Evoc Duffle BackPack

The Evoc Duffle Backpack is a stylish urban backpack that works well both on and off the bike. There are numerous compartments for all your needs, and the water resistance performed exceptionally well. However, the lack of ventilation makes it more suited to short-distance commutes.

The Duffle is designed for urban commuters, featuring a 16-litre capacity that’s ideal for a day at the office or a trip to the gym (Evoc also makes a 26-litre model). Inside, the large main compartment has a tablet sleeve, a small zip pocket, and two bottle-shaped holders that work just as well for snacks…

At the back, a dedicated laptop compartment kept my 13in laptop secure (fits up to 15-16in); there are also a couple of phone-sized pockets, one of which has a key hook, good for keeping your phone and keys separate. On the outside, there’s a side pocket that holds a cycling bottle securely, and a loop for a rear light if you’re riding after dark. Considering the lack of reflectives, this is a handy addition

I managed to fit work clothes, trainers, lunch and my laptop in it without it feeling overloaded. The rigid back panel protects your laptop and keeps it comfortable. It was easy to retrieve the laptop without having to dig through personal clothes, which I found very handy when I was working on the train.

The only downside is that it doesn’t have a separate section for sweaty kit, though I don’t think that’s a deal-breaker for a day bag.

Design and performance

The lightly padded straps are comfortable enough for short rides or when the bag isn’t heavily loaded. On longer commutes or all-day use, though, a little extra padding would be welcome. Length adjustment is straightforward, but unlike the Chrome Industries Hondo, you can’t alter the shoulder width.

There’s a single removable chest strap (although I struggled to adjust it), which was secure enough while walking or cycling, but I’d prefer a waist strap as well if I were to use a bag for running. The bag didn’t swing around when climbing out of the saddle.

The back is lightly padded; on my hilly summer commute, the airflow was poor, and I arrived at the office with a damp back; however, it was fine when riding at a more leisurely pace on my return.

The bag has an aluminium buckle closure, which works well and can be adjusted to expand or contract the size of the backpack.

A big plus is that the Duffle is impressively waterproof. I got caught in a few downpours, and the contents remained completely dry, making it an excellent choice for commuting in all weather conditions.

Somewhat surprisingly for a commuter backpack, there’s no reflective material, which is a bit of a downside for winter.

The ‘dark olive’ bag looks great, and it also looks stylish enough to wear off the bike. It is also available in ‘carbon grey’ or ‘curry black’ (though I’ve never had a black curry).

The material feels extremely durable, and after two months of daily use, it still looks as good as new.

Should I buy this?

If you are looking for a stylish yet waterproof bag for short to medium-distance commutes (around 30-45 mins), then this is an excellent choice. If your commute is more intense, then there may be better options for you.

Value

At £114.99, this is in line with other backpacks we have reviewed at road.cc.

The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Backpack received a great review from Jamie. It looks like it might be a bit better suited long-distance commutes and it comes in at £110.

The Chrome Industries Hondo Backpack is a similar size, but not as waterproof, and is now priced at £120.

The Ortlieb Vario 20 is a versatile bag-cum-pannier, and Hollis thought it was very good, though that versatility does up the price to £178.

Conclusion

The Evoc Duffle Backpack is a stylish and well-made commuter pack with excellent waterproofing and thoughtfully arranged compartments. It’s comfortable for shorter commutes and day-to-day use, though limited breathability and no reflective details hold it back. A good choice if you value design and durability while commuting in all weathers.

Verdict

Stylish, waterproof commuter backpack but breathability could be better

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