When you have to travel to the start of a bike ride it’s easy to forget something as minor as a glove or essential as a helmet. The Topeak PakGo GearPack II is the solution to this as it features separate compartments for the main bike accessories and individual pockets to keep everything organized and clean. This is the second generation of the PakGo GearPack which incorporates a number of small improvements based on user feedback. Retail price on the bag is $179.95 and it features a large 38L capacity. As with the original, the GearPack II makes organization easy with nine pockets with several labeled pockets specifically for shoes, helmet and clothing.
The Topeak PakGo GearPack is an updated version of Topeak’s clever gear bag that makes it easy to pack and travel for rides.
| Retail Price | $49.99 |
| Rating | 9.2 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 1388 |
| Likes | + Durable exterior with rigid side walls + Well thought out storage layout and labels pockets + Makes it easy to stay organized and not forget anything behind |
| Dislikes | – Premium price – Awkward to wear as a backpack with narrow and long shape |
| Where to Buy (US) | Topeak |
FIT & FINISH
The Topeak PakGo Gearpack is the ultimate cycling bag that makes it easy to stay organized and pack smartly. Unlike a standard duffel bag where everything gets thrown together, the PakGo has three separate compartments and six side pockets. Topeak has designed this bag with both top straps to make them easy to carry as well as removable backpack straps to wear it. From the outside, the bag looks very similar to the original Topeak PakGo GearPack we previously reviewed and still use often. You have two expanding side pockets with EVA foam reinforcements that are perfect for dirty clothing, towels or longer items.
The center section has the three labeled compartments with a clothing area on top, and then the helmet and shoes underneath it. It’s a fairly large bag with 38 L capacity and 41 x 31 x 30 cm or 16 x 12.2 x 11.8 inches outside dimensions. There is subtle Topeak branding on the straps and with the yellow tags on the sides. Topeak has also incorporated high quality details into the bag as well with durable zippers, drain holes on the bottom and durable material on the exterior. One of the best features of this bag are the separate compartments which ensure you don’t forget anything at home. Topeak has done a great job positioning the compartments at the right location to optimize space.
The shoes are on the bottom with a nice wide slot which keeps them separate from everything else. Above that, you have a large helmet compartment which lets you store the helmet upside down so that the clothing in the compartment above it can take advantage of the empty space inside a helmet. There are even hooks on the exterior that can be used for a helmet or other gear for more versatility. As far as the backpack functionality, the straps are removable and can be stored in a zippered side pocket above the pads when not used. The big difference with this updated version are the back pads that Topeak added to the side which make it more comfortable to wear than the previous version. Even though it’s still a little awkward to wear with the elongated shape, the additional padding is a nice improvement.
ON THE ROAD
If you’ve ever driven the start of a ride only to realize you were missing a sock or a glove then you can really appreciate the Topeak PakGo GearPack. With the separate labeled compartments and clever storage design, we found it easy to make sure we packed everything properly. The updated design retains the same labeled pockets we appreciated with the first version but adds a few small improvements. We liked the split side pockets which are perfectly sized for water bottles and the rigid foam side panels that protect the bag and your contents.
As with everything these days, the GearPack II is more expensive than the original GearPack retail price, but it’s still well worth it if you do a lot of traveling or driving out to rides. We still don’t like the GearPack as a backpack and wouldn’t recommend it for long distances or commuting as the shape is awkward. The new backpacks make it more comfortable to wear, but with the bag full it’s narrow width and long length makes it inferior to a dedicated standard backpack. Instead, we preferred to carry the GearPack with the top straps and mostly used it to carry gear in our car for bike rides we had to drive out to.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak PakGo GearPack II to be a welcome update to one of our favorite gear bags. Topeak has combined a generously sized 38L rectangle shape with multiple separate pockets to help cyclists stay organized. Labeled shoe, helmet and clothing pockets in the center section of the bag ensure you don’t forget critical gear on a ride while still being space efficient. Premium details like the rugged exterior, water drain holes and high quality zippers ensure the bag can handle wear and tear traveling brings. The small updates for this second generation of the bag improve the usability and comfort of the bag. As far as negatives, the bag is quite expensive compared to a simple duffel and it’s still an awkward shape as a backpack. That said, the Topeak PakGo GearPack II is still one of the best bags we’ve used for traveling with cycling gear.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.