Scott’s Grafter Protec backpack combines spine protection with enough storage for a long day in the hills. Within the cavernous main compartment sits a flexible back protector that, even though it adds weight, goes largely unnoticed when you’re riding.
The pack is comfortable considering its generous 16l volume, though you do have to get it cinched up pretty tight to limit movement when you’re throwing the bike around.
The lack of internal pockets within the main compartment means that if it’s not full, the contents will shift around and it does make finding things that bit trickier.
We found the long side pocket with its internal zipped dividers useful, but its location on the pack and its thin, shallow shape and long zip mean that when you’re rooting around looking for things, it’s easy for something to tumble out.
Our biggest gripes, though, are the lack of quick-access pockets on the padded hip strap and the design of the rigid sunglasses pocket. This takes up too much room inside the main compartment and we also found the Velcro flap wouldn’t always line up correctly, and therefore wouldn’t shut properly. Considering the price, a bladder would be nice too.
