Environmentally friendly, climate-neutral and spacious, but Vaude’s new bike rucksack comes with a catch
28.7.2022
Translation: Megan Cornish
The new Moab Xalps 25 II from Vaude has captured the zeitgeist. It boasts environmentally friendly and climate-neutral manufacturing, and it offers a lot of space. Nevertheless, the cycling rucksack comes with a catch. However, it’s only a small one.
To be precise, the Vaude Moab Xalps 25 II actually has two catches, but I’ll get to that later. There are other questions to be answered first. For example one from the Galaxus Community that read: That’s one monster of a rucksack you’re putting up with on your bike trip! Why don’t you get a few ToolStraps and stick everything to the frame?
What happened? Well, I was recently on the road with an E-MTB and I took the opportunity to try out Giro cycling shoes, among other things. You can find my impressions here. And here’s the photo that triggered the comment:
However, it wasn’t just a short after-work ride; it was an extended route over 50 kilometres with around 1,000 metres of altitude. It was also incredibly hot, so I not only packed two bottles in the elastic side pockets, I also filled the drinking bladder (must be bought separately) with two litres of water and stowed it in the compartment provided. I also had other pieces of equipment with me that I wanted to test and photograph, so a fair few things came with me, which unfortunately can’t be attached to my bike frame.
Moab Xalps 25 II, the enduro backpack for multi-day tours
With a volume of 25 litres, the Vaude Moab Xalps 25 II is designed for multi-day tours, but it also works flawlessly during product shoots and tests. You can fit a fair amount in the backpack with its three main compartments and various side compartments.
The large main compartment for clothing and provisions offers separate access from above or below. This is clever and saves a long-winded rummaging for a rain jacket for example. There’s another area at the front for glasses or a wallet. On my trip, I only used the tool compartment on the front of the backpack to store a small bike pump, but there’s space for everything you’d need to have within easy reach in the event of a technical issue. Underneath, there’s a slot for maps or other documents. On the right hip belt wing, there’s a pocket for a smartphone or power bar.
Climate-neutral and environmentally friendly manufacturing with recycled material
The backpack is Bluesign-certified. The Swiss company from St. Gallen has set itself the goal of reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry. It also advocates safe manufacturing and processing of synthetic and natural fibres. Products that are at least 90 per cent processed in certified factories are entitled to bear the appropriate seal.
The recycled material used for the Moab Xalps 25 II, which is produced in Vietnam, is made with Eco Finish in an environmentally friendly way, making it water-repellent without fluorocarbons (PFC). However, you have to refresh this finish regularly with a suitable product. Alternatively, you can use the integrated rain protection when it rains.
And finally the catch, or should I say two initially orphaned clip fastenings?
In the lower part of the backpack, there’s a hidden compartment with a helmet holder. And hidden is the right word in this context. In addition to the helmet holder, however, there’s also a problem. At the end of the two holder loops, there are two clip fastenings, which at first glance somehow lack their counterpart. Did Vaude forget about them?
Of course not. But it took me until what felt like my fiftieth glance to figure out how to attach the helmet to the backpack. The search for the solution actually took two days. There’s nothing on the manufacturer’s website either. Finally, two small, inconspicuous black loops on the side compression straps turned out to be the clip counterparts for securing my head protection. Frustrating.
My first impressions
But that’s the only thing that annoyed me about the Vaude Moab Xalps 25 II. Otherwise, this cycling rucksack for multi-day tours fulfils its purpose and meets all my needs. As I already mentioned, it has a capacity of 25 litres, offers enough space for all kinds of equipment and weighs around 1,100 grams empty. It’s comfortable to wear, the hip belt pulls its centre of gravity to the back and, in combination with the shoulder straps, ensures a good fit while allowing great freedom of movement on the bike. I felt very comfortable on the bike, even though I sweated a fair amount. For me, a backpack and a wet back go together anyway. It doesn’t matter what ventilation system is supposed to prevent this. None have ever worked properly. I’m fine with that.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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