Oxford Aqua Evo 22L Backpack

The Oxford Aqua Evo 22L Backpack is really waterproof, really well made and really useful for shop runs and commutes. It’s easy to use and – unless you’re desperate for brand cachet or designer looks – better than a lot of the competition.

If you want to carry stuff comfortably and feel completely secure it won’t get wet, this is an excellent way to do it. It’s not huge, but as it takes a normal plastic shopping bag’s worth of stuff it’s a useful size for urban runs.

Firmly Velcroed inside is a similarly useful padded sleeve (25cm wide, 40cm deep and 31cm high), and if your laptop is more than 31cm wide it can poke out the sleeve-top safely retained by an elastic strap. You also get a couple of smaller fabric pockets and a zipped mesh one. I found the laptop sleeve made a useful divider if not used for electronics.

Outside there’s an 18cm-deep pocket with a waterproof zip (17cm opening), which is pretty handy if you don’t want to unroll the whole thing, though it tapers strongly towards the bottom (it follows those obvious seams) so it’s not massive. There’s also a very firmly attached loop for keys and suchlike just inside the mouth of it.

There are also a couple of (very rugged) loops for hanging lights from.

Four ‘AirTech’ pads hold the bag away from your back, and the big gaps – along with the crinkle-cut foam – do a pretty good job of letting you cool. It does get sweaty if you’re working hard (or wearing a less-than-tight top that blocks it), but it’s perfectly good for what it is.

The foam of the pads is pretty firm and I found myself noticing the edges of the lower ones at times, but it’s more a vague irritation than discomfort.

The shoulder straps are well padded (and mesh backed for ventilation), and you get webbing chest and waist straps. I’d need either a very heavy load or a very steep and rough trail to want the waist strap personally, but it’s not removable.

The straps are easily adjustable for a comfy, secure fit, as are the buckles for securing the opening – you can seal this with just a couple of folds at the top for maximum capacity, or roll it right down for compactness. Just be sure to squeeze the air out first!

All the stitching, welding and fabrics feel very strong; Oxford makes stuff for motorcycles as well, and as far as strength/quality goes I’d feel perfectly happy subjecting this to 100mph windblasts and motorways of rain. I certainly have zero concerns with this for bicycle use.

Out on the bike it basically ignores rain – beyond the straps and back pads staying a bit damp for a while – and proved 100 per cent waterproof even under a shower, where it suffered a truly biblical downpour for several minutes.

Value

It’s cheaper than a lot of similar packs. The unusually named Brompton Backpack made with Liberty Fabric Jonathan is £145 despite being 14L and only waterproof with a cover, plus it’s not too comfortable for use off the bike. I can only blame Jonathan.

The Camelbak H.A.W.G Commute 30 is even more at £150, though it’s bigger at 30L, has lots of useful pockets, and is generally great for the task, although it’s not totally waterproof either.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best cycling rucksacks

The Built for Athletes Cycling Backpack is considerably cheaper at £49.99, although it’s smaller, a bit sweaty as it’s unpadded and – despite the looks – is definitely only showerproof rather than waterproof.

Overall

This is a great pack that does exactly what it promises to do – carry your stuff comfortably, securely and dryly. If you’re about town in all weathers, it’s ideal.

Verdict

Totally waterproof, very ruggedly made and cheaper than some less capable competition

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