R25 Review

  RiDE magazine (UK)

Backpack Group Test: THE BENCHMARK BAG

When we last tested racksacks [backpacks] the long-running Kriega R25 emerged with the Best Buy Triangle.

Unchanged since then... it's still outstanding. It's tough, comfortable, with a decent capacity, the size of the bag easly adjusted down to stop it flapping. The rigid backboard is reassuring - it's not a CE back protector, but should stop the contects hurting your back.

Technicaly, it's showerproof, rather than waterproof - but it takes a prolonged soaking to get any water through. We've used the R25 all year round for five years - it's leaked once. The only [small] downsides are the way the chest fasteners can be uncomfortable if you have anything in the pockets beneath them, and the way the two-stage strap feels if you hang it off one shoulder when walking.

  RiDE magazine (UK)

RUCKSACKS product test: BEST BUY

Road testing 19/20,  Strap testing 10/10, Waterproofing 10/10,    TOTAL  39/40

A durable, excellent-quality rucksack that some testers at RiDE have been using for years. It offers great comfort thanks to thick back and strap padding. The only downside is that it can be awkward to carry items in your jacket breast pocket because of the rucksack's front clasp arrangement. The R25 easily passed the fall-arrest strap test with no damage at all and stayed dry in our waterproofing test. It will eventually leak while riding through prolonged rain, like most others.....The Kriega R25 is RiDE's Best Buy thanks to a great performance in all catergories.......This 25 litre rucksack is tough, comfortable and, after plenty of abuse, ours is still good as new.

  Performance Bikes magazine (UK)

IN THIS WE TRUST: Gary Inman

Brit-based Kriega make the best rucksacks in the world without question.

Pricey but indestructable.

  Fast Bikes magazine (UK)

CARE BEAR SACKED AT LAST: 

This is unquestionably the best bike specific rucksack I've ever used. The Quadloc system is so simple that even Pete understands it, and it spreads the load incredibly well. At high speed the bag doesn't flap thanks to compression straps and after 18 months its still structurally sound.

BJ and Andy used these while travelling to Mugello, and both were impressed at the quality. It's very comfy to wear as it spreads the load over your chest, and it has a superb adjustment too.

Fast Bikes - RECOMMENDED  * * * * *

  Motor Cycle News (UK)

James Keen - STAFF'S RIDING KIT RATED: Miles covered/time 1500 miles/ 5 months

What's good?   Let's not get carried away - it's just a rucksack - but the R25 is a joy to use. Everything about it says quality. The Quadloc harness system helps spread the weight, so on a recent tour of Vietnam I wore it packed full of stuff all day and barely noticed it was there. It's waterproof, compression straps keep it stable and it's big enough to take my laptop on the commute. Plus the massive push-button buckles are easy to open and close even with gloves on.

What's not?  To me 85 quid is a hell of a lot of money for a rucksack, but when you compare it to other biking backpacks on the market it's not crazy - especially as it comes with a 10-year guarantee. It sometimes feels like overkill if all I'm carrying is my sandwiches.  Rating:  * * * * *

  Canadian Motorcycle Guide (Canada)

Ronn Moffatt  - COMPARATIVE REVIEW Kriega R25 and Bloblbee: 

KRIEGA 'THE PARACHUTE'

I feel like a special agent every time I use the Kriega backpack, Im prepared to retrieve the computer files and make a quick and daring escape by jumping off the roof of the office tower only to pop the 'chute seconds before coming a street pizza. The Kriega is a backpack specifically designed for motorcycling. It might look like a super-tough parachute pack but it's actually an extremely useful bit of luggage for bikers. The best feature of the pack is the clever harness system. Instead of the standard shoulder strap arrangement the Kriega utilizes a parachute style harness. The 'Quadloc system' design has well padded shoulder straps and reflective panels fastened in the centre of the wearer's chest, via two robust buckles. This technique effectively distributes the pack's weight over the rider's chest and waist, relieving the downward pull effect that most backpacks cause.

Conclusion:  I thought the Bloblee would hold first place in the comfort catergory, but the stealthy Kriega bumped it into second.... when at speed on a bike, I realised the Kriega was the best backpack I've ever used while riding. The sloped roof of the bag slips through the air as if it were a speed hump on racing leathers and the bag's harness system and grippy (Toughtek) texture, keeps the bag from shifting about. A 700 km ride on an R6 at a spirited pace did not leave me with the shoulder ache that I've been accustomed to with lesser backpacks either. The Kriega has proven to be an essential part of my kit, especially while testing agressive sports bikes like the R6. The protective plastic plate built into the inner panel gives me a certain peace of mind and once again, it's the most comfy backpack I've worn while riding.

  BMW Owners News (USA)

Mandy Langston KRIEGA HAS GOT YOUR BACK:

Maybe you've submitted your mileage contest form and decided to get serious about commuting on the bike. Maybe you've been doing it for years. Either way, you're going to need something reliable to keep your laptop, gym clothes and change of shoes in while you're riding. If you've been using the old backpack from college or even trying to strap a laptop case on your back, you've been missing out. Kriega backpacks caught my eye at the Indy Dealer Expo in February and I've come to be a huge fan of their R25(25-litre capcity) rucksack. This isn't your old textbook-lugger from college, folks. It doesn't even really seem fair to call ita backpack; instead it should be a technically advanced 'stuff' transport system designed just for motorcyclists. Plus, it looks like a parachute pack for base jumpers! From the moment I tried it on at the Expo and walked around for hours with brochues and catalogues, I knew this would be good for my commute. You know that achy shoulder hurting back feeling that you get wearing a regular pack? You won't find this with the kriega. They have figured out how to take the pressure off your poor shoulders and back, and put the weight across your chest and stomach. The four-point harness holds the load tight to your body, so you won't experience shifting during travel......

  RiDE magazine (UK)

R25 test - Dave Batchelor

In a job where I ride tens of thousands of miles every year, this rucksack has endured where others have failed or been consigned to the back closet. Despite 30,000+ miles in all weathers and several on and off-road crashes, it's still pulling its weight almost daily. It's stiched together from rip-stop nylon and Cordura and, thanks to its unique harness system and some clever anti-slip material, holds in place with all day comfort. You can stuff its 25-litre capacity absolutely jam-full and it still feels right, with well-padded, easy-to-adjust straps. Extra straps stop excess material flapping around and there are neat touches including an outer zipped pocket, a high-viz reflective patch, good weather resistance and a document pouch. It's all backed by a 10-year guarantee... Brilliant.

  GO AZ MOTORCYCLES (USA)

R25 - Thomas

My latest find that I wanted to share with everyone is the Kriega R25 rucksack. I bought the backpack last week to replace the messenger bag that I have been using. I commute about 110 miles a day for work and I carry a lot with me, so my messenger bag has become inadequate for my needs. The R25 is awesome it is designed to fit over your riding jacket and once it is adjusted it doesn't move. The bag is made for riding and it shows, With the way it is set up the weight is low and it has nice padding on the straps and backing of the bag, making it very comfortable. On my hour ride each way it has not been uncomfortable, as a matter of fact most of the time I can't tell it is even there! One thing that I really like is that Kriega makes all kinds of add-on pieces for the bags so you can pick and choose accessories that you would have with you depending on what you are doing. If you ride with a backpack, Kriega is the way to go. There are no loose straps to flap around against your paint and if you don't have much to take with you one day you can cinch up the bag making it smaller or vice versa. The R25 has a laptop pocket and plenty of pockets for small things. The very front pocket doubles as a place to hang a drink system, (optional) it really shows that they put a lot of thought into these bags. The price on the Kriega bags is reasonable and they come with a ten-year warranty. So if you are like me do your back a favour, check out the Kriega rucksacks.

  BIKE magazine (UK)

RATED KIT  * * * *  - Martin Fitz-Gibbons:

I've dragged this backpack the length and breadth of Europe several times during the past few years, and even once down the road at a silly speed too. The chest buckles survived that crash with just a few scuffs, which is more than could be said for my right kneecap. The Kriega is the one bit of kit I take with me everywhere on a bike - leaving home without it just wouldn't feel right. The 25-litre capacity is plenty, the Cordura material sturdy, the chest straps distribute the load evenly, and despite not claiming to be waterproof it seems to keep things dry. Expensive but worth it. 

  Australian Motor Cycle News (Australia) 2010

Matt Shields - KRIEGA R25

The Kriega R25 is the best backpack I have ever worn on a motorcycle, bar none. Throw it on your back, click the quick-release buckles together and you wouldn't even know it is on. Riding off-road or on-road, the shoulder straps never hamper movement of your arms and the way the bag sits on your bike provides excellent back support. It fits so well that you barely notice it's on. All the tightening straps, buckles and clips can be done up with the fattest of waterproof winter gloves on and getting the bag off is just as easy. Kriega has designed the harness system to carry the load on the hips and the chest, transferring the majority of the load away from the shoulders and thereby preventing neck strain. It does this very well. Made from heavy-duty nylon, the high traffic areas of the shoulder straps, back and base are covered with Cordura. Toughtek grip fabric on the shoulder and waist straps, as well as the back, keep the bag from sliding around on your back. The main zipper is pretty heavy-duty and so too are the buckles on all the straps.... It's not the most comfortable bag to use day to day off the bike;  it's a bit too solid for that. But it is a purpose-built  motorcycling backpack and when used as such it does its job brilliantly.