Kriega R30 vs R35 - opinons please

[scouse]

Okay I know this is likely to open a storm of comments... but got a trip coming up which will be over two weeks - involves a long flight and a few days riding - I also need a new rucksack for commuting... so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone.

Requirements will include use as cabin luggage as well as hauling stuff around on holiday and back home on the daily commute. Been looking at the two options...

For the commute - will need to carry one maybe two laptops at a time, be waterproof/resistant to protect them - my notebooks and occasional clothing sandwich box etc.

For travel - be Virgin Atlantic cabin baggage size take a hydration pack, a large tablet ,DSLR and a couple of small lenses flash etc - charging kit and all the usual bumpf you take on a long flight... likewise a walking around pack when there for a few days tourist stuff either side of the ride.

So the R30 or R35?

Is it also worth getting the laptop sleeve and the small Kube to go on the front?

[V_King]

I guess you are working in IT. not everything has to be bought because the internet says so just go to the shop, check out both and see which one fits your need.

I would go for kriega r35, despite their stated volumes, they are quite small due to odd shapes, plus that r30 does not hold shape well after some time.

[scouse]

I can't get to a shop...Or to be prescise one that stocks them before I go... my old Musto pack is falling apart after 12 faithfull years so looking for any real world recommendations and experiences.

Got a Kriega R8 waist pack that has stood up to sliding down a gravel road in Iceland and just wiped clean, which is why I am considering investing in more of their kit.

[Barnman]

I was looking at the R30 and R35 for the same reason Scouse. Both good bags with the usual Kriega quality. I decided to go with the R30.

The R30 is waterproof whereas I think the R35 is water resistant. They achieve this with a sealed liner on the R30 which works like a dry sack, where you roll the top down and buckle it.

I also thought the buckle/harness arrangement on the R30 was smaller and neater, making it more appropriate for a day sack than the the R35.

No doubt, you will get lot's of differing opinions, but that's what I did and it worked out fine for me.

Cheers
Mike

[efayce191]

I have the R35. It is heavy to pick up but once on the weight is carried very well.
it will take a back protector and i believe a 3 ltr reservoir which they do.
I would say though that if i were carrying expensive electrical equipment i would not rely on the bag being waterproof.

[IndigoSteve]

I have the waterproof one (for carrying the laptop around) so I would go for that - better to safe than sorry - great rucksack with good volume. I'd get a padded case for the laptop too just to protect it from anything else you have in their.

I also use the cubes, the small ones are great for storing items in the panniers etc

[scouse]

OK plumped for the R30. Dunno how the waterproof stuff sac performs as the heavy rain and hail on Ebbets Pass was dealt with by the DWR coating and just ran off the outside.

Not a great day pack, too big, but on the bike I was hauling camera kit and extra water with no problems - hardly felt like I was wearing it most of the time. Even walking across airports it was fine.

Fits well and shapes to the body. Can cause a bit of heavy sweating when your jacket has a back protector, due to close contact but a wicking layer helps , but that is the only con I could find against so many pro's, so I give it a 9/10.

If I can ever find a pack that does everything the R30 does, plus allows back ventilation, that will be the 10/10.