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CHILI POWDER/CASTLEROCK

Novara Gotham Backpack

$73.93 - $99.50

(8)

Item # 825257

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Novara Gotham backpack features a big-mouth opening and a wealth of pockets to fit the needs of most bicycle commuters.

Made from PVC-free material, the polyurethane coated nylon shields contents from the elements
Top zippered opening flap is held tightly closed when side buckles are cinched tight; loosening buckles still allows access to main zip opening
Front zip compartment features a mesh organizer pocket for ample storage of your small everyday items
Middle zippered pocket allows storage space for your tools and U-lock (rip-and-stick strap prevents lock from jostling around)
Breathable mesh-covered, foam-padded back panel and a thin low-density polyethylene framesheet protect your back from bulky text books and pointy laptops
Shoulder straps feature perforated-foam padding and adjustable sternum strap; removable webbing waistbelt helps distribute weight and prevent pack from swaying to and fro
Removable raincover has its own storage pocket; raincover has a polyurethane coating and taped seams for extreme weather resistance; features reflective Novara logo
Reflective tabs on pack are removable and can be attached to loops outside of raincover for better visibility
Top of pack features an adjustable cinch cord that holds a helmet to the front of the pack and that stashes inside when not in use
Hydration-compatible design features reservoir pocket, hanger cord and drink tube exit port for on-the-go hydration (reservoir sold separately)
Hydration sleeve doubles as a laptop sleeve when not carrying a reservoir; pocket also features a sleeve for your air pump
Reflective detailing increases visibility in low light

Imported.

Item 825257

View all Novara products

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Novara Gotham Backpack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Gotham Backpack

2.5

(based on 8 reviews)

38%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Comfortable (5)
Lots of storage (4)

Cons

Wears easily (3)

Best Uses

Commuting (6)
City bikes (3)
Not just biking (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Office professional (5)
- Primary use:
- Personal (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)

Reviewed by 8 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-8

Mar

2013

4.0

Great backpack

By jrkotrla

from Denver, CO

About Me Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Comfortable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

Used this solid for two week to commute to work in the snow. Held all of my work clothes and kept everything neat, clean, and organized.

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

1.0

Former REI assoc

By Turkey Trekker

from Istanbul, Turkey

About Me Commuter By Pub Trans, Office Professional, Teacher

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Rain Cover

Cons

Mesh Pockets Too Shallow
Mesh Pockets To Shallow
Straps Get In The Way
Top Zipper-dumbest Desgn

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

As a former REI associate I am familiar with most of their products - I commute by bus/subway/foot every day - pack is on and off with each change of trans method. Your arm almost always gets hung up in the strap that holds the top zipper as you put it on. The exterior mesh pockets are too shallow and water bottles just fall out - I am amazed that REI brought out this design. I also have the smaller version of the pack and it is quite good but my wife claimed it.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

4.0

Good pack

By ThalWalker

from Washington, D.C.

About Me Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight
Lots of Storage
Rugged

Cons

Not For Large-heavy Loads

Best Uses

City Bikes
Commuting
Not Just Biking
Road Bikes

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

I've used this pack for daily bike commuting of about 20 miles round trip for a couple of months now in winter. Its a good design, light, very comfortable, and suitable for light to medium weight commuting. I paid full price, which was OK, but its a very good value on sale. The materials and construction appear to be durable, but I don't, and wouldn't, load it to the max. The rain cover is convenient and works well. So, basically, I like it and expect to be using it for some time.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

4.0

A pretty good backpack

By NatL

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Student

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Small Side Pouches

Best Uses

Commuting
Not Just Biking

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

I am not a fan of messenger bags. I like the look but hate the fit, particularly for riding. As such I'm always on the look out for a good riding bag. I really like this bag. It has thoughtful features, like a storage pocket for a U-lock, a built in rain cover, reflective bands on the back and sides, and a few that I actually haven't figured out yet (loops of cloth in the main pouch, what are they for?).

My only gripe is that the side mesh pockets are just a little too small. If they were just the tiniest bit deeper my bottles whould fit more securely.

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Seductively designed, poorly executed

By lkrndu

from Turin, Italy

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Bulky
Heavy
Unstable

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

I bought this to use both on my bicycle commuteing in Turin and to carry while walking and on the train. The attractive features included the two ample compartments with the laptop slot, and the outer secretary area with a zipped pocket and places for business cards, pens, and so on.

The weight of the empty pack is impressive and discouraaging. In use, with a laptop in its place, the pack slaps me in the back as I walk. Ther is no mechanism to cinch tight the load.

With a heavier load the deadweight of the pack adds to the lurchiness and pressure on the straps. This is not a very well-balanced pack.

It will go back for a refund as soon as I'm able.

Comment on this review

May

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Does not fit the needs of this commuter

By Aryn Ryder

from CA

About Me Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight

Cons

Too Small
Wears Easily

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

i bought this for my 14 mile commute. I was using a 1400cu-in model hydration pack design for mountain biking. It was just a bit too small for my day's clothes, lunch, and morning cycling gear when I rode home in the afternoon. So I purchased this bag thinking the increased volume would be perfectly sized. This bag may technically hold more, but the layout is such that it doesn't hold all my gear in an easily usable fashion. I know that it will be too small during the winter.

My main gripe is the clamshell pocket on the back. It has a decent volume, but items easily fall out of it. I also had reservations about durability. I ended up returning it.

Comment on this review

May

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Fell in love... broke my heart...

By djrdruner

from Seattle

About Me Avid Traveler, Student

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Waterproof

Cons

Too Small
Wears Easily

Best Uses

City Bikes
Commuting
Mountain Bikes
Not Just Biking
Road Bikes

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

All in all it was a good bag, fit most of my needs, very comfortable, loved all the pockets and straps, and riding to and from work in a very rainy month here in Seattle the hide-a-way rain cover worked wonders... now the heart break... unfortunately the shoulder strap started to fray apart in just under a month, in only using it for light weight cloths and bike stuff I feel the material is not durable and quickly returned it for another brand...

Comment on this review

Mar

2012

(11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Good not great

By allonespeed

from earth

About Me Avid Traveler, Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Wears Easily

Best Uses

City Bikes
Commuting

Comments about Novara Gotham Backpack:

I've been using this one almost the day it was released - in fact, when I bought, the sales person mentioned it was just added to the shelf.

I don't own a car, and have used a variety of bags - from those for a previous cross-country tour, to messenger bags. This is super comfortable, with plenty of storage (12inch laptop, food/lock/this/that), and bright enough in color (red) to be seen.

Now, the bad part: This morning I noticed it's starting to tear where the strap joins the body. Normally, I wouldn't mention it, but given the location, it's vital. Fortunately, REI's return policy is awesome, so no concerns there. I may have gotten a bad run; I dig the bag, just not the quality for such a short time using it.