Fox Transition Duffle Bag review

Designed as a travel bag (evident from its generous capacity), the Fox Transition Duffle Bag's practical layout nonetheless makes it versatile and worth considering for commuters.

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It’s made from 450 denier TPU-faced ripstop fabric, which is highly water-resistant and hardwearing. It has one large main compartment with internal mesh organiser pockets, but no laptop sleeve. There are two exterior pockets, both with waterproof zips and one fleece-lined for glasses.

The padded straps use open-cell foam and are mesh-lined for comfort, plus it comes with a chest strap – but no waist belt.

Its neat extra feature is a separate, expandable base section for wet or dirty gear. It also contains a changing mat, ideal for both sportive car parks and changing-room floors. Although it’s designed for wet kit, the base section is also handy for carrying shoes away from your clothes.

The Transition flips the usual pack opening system on its head: opening from the back instead, making it easy to place it on its front and open right up for fast access. The mesh pockets – a mix of zipped and slip-in – sit inside high up and are ideal for stowing wallet, keys and phone.

The Transition holds its own against more specific commuter packs because of its comfort and versatility. I’ve ridden with it both half full for everyday use and packed for a full day on the bike and, in both cases, it was equally as comfortable.

Despite its depth, it never feels like it’s swinging around or in danger of unweighting you. However, unless you carry a lot of kit, this probably isn’t the bag for you. But if you have a heavy daily payload or if you want a pack that will double up for travel or weekend trips, this backpack certainly does the job well and at a very reasonable price.