We got this pack to test as a pure bike-packing option, rather than an all-round trail performer. It’s designed for carrying loads and keeping them dry, rather than organising kit, and, we’ve since found out, it does this rather well.

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Being from Ortlieb it is, of course, bombproof and completely waterproof, with ultrasonic-welded seams and a very tough fabric closed by a roll top. Even the exit port for the reservoir uses a rubber-bunged grommet you have to unplug and open up with a scalpel to use. Although, if you are that keen to keep your gear dry, we can’t see you wanting to introduce a reservoir into your pack in the first place.

The lack of features keeps the weight reasonable — this really is just one compartment, take it or leave it. One slim, zipped pocket on the outside (curiously not waterproof), a zipped pocket on the reservoir sleeve inside, clip-on helmet retainer and single compression strap on each side complete the list of features.

A stiff back-plate kept everything in shape, and chunky padding with large air channels meant the pack was comfortable on the bike.

Despite the boxy look, it was super-stable when the terrain got lumpy and would be a great pack for distant mountain adventures, where your spare pants need to be kept tinder-dry. The lack of compartments and tool organisers rule it out for everyday use, though.