Pacific Outdoor Equipment Rejkyavik Backpack

Pacific Outdoor Equipment's Rejkyavik waterproof backpack should satisfy short-haul traffic jammers and cross country mountain bikers wanting to lug stuff around while keeping their machines frisky and uncluttered whether weaving through the urban sprawl or flicking through the singletrack.

Lightweight, yet old boots' tough construction coupled with an ergonomic profile keeps moderate loads (capacity is 17.5 litres) low and manageable, without interfering with lids and offers better airflow to the back than most. That said, if you need to carry more its stablemate the 30 litre Christchurch, or, one of my personal favourites, Banjo Brothers commuter backpack makes a better choice for expedition quantities and/or harsh conditions demanding greatest weather protection.

The Reykjavik is essentially a fetching 'raft blue' laminated TPU shell (it's available in a range of other colours too) with welded seams, a capacious main compartment with smaller, mesh and zippered types segregating pens, tools, tubes, maps, wallets and other everyday stuff. A pronounced lack of reinforcement around the base keeps the overall weight low but a clever internal harness provides welcome support to this region when toting shoes, U locks and similarly hefty extras. A long laminated YKK zip gives access to an outer compartment just big enough for a tablet computer or small hydration pack.

Reflective logos and detailing strike just the right balance between effective and office neutral, bringing the bag to life from around 300m when caught in the gaze of vehicle headlamps. Weather protection is extremely good albeit of the mightily resistant, rather than totally proof variety. Heavy rainfall simply cascades harmlessly to the ground but ours showed traces of water penetration when the garden hose was projected at the zippers, mind you things are going to have to get pretty extreme for real world weather conditions to mimic that. Carrying a moderate cargo of notebooks, pens, everyday tools, change of shoes and my systems camera complete with lenses, it felt remarkably unobtrusive and comfortable thanks to the broad, supportive shoulder straps, flanked by webbed sternum and waist closures.

Nipping through the town, the sack tracked my every move, retaining the nimble, connection between rider and machine as I swerved around potholes, opening car doors and unpredictably wandering pedestrians. Sprinting away from the lights couldn't induce any surprises either and it's much the same story off road. Despite feeling comparatively thin, brambles and other foliage played gruesome tunes on the fabric but without obvious scarring.

Verdict

Tough, capable, and rather stylish rucksack for toting moderate loads across town and trail in all weathers