Aer Duffel Pack 3 First Look: A Well-Designed Duffel-Backpack Hybrid for Cycling Kit or Gym Gear

I’ve been using bikes for over three a long time, and in that point, I’ve but to search out the right resolution for carrying all of my gear. I’ve cycled by way of nearly all the things, together with numerous duffel baggage, reusable grocery/tote baggage, a candy woven basket, and fumbling round with all the things simply stacked in my arms. Whereas all of those gear-carrying strategies have labored nicely sufficient to get my gear from the home to the automobile and on to the experience or race, I do know that higher choices exist. So, beginning only recently, it has turn out to be my mission to discover a higher manner.

Till a pair months in the past, I had by no means heard of Aer, however the model makes a sizeable vary of luggage and packs for work, journey, commuting, and the gymnasium. The Duffel Pack 3 is the mannequin that instantly caught my consideration, with its reasonable storage capability, quite a few compartments, well-considered organizational structure, and a number of carry choices. Aer payments it as “a hybrid backpack designed for the gymnasium and workplace. It options separate compartments to your gymnasium gear and sensible group for all of your work necessities. Go from the gymnasium to the workplace and by no means look misplaced.”

I’m not a lot of a gymnasium man, however I do experience my bike so much, so I figured I’d see the way it works for transporting my biking package to and from rides. I’ve been utilizing the Duffel Pack 3 for the previous three weeks or so, and I’ve actually come to understand its compartmentalized storage, considerate design, sturdy supplies, and glorious craftsmanship.

Aer Duffel Pack 3 Particulars

Aer is a San Francisco-based model that was based in 2014. In Aer’s personal phrases, “We make baggage for metropolis life. With smooth appears and considerate design, our gear helps you progress smarter and journey simpler, regardless of the place your journey takes you.” A fast look on the Aer web site, and it’s clear that smooth appears and clear strains are a precedence within the design course of. The general look and vibe of the luggage is much like that of Peak Design, for those who’re conversant in that model.

Because the title suggests, the Duffel Pack 3 is a duffel bag-backpack hybrid. It options padded backpack straps and a padded again panel for consolation when used as a backpack. It additionally has a duffel-style carry deal with on the aspect and a deal with on the highest. However what makes it most like a duffel bag is the lengthy zipper down the entrance that opens the primary storage compartment. 

The Duffel Pack 3 is available in only one dimension and has a complete claimed storage capability of 21.4 liters. The bag’s dimensions are 20.5” L x 11.75” W x 8” D. The storage is break up into quite a few compartments, together with the massive primary compartment with the duffel-style opening. The underside of the pack zips open to disclose a ventilated shoe compartment, which is separated from the remainder of the pack’s contents. 

On the perimeters of the pack’s physique, there are two stretch pockets for water bottles, in addition to two zippered pockets for smaller gadgets. On the high, a zippered pocket with a mushy lining is good for sun shades or different fragile gadgets. Closest to the again, a zipper opens to disclose a very separate compartment with a suspended and soft-lined laptop computer sleeve, together with quite a few pouches and pockets for organizing cords and different gadgets. 

The usual Duffel Pack 3 that I’ve been utilizing is comprised of a super-tough 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon. It has beefy YKK zippers all through, together with Duraflex plastic {hardware}. The inside lining materials has an anti-microbial remedy to assist forestall micro organism and odor. Coloration choices are black and olive. Moreover, Aer makes the Duffel Pack 3 with two different exterior supplies: X-Pac ($209) and Extremely ($229).

Utilizing the Duffel Pack 3

I’ll begin by saying that the Duffel Pack 3 is known as a tremendous good piece of substances. At $179, it’s fairly costly, however the design is tremendous clear, and it appears actually well-made. Yeah, it’s expensive, however fortunately, it doesn’t really feel low cost — not even shut. The outside Cordura materials could be very sturdy, the carry handles are substantial, and the zippers have a reassuringly strong really feel to them.  

My typical packing method is to stuff all of my biking gear right into a bag in no specific order. I assume footwear often go on the underside, however in any other case it’s a little bit of a free-for-all. What I convey varies relying on the style of using, clearly, but additionally climate, temperature, experience length, and a number of other different components. All that to say, the Duffel Pack 3’s organized packing method took a little bit getting used to for me. 

The separated shoe compartment can match footwear as much as dimension 13, so my 9.5 to 10 (43.5 EU) slide in with no points. The footwear stay separated, however they take up a little bit house in the primary compartment. Nonetheless, I’ve had no points becoming my helmet, bibs/shorts, jersey, socks, gloves, and leg heaters in there. It’s simple sufficient to squeeze a light-weight jacket in there, too. 

I’ve been stashing my sun shades within the soft-lined pocket on the highest, and placing snacks, a multi-tool, and an AXS charger (simply in case) within the zippered aspect pockets. It’s simple to slip a water bottle into every of the bottle sleeves on the aspect, as nicely, though it may be a little bit of a good squeeze in case you have the primary compartment full of different gear. The laptop computer compartment can also be nicely organized and utterly separated, so that you gained’t get mud in your MacBook. 

At 21.4 liters of storage, the Duffel Pack 3 is reasonably sized. It has no downside swallowing up my summer time gravel and mountain bike using kits. For carpooling with mates to the trailhead or to an occasion on race day, it appears stylish, is simple to hold, and all the things is as a substitute. It’s fairly the departure from my a long time of disorganization. It’s so tidy that it nearly appears like one thing is off in comparison with my extra typical junk present.

Even when totally packed and loaded with full water bottles, it has been very snug on my again. Biking gear isn’t all that heavy, actually, nevertheless it carries very properly regardless. On the again, it frees up my arms to roll my bike out to the truck and cargo it on the rack, typically eliminating the necessity to make a number of journeys out and in of the storage. The aspect duffel-carry and high handles are additionally simple to seize and cozy within the hand.

I do business from home, nevertheless it strikes me as a fantastic possibility for individuals who bike commute to work, the gymnasium, or each. It could be a bit overbearing for longer rides, however for shorter city commutes, I feel it will be nearly good. You may simply hold your gymnasium garments (or biking package) organized and separated from your whole work requirements. Throughout my check rides across the neighborhood, it didn’t shift round in any respect. 

I haven’t flown anyplace with it but, however all indicators level to it being an superior journey pack. Whether or not you’re bringing biking gear or simply packing for a fast in a single day work journey, the Duffel Pack 3 will hold your gear organized, simple to hold, and match within the overhead bin.

What’s To not Like?

Whereas the Duffel Pack 3’s reasonable capability works nice for me more often than not, there are a number of situations when it has been a limiting issue. I’ve discovered it tough to squeeze a number of bulkier gadgets like jackets, mountain bike pants, or knee pads in there alongside my helmet. So, whereas I respect its tidy group and comparatively compact type, it could be good if Aer provided one other, barely bigger dimension.

It’s additionally pretty costly, even whether it is competitively priced in comparison with comparable manufacturers in the marketplace. On the similar time, this pack feels fairly bombproof, so I’m anticipating to get fairly a number of years of use out of it. Fortunately, it additionally has a smooth and comparatively timeless design that isn’t going out of fashion anytime quickly. On high of that, it’s a flexible piece of substances that’ll serve me simply as nicely for organizing and transporting my biking gear to the following experience as it’s going to for my subsequent worldwide flight.

Aer Duffel Pack 3: My Takeaway

In my new seek for the final word biking gear-carrying resolution, the Duffel Pack 3 is a powerful contender. This pack could be very nicely made, thoughtfully designed, and offers well-organized storage for my biking gear. For heat climate, I can match all the things I want on this pack for mountain and gravel rides, together with water, snacks, a laptop computer, and extra. It’s simple to hold like a backpack or a duffel bag, and it has launched a brand new degree of group to my packing routine. 

My expertise leads me to imagine that it’s most likely even higher suited to its supposed use as a gymnasium/work bag than my area of interest, cycling-specific wants. So, for those who’re out there for a biking gear-carrying resolution, one thing for the gymnasium and work, or a commuting or journey bag, I’d advocate testing what Aer has to supply. The model has a number of choices on its web site.

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