Matador FreeFly 16 Advanced Series Review: A Lighter Kind of Travel Day Pack

Introduction

The Matador FreeFly 16 has earned a loyal following as a packable travel day pack, and the Advanced Series update refines the formula rather than reinventing it. Matador refreshed the original in 2021 with stronger materials, better hardware, and a few thoughtful touches, while keeping the size and overall design nearly identical. If you have been considering the FreeFly 16 for travel or everyday carry, the updated Advanced Series is the version to focus on, though it is worth understanding exactly what changed and what the update costs you in weight.

Who the FreeFly 16 Advanced Is For

The original FreeFly 16 has been a favorite among frequent travelers because it is lightweight, highly water resistant, large enough to hold what you need for a day out, and packs down tiny for storage in larger luggage. The Advanced Series keeps all of those core qualities. It is aimed at travelers, hikers, and commuters who want a dependable secondary pack that takes up almost no space when not in use.

Both versions hold 16 liters. It is a pack for light loads: a jacket, snacks, electronics, a water bottle, and similar daily essentials.

Main Strengths

Stronger, Better-Looking Fabric

The original version used a very thin 30 denier Cordura ripstop fabric. The Advanced Series moves to a slightly stronger 50 denier ripstop with a waterproof polyurethane coating. Beyond durability, the updated fabric is less shiny, which gives the pack a more refined look.

Matador also added a reinforced bottom layer made from thicker ripstop nylon, which improves strength and abrasion resistance in the area that takes the most wear. The original pack has held up without tears or holes since its release in 2019, and the new fabric should be even more durable.

Highly Water Resistant Construction

The fabric itself is waterproof, all seams are sealed, and the zipper is very highly water resistant. In normal rain and splash exposure the pack performs well. Note that a little water can get through the sealed zipper in a sustained downpour or if the pack is dunked underwater. If you need a fully waterproof dry bag style pack, Matador makes the FreeRain for that purpose.

Significantly Improved Hardware

Hardware was the weak point of older Matador packs, and the update addresses it directly. The Advanced Series uses a high-quality YKK number five zipper with a water resistant sealed lining, a clear step up from the small, cheap-feeling zippers on the original. The buckles and adjusters remain a combination of Duraflex and YKK nylon components, essentially unchanged between versions.

Useful Extra Details

The stitching quality on the new pack is noticeably better, with seams folded back and sewn inside instead of left exposed. Matador added two fabric loops at the bottom and a small bungee cord attachment on top, handy for stashing a hiking pole or a small tripod. The front slash pocket is bigger, with a wider zipper opening and a deeper, roomier interior. The side mesh bottle pockets are deep and wide enough for a slim bottle, and the carry system gains an adjustable sternum strap.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A Modest Weight and Packed-Size Penalty

The improvements in fabric and hardware do add bulk. The updated version packs down slightly larger, roughly an inch longer when stowed, and the weight increases from about 4.9 ounces on the original to about 7.2 ounces on the Advanced Series, roughly a 30 percent increase. It remains a very light pack, but travelers who prized the original for its near-weightless packed form should be aware of the difference.

Shape and Packing Style

The Advanced Series is slightly taller and thinner than the original, though both are 16 liters and real-world capacity appears to be basically the same. The pack has no structure or back padding, so pack accordingly: tall, flat, or soft items against the back panel, and avoid overloading, which makes the pack round and less comfortable to carry.

Thin, Minimalist Straps

The shoulder straps are thin, unpadded mesh with a slightly larger curve on the updated version. On several hikes of four hours or more fully loaded, they proved surprisingly comfortable. The wide mesh distributes weight well and ventilates nicely, but this is not a padded harness system suited to larger travel backpacks. For a 16 liter day pack, it works well.

Buying Advice

The Advanced Series earns its update on merit: stronger fabric, much better zippers, improved stitching, a sternum strap, and extra attachment points, all for only a slight increase in weight and packed size. If you already own and love the original, there is no urgent reason to replace it. If you are buying new, the Advanced Series is the obvious choice, as it fixes the main complaints about older Matador packs.

Conclusion

The Matador FreeFly 16 Advanced Series is a refined version of an already excellent packable day pack. It keeps the light weight, water resistance, and tiny packed footprint that made the original popular, while upgrading the fabric, hardware, and carry details in ways that should help it last for years. For travelers who want a small, dependable day pack that disappears into larger luggage, it remains one of the strongest options in its class.