Skip to main content

The North Face Base Camp holdall


While not a biking-specific product, this hardwearing ‘duffel bag’ is ideal for lugging riding kit around. The 95l capacity of the large size tested makes it spacious but not so cumbersome that you can’t comfortably sling it on your back using the rucksack straps on top. There’s a mesh sleeve inside for valuables and a separate end pocket for keeping muddy shoes away from clean pants. The highly-durable waterproof and ripstop fabric is weatherproof enough to withstand UK conditions and tough enough to be thrown around by airport baggage handlers. This version isn’t big enough to max out a 20kg hold luggage allowance when filled with typical bike kit, but XL and XXL sizes are available too. It’s not super-cheap but should last you for years.

Price $180 (large size)
Labels

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

READ MORE >>

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

READ MORE >>

Merida Big Seven 100

We've rolled up to our local woods, with a meandering blue trail, some natural wooded tracks and a bit of fire road chucked into the mix to see how the Big Seven 100 tackles trails that entry-level riders are likely to cut their teeth on.

READ MORE >>