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review
£32.00
VERDICT:
A handy waterproof pack to carry all your ride essentials safely and protected from elements
Weight:
51g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
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My jersey pockets are usually stuffed full of, erm, stuff for a long ride, so a zipped pack like the VeloPac Ridepac Allez! Girl is really useful for getting myself organised. It's well made but a bit pricey, and a little too large for my needs.
It's a handy, stylish zipped pouch with three compartments designed to fit in your pocket and carry your phone, keys, money and any other bits you can fit in. It features artwork by illustrator Spencer Wilson, with this Allez! Girl being one of a collection of five stylish bicycle-themed designs.
Inside the Ridepac you'll find a secure zipped pocket, a slot for a bank/credit card and a separate phone compartment big enough for the larger phones out there like the iPhone 7 or Samsung Edge Plus. I tested it with the smaller iPhone 5 and there was room to spare. I also had some spare change, a bank card, lip balm, spare contact lens, a hydration tablet, and a door key in there, and it wasn't too bulky.
With the three compartments you can keep phones separate from other scratchy stuff, but be wary of the zip pull inside because it could damage your phone screen.
The RidePac has what Velopac describes as "a triple layer construction of durable cotton bonded to a microfibre inner padding & waterproof matt finish outer coating". It has performed well in downpours – no water has got in – and I've put it under the tap, too, for a full soaking and can report no leaks.
It does make your jersey a bit sweaty – but if I had my phone in my back pocket it would be sweaty too... so I would prefer my phone stay dry in the RidePac and my back get a bit sweaty.
I also found it a bit big; it poked out of my jersey pocket, and if I was riding in a slightly looser fitting jersey the RidePac would move about, especially if I was out of the saddle up a hill. I was certainly aware it was in my pocket.
> How do you pack your pockets? Join the discussion…
It's pretty pricey too. The large Sticky Pod, for example, is £16.99, the small £13.99, and Lezyne's Phone Wallet is £19.99.
On rides where you don't have to carry so much, the slim ziplock clear plastic pack pictured here with the Ridepac – the Allez! Girl Phonepac2, which costs £8 – is a useful alternative. (It doesn't fit in the Ridepac.) Again, though, there are cheaper options: this Velochampion pouch is currently £2.95.
To sum up, I would happily use the RidePac if I needed to take money and keys on rides, and would also use it out and about to hold my phone and money off a bike, but it's a little too large for my liking and a bit pricey.
Verdict
A handy waterproof pack to carry all your ride essentials safely and protected from elements
road.cc test report
Make and model: VeloPac RidePac Allez! Girl
Size tested: 100mm x 185mm
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?
VeloPac says: "RidePac is a handy & stylish solution to carry all your ride essentials safely protected from the elements.
"RidePac is a premium quality pack for cyclists that is waterproof & fits a jersey or jacket pocket. The outer shell is a triple layer construction of durable cotton bonded to a microfibre inner padding & waterproof matt finish outer coating. The inner seams are then re-inforced with neat bounding. The water resistant zip protects from just about everything the elements can throw at it.
"Inside there is a secure zipped pocket for coins, keys etc, a slot for your credit card or race licence & a separate phone compartment that will accept most smartphones including larger devices such as i-phone 7 plus & Samsung Galaxy Edge Plus.
"RidePac is not only useful when cycling. It is also doubles up as a handy travel accessory that keeps all your valuables safely together & protected when out & about."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Velopac lists these features:
* Waterproof, durable outer coating
* Soft padded microfibre lining bonded to outer fabric
* Waterproof inner materials
* Bound seams
* Water resistant zipper
* VeloPac zip puller
* Phone slip pocket accepts all phones up to & including i-phone6 plus
* Large, secure inner zip pocket for keys, coins etc.
* Credit card/racing licence holder
* Fits most cycling jersey/jacket pockets
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Very well made, and made in the UK.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
The pack performed very well, holding what I needed, and the waterproofing is good.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Well made, and no wear so far...
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
5/10
I can certainly feel it in my pocket.
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
7/10
It fits nicely in the pocket but it is quite big, meaning I know it's there.
Rate the product for value:
4/10
It's a bit too pricey, I think. The plain colour versions are £28, which still seems a bit steep.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The Ridepac does exactly what it was designed for.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I like the artwork on the front.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
It's a bit big for me and my phone, but I would use a smaller one.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Maybe, and if it was cheaper.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your score
I scored the Ridepac a 7 for 'good' as it performs very well, keeping your essentials organised and dry. It's made in the UK, which I like, and seems like it will last, but it's a bit on the big side and quite pricey.
About the tester
Age: 36
I usually ride: specailized dolce My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking
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