Waterproof Portable Storage Options?

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by DeepBlue, Aug 17, 2022.

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  1. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    #1 DeepBlue, Aug 17, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2022
    Are there any better options than a waterproof backpack/tailbag for transporting gear* securely on the bike and handsfree off it while being comfortable while tramping about for a couple of hours? I'd have thought this a common need but have found few options online, so perhaps I'm overlooking something.

    I like the functionality of the Nelson Rigg Hurricane but the styling is not quite what I'd hoped for. Givi 35L rucksack looks interesting but "water resistant" instead of "waterproof"?

    * Laptop, accessories, change of clothes, tool roll, rain gear - the latter two for days without the panniers; storage for boots, tech 5, & jacket when off, probably with helmet strapped on via a molle loop.

    Edit: Kriegas may work after all and the Velomacchis look promising.
     
  2. brown mouse

    brown mouse Elite Member

    Sep 15, 2018
    2,288
    943
    East Midlands, UK
    #2 brown mouse, Aug 18, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2022
    I can vouch for Kriega stuff being robust and 100% waterproof and the US-20 and 30 come with shoulder and waist strap for carrying it off the bike, see Revzilla review. (I've not used it that way so can't say how comfortable it is).

    Edit: It sounds like you want a backpack that can attach to bike, not those tailpacks I have that may be pushed into service as backpacks.
     
  3. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    It probably will have to be, yes. I can't imagine leaving a laptop, air bag, etc on the bike while hiking or going into shops. Even if it's a safe area, I'll be too concerned to enjoy myself. Kriega looks to have the most comfortable looking BPs but say very little about attaching them as tail packs, the method I'd strongly prefer on bike, unlike Nelson Rigg, for example.
     
  4. brown mouse

    brown mouse Elite Member

    Sep 15, 2018
    2,288
    943
    East Midlands, UK
    Yeh, I did look for info on that. Don't know if the plastic clips on them (for depth adjustment I presume) are the same size as the clips on the tail bag fixing straps. Some of the rucksacks do seem to have a pair of tags either side which may be pressed into service for lashing down to rear seat.

    I don't know if there's any shop you could go to have a look at them to get an idea. Or if there's any shop that does free return for kit you don't want. (I'm lucky in the UK that I have both.)
     
  5. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Dec 21, 2021
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    Yorkshire
    Hard luggage. Secure, watertight, don’t need to carry your stuff around, it’s not hanging on your back whilst riding but it’s not cheap.
     
  6. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    I'm planning on panniers too, but AFAIK they're not waterproof (my assumption based on YT videos for other manufacturers; must research Tr) and I'll need them for other storage on trips. Was a bit deflated to realize my helmet alone will consume half the storage space and the Tech 5 and jacket will take much of the remainder.

    For local use I'd rather go without them- even though filtering isn't precisely legal where I live - and just strap a large BP onto the accessory rack longitudinally.

    How safe are panniers from theft anyway? Seems it's only a matter of inserting a small crowbar and twisting but maybe I'm mistaken.
     
  7. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Dec 21, 2021
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    Yorkshire
    My Triumph expedition panniers have so far been 100% waterproof. I live in Yorkshire so ride in heavy rain a lot. As for security, panniers are a damn site harder to break into than soft luggage which just requires a knife or pair of scissors. I also filter every day, for mile after mile sometimes. The bars are the widest part so if they fit then through we go.
     
  8. beerkat

    beerkat Senior Member

    Aug 14, 2019
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    Cheshire UK
    I use a Kriega backpack. It's comfortable and I barely notice I'm using it while riding. It's claimed to be waterproof. It isn't. After a couple of hours in heavy rain (in good ol' Yorkshire) I found my stuff was slightly damp at the top, near the zip. I guess I was a bit naive to believe any soft luggage can be 100% waterproof when exposed to prolonged heavy rain.
    Before I had the Kriega I always put my stuff into plastic bags, inside whatever luggage I was using. From now on I always will. Lesson learned.

    Incidentally, I have occasionally used soft panniers and strapped small backpacks to the pillion seat. I have often left these on the bike when going walkabout. In all the years I've done this I have never experienced any issues with theft. I would not be so stupid as to leave anything particularly valuable, only things that are replaceable, and I'm always careful about where I park the bike (I do that regardless). Maybe I've just been lucky.
    Having said that I only leave soft luggage on a bike overnight if it is totally empty. Again, never had a problem.
     
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  9. Cornelii

    Cornelii Active Member

    Aug 8, 2019
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    UK, Notts/S.Yorks
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  10. BLKWND

    BLKWND Member

    Nov 17, 2020
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    HOUSTON
    The Aerostich Messenger Bag is waterproof and you’ll never know it’s on. Big enough. Very well made.
    The way it’s designed it doesn’t flap about. Seriously - you’ll never know it’s you have it on.
     
  11. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    Velomacchi's 40L Speedway, out of stock until October, is the leading candidate for now, thanks to capacity and dedicated connection points for use as a tail bag. The metal closure and grenade pins on the straps may be a concern for scratching the TS660's luggage rack however.

    Going with panniers too but am not comfortable leaving a laptop and Tech 5 inside while away for any length of time.
     
  12. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    For anyone researching the topic:

    Kriega does not recommend attaching the R30 backpack, their largest waterproof offering, to the bike; and the drypacks cannot be used as backpacks. I can't imagine wearing a 30L backpack for hours while riding, so the remaining choices for a waterproof backpack/tailpack are the Nelson Rigg Hurricane (30L, ADV style) and the Velomacchia Speedway in either 28L or 40L (urban style). Sedici has an offering similar to the Hurricane.
     
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  13. Notso

    Notso Senior Member

    Dec 17, 2018
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    Solihull
    #13 Notso, Aug 25, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2022
    I have a small Kriega US10 for day trips. That range come with for straps for attaching to the bike and have dry bag style roll top for the waterproof section. These are great kit, but not the cheapest.

    I also have a 30l white Lomo holdall style dry bag with a shoulder strap. It also has the roll top design, you squeeze air out before rolling and clipping shut. These bags are ridiculously cheap (~£35), simple and effective. Easy to strap on the back with crossed over ROK Straps that have been jiggled and tightened (~£15). I use this for a 100m each way commute, it's cheapest and most effective system for commuting that I have ever had. 2 hours would be about the limit for walking around with it over the shoulder I would think. This is no good for situations where you would want to leave on the bike somewhere as it is unsecured.
     
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  14. Dex

    Dex New Member

    Dec 6, 2020
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    I love the Lomo stuff - the quality:price ratio is *almost* unbelievable - I expected my bag to fall apart/wear out years ago yet its still good
     
  15. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    I found another contender, the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack, while searching for one of their phone mounts. This is a very well designed bag chocked full of useful features as demonstrated in the video below. ,

    It is marketed as a travel/photography bag, not an MC product specifically. While it lacks compression straps for use on the bike as a BP, its use as a tail bag should be unaffected. Looks like the external load straps seen at the end of the video could be even more stable than Velomacchi's single hook for walking around with the helmet attached.

    They do say it's weatherproof but a rain fly is also included, so make of that what you will.

     
  16. Ian Massey

    Ian Massey Teddy4755
    Subscriber

    Nov 2, 2022
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    Plymouth
    I highly recommend Kriega. I have the 30Lt & 20Lt drypacks which clip together simply & securely. The drypacks are fully waterproof & come with a 10 year guarantee. They also make for a comfortable back rest in this setup.

    217CC680-5B5E-412D-BE96-A147E54202F4.jpeg
     
  17. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    How comfortable and secure is the 30L as a backpack when loaded? Enough to hike around for a couple hours without being miserable?
     
  18. Ian Massey

    Ian Massey Teddy4755
    Subscriber

    Nov 2, 2022
    64
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    Plymouth
    Probably not secure enough to leave for a couple of hours. The Kriega backpacks are however comfortable to wear & may be an option to take with you on your hike.
    https://kriega.com/riderpacks
     
  19. DeepBlue

    DeepBlue Member

    Jun 28, 2022
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    I meant how secure are they to wear, ie slipping around while you walk.

    I like the look of the backpacks but Kriega doesn't recommend using them as tail bags, which is what I need on the bike.
     
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