PNW Components Rover Hip Pack Review

PNW COMPONENTS ROVER HIP PACK REVIEW

Review by Nic Hall | Photos by Dusten Ryen

PNW components has recently added trail clothing and accessories to accompany their range of droppers and cockpit offerings. We have already had a look at their Lander jacket and now we have been able to take their new Rover hip pack out for a spin to see how it stacks up.

THE LAB

As is the tradition with PNW, they have kept the Rover minimally complicated but made with high quality materials. The body of the pack is made from a tough three-layer ripstop sail cloth, with water resistant zippers and a water resistant coating to keep the worst of the spray out. The backing is a highly breathable, channeled foam, which distributes the pressure and allows for some heat to vent.

The Rover offers 2.7 liters of internal storage with internal stretch mesh pockets for organization, and has a dedicated padded neoprene phone pocket. Each side of the pack has zippered pockets on the waist belt for easy access to tools and snacks without taking the pack off. The water bottle holder can fit on either side of the pack, or you can take it off for a more minimalistic lightweight setup.

The pack is available in black or tan and The pack will fit 24-48 inch waists, with adjustment buckles on either side of the pack. The excess waist strap can be rolled and secured with velcro on the main strap to keep them from flapping in the wind. The Rover Hip Pack is available in black (tested) and tan, with a retail of $69.

PNW Components Rover Hip Pack Review

THE DIRT

Over the past few weeks, I have been able to take the Rover out as my primary pack, for quick afternoon rips through to long afternoons in the high desert. 2.7L is just about the right amount of space for any half-day ride. The pack has enough room for tools, tube, Co2, a shell, and water to fit comfortably. The waistband fit is one of the better designs I have tested – it never came loose and I was able to dial the fit in very quickly.

Durability is good, but not quite on par with some of the custom X-Pac material hip packs we have been testing lately. The stitching and finishing is top notch though. The zippers all functioned well throughout the test period and felt reassuringly solid. The removable water bottle carrier is a well thought out feature, which happens to just be big enough to handle a full size burrito or tall boy can for those longer and more indulgent rides. The lack of gear loops is a shame, as they can offer useful extension to the storage without adding bulk to the pack.

At 372g, the Rover offers an impressive range of features for the weight. The DWR treatment and water resistant zippers do a great job of keeping gear dry, even in heavy rain and muddy trails. Of course we went with black, but a light tan is out there as well for those looking to add a touch of flair.

The Wolf’s Last Word

PNW has put together a solid pack at a reasonable price with the Rover. It will carry enough gear for a half-day ride without problems, and keep it dry in less favorable conditions. The removable and side-selectable water bottle storage is a nice feature, but we do wish PNW would have put an external gear loop or two on the pack for a large shell or knee pads.

Price: $69
Website: PNWcomponents.com

We Dig

Lightweight
Solid storage
Good fit

We Don’t

Limited external storage

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