KRIEGA R20 BACKPACK TEST

When it comes to the use of backpacks on two wheels, there are two schools of thought: those who categorically refuse to use them for safety reasons in the event of a fall, and then there are the others.

I belong to the second category, and my backpack is a bit like my handbag if I were a woman. I carry it with me every day, whatever my activity or mode of transport.

By Jean-Baptiste / Ixtem Moto

Until a few months ago, I was using a Delsey (not at all suited to motorcycling, which is normal when you work in the motorcycle industry...) that I'd literally worn out. So the time had come to find a new bag, and while I was at it, something more adapted to my use, because well, the Delsey is sturdy, but out of the airport or the city, it's no longer in its element...

After much searching for the perfect product that would last me for the next 10 years, I was beginning to resign myself to the idea that I'd have to make compromises, and that's when I discovered the Kriega brand.

We're going to say it right away, so we can talk about it later, the price of these backpacks is quite disconcerting at first (and not in the good sense of the word, eh?). And then, little by little, you realize that you're not choosing just one bag among many, but ZE bag, the one you're going to keep for a very long time and that's going to accompany you absolutely everywhere (and here again, not in the good sense of the word).

[tweet_box design="default" float="none"]the carrying comfort of Kriega bags is just incomparable to that of more conventional backpacks[/tweet_box].

In their range of bags, I took the R20, which is, as the name suggests, 20 liters, so as to remain at an acceptable volume for everyday use. In case of need, I can take advantage of the small removable Drypack bags (5 or 10 liters on this model), which will temporarily boost the bag's carrying capacity (and total price too...).

All in all, the quality of materials and finish are of the highest order, which bodes well for the bag's longevity. Knowing that the bag comes with a lifetime warranty, I'm not too worried about that anyway.

The thing I really appreciated about this bag (proven on motorcycles, obviously, but also in the mountains) is the harness system on the chest called Quadloc-lite™. It ensures perfect support of the bag on the body without hindering the arms, and it also participates in the good distribution of the load over the whole body.

For once, the reviews that generously praise this system on the brand's website are really well-founded: carrying comfort is just incomparable to more conventional backpacks. The 2-point harness is also available on the larger models (R25, R30 and R35), and after just a few months of use, I'd say it's the strongest point of the Kriega backpacks.

Harness adjustment is very easy, with straps that slide properly (not like those straps where you have to pull like a donkey to make them slide 2 unfortunate millimeters), and which have the good taste to store in little plastic tabs to avoid dangling pitifully along the body. The only strap that stands out a little from this point of view is the ventral strap, which is long and impractical compared to the excellent harness. Nevertheless, it does the job and helps hold the bag in place.

While we're on the subject of things that disappointed me (and yes, perfection is not of this world), the main opening of the backpack is via a zip with a simple slider. I would have preferred a double one, even if the latter would obviously have had a negative impact on the bag's waterproofing, but I find it much more practical for accessing the bag's contents (especially when you want to grab something on the left and the slider is on the right!).

Another consequence of this choice of a simple slider: as the straps of the upper compression straps go over the zipper, I quickly got into the habit of leaving them open (in other words, not using them). Otherwise, you spend your time opening/closing them to be able to manipulate the main opening properly. As a result, I would have preferred Kriega to reserve these compression straps for larger bags (25 liters and up), where their usefulness is undeniable. Here, on the R20, they get in the way and are rarely used.

Apart from these 2 ergonomic details - the ventral strap and the single-slider main closure - I didn't find much to complain about. That's fortunate for a bag costing 6.25€ per liter.

Far from regretting my purchase, I'm thinking of soon completing my R20 with the small smartphone-sized pouch that attaches to the harness. This adaptability through accessories was also one of the reasons why I chose this bag: expensive, atypical, but definitely worth the price and without equal.

See the Kriega R20 backpack product sheet.

PS: Did you like this article? Share it with your friends, it counts for IXTEM MOTO. Thanks ;)