RAB Women’s Exion ND35L Review

Publication date: 10 Sep 2025

BackpacksGear

The Rab Women’s Exion ND35L Hiking Pack is a 35L technical pack thoughtfully engineered for women and those with narrower frames. The ergonomic design offers a supportive, lightweight feeling which is ideal for long distance trails, alpine treks and long day hikes. The pack features Rab’s V-TRAX™ carry system, a thermoformed harness with dual-density foam that provides cushioning where needed. The clean design of the pack is also a big plus.

Its carefully proportioned dimensions support a form-fit, helping to prevent lateral shift, reduce fatigue and improve load control across technical terrain. Designed for active hikers, this pack offers practical access points like side zips, hipbelt pockets, front stretch pockets, mesh bottle holders, plus quick-deploy rain cover and pole attachment features.

Author

Joy Hadders

Joy Hadders is a Dutchie who takes full advantage of her free days off of work to experience as much as possible in other countries. Like many others, she found her way in hiking during the lockdown and now she’s also hooked! She enjoys discovering hidden gems with her boyfriend and dreams of a fully pinned world map. You can follow Joy on Instagram @joyhadders.

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Testing the Rab Women’s Exion ND35L Hiking Pack

I tested the Exion ND35L while hiking the Via Calda in the Catalan Pyrenees. My boyfriend had the male version of this backpack – the features I describe here are pretty much the same as his pack. The backpack impressed with its stability and comfort. The V-TRAX™ harness system adapted seamlessly to minor adjustments and the thermoformed, dual-density padding offered great support. The shoulder straps cradles the body without pinching while the lumbar pad and wraparound hipbelt transferred weight easy.

The hipbelt pockets held snacks and my phone within easy reach, while the side zip allowed quick access to core items without unpacking. The front stash pocket and mesh side pockets proved equally handy for layering on and off during different weather conditions. Even when fully loaded, the 3.5mm alumnium frame maintained structure without inconvenient weight and the narrower profile prevented chafing or snagging in bushes.

hip strap tucked in hip belt of RAB backpack

person adjusting back length of her RAB backpack

The built-in rain cover pops out very quickly. The rain cover system is also very convenient. Hooks on both sides of the backpack allow you to secure it. Handy in strong winds! My walking poles were secured confidently via attachment points. After long hours, the Exion ND35L remained comfortable, adaptable and intuitively designed for minimalist trail use.

About Rab

Rab started in the UK in the 1980s, built by climbers who wanted better gear for wet and cold conditions. They focus on technical mountain clothing: things that work in rough conditions without extra fluff.

They now operate globally but keep their identity rooted in performance. Rab pushes toward more sustainable production too, including using recycled materials and offering repair services for their gear. They don’t overpromise—they just build equipment that gets the job done.

About the Rab Women’s Exion ND35L Hiking Pack

The Women’s Exion ND35L blends pragmatic design with technical finesse tailored to smaller frames. Its 35L volume is ideal for long day trips or hut-to-hut-tours, offering enough capacity without encouraging overpacking. The pack uses rugged 330D Nylon Stripe Dobby and 600D polyester, both with Hydroshield water-resistant coatings, ensuring weather resilience with durability.

Its V-TRAX™ carry system, with adjustable harness and foam layering, provides a responsive fit that contours rather than stiffens. Back length adjusts between 43-48 cm (17-19″). Structurally supported by a 3.5 mm aluminum frame, the pack stays firm under load yet remains lightweight at approximately 1.44 kg (3 lb 3 oz). Dimensions of 63 x 32 x 28 cm keep the profile lean and trail-ready.

Key features include a forward-pull hipbelt, side-zip access, fixed lid with external and internal pockets, hipbelt stash, front stretch pocket, mesh side bottle pockets, pole attachments, and a quick-deploy rain cover. All arranged with logical gear flow in mind.

More about the Exion line

Versatile and fully featured, the Exion has a high comfort practical design that adapts easily to any long distance mission. It’s available in a choice of volume: from 35 to 65 liters. The smaller volumes are perfect for fully loaded hut-to-hut tracks while the larger ones have enough space for long-distance and thru-hiking trails. Each model is available in three different colors, so you can choose the look that best suits your style.

Mens: 38L, 48L, 55L & 65L.
Womens: ND35L, ND45L, ND55L en ND65L.

The ‘ND’ (Narrow Dimensions) backpacks are designed to provide a comfortable and supportive fit for women or men with a narrower build.

Specifications

RAB Exion ND35L
Weight	1.44 kg / 3 lb 3 oz
Volume	35 liters (more sizes available, see above)
Main fabric	330D Nylon Stripe Dobby, Hydroshield Coating
Secondary fabric	600D Polyester, Hydroshield Coating
Dimensions	63 × 32 × 28 cm
Back system	V-TRAX™ adjustable harness, 17–19" / 43–48 cm back length
Frame	3.5mm aluminium
Additional	Forward-pull hipbelt, side zip access, fixed lid (internal & external pockets), hipbelt pockets, front stretch pocket, mesh side pockets, pole attachments, pull-out rain cover

pro's

Ergonomic narrow fit: Designs for women or narrower frames with ND tailoring for form-fitting comfort.

Adjustable V-TRAX™ System: Thermoformed harness and dual-density foam provide custom cushioning and a lightweight feel.

Convenient access & storage: Side zip, stretch pocket, hipbelt pockets, mesh bottle holders and quick rain cover deployment enhance usability. Big extra plus: you can conceal the hip straps in the ‘hidden’ pockets near the hip belt, so you don't have to walk around with long strings.

Solid support with light weight: Balanced by a slim aluminium frame and lightweight structure, offering support without excess weight.

con's

Limited volume: At 35L, may be too small for extended multi-day (camping) trips requiring more gear.

Weight on heavier side: Though supportive, 1.44 kg is not ultralight compared to minimalist frameless packs.

Limited colors: I personally find the color choice disappointing. It's either bright pink or black/dark blue. I prefer the men's version in terms of color. It could be a bit more cheerful, without it necessarily being bright pink (“because it’s for women…”).

Conclusion

The Rab Women’s Exion ND35L Hiking Pack is an exceptionally well-conceived pack for active hikers with smaller frames. It skillfully merges functionality, fit, and durability into a thoughtful 35L package. With its V-TRAX™ harness, wraparound hipbelt and all-season textile build, it offers a comfortable, stable carry even on long, demanding hauls. The smart pocket layout, side access, and rain cover enhance its practicality in the field. The modern and clean design is also amazing.

While its fixed structure and modest volume may limit versatility for longer, more gear-heavy treks, it excels for long hikes and lightweight overnights where agility and comfort are key. If you’re seeking a sturdy, ergonomic and feature-rich pack designed with smaller frames in mind, the Exion ND35L delivers without compromise.

RAB Women’s Exion ND35L Review

About the Rab Women’s Exion ND35L Hiking Pack

More about the Exion line

Specifications

Conclusion

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