There’s a definite move towards travelling light in the mountain bike world. For riding trail centres, bike parks and local loops, ditching the bouncing backpack and trimming weight makes sense – you’ll never be too far from your car or home. Bontrager’s Rapid Pack has impressed us, so here’s an overview on this handy bag and some tips on a more minimalist approach to packing for a day on the trails or hills.
Trek has a keen eye on this 'travelling light' trend and is at the forefront of a move to bring innovative storage options for your go-to riding essentials. With a clever in-frame downtube compartment on many of Trek’s Fuel EX and Slash trail bikes as well as Bontrager’s integrated BITS tools, a rattling seatpack is thankfully not an essential accessory anymore. In fact with the popularity of dropper seatposts - again, standard equipment on many modern mountain bikes – there are very few saddle-mounted bags that don’t compromise their up-and-down function.
If your bike is well maintained and you’re running a tubeless tyre set-up (pop in and have a chat to us about its benefits both off and on the road) you’ll just need the basics to make adjustments and get you back to base if disaster strikes. All of the Trek mountain bikes we stock at Bay Cycles (apart from the all-new Session downhill bike) have fittings for at least one bottle cage with side-mounted cages making use easier on smaller frames. Bontrager’s Air Support HV mini pumps are supplied with a frame-fitting bracket too.
So even with water and tools fixed to the bike most riders need a few other essentials – especially with the changeable UK weather. Here’s where the Rapid Pack step in…
Waist packs, bum bags, call them what you want, they're often not the ideal option for dynamic off-road riding. Many generic options from outdoor brand get uncomfortable, unstable and annoying when the going gets rough - fine for walking but not great on a mountain bike.
The Rapid Pack is bike-specific and is deigned to carry a water bottle and ride essentials. It looks a little like a kidney or lumbar belt – wide in the centre of your back and narrower at the sides and sits close on your hips or waist, spreading the load and fitting to your body shape. The bag’s body has wicking mesh fabric that sits against your clothing and is padded to protect you from its contents. The webbing belt is adjustable on either side with a chunky and reliable buckle – easy to operate even with chunky winter gloves on. It’s lightweight too, weighing in around 225g, roughly the weight of a 29” inner tube.
Storage and comfort are key benefits of the Rapid Pack and it’s here where this bag stands alone in a crowded marketplace of fussy and over-designed options. Bang in the centre of the pack is a neoprene pouch for a bottle or a lightweight packable jacket. It’s easy to access and secure. On each side of the holder is a zipped pocket, built from stretchy fabric that gives to accommodate what is packed within. Inside you’ll find pockets to separate your phone, wallet and tools along with a key clip, with the waistband padding ensuring they don’t poke you in the back. The pockets aren’t waterproof but the mud and spray will stay out – just pack your phone and keys in a dry bag if it’s raining.
The storage is bang on but it’s out on the trail where the Rapid Pack really shines. Sitting close to the body, this bag disappears when you start riding, especially if you’re not loaded up with a large bottle. We’ve found that a packable jacket, basic tool kit, a spare tube, an energy bar, phone and keys all sit well and almost go unnoticed.
Pair this up with a bike mounted bottle and you’re covered for a fast loop of Haldon Forest or an evening ride round the local lanes. Team up a bottle in the pack with one on the bike and you’re set for a long hot day in the saddle.
Available in black (£49.99) or green (reduced to £39.99 while stocks last), we feel that the Rapid Pack is a solid investment and of course comes with Bontrager’s 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
