Review on Dark Slate Thule Rail 18L Backpack by Ryan Schweigert

My husband and I are avid cyclists (like many in San Diego, thanks to the great weather and local area). Because of this whole Covid situation we are cycling a lot more than we used to. We both have mountain bikes, beach cruisers and also road bikes, so basically half our garage is made up of bikes. If you know Thule you know that none of their products are ever bad, they are great at designing and making their products. This is another of their great products. The most important feature of this backpack is of course the vertical inner pocket, in which you can carry an extra battery for your e-bike. Most older models have smaller batteries and instead of paying for an upgrade you can just buy this backpack and give your e-bike more power. Just note that the pocket is only 15 inches deep and anything larger will not fit inside. It has velcro and a couple of straps to really keep the battery in place and secure so it doesn't move while you ride. If you're using a relatively large battery to fill your bag, it should be very, very stable its using this - something very small, i can see how it can wobble a bit there. Like all other backpacks, this one has multiple pockets and compartments for storing snacks and spares, and 18 liters is plenty of space, so you can fit everything you need is very large capacity tools, hand pump, inflator, pressure gauge, groceries , Jackets. anything can fit in there if placed properly. We usually use the outside pockets for groceries and snacks, although there are two front pockets that offer enough space for small snacks, and there are two zippered pockets on the back of the rail that you can use to store your cell phone, car keys, or other valuables. Compartment for hydrator (water tank) 2.5 liters, which corresponds to 5 normal bottles of Costco water. The hose attaches magnetically to the right shoulder strap and is quite strong and stays in place well. On the back there is an anti-damage system designed to absorb and slow down and dissipate back impact. It works very well, very easily and efficiently. However, I've heard from friends that if you get hit hard, you'll need to replace it as its energy absorption system collapses with a big hit to save your back. Luckily this hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it if needed. It's very comfortable and very adjustable. It fits and buckles up very well, but keep in mind that with the extra battery and water you're probably looking for an extra 20 pounds minimum, so expect some weight on your back. We don't do serious mountain biking, but I can see that even with small falls, the weight on the back is noticeable. Not to mention the jump, I see when someone jumps with it the difference in weight can cause some balance issues and you have to do it slowly to gain experience while jumping with it on your back. Don't take big jumps when using this for the first time or it could throw you off balance. Of course, the price is a bit high, but you get a well-known brand that is well known and very reliable. Overall a great product, especially if you need to carry an extra battery for your mountain bike. Very very comfortable, great design and nice features.