CRAFT CADENCE BACKPACK | WATERPROOF | 30 LITRES
As a daily cycle commuter and keen amateur cyclist, you are always on the lookout for new types of cycling gear, products that are reliable, comfortable, durable and competitively priced.
In a world where there is so much variety on offer, some of this well-branded cycling gear doesn't always live up to our high expectations, but in the case of Craft Cadence and the fabulous 30-litre backpack, I think they might have produced a winner.
Great details on the exterior of the bag. Simple and stylish!
Description of the Bag
It was positively reviewed by a variety of well-known cycling magazines like Road.cc, Cyclist.co.uk, Sportive.com. Together with a loyal following of dedicated cyclists, this beautifully designed backpack is the best cycling-specific waterproof backpack you can find online.
Once again, Craft Cadence has produced a fantastic piece of kit, and as commuters in London, they have set out to design the perfect waterproof cycling backpack, using the insight from their own commuting experiences. This is a 30-litre bag available in black and yellow/black has been developed due to several years of iteration, research, and, of course, listening to their loyal customers.
Craft Cadence knows that all cycle commuters want waterproofing to keep the elements at bay, smart organisation of their daily travel essentials, and, importantly, ventilation that helps fight against the dreaded sweaty back. That is why they have designed and delivered a product specifically addressing all of these concerns and a whole lot more.
Out on the daily commute and the bag looks good, fits well and is extremely comfortable.
Capacity
The bag is a 30-litre capacity pack and has plenty of room to fit in all of your daily essentials. I prefer a 30-litre backpack for work, as it gives me enough space to keep things in without being too big or small. I think it is the perfect size for commuting, and it can house a fair amount of items.
The bag has a few extra compartments, which make it not feel hollow. I often find some waterproof bags to be more like a dry bag, and as a result, they don't have the necessary compartments that help it to feel more like a proper backpack—keeping all items safe and secure as you travel along.
Craft Cadence has done an excellent job with the pack, and it is undoubtedly as good as any of my well-equipped 30-litre hiking backpacks available on the market, which tend to have extra compartments and room for more than you need.
Weather Protection
This backpack has not disappointed when trying to keep the water out, and it made sure the elements stayed away. The Craft Cadence backpack is fully certified to IPX5 standards for water protection by SGS. As a result, the IPX5 certification means that the bag is guaranteed to stay waterproof in all types of weather conditions. This waterproofing is ensured through high-quality tarpaulin materials and seam welding technology.
Even in heavy showers and more extended periods of rain, I was very impressed with how the bag faired. The water ran off in beads, and no water began seeping through areas like the zip and surrounding seal, which can often prove problematic with some bags.
Waterproof seams are invaluable.
Smart Compartmentalisation
As previously mentioned, this sturdy bag is 30 litres in capacity, allowing you to fit any number of items. For me, that might include clothes for work, shoes, a lunch box, writing material and waterproofs. It is perfect for the commute to work and even running errands around the city.
Sometimes though however good a bag might seem, it can often fail when packing things inside. Some waterproof bags can be nothing more than a hollow shell, and sometimes there is not even a spare place to store away your wallet and keys, which can be rather annoying as things move around inside.
The Craft Cadence bag is perfect for storage opportunities as it has a large pocket of kit on the outside and handy compartmentalisation on the inside. The separate large external water-resistant zipped pocket is perfect for bike essentials. This meant that I could not only slide my laptop (up to 17 inches) and tech protection into the handy yellow divider but also there is the possibility to house other kits and essentials like your phone and keys in the smaller compartments. There are two additional zipped mesh pockets on the other side for work essentials such as wash kits and small clothing items. Bottles and other items can be placed on either side of the sleeves and fit comfortably when in transit.
I love the colour contrasts. The storage looks good inside and has plenty of space to house your essential items.
Key Features Designed For The Daily Cycle Commuter
I like the bag a lot, and I think it looks very stylish, it is lightweight and well designed. It has built-in air vents on padded shoulder straps to reduce moisture flow between the body and the bag. It has a custom shaped shoulder harness that allows for perfect comfort on the bike, and riding long journeys is a breeze.
It has four separate EVA foam pads that increase airflow vertically and horizontally, minimising sweat on the back. The hip and sternum strap is fully adjustable to ensure maximum comfort and keeps the bag in a good position even when heavier with a full load. Meaning it stays in a secure place out on the ride.
Size and dimension of the bag. Image: Craft Cadence.
High Visibility That Focuses On Safety
Visibility is very important for all daily cyclists, especially when travelling during the dark and cold winter months. Being seen is vitally important, but sometimes we don't all want to wear ultra-bright colours all the time.
Once again, the attention to detail is outstanding on this bag, and it is explicitly designed to keep the cyclist highly visible at all times, whether that is out on the road, cycle path or trail. From its built-in highly reflective front and side stripes to its eye-catching yellow design, Craft Cadence has focused on the finer details to ensure you will be seen at all times out on the road or cycle path.
Reflective strips and possibilities to house an additional light.
The back of the bag and the comfortable padding and straps.
A Bag Suitable For A Variety Of Adventures
Available in black or yellow, both versions of this bag benefit from the striking reflective patches on the back and sides of the main compartment, and the front of the straps.
There is also a practical light loop and straps that could perform a similar function on the front. Whether the Cadence is solely used for a work bag probably depends on your line of employment and how you commute to work. Even in the bright yellow colour, I think it looks attractive and would equally look good while out on a hiking trail.
However, I feel the yellow plastic can mark quite easily, so with that in mind, I opted for the black version, as I thought it would last longer and would still look as good as new over a more extended period. Due to the bag being fully waterproof, there is no need to spend more money and buy a separate waterproof rain cover; as a result, I feel it could prove to be the perfect companion out on the trail, in a kayak or climbing.
Size And Technical Information
The pack is a perfect size for a cycling commuter and is lightweight. It has a roll-top and has all the features to make it a great choice for your daily commute by bike.
30 Litres storage.
1000 grams.
65 cm (unrolled height) x 42 cm (widest width) x 18 cm (depth).
600D tarpaulin seamless welding construction.
Stylish in its appearance with reflective strips on the side.
The roll top, at top of the bag securely keeps items in place.
Key Benefits to this Bag
Keep items dry with the IPX5 certified waterproof main compartment
Superior organisation with removable internal sleeve with dedicated laptop compartment up to 17 inches and pockets for wallets and small items
Avoid sweaty backs with a back panel made with comfortable EVA foams that also maximises airflow
Visibility at night with reflective strips at front and sides
Comfortable on the body with chest and waist straps
Buy the bag from the link below.
A good visual backpack review from Jeremy Tri on Youtube.
More images and Craft Cadence content will be shown on my Instagram account @garethmate