I've had the pleasure of obtaining the brand new Mission Workshop Vandal backpack this week, and the first impression I have of this bag, is that it's impressive. Coming from the creators of Chrome, you'd expect it to be...
(John over at Prolly Is Not Probably has already posted an initial reaction to the bag, which is a good read)
(John over at Prolly Is Not Probably has already posted an initial reaction to the bag, which is a good read)
Let me first tell you why I was interested in this bag.
The bag showed up on Friday, and I had ridden into work with my trusty Chrome Citizen. I usually carry a book, some notebooks, toolkit, spare tubes and pump, u-lock, shoes, extra accessories like toe/arm/ear warmers and small personal items. This leaves the Chrome feeling a little full some days, especially if anything new is added... I was excited to transfer everything over and ride the Vandal home that night.- The Internal Frame; I hate having to carry a notebook or folder in order to give a bag shape and some level of comfort against my back.
- The Backpack Style Straps; I just am getting too old to carry a bag over one shoulder anymore. Especially for as long, far and often as I ride to work.
- The Layout; I like the ability to compartmentalize my items. Books here, tools and tubes there, stinky shoes there.
- The Expansion; I don't need a huge bag. Okay, 3 times a year I do.
John said this too, but I want to second the notion that there is no doubt that the construction of it is phenomenal. This is an expensive bag, made from quality materials in the USA with a lifetime warranty. The last thing I see being a problem is this thing wearing out.
As I emptied out my Chrome, the Vandal literally swallowed my belongings. So much so, that a friend asked why I hadn't moved into it yet, after I already had. It's layout is nearly perfect; each pocket is the right size, in the right place. It's very clear that a lot of thought went into the design and layout of this bag. I was able to put everything in it's own pocket, so everything is safe, secure and easy to access. The same amount of stuff that made my Chrome feel stuffed, was barely noticeable here.
I even installed a new hook in my work area to hang it from...
My only concern, at first, was the lack of organizational pockets, like the Chrome is known for. I had used the hell out of the pen, zipper and u-lock pockets that were just under the flap. I asked Bart at MW about it, and he pointed out that it has an external pen pocket (shown below) and that the bag was already getting pricey to produce, without all that detail. Fair enough, and it forced me to think about whether or not those pockets kept me truly organized or just gave me spaces to fill...
I solved the problem by purchasing a pencil pouch from Staples for $2 (on sale), and that coincidentally was also made PVC-free, but will apparently suffer a broken zipper any second. Everything I had in those pockets in the Chrome is now housed in one pouch I throw into the Vandal.
I solved the problem by purchasing a pencil pouch from Staples for $2 (on sale), and that coincidentally was also made PVC-free, but will apparently suffer a broken zipper any second. Everything I had in those pockets in the Chrome is now housed in one pouch I throw into the Vandal.
As I rode home that night, it definitely felt weird. I am not at all used to a backpack; it moves around in a different way than messenger bags do. But not in a really bad way, just in a way that will take some getting used to as I get better at how to adjust it (or I can just spring for a waist strap that they offer, and that would help). It was amazing how well the load was distributed by the bag, via the framework and straps. The only way I can describe it, is that it did not at all feel like I was carrying the same amount of weight that I rode in with that morning. The reality was, I was carrying more because of adding items. But at times, it felt like it wasn't there at all.
The end result is; I'm a fan. Riding with it is a positive experience so far, and I can't wait to rack up the miles on it. I'm excited about the fusion of cycling and outdoors technology, and the step forward this bag represents, and I'm excited to be supporting those who strive to move us forward.
Literally as I type this, they dropped two new bags. The Rambler (which looks like the PERFECT size... grrrrrr) and the The Rummy (different looking, which is good). Go on, guys!
PS- a couple years ago, I was married in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My whole family from Los Angeles, California family made the trip and spent a week with my Milwaukee family. Of course, to fuse these two worlds, we taught my niece, nephew and cousins a "gang sign" for the Midwest. Future Mission Workshop ad?
The end result is; I'm a fan. Riding with it is a positive experience so far, and I can't wait to rack up the miles on it. I'm excited about the fusion of cycling and outdoors technology, and the step forward this bag represents, and I'm excited to be supporting those who strive to move us forward.
Literally as I type this, they dropped two new bags. The Rambler (which looks like the PERFECT size... grrrrrr) and the The Rummy (different looking, which is good). Go on, guys!
PS- a couple years ago, I was married in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My whole family from Los Angeles, California family made the trip and spent a week with my Milwaukee family. Of course, to fuse these two worlds, we taught my niece, nephew and cousins a "gang sign" for the Midwest. Future Mission Workshop ad?
7 comments:
I was wondering how your move from a messenger bag to backpack is fairing. I am eyeing the Vandal and I have been using a Timbuk2 for the last 7 years or so. I'm looking into a new bag and the Vandal seems to be a good fit for just about everything and namely because it can carry crazy loads if need be.
Do you find the switch better or worse? Is not being able to get into things without taking the bag off hard to get used to? I've always been averse to backpacks since I seem to heat up easier but the same thing is true with my messenger bag, which I'll usually sling over one shoulder.
Anyways, thanks for the great writeup! I'm hoping to check one out this week.
Honestly, I never swung my messenger bag around to get into it, because that disturbed the contents too much to be comfortable when I swung it back. So I was already used to removing it, and setting it down. The Chrome helped that A LOT because you could unbuckle it, rather than remove your helmet (you wear a helmet, right?!)
If you are coming from a Timbuk2, anything should be a HUGE difference. Going from mine to the Chrome was like the skies opened up and sun rays shined down with harp music.
I'm still not used to the backpack, but it's not something I don't like, or won't get used to. I think as I become more familiar with this bag; how the straps work and effect it, what does what, what affects what, how to pack what where for the best whatever... I'm confident this will be the best bag I ever own.
I urge you to check one out in person, it's a whole 'nother world unavailable in photos. If you're in the LA area, hit me privately at anonymouscyclist-at-gmail-dot-com and maybe we can run into each other so you can check out mine.
Thanks for the reply.
I had the pleasure of checking one out at their space in SF yesterday since they are local for me. And I agree with you, pictures don't really do it justice. It was something to behold in person. My friend ended up buying one but I am waiting for the charcoal to come in. I'm not sure what design you have but the one in the video is the clamshell (which I want) and the one they are selling now has sides sewn into the middle part.
As for the Rambler, it was definitely a nice size. However, it has one less flap on the front and if you need to carry a monster load every so often, you are out of luck. Even with my test base load (extra clothes, notebook, laptop), it felt like the Vandal was a good size and compacted well enough.
It looks like I'll have to go through the messenger bag --> backpack switch too. I'm already scheming ways to add organization for small things that I access a lot. Your pencil pouch idea seems the way to go.
I didn't realize that the capacity difference was both dimensions *and* one less pocket. Then I'm definitely glad to have the Vandal, because the number of pockets is perfect for my load. Plus like you said, with everything in it, it doesn't feel or appear to be loaded up.
Thank you, that made me feel much better about the Vandal over the Rambler.
As far as the different versions, I was given the option, and chose to go with the newer version that has the sides sewn in. The clamshell design wouldn't have benefited me for what I planned to use it for, although I can see where it would benefit other uses.
I've pretty much become used to it already. The transition was pretty quick, although I still play with the straps quite a bit as I ride. And the pencil pouch has been working pretty well. Still on the lookout for a better alternative though...
I'm planning a backpacking trip to Europe for about 10 days and am looking at different options for carrying around my laptop and several days' worth of clothes (preferably backpack style). Do you think the Vandal would be capable of holding enough for the trip?
I don't know how you dress or pack, but I definitely think I could get a 10 day trip out of this bag.
Thanks for the input. I think the Vandal is for more.
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