The verdict is in
Maybe this has happened to you too …
You have what you think is a great idea.
You spin it around, look at it from all angles, and can’t find a thing wrong with it. Then, you go and try to tell someone about it, only to find it’s not nearly so stellar an idea as it had seemed even the moment just before you opened your mouth.
It’s happened here at Stone Hound, more than once.
It’s one of many reasons good friends are important.
Jon B. – Montana mountain biker, skier and small business operator – is one of those good friends. He will tell me when something has gotten out of hand, but he won’t make me feel like an idiot for it. His good and honest opinion is one of many reasons he’s a go-to product tester for Stone Hounds goods.
He also rides more days than anyone else I know – even as the proud, and busy, father of two. And he’s good at it.
So, the other day I caught up with JB to pick his brain a bit now that he’s had a full season with the latest iteration of the Trail Dog hip pack.
What was your first impression? How would you describe the fit and/or the feel?
My first impression was how good the Trail Dog felt to wear.
As many cyclists already know, riding with a backpack that traps all your sweat and presses it against your back is a drag. For those of you who already enjoy working hard in the mountains, why not chose gear that makes Type-2 fun even more pleasurable by letting your shirt flutter freely behind you in the breeze? The Trail Dog rests comfortably above the glutes, and the waist belt—with its minimal but sturdy construction—stays out of the way. The whole thing is light and cushy and frankly, I mostly forget I’m wearing it. The cord on the zipper is easy to reach and pull when needed, even while rolling.
What do you use it for?
Fortunately, I get to ride almost every day. Most days are short cross-country sprints in the foothills or road rides just outside of town during lunch breaks or summer evenings when the kids are in bed. While I don’t consider these lunch-time jaunts grand adventures, I do relish the little shot of wildness I get every day. Occasionally, I do longer rides in proper mountain terrain.
In the winter, I got into the habit of wearing my Trail Dog while Nordic skiing because it’s so darn useful and translates well to that sport.
What does the pack do well? Do you have a favorite part or feature or function?
The Trail Dog performs extremely well in the short sprints I do in the foothills. On these I usually only carry my phone, keys, multitool, a snack, and a layer of clothing. On bigger rides, I throw in more snacks and perhaps more layering options. Fully loaded, it never feels burdensome. And because it’s made of tube rubber, contents stay dry.
Overall, what do you think of the pack?
Easily my favorite piece of riding gear. I would wear it empty. Minimal. Simple. Indestructible.
Would you recommend the pack to someone else?
I would recommend this pack to any type of cyclist who wants to feel prepared and yet unencumbered by a backpack.