During the summer months I have a lot of free time which allows me the pleasure of kicking it a bit more often and taking leisurely rides here and there. Sometimes I just don’t want to bust out my full kit and shoes to go for a ride in town. For these types of rides I love to carry around the camera, laptop and other gear but a regular hydration pack isn’t big enough; I need something that’s larger, water resistant, and expandable. It turns out Mission Workshop has some pretty cool gear for just what I am looking to do (or for commuting if that’s your thing). Today I’ll be reviewing the DZR District shoe and the “Made in the USA” Rambler expandable cargo pack.
The DZR District shoes are SPD-compatible (time, CB, Shimano) but most importantly, they’re comfortable. Even with the recessed SPD cleat installed I found walking around comfortable without compromise. The secret is the reinforced area where the cleat is attached which balances stiffness, power transfer (on the bike), and comfort.
Up top there’s a mix of durable canvas and leather with a neat reflective strip integrated into the design on the side along with a highly reflective logo on the heel of the shoe cup. This shoe has a fairly roomy fit (which I love) yet still close fitting enough that you can unclip easily without tearing off your shoe. In the box you also get a set of plugs in case you decide to take your cleats off the shoe and want the plate covered up.
I’ve found myself wearing the DZRs a lot recently as my “go to” shoe for nearly everything I do (except when I decide to hit the DH trails). But for hopping on my bike and heading to the coffee shop or gearing up for an urban assault, these shoes are perfect!
A while back I was hemming and hawing about finding a daypack I could use to carry a bunch of stuff like my camera gear, lunch, and water along for errands and leisurely rides around town. Now the Rambler is not a true camera bag (no segmented padding) but it serves my needs nicely for now (all my lenses have their own padded bags anyway).
The Rambler backpack features a cavernous, weatherproof main compartment that can transform from a 1350 cubic inch pack to an unzipped 2700 cubic inch monster. The uninterrupted main compartment, even when zipped down, easily fits my camera body, telephoto lens, books, and other supporting gear (laptop) when I am on the trails or in the city taking pics. Unzipped I have enough room for other clothing plus snacks (my favorite PB&J sandwiches).
The pack features two other slim sleeves – one right at your back and the other on the front of the bag. Both sleeves could be used to fit a thin laptop in a pinch. On the very outside of the bag there is a smaller zipped compartment for keys, wallet or your breath mints. The opening flap can be used as either a “roll-top” or in a traditional “flap-down” configuration.
The overall construction is a mix of durable weather proof materials (except the expandable fold), with collapsed dimensions of 13″x 19″ x 5″. A carbon fiber frame adds support and the urethane-coated zippers should last a long time. The main straps are padded and about 2.5″ wide with an adjustable-height sternum strap. An optional waist belt is a good addition if your gonna get aggressive on your bike as it adds a measure of stability to the whole system.
I used the Rambler as my commuter / carry a ton of stuff pack. This is not a true hydration pack as it is a bit too heavy and does not breathe that well. But if you’re a person who commutes to work this may be a great solution for carrying an entire change of clothes, a laptop, and a lunch on your bike.
I typically rolled with the Rambler in the zipped up, 1350 cubic inch configuration and looped my tripod on the outside when I was in the city taking pics and stuff. On one occasion while shopping I even fit my heavy Kryptonite lock in one of the sleeves and did some shopping with my DJ bike with no worries about the added weight from the lock.
As you can see from the photos, this is a very rectangular bag which makes it ideal for carting stuff like books and boxy items. The only problem I found is when I carried a bunch of small things they tended to fall to the bottom of the pack which required me to dig to find them again. Perhaps a few small elastic sleeves would really make the main compartment that much more useful. All in all this is a decent pack for those who are riding hard on the urban scene. Heck I even found myself using this bag on the slopes to carry my gear in for some photos of the DH riders on the trail.
Check out the Mission Workshop website – you might be surprised at what else is out there for bikers other than spandex and polyester! The DZR District shoes are available for $85 MSRP and the Rambler Backpack goes for $239.
Thanks to the folks at Mission for sending the gear for review.
