Review: VAUDE Moab 12 backpack

Most of the time, the first thing you notice when you hold a new product in your hands is the workmanship and how well it is produced. It was definitely the case this time and the Moab 12 looks and feels like what we have come to expect from VAUDE. Nowhere on the pack were there loose threads and as a whole it seems to be very robust.

Apart from the high-end quality, the organisation of the tool pouch is most noticeable. Here, there is a special Velcro strap to hold your mini-pump as well as a fleece lined pocket for glasses or other fragile/small spare parts. Both the main compartment and the tool pouch can be fully opened so that everything is easily accessible.

The backpack’s inner lining is made of bright material to make sure that all the small things you packed can be easily seen. Another useful pouch is located at the bottom of the backpack, which is perfect for a first aid kit or spare tube. To prevent this pouch from opening while riding there are fasteners that complement the zipper to provide an extra sense of security. One of the wide, well-padded hip straps also has a pocket to hold your keys or an easily accessible snack.

On the front of the backpack there is a helmet holder that can fit both full-face and half-shell helmets. To keep the backpack’s shape, there is a plastic liner that keeps it from flattening no matter what is inside.

When packing, the first thing I noticed was how different it is to fill a 12 litre backpack compared to the 20 litres I am used to. The good thing about this is, I realized that many of the things I usually bring with me were unnecessary and I had only packed them because I could. In the end, I reduced the tools down to a multi-tool, hand pump, shock pump, spare tube, cable ties, and a first aid kit. Additionally, a t-shirt, leg warmers, a vest, the VAUDE Minaki jacket and a snack were packed as well. Even after packing everything already mentioned, a 2 litre hydration bladder still fit. The backpack held everything I needed for an extended day ride, though it did reach its packing limit.

At the beginning of the season, shoulders and backs are no longer used to the increased weight and that can lead to tense shoulders on the first few rides. And when the backpack is full, it is the perfect time to test the backpack’s suspension system. From the start, I had the feeling that the backpack’s weight was well spread over the hip belt and hips putting less stress on my back and shoulders. Even after various extended rides, I did not experience any tension in my shoulders, which, for me, is a sign of a good suspension system. The backpack also sits well and on rough descents it never began to hop and jostle around.

The air circulation was also very noticeable. When riding, I could feel the air flow between the webbing and the Vent-Tex padding system. The padding system keeps sweating down and at high temperatures ensures that you back gets enough air. The perforated shoulder straps also help keep the air flow high and your shoulders dry.

When I first experienced rain while wearing the Moab 12, I noticed a special feature of the rain cover that I haven’t seen with other brands. The rain cover is passed through the hip belt to ensure that it remains attached. Of course, it also has reflective logs for an increased safety factor and a strap to attach a rear light.

After riding roughly 200 km with the Moab 12, I can conclud that the backpack has many well thought-out features such as the suspension system. At 12 litres, it is small, but with a little consideration of what is really needed for the ride, it fits everything perfectly. Though if you are looking for more space, VAUDE offers the same model in a 14 (women’s), 16, 20 or 25 litre version. This way, there is a size for various people’s needs.

VAUDE bluesign:

As many other VAUDE products, the Moab 12 meets the bluesign standard for environmental sustainability. This makes it a perfect fit for our outdoor sport, allowing us to respect nature.