The first thing that would intrigue anyone about Douchebags is the name. The name of the company perfectly reflects the authenticity and innovative approach but in no sense the character of their bags.
The Explorer Backpack by Douchebags is the brainchild of Jon Olsson, the Swedish free-ski legend which is revealed in the functionality of the bag.
Jon Olsson’s primary idea was to design a ski-specific pack, but he ended up creating a backpack that feels at home both in the streets and on the mountains.
The Explorer has a volume of 20L, meaning that it’s a compact and comfortable bag that’s just big enough to carry all of your essentials. Moreover, it’s available in three attractive colors – Black, Light Gray, and Red.
PLEASE NOTE! The green color isn’t available anymore.
What we like about this backpack is that it is not at all bulky (unless you pack it to its absolute extreme). As you can see in the image above, when you carry a laptop, a charger, and some documents, it practically sits flat against your back.
The outer layer is made of durable polyester 600D with a water-resistant coating. Therefore, even if you end up in a shower, your electronics and other valuables will remain dry.
The back side has a sturdy EVA plate, so it sits comfortably against the back. For additional support, you can use a chest strap and a waist strap with metal buckles.
The metal buckles on The Explorer’s straps are a rare find that will make this backpack last for much longer.
Quick specs:
Another feature that adds to the practicality of this backpack is the fact that you can store stuff both on the inside and on the outside. As you can see, the outer side has two vintage-looking G-buckles, which you can use to carry a skateboard, a snowboard, or attach your cycling helmet.
The inner pocket is sufficiently large to carry a standard 15.6″ laptop, a bulky charger, some documents, and one or two pieces of clothing.
Moreover, it has lots of pockets, so you can easily organize whatever you’re carrying and reach it in seconds. The large compartment behind the EVA plate can serve as a camelback as well, so you can carry extra water if you’re going on longer hikes or rides.
The second inner pocket is smaller than the first one, but it is even more practical. It has more than enough smaller pockets and compartments, so it’s up to you to organize your stuff in it. It’s ideal for carrying pencils, snacks, sunglasses, cycling gloves, a multitool, a spare tube, and so on.
The Explorer backpack by Douchebags has all the pockets you need to find the perfect place for all your belongings.
Finally, we have the upper pocket, which is perfect for your wallet, keys, phone, and other things that you need quick access to. The upper part of the backpack is quite stiff, so even if you carry something fragile, there’s little chance that it will get damaged.
What we liked
- A great name
- Can be used as a camelback
- Pretty strong materials
- Compact when half empty
- Loads of pockets and smaller compartments
What we didn’t
- The buckles are strong but not so secure in all situations
- No ventilation on the back
- The main compartment cannot be opened when wearing the backpack
What do we think about the Douchebags The Explorer?
Overall, we are very satisfied with The Explorer. We think that Douchebags did a fantastic job, even though there are some drawbacks that should be mentioned as well.
This is a very well-made backpack, built from durable materials and designed with practicality as the main focus. There’s no doubt that it will last for years if used in normal, everyday conditions.
However, it’s not the best backpack out there for cycling. There’s no room for a helmet (except on the outside) and no ventilation for your back. Therefore, on longer rides, you will get quite hot and sweaty.
But if you cycle to commute around town and you need a sturdy and practical backpack to carry your laptop, some documents, and other necessary belongings, then we definitely recommend it.
Part of “Best Cycling Backpacks“
DoucheBags - The Explorer (20L)
$249
Pros
- A great name
- Can be used as a camelback
- Pretty strong materials
- Compact when half empty
- Loads of pockets and smaller compartments
Cons
- The buckles are strong but not so secure in all situations
- No ventilation on the back
- The main compartment cannot be opened when wearing the backpack
