Kiwi Rider April 2022 Vol.2 | Page 104

REVIEW

I ’ ve also tested the US-20 out while commuting , and can report it ’ s easily capable of carrying a 13-inch laptop , iPad , lunch , my wallet and sunnies with plenty of room to spare . The materials the US-20 is made out of are high quality , the clips are strong and the straps are solid . Meaning you can really get some tension on them if you ’ re worried you might lose something over rough terrain . I ’ ve covered around 800km of gravel and tar seal around the top of the South Island over three days with the US-20 on the back of a Pan America , and on a V-Strom 1050 and didn ’ t have a single issue . Neither of the packs moved or came loose and everything stayed dry for the entire trip . Rain rolls off this thing like water off a duck ’ s back . Editor Ben tells me he ’ s still using his US-20 after 14 years and it ’ s still waterproof and providing perfect service , so I ’ d expect the new version to do the same . Since I got my US-20 , it has become my goto pack for overnight trips and daily use , the elegance is in its simplicity , yet the versatility means you would be hard pressed to find a bike or a situation the Kriega US-20 wouldn ’ t fit .

PROS It ’ s modular ; versatile ; waterproof ; hard wearing .

CONS It ’ s not padded , nor does it have any real structure or rigidity to it ; it ’ s best when loaded up with semi-soft , nonbreakable items .

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