I’ve recently been in search of the perfect backpack.
I get around by bike most of the time, and whether I’m commuting with my laptop or heading out for a ride with a camera, I’m often carrying some kind of delicate gear. There are plenty of days when I just don’t feel like throwing my bag in a front basket and calling it good.
So naturally, I end up riding with a backpack or messenger bag pretty often.
The thing is, most of the bags I own, like the DAY PACK or SHTAK, are pretty low-tech.
That’s usually fine for commuting, but on my days off I also do a lot of MTB rides that involve taking the train. On those days, I’m carrying a helmet, bike related gears, tools, and whatever else I need. Depending on where I’m riding I wear my bag along with my ride.
That’s when I feel some limitations with a low-tech bag.
But at the same time, using a super technical hiking or cycling backpack every single day doesn’t really feel right either.
Too low-tech and it can be inconvenient.
Too high-tech and sometimes you feel a little ridiculous walking around town with it.
Basically, I’m being picky.
And this is where this one somehow landed right in the sweet spot.
Introducing Ming’s pride and joy: the OFF PACK 18.
Actually, Ming showed me a sample few months ago saying “I’m making a this backpack right now”
I remember looking at it with a bit of a “Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got” attitude.
And then I thought: Wait… This actually looks really good.
I think the best thing about this backpack is that it hits a balance that a gear nerd like me probably wouldn’t have been able to design myself.
Simply said, its more than DAY PACK, less than a UL Pack
And honestly, that in-between feeling is exactly what I had been looking for.
There are straps at the top and bottom of the bag that let you attach a helmet to the outside. It takes a little getting used to, but it works.
The real winner for me, though, is the bottom pocket.
It’s perfect for throwing in a rinko bag, spare tube, tools, and other stuff you want to quick access to on a ride.
At 18L, the size is also just right.
Small enough that it doesn’t feel excessive around town, but useful enough for riding. If you build your setup around lightweight UL gear, I honestly think you could even make it work for a one or two night hiking trip.
If I were looking at this purely as a hiking pack, I’d probably want a more substantial waist belt. But if the contents are already lightweight UL gear, you could argue that you don’t really need much of a waist belt in the first place. Plenty of UL packs don’t even have one.
And for everyday use, I definitely don’t need a waist belt.
So I normally take it off and only put it back on at the station before heading out for a ride,
The fact that it’s removable is a really nice detail for me.
On the other hand, there’s a reason they included it in the first place.
On rougher rides like MTB, the bag can bounce around on your back and get annoying. Even a simple waist strap helps keep that movement under control.
I really like the little details like that. It’s not trying to be 100% UL.
The laptop sleeve on the inside is another great example.
On workdays, I use it for my laptop. On ride days, I use it for a hydration pack/bladder.
That’s not some groundbreaking backpack feature, but there’s something really satisfying about being able to use both functions properly depending on the day.
I’ve been saying nothing but nice things, which is starting to feel bias, so let me complain a little too..
First of all, it’s not crazy light. It weighs around 700g, so it’s still about what you’d expect from a normal backpack.
If your priority is purely weight, this probably isn’t the one. There are plenty of other lighter UL packs out there.
Also, attaching a helmet with the straps takes a little practice. The best way to secure it will probably depend on the shape of your helmet, so I can’t guarantee that yours will fit. So far, it seems to work especially well with an MTB helmet with a visor.
And finally the bottom section. I love it when I’m riding, But outside of rides, I basically never use it. lol
Partly because I don’t really have anything I need to separate into a bottom pocket during everyday use. Also I’m the kind of person who puts my bag down on the ground all the time. A rinko bag or a tube in there? Totally fine. But if I ever forget myself and put a camera in there, I’d probably drop the bag on the ground and destroy it instantly. So maybe, don’t do that.
Between the city and nature.
Everyday life and activity.
Low-tech and technical.
It doesn’t fully commit to one side, and that’s exactly why it works.
If you remember the OFF PACK 18 as a backpack that can comfortably cross between those worlds, I think that’s the best way to understand it.
