
Imported.
Item 768101
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 17 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
Ortleib bags live up to their reputation, which is reassuring since they're a bit pricey. Unlike designer ware, this thing is all about function. It's now a regular part of my commute. I haul a laptop, a bike lock, a change of clothes, and lunch regularly in the thing. It's spacious enough and protects everything. Furthermore, I prefer the bag to saddle bags because you can ride more competitively without fear of anything coming loose.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
This bag rocks. Instantly comfortable, secure, spacious. I have eyed this for a long time and finally pulled the trigger to happy results. It fits everything for my work commute. It's cheaper than panniers and safer too. I am really free to stand up on the pedals and really get some body torque into my ride without the fear that my pannier might slip off the cage.
Pros
Cons
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Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
Good waterproof pack that's easy to get a day's worth of gear in. Belt clip broke after a couple weeks and the velcro closer is not ideal when it's full (i don't have a locker at work so I carry my whole day's change of clothes). The pads are comfy and let the air circulate and it's nice and reflective. Might recommend the larger size if you have a lot to carry.
Pros
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Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
Fantastic product, what I needed for Portland weather. A bit small, but I guess that is the cost of a waterproof bag.
Service and delivery comments:
Got it in the store, had a bit of trouble with that since they didn't call this a backpack and so I couldn't find someone who knew where to find these until a manager came to the rescue. They are by the biking gear, not the backpacks....
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
This bag is pretty great for being a backpack. I use it to ride to work every day, and it holds everything I need: clothes, shoes, warmer layers, extra tube, multi-tool, and food. I wish it had more compartments inside; the small snap-on bag inside is kind of cumbersome and occasionally falls off. Still, it's good for holding keys/phone. You'll probably want some stuff sacks if you don't want to rummage through your bag trying to find everything.
It's quite waterproof, and I like that I can attach my rear light directly to the bag. My only complaint is that it wasn't designed with smaller people in mind. At 5'2, I have the straps cinched tightly, and the excess kind of gets in the way (there are things on the waist belt to keep them out of the way, but that only works to a certain length before they get in the way again). My chest also gets in the way, but since when does any designer ever make anything with women's bodies in mind? The bag also slightly blocks your view looking back for traffic, but I quickly adjusted.
Pros
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Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
It keeps my computer and books safe and dry while I bike to school/work in the rain or snow. The only things I can think of for how it could be better are that it could be a little bigger, and the velcro catches on the top edge a little and makes the fabric look fuzzy. Not a big deal though. Overall, it's great!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
This bag is bomber, waterproof, and comfortable to wear biking. This particular size (20L) is *just* big enough so that I don't overload and carry too much weight. I generally carry shoes, travel towel, change of clothes, workout shorts/shirt, lunch, and laptop. Everything just fits. I could use a bigger bag, but this keeps me from overloading. Minimal features, which is what I like, and keeps the bag watertight w/o a lot of zippers, seams, pockets, etc.
I had tried using larger messenger bags (Timbuk2), but they get awkward/heavy on a 45-minute commute. Loading your back symmetrically with a backpack makes a heavier load seem lighter and less strain on your back.
Pros
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Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
This bag gets 3 stars because it's the only bag waterproof and spacious enough to hold my books, laptop, clothing, and survive commuting in 4 seasons. It is absolutely dry. However, every time I need to check if I have something in there, I have to dump out all of the contents, no matter what I am looking for,which is a big pain and is time consuming. The pouch it comes with is in the way of pulling things in and out. I still use it for keys, wallet, and phone, but I lose that pouch, as well, in the bag. So, it gets dumped out- whether on the street, at work, or in the store. Still somewhat practical. It holds my groceries and keeps my laptop dry and has a good back structure to it, so I still use it every day, but I am looking into paniers and/or something more professional-looking for work with more pockets. Also the velcro closure gets clogged too often to clean often and is not long enough when bag is full. It really needs a large clip closure. Also, clip belt is good for back support but needs to have retractable straps since they get dirty and carry snow/water on buses and floors and the clips break when in the way. Great thought, needs better design.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
My commute to work from Seward Park to Georgetown is 19 miles roundtrip. It's been a wet winter so far and my Camelbak HAWG hasn't learned to swim.
What I like:
1. Waterproof. Two recent rides have been in torrential rain. Everything inside the pack stayed bone dry. I use a trash bag inside my HAWG. None needed inside the Velocity.
2. Quality materials and construction. Very nicely assembled.
3. The foam pads do a reasonable job ventilating the back. Nothing's perfect but these work for me.
4. There is just enough stiffness in the pack back to prevent sagging. It's also stiff enough to stand upright on its own.
5. The pack is a sack. That is, there're no interior dividers or pockets. A minus for some but a plus for me. The snap-in/out interior pocket is big enough for my wallet and shop keys. I organize with mesh bags so I can see at a glance what I need. There're no nooks or crannies to lose things. It's big enough to stow raingear, extra gloves and socks as well as lunch. I wouldn't want anything bigger on my back.
6. Body of the pack is relatively narrow which keeps the pack from bouncing from side to side while riding.
7. Black is one of three color options (black, yellow and silver). Low visibility color but I wear lights anyway. Any other color pack would be filthy after a ride in the rain even with fenders. On the other hand, the pack material is easy to clean (hose it off if you want).
8. For the money, this is a great pack considering quality of construction, materials and overall design. I'll keep the HAWG for drier weather.
What I don't like:
1. The pack seems a little too long for me (I'm 5'4"). As a result, the shoulder straps and sternum strap ride too low (I like the sternum strap above my sternum instead of directly on top.).
2. No attachment points on the back of the back for my flashing red light. Not a huge problem since I have one mounted on my bike and another on the back of my helmet. The little Ortlieb reflective label is not really very useful.
3. I don't like waist straps (especially the 2" wide webbing belt sewn to the bottom plastic corner reinforcements) so I removed them by cutting the stitching. The plastic corner pieces make this easy to do and leaves me with the option of attaching a 1" wide webbing belt if I ever need one (though I've never carried enough weight to really need one). Also, I've never noticed any bouncing or swaying that would make me miss it.
Overall, this is a well designed pack for use in wet weather. Highly recommended.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ortlieb Velocity Cycling Backpack:
I've been using this pack on rainy/cloudy days (hundred days a year) for over 2 years now. The velcro is still in good shape and the straps are in great shape. My sunny day backpack hasn't held up nearly as well.
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