Customer Reviews

Overall 4.5 / 5

Review by Daniel on 9/23/11

I have to say I did not know what to expect from a $200 dollar backpack but I did know it better be good. The R35 is almost perfect. I don't like that you have to unclip a clip to open the main compartment and that the two side compartments are of a weird shape. Other then that it should grow on me. I am still messing with the adjustment, when its loaded down it almost gives you a choking feeling. I sprayed some waterproofer on it just to be sure. It sure can hold A LOT.

Ride safe.

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I have read aboout these ...

Review by Charles E Hundley Jr on 4/26/09

I have read aboout these bags and since I really have not heard anything bad, I decided to buy one. The greatest thing since sliced bread!! I fit two pair of jeans, two pairs of shoes, four pairs of underwear, four shirts, four pairs of socks and a complete suit (jacket, shirt, tie, belt and pants), in this bag. I was nervous about it taxing my shoulders, but that was the least of my concerns. The weight dispersing is second to none. The handy pockets inside the front straps are ingenious. I am 6ft 2in and the rucksack fits perfectly. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

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I agree with everything p...

Review by Harold Haldeman on 3/30/09

I agree with everything posted about the pack in the reviews preceding mine except the comment that the pack needs more internal structure. The look, fit, feel and function exceeded my expectations. Have to revise my Will, because it's built to last more than a generation. Note: The Kriega website shows a fitted internal, waterproof sack available (with handle) for total waterproof protection but I couldn't find a place to purchase one.

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I've had my pack for abou...

Review by Sergio Kyriakis on 8/18/08

I've had my pack for about a year now and feel that I can provide a review based on its daily use. I ride several bikes (R1150RT, Thruxon 900, T-595, S2R1000) and use the R35 with each of them.

Packed to the max, the R35 feels great no matter which bike I'm on. I can stuff a small sleeping bag in the pack, a bivy tent, essentials, several changes of underclothes, a Cold Steel Kukri and an extra helmet shield ...and spare gloves... and a compact camera...well, okay and a couple .5l of water... I'll stop there because you can really stuff this little pack

The bag build quality is superb. It seems pricey when you initially think of making the purchase, but after several uses you realize that this backpack has no equal - it's just right - all the time. It stays put on your back in the twisties and the chest compartments are great for highway toll action.

As for a laptop pouch, there is an internal slot that I can get my laptop in without any drama, so I am not certain why Brian is complaining - perhaps his pack came without one? Strange.

The floor in the pack is thin, but I generally don't throw my stuff around and I have added several chamois in there to make my own pad.

I'd buy the pack over again if I had to. This is the backpack that all others should be judged by. As far as I am concerned, it is the reference standard.

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So close to perfection......

Review by Brian Thomas on 6/22/07

So close to perfection... Damnit!

So first, the bad, because honestly it's a short list:

- The materials used to make it are relatively soft and thin as backpack material goes, and the only stiffening part is a flexible piece of plastic separating the padding on the back and the storage compartment. While it has one or two small internal pouches, mostly it's just a big soft sack you throw stuff in to. As such, if you don't have it packed full your stuff will flop around inside.

- The bottom isn't re-enforced at all; I know already this is going to be wear through first. This is pretty disappointing, as most good quality backpacks provide at least a thicker bottom if not padding to protect the stuff inside. As it is, I feel like i need to throw a couple bandanas in the bottom or something if I ever want to put anything fragile in there, otherwise when you put it down... Crunch!

- I feel bad dinging Kriega for this, since they don't advertise it any other way, but... Come on, no laptop sleeve or pouch? 1995 called, and it wants its backpack back. That said, there's a good argument to be made for sticking with a design, especially for a small company. I wouldn't be arguing this at all if the bottom of the bag were stronger; as it is I'm nervous putting my laptop in it even inside a sleeve.

- The harness, at least on my body, tends to let the pack shift down just a bit on my back. It doesn't make it any less stable, but it means the big flat zipper-pad at the front has a habit of sneaking up high enough for my helmet to bump it when I look down. A quick shrug of my shoulders 're-seats' it, and maybe it's just how I have the straps adjusted? And it's not that bad, just a bit annoying.

The good:

This is, flatly, the best motorcycle backpack I've ever had. The compartment in the back is enormous, which is what I was hoping for. The harness system, including the zipper-pad at the front is *incredible*. Seriously, it's not like the bag is hanging off of you, it's a part of you. It's perfectly stable, no straps to flop around, easy to get on and off, etc. etc. - Everything they advertise.

I got this for a commuting/traveling backpack, which it seems like it'll be perfect for. The harness insures you're going to look like a total badass (everyone asks me if it's a parachute) as well as being the best backpack harness system ever built.

How I would improve it:

- Give the pack a little bit of structure. Either heavier materials or a plastic frame, just something to make it more than a big sack.

- Make the pouches on the front pad usable by gloved hands. The way it is now I can't imagine ever using them for anything, but I don't list this in the 'bad' because most bags don't even have anything up front you can use.

- Laptop pouch, laptop pouch, laptop pouch.

- Um... Make more? :)

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