This funky little backpack from waterproofing maestro Ortlieb is all glued seams and hermetic zips. But style wise it’s a long way from the utilitarian panniers that originally brought the company its fame.Functionally, it's excellent, but it's a long long way from cheap.
The 13 litre main compartment is completely watertight thanks to the Tizip closure, and the thin but tough fabric helps keep the weight down to a very reasonable 710g. It’ll take a hydration bladder, and there’s even a neat waterproof port for the hose.
Inside there’s an organiser sleeve, which doubles as your bladder compartment, and behind the removable front panel is a (non-waterproof) pocket for the bits and bobs you need to hand. The back panel has four padded sections with air channels to keep things from getting too clammy, and the harness is comfortable and secure even without the removable waist strap.
An excellent bag, then, but very pricey. If you augment your cycling with a bit of adventure racing, canoeing, orienteering or snowboarding you might be able to justify the price tag of £104.50. We’re not sure we can.
Colours: Black, black/orange, black/white
