Considering the importance of keeping spare clothes dry, I found the Terrapin’s fully sealed and radio frequency welded dry bag the perfect place to stow them – especially given the easy bike-to-tent transfer of its holster system. In fact, packing the Terrapin is key to how it performs. But the size, adaptability and build quality of the Terrapin are hard to beat. Broadly speaking, Mr Fusion has the upper hand in stabilizing a heavy or poorly packed load, thanks to a design that incorporates a steel tube support that fixes to the seatpost. Fusion (V2), the other waterproof, holster-system seat pack on the market, which we’ll be reviewing shortly. Speaking of packing, it’s worth briefly referencing Porcelain Rocket’s Mr. Also, it is ideal to pack bulkier items first, creating a tapered shape at the back. To prevent this, and to maintain a better center of gravity as a result, heavier items should be packed first, at the bottom of the bag. However, when the dry bag is overloaded, and heavier items are packed last, toward the rear of the dry bag, there is some noticeable sagging in both the V1 and V2 systems which results in a bit of buckle. I typically pack as little as possible in the seat pack, so this hasn’t been an issue. This isn’t visibly evident, even when it’s loaded, but the idea is to prevent buckling where the bottom pan of the harness meets the curve at the seatpost. However, on closer inspection, there are several improvements to note about the system itself.įirst, when connected, the overall angle of the pack is slightly steeper.
The two side straps utilize an upward pull to tighten the left and right panels in conjunction with the bottom, yielding an intricate compression that secures and shapes the load within the harness.Īt first glance, the Terrapin V2 appears to be almost identical to the original, one of our favorite seat packs on the market. The Terrapin has a unique compression system and stiff HDPE reinforced panels to decrease lateral sway and contain a potentially hefty load. But it also differs from the typical seat bag design in the fact that it’s a harness system which secures a dry bag that can be quickly removed from the bike for ‘in the tent’ packing or unpacking. Like most seat bags, the Terrapin secures to the seat post via a velcro strap, and the seat rails with two strap clips. Check them all out below this collection is arriving in Chanel boutiques worldwide as we speak.For those unfamiliar with the Terrapin, the idea is simple. If you're not in the market for a bag that will help you find your house keys in your dark garage, the collection also includes dozens of more conventional bags that are just as beautiful. As you might guess, the LED bags are very expensive, with prices routinely reaching into the five figures.
The lights appear in large bulbs on Boy Shoulder Bags and in smaller, pattern-changing arrays on both Boy Shoulder Bags and Boy Pouches.
The LED-lit bags in question are the collection's most interesting innovation and will surely become collectors' items, even if they're not the most everyday useable options. For Spring 2017, that meant realizing the collection's data center theme not just with embroidery and detailing made of wires and cords, but also with plenty of bags that actually light up. That's simply not Karl Largerfeld's way, and when you're a brand as powerful and beloved as Chanel, there's no reason not to do everything you want.