Shootout – Bags
Mission Workshop Speedwell
£305
A durable, do-it-all pack that’s ready for adventure
The Good
Every bag you need in one
The Bad
Cost, but you’re unlikely to need another bag
THIS 20L PACK is made from a combination of X-Pac and MultiCam Cordura making it both tough and weatherproof. It will swallow up a bladder (in a separate compartment), a laptop (up to 16” MacBook Pro), two water bottles in the exterior mesh pockets, and it also has a key fob in the smaller front pocket.
Harnessing comfort
The careful design and combination of pockets makes this pack hugely versatile. We’ve used it on a daily commute, day-long gravel rides, hiking and for trips to the beach. It’s never found wanting in terms of packing space, ease of use or comfort. That comfort comes courtesy of a floating harness that provides airflow but keeps the pack stable. Both chest and waist belt can be moved to different height positions to customise the fit, and the buckles have a snappy magnetic fidlock closure. We found that dialling the fit is the basis of the pack’s stability and, once this was set up, the shoulder straps and chest fastening do such a good job that we rarely used the waist belt.
Downpour proof
The waterproof fabrics have a reassuring heft and haven’t let us down, despite being subjected to some downpours and being accidentally dumped in puddles. That robustness does come at the cost of weight (a hefty 1.29kg), but the comfort is such that the bag doesn’t feel heavy. The benefits this pack delivers far outweigh the additional grammes.
Stubble & Co The Roll Top
£105
An eco-conscious bag that’s styled for the city
The Good
Everyday practicality and sensible price
The Bad
Not waterproof; limited bike use
The Stubble & Co Roll Top has a recycled PET outer, lining and webbing. The matte outer material is waterproof with a durable feel and it has a zipped vertical exterior pocket with side pockets for water bottles or bike locks. Inside, there are two mesh organiser pockets and an additional zipped one.
Work buddy
The shape and design of this 20L, 0.9kg pack makes it practical in everyday use.
It’s easy to pack with work paraphernalia and you can access your laptop without having to open the main compartment. Loading the side pockets with bike bottles does, however, reduce the internal space – not so much of an issue if you’re just carrying a change of clothes, but bottle space can be tight if you’re carrying lots of books and papers.
Balance issues
It sits relatively high on the back and chest strap and, although you can move the strap up, it’s not adjustable below the mid-point. It’s not an issue in general use, but on a bike the fastening and position feels too high. It’s
not ideally balanced either, especially when riding on drop bars; it may work better for upright commuters.
The waterproof fabric sheds light rain, but in wetter conditions the seams have leaked and, for us, that limits bike use. It’s a sensibly priced pack for city use and light commutes but the construction and design detail makes it less useful for more full-on riding.