Wildcat Gear Ocelot frame bag review

Wildcat Gear Ocelot frame bag review

Convenient, waterproof storage

Our rating

4

75.00

Matt Orton / Immediate Media

Published: October 29, 2015 at 10:00 am

Pros:

Easy fitting, wide compatibility, well-thought out design touches

Cons:

Not completely waterproof at the seams

The Ocelot is a partial frame bag making a universal option that should fit most hardtail frames. It's made with a four-layer Dimension-Polyant VX nylon, which put simply means it is strong, waterproof and stretch resistant.

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The frame facing panels have added foam padding to eliminate rattles and protect the frame and contents. The trimmable hook and loop tabs are sensibly spaced and are compatible with a number of frames we have tried for size. The bright yellow inner of the fabric is a nice touch as it makes finding items while rummaging through the two pockets much easier, especially in low light.

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The hose and cable port located at the nose of the bag is another neat idea, allowing the storage of power packs or hydration bladders out of the way with less clutter and things attached to the frame or bars. The full-length zips are reassuringly weatherproof, which when combined with the DWR treated fabric offers a pretty good water resistance.

Fitting is straightforward:

Fitting is straightforward

Unfortunately a weak link is in the stitching, which does allow water to penetrate in a heavy enough deluge (almost guaranteed on any bikepacking adventure this tester has been on) so be sure to still pack vulnerable kit in smaller dry bags.

Out of all the Wildcat gear we've tested recently, the Ocelot has seen the most service, with its simple attachment method making it a breeze to swap between frames. We've regularly used it on our daily commutes, and it's also a great way to ditch the backpack for long cross-country days in the saddle with plenty of room for tools, extra layers and food. It is surprisingly innocuous when riding and doesn't get in the way of pedalling, even when fully laden.

The Ocelot is available in four sizes, S-XL.

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