Inside Line Equipment are a Californian brand who have made their mark in the industry making high quality bags with every single aspect having been designed with the cyclist in mind.
Everything about the Default Mini screams adventure junkie. Its been made for the likes of people that take a gruelling cycle to work every day and, for those people whose belongings always face wears and tears whilst out and about exploring.
First things first, I can’t fault the Default Mini’s waterproof qualities. Its been made from a highly durable waterproof 1000D Cordura with a waterproof Vinyl liner and water-resistant urethane coated zippers. It has kept my valuables bone dry no matter how hard it pours.
I know that this bag is going to last me a lifetime, ILE have proven that with a very welcomed lifetime warranty. Everything about it feels well made and incredibly sturdy, tough enough to endure any type of ride you take it through.
Any mud or dirt that has hit the surface of the bag has been easily scraped off when dry, leaving no marks. The inside Vinyl liner material is also easy to wipe, meaning there’s less hassle in the event of a food spillage.
A great feature of the Default Mini is its roll top design which makes it feel even more secure in the rain, as no water can enter through the opening. This extra material at the top also allows you to cram so much more in. This proves it to be a good bag not just for commuting, but also weekends and the odd festival away.
This roll top feature however can be slighty annoying at times, as it can be a bit of a pain to get things out of your bag quickly when you’re in a hurry.
The bag is incredibly light and comfortable. Its shoulder straps are soft and padded and the two chest and, waist straps ensures that it stays in place on my back whilst riding. It has been a dream to wear on my commute.
Style wise, the Default Mini comes in an a vast selection of colours and styles to suit all cyclists individual tastes. I opted for the grey and cyan colourway which has some nifty reflective stripes on the front pockets. This is a really handy quality to have in a commuter backpack, giving you a little less worry on the road at night.
Another key feature is the bag’s generous amount of practical pockets at the front in various sizes, as the main body of the bag is just one large compartment. I found these perfect for my purse, phone, hand cream, mascara and the little bits and bobs I want easy access to at all times.
Saying that, the pockets are the feature that let the bag down the most. It’s almost impossible to get anything out of them when the bag is full to the brim as they are very deep and rigid. Therefore, I end up always having to take other things out to get to the item I am looking for, just like a game of lucky dip!
Another downfall is how hard it is to put a water bottle into the side pocket of the bag whilst you’re on the move riding because of the bag’s rigid material.
All in all, this bag offers commuters a tough, comfortable and stylish option to carry their load in.
Pros– Waterproof qualities are impeccable.
– Durable material.
– Lots of storage.
Cons– Some pockets can be hard to get things out of.
Price: £145.00, available from Velorution in London (and many others across the UK).
Distributor: Vam Performance.
