Features:
Fit:
Fabrication:
Dimensions: 21” wide, 23” high, 7” deep
Volume: 47 L
Weight: 4.4 lb.
Built in: Chico, CA USA
Staff Review:
11/19/11 by Steve
The Ivan is my ideal travel pack. The main compartment holds my clothes and riding gear while the separate zippered compartment keeps my folded shirts … folded. On the trip home this section becomes my dirty clothes bag. The other zippered compartment in the front carries my laptop and my travel docs go in the two front pockets. Way better than a wheelie.
Most Helpful Review:
9/10/11 by Always Overseas
These bags are high quality pieces of equipment. I own both the Ivan and the (seemingly now defunct) Sultan; both have been amazing. As a Private Military Contractor, I have been issued numerous backpacks made by leading "tactical" companies and none of them measure up. The next nearest thing I have encountered quality-wise has like 5,0000 cu in capacity and costs 700$ so no comparison at all.
These bags have stood up to the rigors of Desert and Mountain warfare, been thrown around military (read: all bare metal, all the time) aircraft and vehicles, and begged for more. I bungeed the bigger one to my motorcycle, and rode 3k miles in varying heat and weather conditions, including pouring rain- no problem.
I would and do trust this bag anywhere, any time. My only complaint is that the hardware isn't available in flat black. This probably isn't a concern to Bike Messengers, but let's face it, if you're reading these reviews, you're probably NOT a bike messenger. I'm not. But I'm not a hipster either, which you probably are.
In any event, rest assured that this bag will stand up well when you eat shit off your Fixie, or get drunk and leave it in the gutter outside the smoke shop. Your skinny jeans and tight flannel shirts will remain dry no matter how many White Chocolate Lattes or Pabst Blue Ribbons you manage to spill on it while acting eccentric.
Also- these bags are WILDLY popular with Brits and South Africans. I realize this probably doesn't apply to you as Hipsters can't typically ride their fixies outside a 10 mile radius as measured from their fashionably inexpensive, hardwood floored city "flat", but there it is. I have probably had to write the company name down 20 times. It probably doesn't help that I popped the metal logos off. This isn't anything against the company, but rather to amuse myself when the hipsters ask in admiration: "Is that a CHROME bag?!"
1/24/12 by Rudi
6'2" & 220
very good bag. the roll top feature is real good. it can give you a little more volume if needed. i have done a few weekend getaways. i was able to pack 4 pair of jeans (rolled), 4 t-shirts (rolled), underwear, socks, pair of shoes (size 12), 13" macbook pro+charger, & toiletry bag. in the front pockets i have placed snacks, transport tickets and keys.
Overall i am pleased with this bag. I would like to see a waist belt for heavier loads & a seat buckle just because i want one. I havent really tested it in horrible weather but im most certain it will hold up if it is anything like my citizen that ive had since 2003. i'll flaunt the bag when it pours in spring :D good construction, worth the money IMO - Cheers
1/21/12 by Christine
After 6 months of using the Ivan on a daily basis I had to post how happy I am with the bag. I have had a lot of different backpacks and messenger bags and this is by far the best bag I've ever owned. I'm a grad student and I bike to school, so I carry a lot of heavy stuff in my bag and put a lot of wear on it, and the Ivan is holding up beautifully. Its amazing how comfortable it is on my back when biking, even when I have it filled with books. It looks great and I get a lot of people asking me about it. It is seriously weather proof, and I love that I don't have to worry about my stuff getting wet as I had to with other bags. I also really like the slim profile -- my backback doesn't hit other people when I'm traveling, on the bus, etc. I had a Citizen Messenger Bag for a while, but it didn't work for me -- I had to carry too much stuff and it was hard having all the weight on one shoulder. I'm really glad I went back to Chrome and I highly recommend the Ivan for folks looking for an alternative to the messenger bag. The bag it's cheap, but you really do get what you pay for.
1/20/12 by Adam
Quality of the bag is what you'd expect from Chrome. Everything is solid.
I bought this to replace the Soyuz as my every day bag. Nothing against the Soyuz, but it's not big enough if you're packing it 1/3 of the way with rain gear like I do (Chicago winter is bad enough, if you're soaked through it becomes much worse). This bag does the trick though.
If I were to make a suggestion it would be to make some smaller compartments somewhere for odds and ends, but it's not a huge hassle for me to dig around a bit.
1/11/12 by Beth
The Ivan is a fantastic bag, perfect for long weekends and big grocery loads.
I can only wonder at how anyone could carry a fully-loaded Sultan -- I wanted that bag but couldn't find it anywhere so I bought the Ivan. Turns out the Ivan is about as much as my back can handle without risk of permanent injury. It's that big. The smaller compartment make sense in size and placement (thanks for NOT putting an inside compartment against my back), and hold a ton of stuff.
Get this bag before Chrome stops making it.
1/11/12 by aro
Excellent bag. Have had it for about a year now, goes everywhere with me. People will have their quibbles with certain aspects of the bag. I don't. Everything is in the right place and is built tough. Can't wait to go travelling with it
12/13/11 by Mark
If you think you need a lot of space buy this bag. If you want a bag that will take any beating and laugh at you, buy this bag. If you think you can handle the truth, buy this bag.
At one time I've had a frame strapped to the back of the bag, bag packed with a case of beer (which barely fills up to the 1/3 point), a laptop, tools, a one person tent, and clothes.
Buy this bag.
12/3/11 by Cleatus
My Girl got me this for me as an early X-mas gift, Once I opened the box i was in love....
I'm 6'6 and 205lbs - one of my insulated flannels took up damn near my whole other bag. Due to a recent back injury I started looking into different bags instead of single straps (which tweaked my back).
One day after stopping in the SF store and checking them out, i knew this bag would be PERFECT to hold my over sized wardrobe, and + other misc crap i haul around at times (beer runs, grocery shopping, etc).
Its unbelievably comfortable and looks to be about Bombproof. I'll be moving back to New England this spring and there is no doubt in my mind it will hold up to the rain and snow we get every year like clockwork.
You guys make a Bitchin bag, my socks are off to you!
12/1/11 by Bill
At first the high price almost kept me from buying this but I decided to buy it anyways because I don't want to buy another one for many many years. The day I received it I just thought it was too big and it was going to look absurd. Once I started using it I realized it wasn't too big but it was just right for what I use it for. I use this backpack for carrying books to class and for hauling groceries. I highly recommend this bag for anyone who lives car-less.
The rolltop has a kick-ass look. It's very simple to use and the best part is that there is no zipper to break on the main compartment. There are two compartments that have zippers but they are the heavy duty YKK. I also love the attention to detail, all the extra reinforced stitching in all the right areas. I plan on using this backpack for the rest of my life.(knock on wood)
Last but not least it is MADE IN THE USA!!
10/25/11 by Joefromupstateny
You aren't rich. You're highly skeptical. You are thinking the velcro will be annoying as hell to rip off all the time, especially in a classroom. You're thinking it will be way too huge and awkward. You are thinking you don't like the style; that you'd prefer zippers. Also, you're concerned about the webbing-pressing-on-neck-in-the-drops thing that other reviews warned of. You're concerned about your laptop fitting in there easily and you're concerned about general convenience . Even after the rave web reviews.
So was I. I sent back 2 Chrome bags before receiving this one. The Ivan compresses small (it doesn't look as big as the web pics make it), paradoxically fits tons.
10/7/11 by ahwoo
I can't say much more positive things that has not already been said about this bag. Yes, it's a bit big but that is not an issue for me. This bag is simply world class. I imagine it will outlive me and become a collectors classic.
There is one small improvement I might suggest: The top carry handle could use a little padding.
Otherwise 5 stars FTW !
9/29/11 by Mike D
You can't go wrong with this bag. You can fit so much and not feel the weight. I even haul it on my Harley to party's with a 24 on ice and Tequila. Used it on boat trips and it keep's my things dry. You don't need multiple bags for all your adventures, just get one great American made bag that might just outlast you... It's really a Fn great bag!
9/20/11 by Chris snider
I'm a bike messenger in New Orleans. I was using the Mission Workshops Vandal, but during rain storms the bottom corners of the packages would be getting wet, not good. So my search for another large backpack began. I stumbled upon the Ivan, thought I'd give it a shot given it was a lot cheaper then the Vandal and it had a waterproof main compartment. Well today we had our first storm since I've had it, and it did everything it said it would. I had wanted a fairly simple large waterproof roll top backback and this is it! It's super comfortable as well. Even though it says it's a medium sized backpack, this thing is big.
8/9/11 by Will
I wouldn't have minded all the space if the bottom of the bag didn't hang so far below where the bad ends. Whenever it is fully loaded there's a large lump below that is super uncomfortable. Pretty crucial design flaw.
Otherwise this bag rules.
8/9/11 by Rethi
Got my Ivan about 8 months ago.... As a teacher I carry loads of marking, a laptop, accessories , lunch...a world of stuff basically. The Ivan takes all that and more...it distributes the weight well,totally waterproof and looks good too!! Definitely a head turner! Thanks chrome
7/8/11 by Kent
Just yesterday I decided to put my chrome bags to the test. I was carrying gallons of juice delivering in my pack in the middle of the pouring rain! Not only were they kept dry, but my bag was easy to clean and feels great solid after carrying around 45 pounds that day! I feel a lot better knowing that my bag can handle intense situations, but also great for everyday use, or hiking, or riding.
6/14/11 by Christian Sund
I've used this bag every day for about a year now, and I can't complain about anything. It makes sure that my laptop is safe and dry, I can carry my lunch, my books for my study, and other important things. The fact that it's 100% waterproof, is so cool (it rains a lot in Denmark !). The only "bad" thing about Chrome, is that they haven't got a store in Scandinavia (or Copenhagen). Good bags, made for people that ride their bike every day !!
6/6/11 by Christopher
I've ridden with this thing in some seriously heavy downpours and it keeps my laptop and all other work crap 100% dry. I can carry work clothes, lunch, a laptop, and whatever I'm reading at the moment and still have room for a few groceries on the way home. I absolutely love this backpack.
5/26/11 by dennis solis
In my opinion of this bag is that it is one of the best bags ever mad by chrome especially out here in L.A. there are a lot of bikers who love to bike but also take the proper stuff to go ride. i've been able to carry a bunch of different clothes for when i went snowboarding and i even attached my snowboard on my bag and my bag didnt get wet on the inside from snowboarding.
so thanks Chrome , hopefully you make another one like this. peace
5/26/11 by HAZZA
Howdy CHROME….. Let me start by saying THANKYOU for this superb bag !!!! I have had an old CHROME from a mate of mine for about 2 years and then decided to upgrade to this badboy !!
I am 6ft 4in and it fits like a glove ( took a bit of adjusting ) . I have had no trouble looking over my shoulder whilst riding.
The only downside I think is all the extra srapping that hangs loose at the bottom of the shoulder straps. I have taped mine but a nifty ChROME strap holder might come in handy.
I have had the bag for about 3.5 months and wanted to wait till it had been put to the test to write………… Well now it has, not only did I have a pretty nasty crash where sadly my front 2 teeth went flying but the bag defiantly save my shoulder!! And came out without a scratch !! And secondly that today I had to go and get big bunch of documents for a presentation and was out on the street when the heavens opened and a full on rain storm occurred. When I got back, I looked like a drowned rat but the bag ( full to the brim as well) was dry as a bone!!!!
The summer has just started over here and I am looking forward to filling it up with ice and frosty bad boys in the park………..
Keep it real America!! And CHROME……. I salute you !!!!!!!!!
Big Love.
Hazza ( LONDON TOWN )
5/14/11 by matt
another seattle guy here, needed something that was waterproof and large enough to hold all my school stuff. this thing swallowed an 18x24 drawing pad!! if you have a lot to haul, this will hold it WITH room to spare. 2 downsides (which aren't really) are it sits high on your back so you'll have to really turn your head to see behind traffic, and i've yet to figure how to carry wheels... but definately worth it, especially for under $200!!!
5/7/11 by Ian B.
I got this bag because I needed a waterproof bag to keep my stuff dry in the stereotypical wet Seattle weather; yet I also wanted to be able to stuff the bag with a bunch of groceries or with a bunch of clothes and hit the road. I wanted all of this in a backpack style bag. This bag has fulfilled all of these requirements time and time again. Aside from that, this bag has survived the trials and tribulations of wet weather biking with flying colors.
The only qualm that I have with the bag is that when it gets very loaded, storage space in the pockets on the front of the bag can get a bit cramped making it harder to store more bulbous items in them. Cramming these front pockets can also cause the corners of the flaps for these pockets to flip up (or "dog ear"). I feel as though the buckle straps for these pockets could be attached to more length or more points along the perimeter of these flaps.
Regardless, it's a great bag, so go buy one already!
5/3/11 by Elyse W.
This bag is absolutely awesome. I study Global Health and have traveled extensively and only wished that I had this awesome bag! As a student biking and commuting on public transit in Boston, I take everything from books to yoga gear and my lunch in this bag. Had a big soup spill in which was no big deal since it was waterproof and contained everything for an easy clean up. As I tend to carry a lot, this bag fits nicely on your back. The straps may not look super supportive at first, but the build of the bag really does put your back at ease. Really great design, the front snaps make it less accessible to any prying hands as well. Great buy! It will be accompanying me on many trips in the near future.
4/18/11 by Jesse V.
First of all this bag is the biggest bag I have ever owned. it fits everything i need and theres room for more. As a Nursing major i have a lot to carry with books and changes of clothes, everything fits. Its built supper tough and its really comfortable on and off the bike. With the past month of mega rain fall in Hayward this bag has kept my stuff dry. Thanks Chrome for making life easier.
3/23/11 by shawne Diamond
i wanted a bag that could carry all of my stuff (I am a nursing student and a major book nerd)...Wow! This bag carries all of my stuff and then some. The other girls i know always seem to give me this "but its such a HUGE bag" look....little do they know! I have always liked backpacks and never was one to embrace girly bags. This bag looks great, is ultra-durable, and is , in essence, the coolest bag in the world! (hyperbole intended!)
3/13/11 by Brendan H.
After 4 years with a Chrome Citizen I decided to ditch the messenger bag, good decision in my opinion. The Ivan delivers a lot more in terms of comfort, especially on longer rides (I had a 32 mile commute round trip to and work in the States and I do a 30ish mile commute in France currently). The Ivan is really comfortable, especially in comparison to the Citizen bag...Except! The straps should be redesigned! The straps are unified, sort of like a yoke, with the idea being to better better distribute weight. I find that it puts weight uncomfortably on my neck. More annoying, is that the this strap can make it uncomfortable to look up at the road as you're riding. It's *less* noticeable in on the tops and the hoods but it is really annoying in the drops. Here in Northern France we have a lot of wind and I've been riding in the drops more than ever and it is annoying to feel like you are fighting against your bag to look up at the road.
Small gripe... The bag lacks just a couple organizational things. It'd be nice just have a pencil slot and a small zippered pocket for money and stuff. The Citizen did have these features. The pockets on the Ivan are HUGE, which is great but with out any organization pockets inside I have a bunch of stuff floating around so I always feel like I'm sifting through pens to find money or train tickets and I'm always sifting through money and train tickets to find pens.
Other than that, the bag is immaculately built. Super solid and aside from the straps it is quite comfortable. I'm looking forward to traveling, riding, and living with this bag.
3/2/11 by Quoc Nguyen
I used to carry around a backpack and a laptop bag to school 4 days a week. Totaling around 30-35 pounds for both bags. It put a huge strain on my back and neck. I put the same same amount in the Ivan and it feels like nothing. 4 books, sketch pad, bike lock, and 2 water bottles. This is the most comfortable bag I've ever had! I was skeptical of the 180 price tag, but its worth every single penny.
2/19/11 by Kristen
I work in an office by day, and go to law school part time by night, which means I go to 2 classes 2 days a week. I have had a very hard time finding a backpack that can fit my textbooks, my laptop + accessories, and all my personal stuff. $140-180 is a lot to spend on a backpack, but my back could not take the strain from hauling around multiple heavy bags. I also felt very disorganized because I could never locate the correct materials in a timely organized way. It has no laptop sleeve, but so what. Just buy one, and it's just the same... I prefer not to have a built-in laptop sleeve because when I leave my laptop at home, I can reclaim the space that it normally takes up for other things.
Ivan epitomizes the same concepts used in an open floorpan. The less "rooms" the easier it is to clean, maneuver, and situate items in. Additionally, my boyfriend accidentally spilled a can of coke face down into my bag with all of my books and my laptop already packed for the next day and no harm was done (still can't figure out how that happened, but I'm pretty sure it's some sort of Chrome awesome spell). I am also an avid forgetter of the packed lunch and the temperature insulation has kept my food from spoiling on multiple occasions. I am 5'3" and 130 lbs. and this bag is perfect. It has also kept all my stuff dry on my way to and from work and school during the middle of blizzards - I live in Detroit, and if that in itself is not a test of durability, I don't know what is.
I don't know what the whining is about regarding rear views being blocked. All you need to do is get creative with the way you roll the bag up. The only thing that annoys me somewhat is the noise of the velcro, but that is too be anticipated.
This was my first Chrome purchase, but it will definitely not be my last!
2/15/11 by Tom French
I’m running out of closet space for my Chrome bags! I have a well-worn Citizen, a Metro and a Vega which all get used regularly depending on the load I carry or anticipate.
After buying the Pawn backpack as a gift for my wife, it became clear that an Ivan would be the perfect travel bag for me. While some decry the lack of small, individual pockets, I find it better; I have stuff bags that fit great in the outer pouches. Dubious at first about the hook closures, I’ve found them typically robust and easy to use. Just loosen to open and pull tight to close.
Used it on one cross-country trip, and it holds a ton comfortably. One hint: when packing, lay it flat instead of filling from the bottom. It makes the load much more balanced and comfortable, and you can avoid lumps against your back – even though the padding mitigates them.
I’ve used it one day on my bicycle, and with a heavy load it would be more comfortable than the Metro, but I’ll probably use it more in heavy rains for this purpose. I don’t have a problem with the rolltop blocking the view over my shoulder that some have reported; it’s there, but not an obstruction.
I will always pay a little extra to get this kind of quality, particularly when it’s MADE IN USA.
2/10/11 by Matthew
I bought this for hauling groceries about 2.5 miles up and down hills back to my house. I got about 115 bucks worth of assorted groceries in it before it was full. I was kind of worried about riding with it based on how heavy it was, but the way it sits on your back makes it feel a whole lot lighter than it is and allows you to ride comfortably and safely. I never felt like I was going to topple over at low speeds or lose degrees of movement or mobility in traffic. I would definitely recommend this over a shoulder messenger bag if you are going to be carrying heavy loads. I'm pretty excited to go camping with it.
2/5/11 by stevemg
Fantastic backpack, so roomy that it can fit too much stuff.
One beef: the outside pocket flaps need a design tweak. Instead of attaching in the middle it would be nice if the connections came from the flap corners to a point in the middle then hopefully it would keep the flap corners down. They tend to curl up now if I have them filled with goodies.
Other than my minor gripe, best pack I've ever bought. Thinking about getting the smaller one for times when I'm not lugging around my big work laptop.
2/1/11 by Memo
This bag is tough as nails. I had a bicycle accident a couple months ago and this bag cushioned the blow. It protected my back and prevented my head from hitting the pavement. The bag remains structurally perfect with minor indentations.
Definitely a great investment.
1/20/11 by Deejay
I've had my bag for a while. Ever since they moved their store in the city. They had this killer sale going on. Not only did I score this bag cheaper. But It happens to be the most durable bag I've got.
I use it daily. It's always getting throw around. From public transit, surfing/beach, small hikes, biking.
I'll load this thing up for a surf session. Food, drinks, clothes, book/mag, etc. It gets wet but dries out (takes a while). Shake the sand out of it and keep going.
I love the miidle zip pocket. I throw my monthly bills in it. When I have the money to pay for em. They're always there. The 2 front pockets are great keepin a toiletries. The main compartment can hold enough for what I need. It's not big. But you could do a minimalist weekend trip out of it.
Quality is great so far.
1/9/11 by Konishi
I went up a few weeks back and decided "Hey I'm here in SF, might as well buy some Chrome stuff" I was really stuck between getting the Pawn or Ivan, having come to SF with an older version of the Ivan (I didn't know, I thought it was a pawn, my older model Ivan is as big as the pawn now) I was debating what to get. Good thing I went with the Ivan because I just came to SF with the stuff on my back, I was able to fit 4 pairs of jeans,5 shirts, 2 pair of shorts, socks, chrome midways, etc and had room to spare. Great for traveling and backpacking. Now back in So Cal, I do a lot of riding around the beach and this bag is perfect just for this, carry all your bike equipment, food, water, anything really.
I really love this bag and plan on coming back to the store whenever I'm in SF again. Shout out to Brad who helped me! Guys nice and really helpful!
1/6/11 by misticdud408
this is a great bag just got my online for almost a steel and the first ride i took it on was to San Francisco from San Jose, the only down side was the straps got a little uncomfortable cause they don't have that much padding in them. but over all the bag held a lot of stuff.
THANK YOU CHROME
12/27/10 by John
Took this to Haiti with me to be my primary bag. Kept all my stuff dry through a hurricane; used it to transport firewood and upwards of 30-40 pounds of food at various times. Stood up to getting slung around on dirt and rocks without a scratch or tear anywhere. Basically, my life on my back.
Also great for normal people, daily commute around town use.
12/10/10 by Hammaleo
It sucks getting hit from behind by cars like I did the other day!! Thanx to my Ivan Rolltop bag though, my spinal cord was saved from serious injuries!! It is not just an indestructible backpack, but a backsaver as well!
Thank you Chrome for the perfect Backpack that service my needs and my safety!
12/10/10 by Ken
i didnt know what bag to get, flipped a coin and got this bad boy. its awesome. its huge comfy and is just all and all a great bag. i live in cleveland and we get some pretty bad snow and this thing so far has been awesome in it, no leaks or nothing...even after i took my yearly spill on some ice. awesome bag, awesome material. so far no complaints. good job chrome
12/6/10 by JABIE
I just got Ivan last week, the moment i step out of the hse and head down to the city, Singapore. My bag just captured all guy's attention.
It is a cool design and very handy !! Each compartments are great and served my need...Best it is not made in China.
The only disappointment i have is when i carry it, the shoulder strap is ultra thin, after a period of time like 20mins, the discomfort kicks in.
Another than that weakness, the bag is really 100% water proof in the main compartment and the middle zipper compartment. Apple in my eye !!
12/2/10 by Hayduke
The Ivan is, as with every Chrome product, exactly what it claims to be. It is 100% waterproof, invincible, and looks sexy. I've ridden through every kind of weather with this bag on my back, and my stuff has stayed completely dry. Riding in Oregon rain day in and day out has proven this bag's efficacy without a doubt.
As for rideability, the chest strap and properly adjusted shoulder straps have this bag sitting perfectly, even when you're spinning hard. The back padding is dope, and my stuff always feels lighter on my back than it did picking it up.
As for sizing, I'm 6' 2" and 200 lbs. This bag fits me easily, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a narrow frame or of anything less than somewhat large stature. My friend who is really skinny and 5' 11" went with the Pawn and it fit him well. The Ivan is not so big that it looks absurd at school, but it is big enough to put your life inside.
In short, this bag keeps the rain out, fits bigger people, rides well, and does it all in style.
11/29/10 by Count Dante
I have had this bag for years now and it is the single greatest multi-purpose bag. I live Downtown, car-less and depend on the bike for all things from commutes with books to grocery shopping).
I have this one and a citizen, but the citizen was horrible for groceries.
The Ivan though can handle a lot of groceries. It can hold whatever you can fit in a grocery basket, to include extra tube, chain, and daily commute tools and items. It is stable and tight, even without the gut and chest strips, (which I never need to use and wish were removable.) I can keep hot or keep cool ice cream or takeout for rides under 5 miles or so round trip.
I use and like this bag so much it has replaced my travel luggage and can fit extra shoes and 5 days of clothes for me. It is very comfortable and can handle a full load with miles of walking/riding without issue.
The bad:
The blindspot of the roll top can be an issue at times and when I ride in heavy, fast commute traffic, I have to be more careful and take easier routes. I have broken one of the strap adjustment buckles, but I can still adjust it. Because the bag is so solid, I never use the gut strip and keep it connected at the lower back and out of the way, but it can cause some discomfort; I wish there was a way to remove it short of cutting.
However these above have not prevented this from being the only bag I use and will use as the most multi-purpose urban car-less bag I have found to date.
11/24/10 by HeiFI
The bag is great and sturdy, but not dog proof!
The overall size is great and the pockets are good sized also.
Few problems I've encountered
1) When you try to watch over your shoulder, the rolltop is there (already mentioned here)
2) A dog ate my chest-strap.
3) The plastic thing ,that keeps the end of the waist straps in order, fell off
4) The grooves in the padding could be deeper for better ventilation.
But all in all a great and versatile backpack!
11/23/10 by jindra
ok, i debated about getting a bigger bag (really, i did). i settled with the ivan and i'm glad i did. my bag comes in around 35-40lbs most days. i would hate to think if i had gotten a bigger bag just how much that one would weigh. but the ivan's straps are so adjustable that i can find a comfortable position no matter the conditions (barring a 20 mph headwind). it has worked for me through 3 broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. one wish: a tougher fabric on the outer two pockets bkz they take the impact most often, oh put the same fabric on the bottom. (maybe a recycled rubber liner on the outside).
11/9/10 by Ryan
This review is no different from others, but i just wanted to say this is by far the best bag I've had. i bought my Ivan about four years ago and it has been amazing.
10/20/10 by Paul Chamberlain
I've had this bag for 3 years now. I've used in everyday as a rider, a teacher and a traveller. I've travelled on six continents with it, transported live fish in it, climbed mountains with and dropped it onto the floor at the spot countless of times.
I'm stoked with how it's held up overall apart from the velcro coming off and having to be re-stitched on. Aside from that though it's seen so much abuse that I'm happy it still exists.
9/24/10 by Nick
Got the bag Monday, and it has rained five inches by Thursday night. What a cure for buyers remorse.
Tough, utilitarian, good looking, and comfortable with heavy stuff. What more can you hope for in a bag?
9/23/10 by Connor
I've had my olive colored Ivan for a little over a week now, and I still haven't managed to fill it completely! As a collegiate art student, I am constantly having to lug around large drawing pads, tools, and works-in-progress, and the Ivan has managed to fit them all. It also fulfills my cycling needs. As an avid cyclist, I rely on my wheels for everything around town, and my grocery lists are now able to be a lot longer, thanks to this bag. Furthermore, I have tested it's abilities as a cooler. My largest load with it so far was a bag of ice, 36 cans, 6 bottles, and a 5th of liquor. Yes, it was super heavy, but it stayed water tight and cool throughout the night, and the straps handled the weight with ease. I know I'll have this bag forever, and I know it will fulfill all of my needs.
9/16/10 by Luke
I love this bag, great for weekend trips and feels good loaded up. One thing I have a problem with is that when the straps are tight the bag tends to dig in around the neck. Other than that this bag is great on and off the bike.
9/3/10 by jp
i bought this back years back before Chrome bags became all the rage. i wanted a sturdy, comfortable, waterproof backpack and my local shop just got the Pawn in that day and i've had it since and it's in nearly flawless condition even after daily abuse. calling this bag durable is an understatement.
there are some serious flaws in the bag that i hope the designers will consider when making new merch. 1) the corners of the roll top obstruct your view behind you, they're pretty much blocking you're blind spot. not good if you have racing cabs flying by you everyday. 2) the two external pockets and the zippered compartment need to be bellowed so when filled the bag expands OUTward, not inward. if you have those three pockets filled, it compromises space of the main compartment thus making it really really really annoying to pack.
fix these things and this bag would be the sh*t.
9/2/10 by Justin Teichen
I love this bag, it has one super large pocket set in a super large pocket.
I never have any problems delivering on my bike.
This bag can fit a 24 case of Dasani water bottles with room to spare, which means it will fit more than thirty beers.
Love the size, not too big, not too small, and the bag feels good off the bike as well.
If you do not strap down the two front pockets tight enough, rain can get in.
Also, you can through this bag in the washing machine whenever it gets too dirty, whatever that means.
I use this bag everyday and love it.
9/2/10 by Grant McKey
This thing is super rugged and will hold anything with ease.. Including my 15 lb dog when we go riding together!
I've got a regular metro Chrome bag and this thing.. between the two I don't ever use anything else.
9/2/10 by Z
Always holds more than I think it will. It's great for walking around and for riding on the motorcycle. Next we'll see how it stands up to the desert.
9/2/10 by Kawika Samson
The Ivan is sick! I was looking for a bag that i could haul a bunch of stuff in. If you're a fan of the backpack style then this is it. Whenever i travel, this is my go to carry on. The space is huge! Whenever you're out of space and need to carry tall items you can leave the roll top feature up. One of the best features that had me sold was, just add ice and you have an instant cooler! Here in Hawaii this is my go to choice for BBQ's at the beach.
The jump form the pawn to the ivan is pretty big. It could use a bunch of smaller pockets to organize smaller items. With the pockets being huge and deep it's easy to lose small items like wallets or phones in there. Although an awesome bag, it is slightly harder to look over your shoulder to sight while commuting on your bike.
To sum it up, if your looking for a heavy duty commuter to carry some beers, your towel, a dog, a beach blanket, your girlfriends purse so you won't look like a sissy carrying it if she asks, some food and prolly fit your girlfriend in there when she's tired of walking, then this is the bag for you.
chee hoooooo! Aloha!
9/2/10 by Kelly Clarke
This is my favorite biking bag for lugging around a ton of stuff. Aside from the bag being waterproof, the individual compartments are waterproof from each other. So I can put important papers in one, and keep a six-pack of beers frosty in another. It really does sort of act like a cooler. The front pockets are also the perfect size to hold a U-lock. This bag is only Medium, but I've been surprised at the amount of stuff I've been able to keep in it at once, like a 3QT cast iron dutch oven and cupcakes and a computer. I've had it for a year, and I think it's indestructible, but if my Ivan ever bites the dust, I'll certainly buy the same bag again.
9/2/10 by Poleen
I use it every day when I go out around the city. It holds everything from my bike tools, labtop, cloths, spare shoes and some adult beverages. Whenever I bike for a couple of hours, I get sweaty and the back gets a little moist but the inside stays nice and dry. Very nice bag. Recommend it if you don't like one strap.
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