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I fell under the spell of the Inside Line Equipment brand some time ago, and when I received my first Default bag I wasn't disappointed, quite the contrary... Choosing between an 18L and a 25L wasn't easy, but I'd found the great photo of that guy with the cap on the internet, and as I always take a lot of stuff when I'm on the move, I chose the 25L version. Its matchbox shape evoked for me the primary function of a backpack: to hold something. I liked the fact that it was essentially functional. I also had to choose between the Cordura®1000D version and the X-PACTM version, the price difference being quite substantial. But, as the weight difference was also significant (over 200 grams), I decided to go for the X-PACTM version. To find out more about the difference between these two materials, click here... . Whether your bag is made of Cordura® or X-PACTM, your belongings will be protected from the rain, thanks to the fabric inside the bag, which is totally waterproof.
This bag makes it easy to organize your gear: with its 6 pockets (including 2 zipped and 2 side pockets), you can easily sort your belongings. Put a bottle on one of the sides, for example, small items in the bottom pocket (cables, charger, small pencil case), an A4 notepad in the front pocket (it has a watertight zip) and pencils, headphones, food, a book and a lock in the front pockets. The great thing is that I can access all these pockets without having to open my bag completely. And, when I want to store something larger that I don't need as quickly (like clothes, for example), I use the main compartment. The roll-top closure is lined with snaps and velcro security. This system keeps my stuff dry, and it's quicker to open than a conventional zip. Inside, the main compartment doesn't have separate pockets, so I can put my loose stuff in there.
As I do a lot of cycling, I really appreciate the adjustable sternum strap, the waist belt and the compression straps: I feel that the bag follows my body's movements and doesn't wander down my back. On the other hand, the retro-reflective strips are extremely effective when I'm riding at night. I find that this feature is well integrated into the bag, unlike what I usually see. The back is made up of thick foam and mesh fabric to allow air to circulate between my back and the bag. What's more, the back is quite straight, which is good when I'm using it for several hours: my center of gravity isn't too far out of line, so I'm not making a bad effort to compensate for the bag's volume. You can attach small objects to the straps using the plastic loops on top. Personally, I use them to hold my keys.
As you can see from my photos, there are several bartak seams at different points on the bag. These "zig-zag" seams (when they're well done and don't eat away too much of the fabric to be assembled...) are very strong. They are sometimes decorative, but often quite functional, as is the case here. They reinforce the bag at key points, often subject to heavy use. When I choose a bag, I always ask myself where the accessories come from. This can tell me a lot about manufacturers and their way of thinking. Here, the plastic buckles and clips used are Us-Molding, made by Duraflex in the USA, and the zips are from YKK. Duraflex and YKK are the two biggest manufacturers of accessories and only make reliable products. Of course, the bag is more expensive, but I'm confident not only that the zipper in my pocket won't break, but also that its watertightness is real and durable.
Another very important point, in my opinion, is the straps. On a backpack, straps can be numerous: they are used for vertical adjustment of the shoulder straps, but also at the sternum, the waistbelt, the various carrying handles, for compression of the bag, etc... On this bag, they also serve as structure. A good strap needs to be strong, of course, but also very flexible. In other words, polyester or polyamide rather than polypropylene (not easy to tell the difference, you might say! But that's the subject of a future article). I also look to see if the manufacturer has used bias straps (which is the case here). Bias is a type of webbing used to join two pieces of fabric together. Typically here, between the outer X-PACTM fabric and the inner X-PACTM, or between the outer polyester of the shoulder straps and the inner mesh. The advantage of a bias is twofold: it joins the fabrics together, as mentioned above, but it also reinforces the ends of the bag and protects areas that are highly exposed to wear and tear.
I've been using this bag almost daily for several months now and I have to say it hasn't budged a seam. I am very satisfied with it, both for its resistance and for its functionality. The only remark I would have to make to the manufacturer would be to provide a dedicated compartment for a laptop, even if my 15 inch fits easily there? If you are interested, you will find a very interesting interview with the creator of ILE (Eric Fisher) conducted by Carryology. He tells with what objectives he created the brand and what "strategic" choices he preferred to make. Find the Default 25L at any time in our shop as well as its little brother the Default 18L and other photos on our Instagram account. Here is my rating (more information on our rating criteria).
Thomas.
