Blackwolf Monashee
Sometimes, on those rare long weekends bestowed on us by 'the riding Gods', your Sunday morning ride can be stretched out for two, three, even four days! But then you think about all the gear need, clothes, toiletries, wet weather gear and then you'll need to re-attach you pannier racks or gearsack rack before you can load it all up. So you end up deciding that it's too much hassle so you’ll just ride around the normal, everyday roads and trails you do every other weekend.
Or you can just grab your Black Wolf Monashee, 40+ litres of pockets, pouches and sections AND hydration bladder compatible, and shove everything in that! And with four separate sections, theirs a place for everything you'll ever need.
The Stats -
In the main section (the one closest to your back) is an insulated and padded hydration bladder pocket, followed by a laptop pocket, which is also padded. The main storage section is huge, I'm thinking close to 20 litres which gives you heaps of room for storing your clothes and gear. At the front of this section is another zippered part for storing, well, whatever you so desire!
The next section, which is about 10 litres in size, includes another zippered section for all your manky washing.
The 3rd section is kind of hidden in the front pleat under section 4. It’s only relatively small, but would be the ideal place to tuck away those bits and pieces you might need close handy such as wet weather gear, camera and the like.
On the outer of the pack is yet another pocket which folds out, supposedly to cover a push-bike helmet but in reality you could tuck anything in there. Inside this pocket are little pouches for pens, notebooks, wallet, bike rego plus the obligatory key ring holder.
To me, one of the most important parts of any back pack is the shoulder straps and webbing - if it doesn't fit comfortably odds on you won't want to wear it. The shoulder straps are AirMesh, fully adjustable and are wide, well padded and flexible. Down the right strap is an integrated neoprene cover with a protection flap at the end to keep the bladders drinking tube secure as well as keeping the liquid in the tube cool. The waist belt is also wide, well padded and flexible and has the added bonus of two small hip pouches for stashing even more goodies such as toll bridge money or road snacks.
Oh and there's even a cute little safety whistle integrated into the sternum strap buckle as well.
Now, include into this already impressive package - the water resistant material, compression straps, taped seams and waterproof zip covers, rain cover, DuraFlex buckles and loops and straps galore so that you can add, strap and attach all you excess pieces of kit to it and you've got yourself a good, all round backpack!
The Verdict -
the only problem I foresee is in the vicinity of the hydration bladder pocket to the laptop pocket. They're right next too each other! If you like to pre-cool your bladder like most of us do, there's always a possibility of condensation getting into your laptop. And heaven help you if you get a leak!!!!
So if you're interested in getting yourself one, check out all good camping and outdoor stores that stock the black wolf range of gear. At around the $140 mark its great value.
And the Wulfe Ryder score out of ten is a not a reflection on the packs quality - I love it. It's just the close proximity of the water to the electrics that slides it back to a paltry 8 out of ten!
Compression straps, loops and water proof zips
Fully Adujustable Harness System
Built-in rain cover comes in handy at times
Well padded and good air flow with built-in hydration hose sleve
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