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review

BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover

7
£11.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Good backpack cover; doesn't cost the earth and does everything it needs to
Weight: 
145g

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The BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover brings together some strongly performing elements to create a well designed and well priced backpack cover.

When people ride to work on a daily basis I always say that a backpack cover is one of the most important things they should get. This is because the vast majority are high-vis, they protect your bag and they are waterproof, so whatever's inside doesn't get soaked. The BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover attempts to fulfil these needs, and succeeds.

Fit

BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover - back.jpg

The most important element of any backpack cover is simply the ability to cover the bag and stay in place. Here the cover is elasticated around the edges and uses two velcro straps that sit in a cross across the back. These stayed in place well and despite use in pouring rain, didn't come unstuck regardless of how much water was running down my back. The elasticated outer can also be tightened or loosened with a toggle at the bottom, so if you are using a smaller or larger bag you can adjust the fit easily.

The cover is 60cm x 50 cm meaning that it can cover most regular sizes commuter bags, I used it on a 30 litre bag and it fit easily, with the elastic outer still tight enough around the edges to keep out the worst of the elements.

Waterproofing

The cover performed admirably at keeping out the water, even with me using it in the pouring rain. Water simply runs off it, although with the huge variety of back shapes and sizes it can potentially have creases and folds that may catch and pool water.

High Visibility

The other important aspect of any backpack cover is that it makes you more visible on the road. The BTR cover provides lots of additional visibility thanks to the bright orange colour and huge amount of 3M reflective material used across it, which provides visibility from multiple angles, rather than simply from behind. It shines out like a torch as soon as a set of headlights hits it.

Storage

Storing the cover is simple: it folds into a small package using the mesh pocket on the back of the cover so you can store it in your bag until it's needed.

Price

£11.99 represents really good value for money. The base model from perhaps the best-known brand, Hump, costs £25 and has less high vis materialso the BTR cover is great bang-for-your-buck.

Conclusion

The BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover is a really useful and well priced backpack cover, providing considerable advantages without an excessive price. It managed to keep my bag dry, it stayed in place at all times and thanks to the huge amount of 3M reflective material, it is incredibly visible.

Verdict

Good backpack cover; doesn't cost the earth and does everything it needs to

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road.cc test report

Make and model: BTR Orange Waterproof High Visibility Backpack Cover

Size tested: 60cm x 50 cm, Orange/Reflective

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

It is a backpack cover aimed at commuters who want to remain high-viz and keep their belongings dry.

It works well for both purposes, with very high visibility created and a decent level of waterproofing.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The new design is made from 300D Oxford-coated polyester fabric with an additional PVC coating so is far more durable and waterproof than previous versions of this cover

Velcro cross over straps and pull chord ensure the cover fits very securely and snugly around the WHOLE backpack. By having the vertical straps it means there isn't a gaping gap between the cover and the backpack at the top of the backpack.

Fluorescent fabric provides extra daytime visibility, and reflective strips (two 3M Scotchlite Tape + extra printed highly reflective stripes) offer superb visibility for cycling in the dusk or dark to help keep you safe. High-quality, waterproof backpack cover - strong and lightweight to help make you visible and keep your backpack dry

Folds compactly into the outer mesh pocket for easy storing when not in use. Ideal for daily commuters, weekend users and anyone who wants to be seen to keep safe and keep their rucksack dry

60cm x 50 cm (approximate unfolded dimensions). This new design with straps and pull chord ensures the backpack can fit a larger range of backpacks. Please note this is best suited to the more square shaped backpacks as oppsoed to the longer oblong shaped backpacks

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made and didn't notice anything falling off, ripping or going out of shape in over a month of testing.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performed well, kept my bag dry and added a high visibility element to my back when riding at night.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Seems well made and the velcro straps are less likely to break like poppers or zips.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Really good value, coming in at less than half the price of the best-known manufacturer.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, it kept my backpack dry and kept me highly visible.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The high visibility elements were great, really lighting up when hit by light.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

A backpack cover is a simple piece of kit and this does everything it needs to with no fuss and frustration. Plus it represents great value for money.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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2 comments

Avatar
Paul_C | 7 years ago
0 likes

I invested in an 'Overboard' waterproof bag... no faffing around with covers...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001FOQT4Q/

Avatar
ct | 7 years ago
0 likes

Why only 3.5 stars? Can't see anything particularly negative on the review...whilst not game breaking it appears to adequately do the job.

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