The most important facts in brief

The main difference to other products is that two 460 ml drinking bottles can be attached to the "Hip Belt Double" using the in-house magnetic twist system. The bag is attached to the hip with a magnetic fastener and lashing straps. On the back is a waterproof compartment with self-closing magnetic strips, ideal for protecting a cell phone or water-sensitive items. The compressible main compartment has two small inner compartments and a strap with a hook to attach keys. There are straps on the outside for carrying protectors or a jacket. Two printed reflective elements make you more visible in the dark. There is another compartment on each side of the hip.

First impression

The hip bag is very easy to put on with the unique magnetic buckle: Pull briefly on the two lashing straps and the bag sits bombproof. The straps are long enough for beer bellies. If you don't have one, you can attach the excess length of the straps to two hooks. This prevents them from flapping around during the ride. The Fidlock bag is rather high at the back, which is a little unusual when you first wear it. On the trail, however, this is not a problem. Thanks to the four different compartments and the external fastening options, there is room for everything you need for a long tour. Two of the straps also have a magnetic buckle, as is familiar from helmet chin straps. These are easier to use than the classic buckles, and it is no longer possible to pinch your fingers or gloves.

In use

The handling of the hip bag is just as good as the fit on the body. If you need to remove something from the rear compartments, loosen the strap at the buckles, turn the bag forwards and back again. Tighten the straps again briefly and you can carry on without having to pull the hip bag out or turn it forwards with resistance. Reaching for the bottle is child's play, reattaching it while riding takes some practice, but is intuitive after a few rides. Compartment management is always something very personal, but with the "Hip Belt Double" there are so many options that everyone is sure to be happy. If you're in a group and want to quickly take off a jacket and attach it to the back, you can do it in record time thanks to the magnetic buckles.

While biking, the water bottles held very well on the magnetic closure. Once, however, a bottle went missing unnoticed. This was on a descent that was so steep and blocked that running before dying was the order of the day. Whereby running is an understatement and almost climbing is the order of the day. The magnetic lock came loose due to  a touch while carrying the bike. The loss was only noticed at home. The problem is that both magnet stations come loose in a clockwise direction. If you touch the bidon when you turn your body to the left, there is a risk that the bottle will come loose. Different release directions on each side would solve the problem. In addition, handling would be easier if you could remove both bottles with one hand movement forwards.

Conclusion

Has Fidlock created the perfect hip bag? Almost. Basically, the many features and the workmanship are absolutely top, but there are two things to improve. For off-bike handling, a carrying strap or a handle above the waterproof compartment is missing. If the hip bag is fully loaded, you have to hold it awkwardly by the strap. The lanyard should be in the right side compartment for easier access and not in the main compartment, where you have to search for it when fully loaded.

Recommendation

Since both twist mounts are right-handed, it makes sense to convert one bottle with the "Twist bottle connector left turn". This makes it easier to remove and reattach the "left" bottle. This is not the manufacturer's intention and is not easy because the left-hand base plate on the hipbag has a small edge that is aligned with the "right turn" bottle. With a little pressure, the "left" bottle slides over the edge and then holds securely.

Price: CHF 160.00 / EUR 159.99

Manufacturer

www.fidlock.com