Remember when hip packs were a controversial choice? Apologies if you’re in the never-hip-pack camp, but generally speaking hip packs are now a mainstream choice for carrying gear outdoors. Case in point: The Patagonia Dirt Roamer is the brand’s mountain bike specific hip pack. As in, the brand makes a bunch of different hip packs for different outdoor sports. What a time to be alive!
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Waist Pack 3L specs
- 3L carrying capacity
- Two zippered waist belt pockets and two bottle holders
- External strap for holding a rolled up jacket
- Main compartment has dividers
- Price: $69
- Buy from Patagonia.
For me, the waist strap is the most important part of any hip pack. Sure, pockets get all the attention, but if the waist leaves me feeling like a lassoed heifer after the ride, that’s a fail. The Patagonia Dirt Roamer has a 1.5-inch nylon belt attached to a much wider, wrap-around waist that’s ventilated and surprisingly soft to the touch. It’s not really padded, but the airy fabric almost feels like it is. The shape, and the fact that the pack wraps fully around my hips, makes it super stable on the trail.
The plastic buckle feels a little cheap, but it’s functional. Pockets on either side of the waist are available for tucking away excess belt strap length.
Pockets and straps to carry it all
OK, so yes, pockets are really important too. Starting at the waist, there are zippered pockets on the left and right so you can keep your salty snacks separate from your sweets. The main zippered compartment has two zippers that unzip from either direction, and inside there are dividers for keeping tools and other small items organized. A smaller zippered pocket outside the main compartment has a key hook so you can stop obsessively digging in your pack to make sure you didn’t drop your car key during the ride. Don’t worry. It’s in there.
All told the Patagonia Dirt Roamer hip pack offers 3L of storage. It’s a surprising amount, especially given how slim the pack is when it’s empty. The pack weighs about half a pound on its own which ain’t bad at all.
A pair of straps on the back of the pack allow the Patagonia Dirt Roamer to carry even more gear. Whether it’s a rain jacket just in case, or a layer you shed after the first climb of the day, there’s a place for it outside the pack. It took me a couple rides but I eventually figured out there are small pockets on the bottom of the pack for storing these straps when they’re not in use. That way the straps don’t have to dangle like a horse’s tail as shown in my photo at the top of this review. Brilliant.
Now, let’s talk hydration. I can actually remember the olden days when we used to carry bags of water on our backs for bike riding. Rest assured you can carry water with the Patagonia Dirt Roamer hip pack too thanks to the two bottle holders on either side of the pack. (I like to use large, 32oz Gatorade bottles like these for biking — and they actually fit.) Cinchy shock cords ensure the bottles stay secure, while keeping them within arm’s reach. Cans fit fine as well.
The Dirt Roamer pack I tested is a color Patagonia calls Light Plume Grey. The light color shows dirt easily and I’m worried it’ll get stained over time. Truthfully, it’s not just the light hue that bothers me; rather it’s the fact that this particular shade of blue brings to mind a certain rival ACC basketball team. The pack is alternatively available in a more neutral “Classic Tan” color.
Pros and cons of the Patagonia Dirt Roamer hip pack
Pros
- Comfortable and stable on the trail
- Can haul a lot of gear both inside and outside the pack
- Quality materials and construction
Cons
- Plastic waist buckle feels a little cheap
- Not a fan of this light blue colorway
Bottom line
The Patagonia Dirt Roamer hip pack is thoughtfully designed with mountain biking in mind, and it shows.
- Price: $69
- Buy from Patagonia.
