Dakine Nomad Pack Review
Dakine backpacks are absolutely killing it in sales for the past 10 years. If you’ve been in our shop you will notice that we carry mostly their bags with the exception of a few Volcom, and Burton packs. I believe the reason that Dakine makes such a good bag, is because that is their main focus. They started with bags and have continued to keep that a priority. While other companies try to compete for wall space, Dakine does it best cause bags is what they do. I have been riding with and using Dakine packs for longer then I can remember. I have a heli pack that is so old, I don’t even know where it came from. It has always just been there. Being shop guy and a shredder, I am lucky enough to get a few promo packs now and then, and thought it would be nice to do a bit of a write up.
Chico was nice enough to send me a new Nomad pack this year, as I have worn out my previous one with way too much mud and dirt. The Nomad pack is a part of the bike line, however I also have been known to use mine for snowboarding mainly for packing my video camera around. The only real draw back to using this pack for snowboarding is simply it does not have a board carry strap and may be a bit small for a shovel blade. For biking it packs plenty of features. Hydration is most common use. The main compartment is large enough for my video camera, some lenses, and a few tall boys. the organizer is pretty sweet, as it has a place for a hand pump, and various different mesh zippered compartments for tools, tubes, and different accessories you may need or want along on your ride. Always a nice fleece lined sunglasses pocket at the top of the pack. At the bottom of the pack are a couple of hidden straps with buckles you can pull out for you shin pads, I have also used this for my tripod when on solo filming missions. There is helmet carry on the very back, but no good for full face. A half hat will fit nicely, however I like my face and teeth, so my helmet hangs on the bars for pushes or climbs. The features and organizers are the same from the previous year, but there are a few design changes. What’s up Dax!!!
The shoulder straps are now vented to allow air to flow through the strap directly to you. Also the back pad is now more structured and also has more breathability for those long hot summer climbs to the towers.
The hydration system seems like it is always improving with Dakine, I believe this is like the 4th or 5th version since I have been around. The new bag is very light and easy to open. No more plastic bottle cap, this sucker opens from the top like unrolling a folded piece of paper. it also hangs from the top of the pack, so it doesn’t slouch down to the bottom. This keeps the pack more proportionate on you back. New bite valve that works much better then the last version.
For the most part there were not too many changes in the shape or function of the bag. Just a few improvements to make it more comfortable when riding hot laps at whistler or climbing up to your favorite trail. When something is already good, it is best not to change it up too much.
Please visit our friends at http://www.dakine.com/ Adam McCoy is the owner of Hidden Wave Boardshop. He snowboards, skateboards, rides bikes, and builds trails when not dominating retail.
