FLWRDR

So a little while ago, US based Mission Workshop came out with their Vandal backpack. I just so happen was looking to get a new back pack and Vandal seemed to hit the criteria nicely. I needed a bag that can compress and expand, waterproof and not too many bells and whistles so I can take it to work .

So after some money saving, I made the splurge and the bag made its way from the US to Hong Kong in a week. After a good two months of use, here is what I think.

First off, I don’t have the opportunity to commute to work by bike. Er, then why did you get this bag? Apart from loving to bike, I am also an avid long distance runner and I have been commuting after work by running home. I have yet to find a good bag that has held up to this urban commute. It’s a good solid 5 mile run through Hong Kong’s urban fabric and this bag holds all my work and work clothes. Running with a big pack? It’s good training.

The construction of the bag is SOLID. Below is a pic of what I carry on average to work (and how it all packs into the bag):

And this is a before/after pic of the bag when packed with all the gear. You can see how the bag expands but does not really bulge and it is all held tightly.

The ample compartments hold everything separately and keep things nice and waterproof. I did do a few runs in the rain and while I got soaked, my laptop stayed dry. The large compartment is where everything happens as I can stuff everything in there and the expandable separator provides a good divider for my running stuff and work stuff. A note here though, maybe in the future there might be a smaller separators/holder in one of the smaller compartments for loose change and some pens.

I also want to give props the extra hip strap which can be taken off in 2 seconds thanks to its smart Velcro design. The fit of this bag is great. With a lot of trail running packs that I have tried, the fit actually doesn’t come close to this bag. Why? The shear size of the back padding, shoulder straps and hip strap hugs you like a koala bear on a tree. The added internal supports of keeps my back in good posture so I don’t get lower back pains from things sloshing around my bag when I run. No gimmicks here. More is more.

So, if this bag can take the abuse of urban running in a hectic Hong Kong, think of what it can take on a bike.

~ by Joseph on 21/02/2010.

Posted in Bike Part, Design, Hong Kong