Rivelo Coombe Dry Rucksack

We've had a few pieces on test lately from young British brand Rivelo and been consistently impressed at the quality, comfort and unflashy styling. In addition to clothing, Rivelo has launched a small range of accessories, starting with this Coombe backpack. It's a fully waterproof rucksack with enough space for commuting or even an overnighter, and is comfortable on and off the bike.

The Coombe rucksack has a claimed capacity of 18 litres, making it a fairly compact option. Fitting a laptop in is no problem, although there is no padded compartment to keep it separate from the other contents. I used it for commuting and there was plenty of space for a change of clothes and some sandwiches. Unlike other larger rucksacks, one thing I liked about the Coombe is that it would generally sit above my jersey pocket, meaning I could use these while carrying the rucksack.

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Rivelo has used a roll-top opening and sealed seams to give a fully waterproof bag. I've used it in the rain and also subjected it to five minutes under a shower at home and not a drop made it through to the inside.

Given the light overall weight (620g for the rucksack, not including the accessories), it's proved reasonably rugged, surviving some rough treatment on a touring trip without issue. There is no reinforced bottom panel or corner scuff guards, so I would expect the seams at the bottom to feel the strain first, but they've held up comfortably through testing. There is ample reinforcement where the main straps attach at the top of the bag.

The combination of anatomically curved straps, and some lightweight but effective padding on the back panel makes this a really comfortable bag to carry on and off the bike. There's a stabiliser strap across the sternum, which is height adjustable, but no lower strap. I found this worked just fine – the bag isn't really big enough to need a lower stabiliser as it sits well above the hips.

The Rivelo is priced at £100, which is a fair chunk of cash for a small backpack. There are a couple of accessories included that might help to justify this – a roll-top dry sack and a small pouch – but it's still unlikely to appeal to bargain-hunters. The dry sack I found very useful – if you've got wet clothes after a swim or a gym session then you can chuck them inside without the rest of the rucksack's contents getting soaked.

The pouch is designed to fix to the shoulder straps to allow you easy access to a phone or wallet without taking the bag off. It has Velcro tabs to hold it in place, a water-resistant zip and is divided into two sections internally and lined with soft fleecy material. It's of a size that will also fit in a jersey pocket so could serve as a means of carrying bits and bobs on a ride if you don't need the rucksack.

There is also a small external pocket on the bag, with a water resistant zip. It'll hold a phone and does a decent job of keeping its contents dry, but I found it a little fiddly to get things out. Other features include reflective patches front and rear, as well as a loop at the bottom to which you can clip a rear light.

> Check out our guide to 10 of the best cycling rucksacks

I reckon Rivelo has done a cracking job with the Coombe rucksack – it's probably the most comfortable I've used on a bike. Being fully waterproof is a blessing if you ride in all weathers, and the included accessories go a little way to justify the price. If it's still a bit steep for you, it's worth looking at Wiggle's own-brand waterproof 25 litre rucksack, which is larger and half the price.

Verdict

The Coombe keeps its contents completely dry and allows you to carry them in comfort – excellent on and off the bike