LEZYNE SVELTE

With design input from ‘brand ambassador’ Mr Cedric Gracia and Lezyne’s reputation for innovative design, you can rest assured that this is definitely a pack aimed squarely at the trail rider. The bag is constructed from a tough ripstop fabric supported by a custom fit aluminium spine that can be shaped to suit you. It is attached to a sleeve that sits in its own pocket and can be removed for a lighter bag. The supporting shoulder harness and waist belt are made from a plastic mesh and are lightweight and quick drying. The waist belt features a useful zipped pocket on each side for quick access items ‘on the fly’. One of a range of three bags Lezyne can also equip you with their tools and pumps to keep you out on the trail and organization of these within the pockets is second to none. The bag can be laid flat on the ground and the front pocket opened to reveal a pocket for tool, pump, tyre levers, tube, etc., all labelled and designed for each item. On the outside are straps to hold  knee pads and a helmet. A roomy, versatile bag that’s ready for anything.

Price: £69.99
Weight: 1000g
Capacity: 10L
Bladder: Lezyne 3L
www.lezyne.com
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Tel: 01403 711 611

POC SPINE VPD

Based just outside Stockholm in Sweden POC are at the cutting edge of safety gear for both snow sports and mountainbiking. With premium prices, the products they make are all designed in–house with no compromise to safety, quality and performance. The ‘POC lab’ gathers knowledge from leading experts in the safety field, all who work closely with the product developers at POC to produce the most relevant, reliable and advanced products on the market. The ‘Spine VPD’ bag is a great example of their well executed design. Aimed at the fast paced gravity rider, what we have here is a low profile bag designed around their amazing VPD back protector. No flapping straps or pockets to get caught up on anything; it goes almost unnoticed on your back. A sleek design with a quality Hydrapak bladder, and enough space for essentials when out on the hill. A pop–out mesh helmet holder and removable phone pocket are all the extras you get; and all you should need. For the experienced rider who likes to ride hard and fast, and tackles a few high mountain enduro events each year, this bag has to be top of the wish list.

Price: £189.99
Weight: 1275g
Capacity: TBC
Bladder: Hydrapak 2L
www.pocsports.com
www.2pure.co.uk
Tel: 01844 811 2001

DAKINE NOMAD

Dakine have a long history in making products for the skate, snow, surf and bike market which are both functional and stylish. With Shandro, Berrecloth and Wildhaber (and many other big names) riding Dakine bags and clothing, feedback for product development is coming straight in from the mud and dirt of the trails. The Nomad is a tried and tested model within Dakine’s range and an ever popular pack on many a biking journo around the world. Their distinctive colours and patterns make them stand out amongst a world of black and grey packs. The ‘Artists Collaboration’ (AC) range, shown here, makes the packs even more distinctive. The nature of the Nomad as the name suggests, is of a tough ‘go anywhere’ bag that keeps coming back for more. There is a reassuringly well built theme, starting with the chunky zips on the pockets through to the supportive back and comfy waist straps. Pad straps pop out of the base of the bag and the helmet holder is very much up to the job. A bag to load up, fill the bladder, and head off into the mountains with.

Price: £93.99
Weight: 900g
Capacity: 18L
Bladder: 3L
www.dakine.com
www.surf-sales.com
Tel: 01303 850553

EVOC FREERIDE CC 16L

‘For stunts without regrets’ it says on the back of this pack, and I feel that this Evoc pack just won’t let you down when your riding edges its way out of your comfort zone. A bag that is almost as big as the Dakine, with the added reassurance of a CE approved back protector, this is not the obvious choice for that short sharp evening ride or local loop (Evoc make plenty of smaller bags if you need them). With its easy access to both the main compartment and the bladder, loading up is easy and you have the capacity for a hut–to–hut Alpine trip or a similar adventure. The front pocket zips open to reveal a well sorted range of mesh sleeves for trail essentials and a roll away helmet holder will carry all types of lid. The broad velcro and buckle waist belt looks overkill at first, but on a recent photo shoot our heavily packed snapper was very impressed with the stability and comfort of the bag, with all his kit on board! Looking for a trip away? Then this may well be your bag.

Price: £109.99
Weight: 950g
Capacity: 16L
Bladder: Not included
www.evocsports.com
www.silverfish-uk.com
Tel: 01752 843 882

CRANK BROTHERS DESCENDER

New into the hydration pack market, one look at the Crank bros website and you can see that they mean business. Two well thought out backpacks join a range of kitbags and a courier bag to equip the biker with the luggage they need for travel. We have gone straight to the top of the range with the Descender model that is aimed right at you, the Dirt mag reader. So… they can do pedals and other bike parts but can they do backpacks? We were very keen to find out. The Descender is a large capacity bag (big enough to hold a XC helmet inside even) but is made from a light, but tough, ripstop fabric. The main compartment has all the usual mesh organizer sleeves as well as a removable tool pouch. On the outside of the bag is a fleece lined ‘media pocket’ and a new take on a helmet or pad holder: A sleeve with stretch sides and straps below will take the bulkiest of armour yet pulls in flat to the bag when not in action. Neat. The shoulder harness and back system are of the highest quality and there is a similar waist belt to the Evoc bag; broad and supportive, capable of hauling heavy loads. The pack can be cinched in with two zig–zag side straps and there is even an elasticised cargo strap for a wet jacket. Attention to detail and good design, just as we would expect from Crank Brothers.

Price: £99.99
Weight: 1220g
Capacity: 20L
Bladder: Crank Bros/Microban 3L
www.crankbros.com
www.2pure.co.uk
Tel: 0844 8112001