Price: $ 84.95 US
Color: Black
Fits waist size: 25-44”
Dimensions: 14.2” x 6.3” x 2.4”
Capacity: 3.0 L
Weight: 318 g
Material: Water repellent
Availability: Online and retail
Obtained by: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
On or Off the Bike, Securely Carry More Gear
New to the 2023 Topeak line is a well-designed hip pack, perfect for gravel riding, commuting, mountain biking, cx skiing, or hiking. The pack never moves, sitting firmly at the lower back and hips. I tested this bag while riding my MTB and gravel bikes as well as cx skiing – there was no bouncing or swaying even when fully loaded.
The pack is designed with perforated padded hip contact points to aid with airflow, relieve pressure, and increase comfort. The pack’s exterior is like a Swiss army knife with features to satisfy virtually all your gear carrying needs. The MOLLE-compatible strap to mount anything you might need, and the built-in elastic cord secures things like a packable rain jacket or gloves.
There are two zipper compartments with large zipper pulls, making it easy to open and close even with bulky winter gloves. One of the compartments has pockets to keep everything organized. There is a second compartment with no dividers, but it is expandable to accommodate a lot of stuff. I didn’t give this pack a perfect 5-star rating because the interior fabric was black, making it hard to find dark items.
A sturdy buckle closure secures the waist belt, which adjusts from 25-44” and can be snugged tight with a pull of the straps.
With a capacity of 3.0 L, there’s plenty of room to stash nutrition, gloves, or tools. Unfortunately, black is the only color choice, but the fabric is a 600D polyester that is water-repellent and stain resistant.
Bottom Line
I’m always a big fan of clothing and gear that you can use for multiple disciplines. Topeak’s new hip pack works great on or off the bike.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
I wonder if you’d ever tried fanny packs in the summer: I find them very hot and uncomfortable. I do use them off the bike, so this one looks nice for that.
Dave,
Fanny packs, hydration packs and even hip packs can get warm. But newer designs have better ventilation than older models. It’s pretty cold in Chicago so I wasn’t able to try it in summer like temps. I’m in Charleston for a week. I should have brought it with me. Oh darn.
Sheri