Proviz Rucksack Triviz Comp & Light Triviz System USB Lithion Battery

Pro Viz has certainly tweaked quality control as well as the technology when it comes to their Hi Viz rucksack and tri-viz reflective triangle. Starting with the bag, this retains the rip stop nylon/Codura mix of its forbears but seems a more durable blend and those padded straps have been grazing on steroids. Speaking of which, there are 10 and 30 litre capacities in either day glow yellow or softer-spoken black/Scotchlite.

A deep external sleeve with Velcro closure is handy for waterproof jackets (or indeed medium length armoured cable locks) while there's just enough room in the main for a change of clothes alongside spare tubes, multi tool and some lunch. Dedicated cubbyholes hold wallets and smart phones, continuing the organised feel. Padding has been beefed up considerably too for cargo protection.

Storage space for hydration bladders is nice idea for hot summer trail fun. This time round because the electrics are separate, detachable entities, the bag can take a tour de washing machine when things start looking grubby.

Talking of wet, one of the soggiest Decembers on record hasn't managed to penetrate the fabric and the waterproof zippers seem to do their stuff very well, although I noticed some trace dampness following five minutes' hosepipe testing. External mesh pockets with elasticated cuffs take keys, change and other stuff you'll need at a moments notice. Mind you; my gaoler's bunch is threatening to gnaw its way through after a few weeks.

Now let's take a look at the Tri-Viz. Essentially, this is the brands' electro luminescent technology squeezed into a 16x16x16cm warning triangle that attaches across the Nightrider range via a Velcro landing strip. So you could scoot back and forth to work with it aboard the rucksack/messenger bag, swapping to the jacket to be unhampered as suits.

Switchgear and little silicone clad cell live inside the zippered grey pouch, the latter demanding four hour port plug-ins in return for between 12 and fifteen hour run times, depending on mode and to some extent temperature.

As a package, overall performance is superb; the bag sits nicely against the back, low enough not to interfere with helmets when looking over the shoulders. Beefy straps minimise sway or tiring bounce-even when heavily laden. However, in keeping with most rider-worn luggage, ten maybe twelve miles are about as far as I'd want to commute with any frequency but it makes a comfortable trail companion when moderately laden.

Visibility wise, the fluro yellow cuts a swathe through early morning gloom and the tri-viz is literally brilliant, particularly since the blue triangle cannot be confused or lost amongst competing town centre neon and precise alignment with driver eye-level seems to captivate attention at around three hundred metres, nearer four in the sticks. I only hope that Pro-viz will introduce a universal mount, allowing it to be retrofitted to previous models and other brands.

Verdict

Greatly improved bag for commuting and trail duties, with the excellent TriViz technology.