Posted on July 27, 2022 by Cory Benson
EVOC has given their fully-waterproof, Boa dial-equipped mini bikepacking bag range a welcome upgrade, with much bigger capacities and some all-new designs that will satisfy riders on both short trips and multi-day adventures. Plus, their Commute A.I.R. Pro Pack cycling commuter backpack with an airbag inside is no longer just a prototype. This kind of safety doesn’t come cheap, but now you’ll actually be able to purchase one…
We actually really liked EVOC’s miniature bikepacking bag range when it debuted three summers ago – packing lots of unique little features. But using it ourselves, we quickly came to the realization that it would benefit from bigger size options. The small bags were perfect for those really long weekend rides, but for bigger adventures we needed some more storage. It seems the people that create EVOC bags also got hooked on bikepacking in the last 3 years too, so they found many things they could improve on…
Now, with just what we wanted, you can mix-and-match many different-sized packs to best suit your type of bikepacking adventure – available in bluish steel and carbon gray, with low-key reflective EVOC logo tags.
The completely revamped range now includes 14 options (up from 8 in 2020), all fully waterproof with welded seams and waterproof zippers, plus lighter internal plastic structures. All of the roll-top bags also add hidden pressure release ports that let air out as you roll them closed, without letting water in.
The Handlebar Packs feature a BOA dial attachment bracket much like the original, but now with improved cable channels to better fit around your cockpit setup, plus new attachment loops for external bungees to quickly stow extra gear. While many of the other bags grow considerably, these two stay small.
They do however appear to have increased a bit in diameter – so they are easier to load, and also end up narrower – so there’s more room for your hands in between the hoods on a dropbar.
EVOC Handlebar Pack BOA 2.5L $130 / 120€, 5L $150 / 140€,
The biggest shift really is in the EVOC’s BOA-equipped saddlebags. The new BOA Seat Pack grows from the original’s 1/2/3L sizing to new 6/8/12/16L sizes for real adventure carrying capacity.
You still get the unique plastic bracket (with a refined, size-specific shape) that sits against your seatpost and is tensioned securely with a Boa dial – the rationale being, less contact on your post and even some dropper compatibility.
The new, bigger Seat Packs ditch the complicated closure of the first generation for a simpler roll-down layout with plastic buckles and adjustable webbing straps. Also new are criss-crossed bungees up top to stash an extra layer of clothing close at hand.
EVOC Seat Pack BOA 6L $130 / 120€, 8L $150 / 140€, 12L $170 / 160€ & 16L $190 / 180€
At the same time that their BOA pack goes big, EVOC also realized there was still a need for the smaller saddlebags, too… ideal for those long days on the bike in changing weather conditions. But now the 2L & 4L Seat Packs keep it simple with no extra plastic mounting bracket and just a simple velcro strap around the seatpost. Inside it gets the same lighter reinforcement, and outside the simplified roll-down waterproof closure.
EVOC Seat Pack 2L $60 / 50€, 4L $70 / 60€
The Multi Frame Pack is the least changed since the original edition, maintaining essentially the same overall shape that will fit in many places on all types of bikes. Now it just gets the same simplified welded seam construction and a single long slit opening for access from the side.
As in the first edition, a strap all around the pack offers at 5 different places for you to attach 2 or 3 Hypalon velcro straps to secure it wherever your bike has free space.
EVOC Multi Frame Pack Small $50 / 50€, Medium $60 / 60€
The all-new frame packs are simply scaled-up Multi Frame bags to carry more gear inside traditional frame layouts. A big full-length zip on each side accesses everything inside, and two sizes to fit your frame with room for a cage & water bottle to spare.
EVOC Frame Pack Small $80 / 80€, Medium $95 / 90€
The Top Tube Pack thankfully gets a bit bigger as well (now ~0.75L), but most importantly a boxier shape so it should now fit most mobile phones (a flaw of the original). The bag comes with two Hypalon straps to mount it, but they can also be removed as the bag is designed to work with direct bolt-on toptube mounts, as well.
This little Tool Wrap is actually the most unique of the bikepacking bunch, as EVOC never really made something like this. Essentially just a flat-fold tool roll from the same waterproof fabric, it offers three pouches to pack your standard mid-ride repair kit.
With Hypalon flaps that secure it shut top & bottom, a simple velcro strap secures it under your saddle rails for shorter rides. Or toss it into one of your bigger bags to keep your tools organized & protected on bigger multi-day bikepacking adventures.
All of the new EVOC bikepacking bags will be available from autumn 2022.
We already covered this wild airbag backpack last fall, and the details haven’t really changed. Just now, we know that it will be available direct from EVOC this autumn for a whopping 990€, and in-store at select retailer shops from next spring.
Inside the 18L commuter backpack there is a conventional back protector, and inside the shoulder straps & top of the bag is the rechargeable Minerva-made airbag that comes out to protect you in a crash. It takes just 0.2 seconds to inflate (I’ve demoed it and it is explosively quick, and a bit loud) and protects your neck, shoulders, collarbones & chest from impact.
On top of the airbag bag, EVOC also has a new more conventional 230€ Commute Pro 22 backpack with just a back protector, a 170€ Commute 22 bag without protector, and 140€ commuter Duffle Backpack for hauling your bike-to-work gear around.
Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.
Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking on and off for over 25 years, since before several of these even had names in our industry.
Prior to that (and at times, concurrently), Cory worked as an Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, a IBD bike shop designer & consultant, an independent product designer, a bike shop mechanic, and a mountain biking instructor.
Based in the Czech Republic for over 15 years, Cory spends much of his time traveling around Europe, riding bikes, and meeting directly with many of cycling’s key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next. A technical off-road rider at heart since the 1990s, Cory’s cycling has evolved to cover everything from the wide range of riding aero road bikes on dirt roads to thrashing enduro bikes in the European bikeparks & trail centers, with plenty of XC, CX & gravel in between.
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Maybe a dumb question but I’ll ask anyway: is the Commuter AIR backpack’s airbag repackable after deploying? Or is it a for-replacement item after it’s done its job?
Anytime my car’s air bags go off it is a total write off!
True for cars, yes, but the article above does state the airbag is “rechargeable.” Just trying to make sure what this means exactly.
I’m guessing it means the system can have a replacement of the pressurized gas that inflates the airbag, but whether or not the airbag itself needs replacement or not is up in the air.
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