From Detours web site:
“Cool comfort for biking, hiking or just plain toolin’ around town for the daily commute with our tensioned mesh ventilated AirGo back system. The molded High Density Polyethylene sheet and tensioned mesh back panel create a huge breezeway across your back to help you stay cool and comfortable ”
I commute to work on my bicycle twice a week. On the others three days I ride my motorcycle. So I’ve been looking for a sturdy durable backpack to use for my daily bike commute, to carry a fresh change of clothes and few more items. Since I really didn’t want to add any rack or panniers to my bike the backpack was the only choice.
The issue with backpacks is that they need to fit well, in order to avoid back pain and in the summer months they make your back really hot and sweaty. Looking into the specific offerings for bike backpacks I noticed the Detours Sierra 30. The tensioned mesh ventilated AirMax system captured my attention. The local shop had one sample and it felt pretty comfy when I tried it on, so I decided to order one (since I didn’t like the blue color the shop had) in green.
Detours makes specific bike commuting products. the offering is pretty interesting, ranging from packs to touring bags, panniers and other accessories. The Sienna also comes in a 40 version, slightly roomier.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
The Sienna 30 is a solid backpack, built in 420D Nylon.
* AirGo tensioned mesh back for maximum ventilation
* Reservoir sleeve – up to 100 oz. capacity
* Front compartment with internal organizers
* Mesh side pockets for extra water bottles
* Contoured shoulder straps
* Reflective tabs on both sides and back-facing
* Rear blinker tab
* Integral helmet holder
* Removable raincover
USE…..commuting, touring, epic mtb rides, xc skiing
VOL….. ~1800 in3 / 30 L
DIM…..approx. 20×12x8 in
WT……32 oz / 900 gr
Comes in Blue, Green and Black.
This backpack has been build tough and with particular attention to details. The zippers are solid and of good quality, with a little loop to help using them while wearing gloves.
The combination of the mesh and the tensioned plastic spider is overall light and comfortable.
There are several biker-friendly features, including an easy access top pocket to stash keys and wallet, an helmet holder, that can accommodate a full size helmet and an hidden rain cover pocket.
There are two main compartments that can store one change of clothes, a small towel and personal items: a specific pocket for a laptop computer is not present.
RIDING IMPRESSIONS
The Sierra 30 bike pack fits pretty well on your back. The contact points are mainly at the shoulder level and in the lower back, but the pretensioned net does a pretty good job of spreading the weight on the whole back.
When in the riding position the re no significant pressure points on the back and overall it is pretty comfortable.
The straps adjustment are simple to use and the padding is more than adequate on the shoulder straps.
The belt clip is also easy to adjust. The chest strap is elastic and provide some level of shock absorbing
The backpack is pretty stable once the straps are properly adjusted, without feeling constraining or impeding movements while riding.
The two side mesh pocket are about as accessible as regular jersey pockets and come very handy to put water bottles or arm warmers and such.
I have tested this backpack in pretty hot conditions (above 100F temperatures) on my 16miles commute to work: I still got some sweaty spots at the shoulder levels and lower back, but overall it was significantly better than riding with my regular backpack (which was generally dripping at the end of the ride).
The content of the backpack stayed dry and cool.
I’ve not yet taken this backpack on longer rides and actual epic MTB rides, but I will post some more info once I do.
CONCLUSIONS
The Detours Sienna 30 is a pretty good bike commuting backpack, seems sturdy, durable and functionally built: it is versatile enough to be used as commuter backpack, epic ride camelback or day hike pack.
The AirMax concept allows to ride cooler in hotter climates, providing a good spread of the load on the rider’s back and also help absorbing shocks. The backpack looks sleek and aerodynamic.
The shortcomings are the lack of a dedicated laptop pocket and a somewhat limited number of smaller zip pockets. In addition the main compartment could have been a little bit bigger (but there is a Sienna 40 available).
One more issue I found with this backpack is that it does not stand on its on: You have to lay it flat on its back or on the front: this is because the the frame is built so that it will tend to roll on his back: not a big deal but somewhat annoying. It is a little pricey (MSRP:$95, but ban be found around $80 online) but still acceptable, considering the good quality of the materials.
Other than these minor details I found the Sienna 30 pretty functional, comfortable and practical to use and I highly recommend it for the day commuter who doesn’t want to add panniers or bags to his/her commuter bike.
