Which skate backpack?

[van Sinn]

I'm looking for a skate backpack, and see lots on the market..

However, most look too bulky, where I'm interested in one sitting quite flat/tight to my back, so I carry i.e. aggressives when rolling to'n'fro on my street skates, with offsetting balance too much.

This means having the skates strapped securely and close to the back, but most backpacks looks ordiary spacy with added skate holders.
Some holds skates with wheels vertical, others horizontally.
Clearly skates will stick-out to the sides, and there's a balance tradeoff with both methods; I just can't see which is the better..

[alvag]

The smallest skating backpacks I've seen are the ones from Schänkel and Rollerblade.

[bjvircks]

seen this at InlineWarehouse? no waist or sternum straps... would be free to shift around a lot

[van Sinn]

Yeah, I've seen this bag, but without skates in it. Thanks for the pic
Seems fairly nice, except for the lack of straps, like you also said. Actually looking pretty compact; DIY adding a sternum strap might do it, shouldn't be too hard..

I'm in Europe. http://www.grindhouse.eu/en/Shop/Ruc...--Taschen.html
shows most backpacks with skates mounted.
RAZORS Humble V, BHC Backpack 2010 and GRINDHOUSE Pattern all look quite useful, not too large, and having skates mounted vertical, keeping frame/wheel weight centered, which I feel should provide the best balance. YMMV...

Haven't yet located a reseller of those nice looking Schänkel's: http://www.schankel.com/sub_apparel03.html

[alvag]

Originally Posted by van Sinn

Haven't yet located a reseller of those nice looking Schänkel's: http://www.schankel.com/sub_apparel03.html

There is one reseller in Germany:

http://www.heyoo.eu/shop/index.php?p...mart&Itemid=29

[InlineWarehouse]

The bigger Phuzion has a sternum strap if wanting. Still a good price.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/viewl...l?PCODE=PFBP01

[InlineWarehouse]

The bigger Phuzion has a sternum strap if wanting. Still a good price.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/viewl...l?PCODE=PFBP01

[bjvircks]

I just bought that exact Phuzion (from IW, no less) for my wife for when she takes her long track ice skates to Milwaukee. This pack is way bulkier than Van Sinn wants. It is difficult to get to stuff in the big main compartments because it is a 'top loader'. You have to unload the whole thing to get to something on the bottom. I'd much rather have a front loader that opens and lays out like a suitcase.

I went to a thrift store and bought a small pack for $10. It had mesh pockets at bottom of each side. I added some loops of thin bungie cord for holding the top wheel. For almost nothing I've got a very nice small pack. But I wish it was a front loader.

update.... the Phuzion I just bought has a waist belt but NO sternum strap.

[slowsk8]

Originally Posted by InlineWarehouse

The bigger Phuzion has a sternum strap if wanting. Still a good price.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/viewl...l?PCODE=PFBP01

Why must they all have the straps going from front to back. Why not let the straps hold the skates on the back half so you can get to things in front without taking off the skates first.
I would perfer something like the Transpack if it was made as a front loader. Don't realy need the wedge shape.

[bjvircks]

I think the front-to-back skate strapping has to do with providing enough restraint to the skates so they do not flop around too much. I think enough restraint can be accomplished with a front loader. Imagine a rectangular brick shaped pack body with the skate straps front-to-back on the sides, but the entire front face is zippered in an inverted 'U' fashion. The front could fold out on it's bottom edge providing good access to the full interior. If more skate restraint is desired... strapping from side to side across the front of the pack could do that and also serve as compression straps for the pack main compartment.

I've got a winter sports specific pack made by Osprey (specific model is out of production) which allows me to carry my skis A-frame on the sides and my snowboard vertical on the front and boots slung on as well. It has a built in winter specific hydration system too! I've frequently walked 1/2 mile to and then from the lifts fully loaded (just too many darned toys!).

I think a little more thought by the 'big guys' of skating equipment could produce a really killer skate pack. Think of it... a pack that would fold open and lay out, providing access to a tool & accessory 'tray' on the front flap and quick easy access to complete contents of main compartment. No need to unload the whole darned pack in a drizzle to get to your rain wheels on the bottom!

[van Sinn]

Thanks for pointers
I've decided on the cute'n'compact mere €30 RAZORS Humble V Backpack: http://www.grindhouse.eu/en/Shop/RAZ...-Backpack.html
More pics (first link): http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...%B8gning&meta=

Hehe, without skates, it actually reminds me of my old Vector skydive rig

[bjvircks]

none of the photos show a noggen-shell!

I carry my helmet and wrist guards outside the pack by hooking the chin strap of the helmet thru the hand carry handle at the top of my pack. This allows the helmet innards to air dry. I loop the wrist guard velcro straps thru the helmet's fixed straps and the guards air dry also. I'd like something a little more elegant... but this approach is very servicable and does not consume space in the main compartment.

[Rotary]

I ended up using a old camel pack that had straps on the back meant for other types of gear. I just run the strap between the frame and the boot on each side and it holds really nicely. I know its not really the question you were asking but depending on your needs it might work. I really wanted to have my water with me so its worked great so far. Thought to be honest I haven't looked at skate specific backpacks yet.

[bjvircks]

Does anybody have any real user reviews or comments about this ATOM bag? (I've seen the Luigino video) I've been thinking of buying one for quite a while. It seems to incorporate the 'frontload' concept for easy compartment access. If I get the bag it would be used for ice skates or inlines depending on the season.

[phatnsassy]

My husband and daughter have the grey ones (black and green look to be the same design). I really like the pocket situation. You'll have one for smellies, one for freshies, one for helmet, one for bandaids, cell phone, wallet etc. Lots of options. And they are pretty sturdy. I'm not sure how iceskates will load but probaby okay (maybe the strap will hook under the blade). Husband has had his for two years and NO tears or anything broken -- and he just tosses it around. The handle, straps, zips, and clips are all sturdy!

I like 'em better than my bag but I wanted an exterior helmet pouch.

So, for durability and functioinality --- out of 5*'s (5 being best).

I give it **** (wish there was an external helmet area)
husband gives it **** (he says there are too many pockets -- but in reality he is wrong! He is wrong!)
daughter gives it **** (she just wishes they weren't so popular so fewer people would match)

[bjvircks]

Thanks for the comments P&S... but I wonder if we are discussing the same bag. The bag I pictured is described as the "new 2012" bag... and I've never seen it offered in anything other than the colors shown in the photo. Since you say your hubby has used it for 2 years I wonder if its really the same bag.

[phatnsassy]

Yah, the grey one is the older model (same company)...



See how the boots go in the sides...that's why I was wondering about ice skates and slipping the strap between the blade and boot. The strap design was not changed on the new bag.

Folks at our rink have both...and I've not noticed any difference. Other than the fact the blk/grn is better looking.



You can see Luigino at the top of the blk/grn bag.

[bjvircks]

Thanks! Really does appear to be the same bag, just colors Du Jour.

[theDonnybrook]

I have the Bont Skate backpack. It is pretty good. Good construction, but the skate straps on the side can be a little awkward to use. I put a review with pictures on my blog.

[KMA]

I have the Bont back pack as well and it is fine, once I figured out the straps for the skates.

But then I saw the Atom, and I coveted that one.

Then I saw the powerslide, and liked that one too.

Basically I chaulked it up to the grass being greener effect.

Katy