Review: San Util's Handmade Hip Packs are Durable & Lightweight

One priority in making the flagship Covert Hip Pack was to incorporate the right features while keeping the pack lightweight and streamlined. For Adam, that means no zippers, just one main pocket, Fidlock closures, a drawstring collar on the top, and compression straps on the bottom.


The design is simple. The pocket will fit about 2L, or 3L if it's stuffed, San Util says. (I didn't measure specifically, but that seems accurate.) For me, that means I can easily fit everything I'd need for a long day of riding, especially if I use the two removable Quick Draw Holster water bottle holders that attach to the side. In the large main pocket, there's space for a decently bulky jacket, a multitool (though San Util also makes a tool roll, which we'll get to later), and plenty of snacks. Unlike most hip packs, especially the more sophisticated ones, there are no pockets on the waist belt or hidden anywhere on the pack - the idea is simple, not feature-filled.



Smaller details: There's nothing on the pack that seems like it could break easily, particularly no zippers or small clips of any sort. The drawstring closure has been refined over time and now uses a glove-friendly plastic tab to adjust it. The hip strap closes with a magnetic Fidlock buckle that's operable with one hand, and adjusts with inward pull friction sliders on each side. As mentioned previously, there's a spot for a bottle on each side, and two compression straps at the bottom of the pack that can work to fit more gear or to cinch down and compress the whole thing when it's stuffed.



Trail Report

If the mission was to make a hip pack that stays in place and weighs very little, consider the mission accomplished. The Covert pack is low-profile and sits nicely against my back, so there's no bouncing or the dreaded spin-around-on-steep-descents that happens with so many other hip packs.

I tend to fall on the minimalist side of the spectrum, so the straightforward design of the Covert pack worked well for me. I didn't miss having a bunch of dangly bits and bobs, even though I am a fan of one or two more complex hip packs on the market, too. I also didn't feel like I needed more internal organization, though it is noteworthy that there's no pocket to keep small items like keys and a phone safe and separate from the rest of the load.


The trade-off for the hip pack's less-than-half-pound weight is, as mentioned earlier, it sacrifices features like internal organization and hip panel pockets in favor of the simple design. The result is a functional piece that feels like an easy option to repeatedly grab on my way out the door.

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Pinkbike's Take:

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I've also had the opportunity to test out the Lil Stache Daddy handlebar bag and a tool roll. Both work as expected, staying in place nicely thanks to the ever-helpful Voile straps. The handlebar bag lives on my curly bar bike and has come in handy for some big dumb multisport days in the mountains, while the tool roll moves from bike to bike, keeping me prepared when - as someone who is reluctant to bring a pack of any short rides - I decide to leave the house for a short spin.

All in all, I'm excited to see San Util refining its products and continuing to grow into its own as a small brand carving its place in the bike industry.

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