Velomacchi Speedway 28L Roll-Top Backpack Review

Seeing the various attachments, clips, hooks, and loops of the Velomacchi Speedway 28L backpack, I thought, "This pack has a lot going on." Upon closer inspection and research, however, I realized every single aspect of the backpack has a purpose. From the waterproof material to the tire-pressure-gauge holder, many features added points to the pack's overall rating and some took points away.

Styling is definitely a plus. I like pockets on the outside—easy-to-access cubbies for gear and other small items—but it’s easy to lose smaller items in these cavernous pouches. The side pocket, however, has an internal tether, so you have no excuse for losing your keys. Two slits on one of the exterior pockets needed further clarification. Turns out they are for mounting a strobe light (further proof that everything has a purpose), so while this pack isn’t made of reflective material you could always add a light for increased visibility amid evening traffic.

The hook that clasps the magnetic, rolled mouth of the main compartment is initially difficult to slide into place, but after some break-in time I was able to secure the roll-top more easily. One downfall is that the Velo doesn't have a laptop sleeve. Since I mainly use a backpack for my work commute, a home for the moneymaker would have been nice. Velomacchi sells its Speedway Impact laptop sleeve separately for $49.

The shoulder straps incorporate several functional features. The aforementioned pressure-gauge holder is located on the left strap and a black plastic plate that serves as the means to mount a video camera is on the lower right strap. Next, you’ll notice “grenade pins” that serve as pivot points and also allow you to remove the bottom half of the straps, which are interchangeable with those from the 35-liter Giro and the travel harness system on the 50-liter duffel. Although these pivots allow greater adjustability, the straps rubbed my collarbones uncomfortably. Two other testers confirmed my concern. If you wear a thick riding jacket, however, the problem is not as noticeable.

Altering the length of each strap using the two adjusters is somewhat complicated. Would just one have gotten the job done as effectively? Attention to detail, however, is once again apparent with “small,” “medium,” and “large” indicators shown on the straps. Overall, this pack has style and function down, but it suffered a bit in terms of overall comfort.