Whether it’s to bring office essentials to work, keep your bike rolling during trail rides or to haul loads of supplies on lengthy adventure missions, having options to carry some cargo while you ride is always handy. In this roundup we’ll check out a submersible handlebar bag from Watershed Drybags, take a look at Restrap’s new day pack and see the latest styles from Jet Roll’s ever-growing collection of compact tool rolls.
Watershed Drybags McKenzie Handlebar Bag
If there’s one thing that keeps people motivated during arduous adventures in nasty weather, it’s knowing their spare clothes and gear are staying clean and dry. For adventure riders who face all kinds of challenging conditions, Watershed Drybags has just released their first MTB specific offering, the McKenzie Handlebar Bike Bag.
The McKenzie relies on Watershed’s patented Zipdry technology, which makes this bag 100% submersible. The outer is made from a durable, abrasion-resistant fabric with a reflective stripe across the front. The bag is quick and easy to mount to handlebars, and uses two small plastic brackets in lieu of a rigid shell or bulky quick-release buckle.
There’s a carry handle up top, compression straps to keep gear from sliding around inside, and several lash points for attaching cargo externally. The McKenzie bag weighs 1lb 8oz and holds 15L of cargo. Its opening is 13” wide and the overall dimensions are 9x16x8”.
If you ride with a camera or other fragile gear, the McKenzie bag is compatible with Watershed’s Ocoee padded liner and divider sets. Buyers can also add an inflate/purge valve for a few extra bucks. Watershed’s products are made in the USA. The McKenzie bag is available in Sage, Coyote and Black colors for $129 USD, or $154 with the purge valve option.
Restrap Sub Backpack
Restrap is not a new name to Bikerumor, as we checked out some of their touring bags at Eurobike last fall and some bikepacking bags earlier in 2017. Today let’s look at their newest offering, the Sub Backpack. Designed with day trips in mind, the Sub is a simple looking pack made from heavy-duty waterproof fabric.
The new backpack offers 19L of capacity between its two main pockets: The larger pouch features an internal laptop sleeve and the smaller front section contains a mesh pocket to divide up your cargo. Externally, the Sub’s crossover straps can carry a helmet, extra layers or whatever else fits there.
The Sub’s shoulder straps include a height-adjustable sternum cross-strap, but this casual hauler forgoes the waist belt. Handmade in Yorkshire, England, the Sub backpacks retail for $139. They are available in grey, olive or black colors.
Jet Roll’s updated MTB rolls
No one can blame Jet Roll for slow product introductions. Not long ago, we covered some new products from Jet Roll including the MTB-focused Thunderbolt Warthog 2.0 and the Wild Weasel 2.0 Joker Black Ace. In the short time since then, the company has decided to release new color options for both models.
The Thunderbolt Warthog 2.0 Outback edition comes in a ‘desert’ color that boasts its own unique distressed pattern. This model features a black pump loop, stitching and trim, and two bronze metal buttons to fasten it shut. The Outback edition comes with a brown leather double strap, plus two each of Jet Roll’s tube bands and compression bands. It is available now for $105.
Jet Roll is also offering a new Majestic White color for the Joker Black Ace 2.0. The white version features a black pump loop and trim, and is accented with dark violet stitching. It also has a very colorful spectrum crystal button that’s designed with a low profile so it won’t get snagged going in and out of jersey pockets. The Majestic White Joker Black Ace 2.0 comes with a black suede double strap, two tube bands and two compression bands. MSRP is $165.
