This being my third VT purchase (one Edge 40, a metro 20 pannier, and now this metro 20) all within a month, I think it's safe to say I adore y'alls products. They are without a doubt the best constructed bag I have seen to date. As a member of the military I've seen some top quality gear, though the products from VT cast a long shadow over even the best. Having said this, your products have made me a customer for life.
D. Dobson from USA on Jun 21, 2013
I've been commuting to work by bike for going on 8-9 years now. I consider myself a year round rider, riding the minimum 10 miles (one way) trip through rural farms lands rain or shine, dead of winter and dark of night. I ride a variety of bikes, generally touring or mountain, one in awhile a track or road. The years and belly prevent me from getting into a serious tuck position, then again I'm not that anxious to race to work. Generally a meandering 12-15 mph in a "riding the hoods" position.
I've employed and evolved through multiple methods of transporting my stuff, which is generally a pair of khakis, a t-shirt, golf or button down shirt, socks and underwear. A small lunch, couple cans of soda. Some basic tools for tire changes and roadside issues. Over the years I've used messenger bags, sling packs, day bags, bags sold specfic to the cycling commuters, bags I though would work better or feel more comfortable. Recently I've been quite happy with a simple dry-sack pack I picked up at Wal-Mart, obstensibly for use during inclement weather, although I found the straps a bit on thin side.
I see the Velo Transit as an evolution of that WalMart dry-sack concept, a drysack now married to a much more ergonomic backplane and robust, well constructed shoulder straps. I've been using the pack daily now for over a month and find it almost flawless. The great, carnivourous main pocket swallows up all my stuff, I've yet to actually fill it. The vinyl interior takes a bit of getting use to when packing and unpacking, stuff doesn't slide as expected. ON the other hand, stuff doesn't seems to shift around as much either. Don't mistake this bag as something you'd use like an ordinary backpack, you don't want to be diving in and out of it all the time. Its made for getting stuff from Point A to Point B. You can't really root around inside of it trying to grab that item out of the bottom and the roll top closure, which works really well from the aspect of prevent rain intrusion isn't something you want to be opening and closing all the time.
That roll top closure works really nice from the standpoint of compressing the top of the bag down, so that with a moderate size load you have great visibility over your back. If you need to occasional space, its available, you just trade off some visibility for it.
A couple of well thought out pockets on the exterior allow you segregate items you might need quick access to: keys, wallet, ID, tools. Another pocket, sandwiched between the main body and aforementioned easy access pockets provides a place to carry file folders, notepads a tablet or small laptop.
The shoulder and waist straps are generously sized and well constructed, as is the entire pack. Plenty of adjustment in how the straps carry the pack. Tucked up at the top of the outside face is a hide away rain-shield which can shield the outer pockets is necessary. It's bright yellow color allows it to act as a visual safety aide if one so desires.
It took a couple of iterations to get the fit and feel right but I'm quite pleased with this bag and don't foresee replacing it any time soon.
Carl Haken from Brooklyn, NY USA on May 29, 2013
I really like this bag a lot. Really comfortable even with lots of weight, water resistance is necessary for my daily commute.
Alvaro Kretschmann from Mountain View, CA USA on May 04, 2013
I love this backpack. I bought it due to the capacity, the durability and also because is made in USA.
Linus Ping from USA on Apr 02, 2013
This is a great backpack for biking. It works very well if you are a student because of the perfect weight distribution while carrying it. Though the bag may be heavy with items inside it, I was really impressed at how easy it was on my back while carrying it. I have ridden around with it, carrying groceries, a laptop, and my lock, and everything was in tact.
I would recommend getting the pouch along with this. This is a great product and Velo Transit has my thanks for producing a very good product!
Lance Park from Santa Barbara, CA USA on Apr 02, 2013
While it does not really rain that often in Santa Barbara, I purchased this backpack for the reviews of its high quality. It is really comfortable to wear, despite the bag being filled with multiple items. I give the bag 5/5 stars. In addition to the Edge 40 backpack which I purchased, I bought the laptop sleeve. The sleeve is rather convenient to have. I like the cushioning there is at the bottom of the sleeve. I am happy overall with the products I have purchased from Velo Transit, and would recommend to a friend.
Bryan Paetsch from Seattle, WA USA on Jan 03, 2013
My first pack was an Ortlieb. I was happy with it for two years, except for the fact that there was one large compartment, and things like my phone, keys, and wallet were not easily accessible.
Then the velcro closure gave out on the Ortleib so I started looking around for something new.
I came across the VT site and was interested in their products. I was a little hesitant about the price at first. Then I noticed "Made in USA" - wow! is anything actually manufactured in the US anymore...well, their products are. I looked a little further and noticed they are made in Seattle just south of downtown where I work.
One day during lunch I took a trip to their store. They have a small retail area, and shelves with finished bags ready to ship, but most of the shop is set up for cutting and sewing.
That's about as made in the USA as it gets.
I tried out a few bags, and decided on the Edge 40. I have been using the bag for about 8 months now. I use it on my daily commute, and a few weeks ago was the wettest day of the year in Seattle. Cars were sending waves of water over me as they drove past through the lakes of water that had backed up onto the road. I arrived soaked to the bone, but everything inside my bag was perfectly dry.
The bag fits the curvature of your back. Even when I pack it full (or overpack it sometimes) it is comfortable to wear. Another huge plus is the over-shoulder visibility. The top corners fold down when you close the bag, making it easier to glance behind as you are riding.
There is nothing I would change about the bag. I love it. It's simply the best in my opinion.
Next I'll be adding some accessories...laptop pouch, bottle holder, mesh bag.
Aaron Bishop from Provo, UT USA on Sep 07, 2012
Comfortable, spacious, an all around great pack. You can fit tons of stuff in the back and the cinch down top will keep it dry. It's pretty much a rafting dry pack made for your back - with extra pockets.
Nicholas from Davison, MI USA on Sep 05, 2012
This backpack is like 5 or 7 times larger then my old backpack I have purchased 4 month's ago for $89.99 at R.EI.com . The Velo Transit Edge 40 backpack is WAY worth the money with 4 compartments in front and the huge Main one on top that closes for a 100% waterproof backpack. Now I can transport a lot more groceries, Clothes, and any type of equipment I may need for the long cycle. I sometime's ride to my little brother's in Waterford, MI and I live in Davison, MI. (34.75 Mile's 2:50 minutes with rest stop's in.) Average 20 M.P.H.
Found 20 tennis ball's on side of road (Brand New one's from how they looked) that took very little space up at bottom of the Velo Backpack, "Very nice".
The big strap at bottom is very nice I like and the middle one work's well, "Definitely a lot of adjustment straps on this page that also like a lot". Finally I found a perfect pack for my year round cycling. I am a serious cyclist that cycling is my Main transportation seeing I am on Social Security and am unable to work do to medical condition's so having a vehicle is just a waste of money. This is no ordinary backpack if you are a serious rider like myself.
Paul Ruiz from Seattle, WA USA on Apr 06, 2012
I have the Edge 40 which, as implied, is 10 liters larger than the Edge 30 but otherwise identical. As a daily, year round bike commuter in Seattle, I spend a fair bit of time riding in the rain. I carry a laptop every day and have been through some downpours and never worry about a thing with this bag. I also do all of my grocery shopping by bike and can fit a cases of beer and food for dinner in the bag and not worry about it breaking and with all that weight, it's still comfortable. My previous bag was an ortlieb messenger which had lots of room but wasn't near as comfortable and I was always digging around the bottom for stuff. Love the ample pockets on this bag.