Hello, this is Taku.
Even though it’s only June, the heat is already enough to make you sweat profusely. For a heavy sweater like me who hates the heat, this is the time of year I dread.
I’m sure many of you feel the same discomfort of your back getting soaked when riding a bike with a backpack on during the hot season. I’m one of those people, and one solution to this is a hip bag. However, the hip bag I’d like to introduce this time is not just your average hip bag.
【OUTER SHELL ADVENTURE】
Hip Slinger
PRICE : ¥14,300–¥15,950
COLOR : Black, Olive, Brown, Burgundy, Purple, 3-Day Desert, Leopard, LiteSkin,
Multicam Black X-Pac, Graphite X-Pac, Marigold X-Pac
A roll-top hip bag that expands your carrying capacity
As you can see, the opening of this hip bag is a roll-top style. The biggest advantage of this design is that it can accommodate changes in bag volume from 1.5L to about 3L. Let me introduce some situations where this comes in handy.
First, for when you need to stash a jacket. In seasons where it’s hot during the day but cold in the morning and evening, it’s hard to choose your clothes and luggage. You can start your ride wearing a jacket on a chilly morning, and then when it gets hot, you can expand the bag capacity and tuck the jacket inside. It’s very convenient for that.
It also handles situations where your gear increases on the road. I usually carry my phone, wallet, a puncture repair kit, and keys, but even with those items inside, the bag can easily fit a 500ml plastic bottle. It’s no problem if you pick up a few souvenirs along the way.
Even if you have gear that exceeds the maximum capacity, as long as you buckle it closed—even if the top isn’t fully rolled down—you can secure your items and carry them, albeit with some limits. It’s a bit extreme, but you can see how it works in the photo below. I’ve been saved by this flexibility many times. It’s a bit of a hack, so just be careful not to let your stuff fall out.
Covering the weaknesses of the roll-top style
One disadvantage of the roll-top style often used in backpacks is that it takes time to get your stuff in and out.
This bag solves that annoyance as well. Take a look at the photo above. Zippers are used on the front and back, allowing you to access the inside of the bag immediately. When you stop and want to use your phone, you can pull it out in a snap.
Peace of mind during sudden rain
Some of you might have noticed from talking about the zippers earlier—yes, these are water-resistant zippers. It’s quite rare to see them used on a hip bag.
The standard models use water-resistant PU-coated Cordura nylon for the fabric, but some colors use X-Pac fabric, which is even more resistant to water and abrasion.
In the current lineup, the Multicam Black, Graphite, and Marigold colors use X-Pac. It costs ¥1,650 more than the standard model, but it has saved my gear from the rain so many times that I think the price difference is a bargain. I highly recommend pairing it with the water-resistant zippers for maximum protection.
Outer Shell is the #1 choice for Circles staff
We feature Outer Shell often in our articles, but it’s not just their hip bags—every product is excellent in terms of convenience, design, and more. It’s sure to be useful for both daily commutes and bicycle trips. Be sure to check out our other Outer Shell products as well.
