets that can fit water bottles, and a small zippered pocket. Additionally, you get two larger external pockets that have PU-coated zippers to keep water out.

Keeping my Carry Gun, Sig P365 with Tyrant CNC Snub Nose Grip, in the Top Pouch of the Cayo while Wade Fishing

I will say for my specific use, the 15L Cayo internal pouches are a bit small, with the biggest pouch being too small to fit my 14″ work laptop. While not a deal breaker, it is something to be aware of. I was hoping the bag would be a solution to what happened at ICAST last year, where I had to put my rain jacket over my backpack to protect my work laptop.

Residual Mud Left on the Dry Shell after Being Hosed Off

Cleaning – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

I got my Cayo pretty dirty over the past 10 months, especially during waterfowl season. Fortunatly cleanup for the Cayo is pretty easy, you can just empty out the pack and hose it off and it’ll be relatively clean. After which, I would scrub it with some dish soap to get rid of the last of the mud and clay that sticks to the dry shell material. Even when I got the ComfortComb on the back of the pack absolutely caked in mud while leaving the duck hole, it cleaned up pretty easily.

Dry Georgia Summers Make for Dusty Bags

The only thing I will say is, just be thorough, even when exposed to dish soap. Fine-grit soil, like Georgia red clay, likes to stick to the texture of the dry shell material. So if you miss a spot, you will notice after the pack dries.

Comfort – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

The ComfortComb mesh back panel really does some heavy lifting with this backpack. Even when walking on the beach or bay with the pack while fishing, the mesh allows plenty of airflow to help pull heat and sweat away. The shoulder straps are thick and made from a denser material, helping you out on longer treks. Whether packed with shotgun shells and duck hunting gear, tackle boxes and water, I found the Cayo to be plenty comfortable.

Final Thoughts – YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack

The YETI Cayo has been a great backpack for me for the past 10 months. I’ve used it for just about everything at this point, as a small light pack to hold hunting or fishing gear with, or just a compact backpack to take with me on vacation, easily fitting under airplane seats. I do need to mention the price at this point, though, with the Cayo 15L sitting at $225, it is not a cheap bag. But to be fair to it, all-weather backpacks are generally not cheap. The Cayo sits around the middle to upper end of the price range, depending on the size of the Cayo pack. So I do feel the pack is worth the price tag, especially with how it has held up so far. My only real complaint about it is that the large pocket is just a little too small for my work laptop. Other than that, the 15L Cayo is a great size for anyone looking for a small day pack that can handle the outdoors and weather.

The post AllOutdoor Review: YETI Cayo All-Weather Backpack appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

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