mini reviews: new messenger bag, gloves, sunglasses
01-12-07, 06:09 PM
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mini reviews: new messenger bag, gloves, sunglasses
Took advantage of some post holiday sales to get a few new bike-commute specific items...
Osprey Transit messenger bag
https://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/DaytoolPacks/Transit/
Replaces an 8-yr old beat-up REI mess bag.
Pros:
- big! Easily swallows 2+ work folders, lunch, daily change of clothes, etc. I have a couple weekend trips coming up and this thing will be able to be carried-on to a plane but still manage to hold 2 change of clothes, etc.
- semi rigid, can stand up on its own, makes for easier access, less likely for clothes to get squashed/wrinkled on commute
- lots of pockets- more than my old bag, so I can keep keys away from phone screen, etc.
- waterproof zippers- no longer need to wrap my stuff in garbage bag before putting it in my bag
Cons:
- big! this is the largest of their 3 mess bags, prob could have gotten away with the medium size one, but figured in the long run would get more utility out of it if I had more capacity. lots of empty space on back on days when I don't bring a change of clothes or too much work.
- no T-strap. the secondary strap goes parallel to your waist and doesn't intersect the shoulder strap- not used to it yet but hopefully will figure out how best to balance/cinch the bag lumbar-style
Gloves- Burton AK Powerstretch.
Semi-replaces liners, lightweight Smartwools, and heavy work gloves. These bad boys confrom to the hands, block a great deal of winds, are warm, and yet are not so bulky that you feel out of touch with the bike. Grabby pattern material on palms is nice. Had a couple commutes this week around 25F, and these kept me warm enough on my 30min, 6.5mi ride. A good in-between for liners and full fledged winter gloves.
Smith Threshold sunglasses
Bought real cheap on steepandcheap. Replaces a broken pair of Quiksilver interchangeables.
The lightest lenses I've used in the past have been yellow. These come with ones called Clear Mirror, which are even better for my commute. Less glare, and a more natural tone to them. Haven't tried the orange ones (they'll be my main lenses once daylight savings kicks back in). And the blue mirrored ones are kinday funky. Very flexy at the nose and temples, don't pinch the head behind the ears at all. Full coverage lenses keeps the wind out (though they do fog immediately upon stopping). Nose and ear grips purport to be stickier when wet, though I can't speak to that yet as they're held in place pretty well by my helmet anyway.
Osprey Transit messenger bag
https://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/DaytoolPacks/Transit/
Replaces an 8-yr old beat-up REI mess bag.
Pros:
- big! Easily swallows 2+ work folders, lunch, daily change of clothes, etc. I have a couple weekend trips coming up and this thing will be able to be carried-on to a plane but still manage to hold 2 change of clothes, etc.
- semi rigid, can stand up on its own, makes for easier access, less likely for clothes to get squashed/wrinkled on commute
- lots of pockets- more than my old bag, so I can keep keys away from phone screen, etc.
- waterproof zippers- no longer need to wrap my stuff in garbage bag before putting it in my bag
Cons:
- big! this is the largest of their 3 mess bags, prob could have gotten away with the medium size one, but figured in the long run would get more utility out of it if I had more capacity. lots of empty space on back on days when I don't bring a change of clothes or too much work.
- no T-strap. the secondary strap goes parallel to your waist and doesn't intersect the shoulder strap- not used to it yet but hopefully will figure out how best to balance/cinch the bag lumbar-style
Gloves- Burton AK Powerstretch.
Semi-replaces liners, lightweight Smartwools, and heavy work gloves. These bad boys confrom to the hands, block a great deal of winds, are warm, and yet are not so bulky that you feel out of touch with the bike. Grabby pattern material on palms is nice. Had a couple commutes this week around 25F, and these kept me warm enough on my 30min, 6.5mi ride. A good in-between for liners and full fledged winter gloves.
Smith Threshold sunglasses
Bought real cheap on steepandcheap. Replaces a broken pair of Quiksilver interchangeables.
The lightest lenses I've used in the past have been yellow. These come with ones called Clear Mirror, which are even better for my commute. Less glare, and a more natural tone to them. Haven't tried the orange ones (they'll be my main lenses once daylight savings kicks back in). And the blue mirrored ones are kinday funky. Very flexy at the nose and temples, don't pinch the head behind the ears at all. Full coverage lenses keeps the wind out (though they do fog immediately upon stopping). Nose and ear grips purport to be stickier when wet, though I can't speak to that yet as they're held in place pretty well by my helmet anyway.
01-12-07, 06:49 PM
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That bag looks kinda bulgy..
