Reviews - Crumpler

On the 10th day of Christmas the Crankset gave to me:
Crumpler Bags
Wilier Triestina’s Cento and BH's Connect
Vanderkitten Clothing
Champion System Apparel
Spoke Punchers bike hats
ELEMENTAL Action,
A guest review of The Warmfront,
The 3rd Edition of the Cyclepassion - Bicycle Calendar,
Stocking stuffers from Three Story Press, and
Shimano and Campagnolo compatible "enhancement" brake HUDZ

Crumpler Bags
In the early 1990's, the idea of going into business to design and manufacture bags came from the simple thought that "everyone needs a bag."

Since that time, Crumpler has been one of the most easily recognizable manufacturers of messenger and active wear bags and accessories thanks to their marketing plan and logo. Their marketing has ranged from the conventional, as a partner to the Melbourne Fringe Festival, to the unconventional, bartering bags for beer. The Crumpler logo [inset] is an insignia Stuart "Stuey" Crumpler once inscribed into his early furniture creations [apparently a hot collectible item these days].

Unfortunately for the Australian based company, their initial foray into the American market didn't go quite as expected, as the blokes got sucked in by some "Hollywood" types. But they definitely came through that experience none the worse for wear, since they are now the bag manufacturer of record for companies such as Independent Fabrication and Twin Six.

At their Interbike booth, which by week's end definitely turned out as one of the places "to be," Bianca Dillon (inset), a marketing guru for Crumpler for the past 5 years, graciously took me through the paces.

Aside from its growing US market [based in NY], Crumpler has established itself internationally with stores in Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Canada.

A physical location for making a bag purchase is actually a good thing because the Crumpler website was voted as one of the worst web commerce sites on more than one occasion. But for anyone who has actually ventured to their website, it encompasses enough Aussie "sensibilities" that you'll quickly forget that buying a bag was even on your agenda. It might not be the most easily navigable sites on the Internet, but it might be one of the most fun [think Monty Python after a great deal of beer drinking].

When you finally arrive at their catalog of goodies, you will see a bevy of bags and accessories for every use and purpose.



The Hoax
From the Crumpler website:
"This here son son sireee is a Hoax. It has nothing to do with terribleism. Or fat wah wahs. It has nothing at all to do with warmongreling and is only for fun n mental use. And the Hoax don’t shoot blank Czechs."

Bianca sent me away from Interbike with a blue version of their Hoax messenger bag to review [not pictured]. In the 3 short months that I've used [and attemptedly abused] it, the Hoax has quickly become a favorite [among my Timbuk 2 and Patagonia bags].



Functionality
One of the features of the Hoax that I first noticed was its Velcro enclosure. The three oval shaped Velcro enclosures [above] were strong enough that I rarely felt the need to use the clip. How strong you may be asking? If your bag isn't weighted down enough, you'll need your second hand to hold down the bag while you open it with the other.

The 2 side pockets are wide enough to handle your water bottles, while the main internal pocket is, well, big enough to handle all your beer (see inset).

Some of its other features are:
1x large internal velcro pocket
1x velcro pocket
Removable shoulder pad
Special colour Crumpler logo. Adjustable main strap w/ Quick Flick (TM) buckle and strap-trap accessory loop.

Durability
Another great feature of the Hoax is its construction. The water resistant 1000D Nylon shell & 420D Ripstop Nylon lining has the bag looking almost like new after 3 months. The use of only one arm [due to a broken collarbone] for the first 9 weeks of reviewing the bag provided me with enough information about its durability, as I dropped it more than I cared to remember.

Style
Whether it be from their regular set of messenger bags or from their Limited Edition bags, Crumpler has plenty of design and color combinations to soothe the "fashionista" of the fashion conscious crowd.

For a more products, check out their catalog of messenger bags, limited editions, computer bags, photography bags, "digits" (bags for digital stuff) and accessories.