Running vests are great, allowing you to carry hydration and other essentials without having them bounce around with every stride. Problem is, they have very limited storage space, often letting you carry little more than a few pieces of gear. The Zip Commute Pack changes that.
A backpack and running vest hybrid, it uses straps that are ergonomically patterned to fit flush against the body, all while offering storage capacity comparable to a small day pack. According to the outfit, they designed it for people who like to run during their commute to school or work, allowing them to bring a laptop, a change of clothes, and other gear.
The Zip Commute Pack is a 20-liter bag that should offer enough storage space to carry everything you need for the day. There’s a laptop sleeve for storing your work computer, which fits devices up to 16 inches, as well as a secondary sleeve for tablets below it and a zippered compartment that you can use to stash your lunch box or whatever else you want to keep away from other gear. According to the outfit, it’s compatible with different types of water reservoirs, so you can carry water right inside the main compartment and funnel it out through a tube. Basically, there’s enough room in the main compartment to fit all the stuff you need for work, a dopp kit, and even a change of clothes, so you can clean up after a sweaty run.
Of course, what makes it special is the fit. It comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large), each one with different sizing on the shoulder straps, allowing you to choose one best suited to your body type. Each one, by the way, is designed to hug tight to the body similar to a running vest, allowing you to run with 20 liters worth of gear in the main compartment without having everything bouncing behind you. Aside from the shoulder straps, it also gets compression straps connecting the left and right straps, as well as adjustable side straps, giving you a way to further dial in the fit.
The Zip Commute Pack has a fully waterproof main compartment, courtesy of a 200D recycled polyester with TPU coating and a 70D recycled nylon liner with taped seams. That means, you can go running even on rainy days without having to worry about exposing your laptop to water damage. It comes with a rolltop closure, so moisture can’t get in from the top opening, which is secured by dual buckle straps that run from the rear to the front of the bag The bag also comes with several utility pouches on each strap (including a zippered one) that you can use to store collapsible water bottles and energy bars, as well as a pair of expandable pockets on the sides, Each of the side pockets get compression straps inside, by the way, so you can load them with tall items such as water bottles and tripods that rest flush on the side of the main bag.
Other features include an air valve in the main compartment for properly decompressing the contents, padded shoulder straps, reflective compression straps out front, and a bike light attachment point. It measures 21 x 11 x 5.5 inches (height x width x depth) when fully unrolled.
The Zip Commute Pack is available now, priced at $185.
