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Looking for a quality 'big' backpack for full or multiple days on the bike? I think this is a great deal for the storage/capacity/features you get.
RRP is £220 so it's half price, no bladder but the 3l EVOC bladder is under £30 from multiple outlets, and a tall camelbak bladder would fit too.
https://www.merlincycles.com/evoc-trail-pro-26-protector-backpack-281144.html?
My first impressions:
I've owned and used a camelbak mule LR 15 since October 2018, so 4.5 years and many miles. Been happy with it, apart from it's lack of space. If I wanted to carry a jacket with me, along with some food and 3l of water for a full day in the mountains, it was pretty much stuffed to the gills.
Enter, the EVOC Protector Trail Pro 26l.
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The main compartment is, well... Capacious.
That's a full size set of kneepads, a waterproof coat, and a not-compressed down jacket in there, with room to spare. Obviously with a full 3l bladder there'll be a bit less space but I don't see it affecting it much.
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In the rear 'tool' compartment it's got enough room for a small (camelbak) tool roll, a mini pump, and various other bits and bobs - more than I had lying around to be able to demonstrate.
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The part fleece lined glasses/goggle pocket is big enough to take a full size set of goggles with ease.
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The belt pockets are, yet again - large. How large?
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Yep, that's a full size hard Oakley glasses case, in the same pocket as the waterproof cover.
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All of this fit in the bag, with easily enough extra room for food, 2-3l of water, some more tools, a first aid kit, and probably a small kitchen sink.
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Aside from that, there's an excellent rain cover that even covers the belt pockets, and of course the full length back protector.
Fit wise, it feels excellent - my old camelbak was narrow and so when fully packed would protrude quite a lot off the back. This is wider and much more body hugging. It seems less likely to swing about even when fully loaded.
2 things that could be improved if I'm being really nitpicky: The rain cover could do with its own compartment in the pocket, although with the back protector it sort of forms a divider within the large belt pockets so it's not a big issue. Second, I'd have liked to have seen an elasticated pocket or 2 on the lower rear sides, to be able to stow either a water bottle or 2, or a set of sweaty kneepads. Other than that, and it not coming with a bladder, I reckon it's pretty much perfect.
As a comparison, I paid £78 for my camelbak those 4.5 years ago, inc. bladder - so this for less than £140 with a bladder is really very good value!
How would it perform as a commuter bag? Laptop, keyboard etc fit? Need a replacement for my HAWG, debating just getting the latest one, but £160…
How would it perform as a commuter bag? Laptop, keyboard etc fit? Need a replacement for my HAWG, debating just getting the latest one, but £160…
I'll try my 15" Dell XPS in it shortly and report back. I only have a tenkeyless keyboard but I'll try that too 👍
Edit: yep, swallows both easily!
https://flic.kr/p/2onw4Ho
15" laptop, 16.5" in size diagonally. If the laptop was in a case, and with no bladder it'll go in the bladder sleeve.
Keyboard
https://flic.kr/p/2onvDpA
Even a full sized keyboard with a numpad would fit with ease.
And if those pictures make it look enormous, it really isn't.
This is it alongside my old 15l camelbak:
https://flic.kr/p/2ontB3w
https://flic.kr/p/2onqRG8
Oh backsides...I wasn't going to read it, but I have and I'm now thinking this could be useful...I'm not needing to spend any money on bike kit just now!
How would it perform as a commuter bag? Laptop, keyboard etc fit? Need a replacement for my HAWG, debating just getting the latest one, but £160…
@tomhoward, unless your commute is seriously gnarly, you might be better with the non-protector versions. I've got the 30L version, there's also a 26L one. Extremely comfy, not too sweaty, stable, and built like a brick shithouse so I expect it to last. Swallows everything I need for trips into the office: clothes (except shoes), food, laptop, headset and all the usual shite inc heavy U-lock.
26L £96: https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Evoc_Explorer_Pro_Backpack_26L_Heather_Ruby-(322659)
Just bought one based on this PSA as I was looking for something similar after my Camelbak Cloud Walker had to be retired/binned. I bought an Osprey in the Go Outdoors sale but I think it's a "made for the sales" job as I'm not that impressed with it.
I also bought an evoc seatpack for my road bike.... loam half the price of grey!
Don't forget quidco!😀
It looks as though the but which sits against your back is flat? Does it conform nicely when you're wearing it?
I've been looking for something bigger than my Dakine Drafter but struggling to find something that can match the suspended mesh thing for comfort.
Only thing I've found that comes close so far is an Osprey Syncro but that only comes in at 20l. That, or a Stratos 24 but that's more walky, less bikey.
The back has bumps all over it which should help with sweating, probably not as good as a fully suspended system though.
I've just loaded it up with 3.5kg of stuff and you barely feel any weight - almost no pressure through the shoulder straps, most of the weight is transferred lower onto the more padded belt area.
@tomhoward, unless your commute is seriously gnarly, you might be better with the non-protector versions. I’ve got the 30L version, there’s also a 26L one. Extremely comfy, not too sweaty, stable, and built like a brick shithouse so I expect it to last. Swallows everything I need for trips into the office: clothes (except shoes), food, laptop, headset and all the usual shite inc heavy U-lock.
I received the 30l one for Christmas and used it for a two day MTB ride. Very good pack, especially at the linked price. The mesh back is very comfortable.
It even comes with a small wash bag.
christ these have gone up in price I'm sure I paid around £50 several years ago to be fair
its lasting really well, had a few tumbles in the Alps when I did that sort of thing. and it's fine so can vouch for build quality
I've just bought a new 10L that was on 'offer' at £90 (from around £140) I think. I have an older FR/Lite with the back protector and it's been brilliant for the last 5 years. Robust, comfortable (the wide waist strap is great) and that protector has been 'tested' a few times.
Only thing I missed from the bigger one it replaced was the side pocket to hold snacks/glasses. I won't be getting rid of it tho - keep it for winter/grotty rides.
My bigger one isn't the size of ^^^ OP but it is too big for a day out. I do still use it if we're away on big alpine days and I want to put a big jacket/lots of food in there. 20L I think, 26 looks massive!
It feels surprisingly small with not much in it, but I specifically wanted the capacity for big days where multiple clothing changes might be required along with the usual food/water etc. The 15l of my old bag just wasn't cutting it (I honestly think camelbak lied when giving the volume, either that or they included all the other small pockets in that figure).
I've caved and went for the 30l bag...will be used for my commute in to the office and hopefully a few overnight (mis)adventures that I'm hoping to get done this year. I'm expecting the bag to be massive for the commute - 17" laptop, shower kit, change of clothes...and if I can squeeze shoes in then fine, if not, I'll be wearing my riding shoes in the office!
wow, £220 RRP for a backpack!!!!
wow, £220 RRP for a backpack!!!!
Agreed. It's strange what passes for a PSA these days. Tiny rucksack reduced to only £110!
Agreed. It’s strange what passes for a PSA these days. Tiny rucksack reduced to only £110!
There's a huge difference between my 30 Litre Evoc backpack and my cheap 30 litre backpack.
Would I want to wear the cheap one all day? No. Has the cheap one fallen apart quickly. Yes.
My Evoc was a gift but I think it was around £120 Vs £40 for the cheap one.
I'd probably struggle to justify the price at RRP tho.
Yeah,an absolute steal,might order 2 😆 🤣
Well, the camelbak hawg 20l is about £130 at the cheapest I can see, smaller and no back protector. Comes with a bladder though.
Everywhere else has this bag at £150 or more.
As per my original post, I paid £78 for a 15l camelbak 4.5 years ago, there's very few decent bags over 15l under £80-£100.