For me, the winter months are typically cold and dry. While snow falls, it usually melts within a few days where I live–on the east side, at least. This keeps the otherwise dry, sandy soil particularly moist throughout the winter months.
And it means phenomenal mountain biking throughout the winter months. However, it also means riding in some pretty cold temperatures. For those 20° January morning rides, I’m often reaching for something like the Velocio Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie.
But, if I’m completely honest, this was one of the mildest winters in the Pacific Northwest that I can remember. Temperatures were nearly warm, and I had very few morning rides that dipped below 30°. So while I didn’t get to test the Velocio jacket on many of my normal rides, I found that it is also a solid option for everyday wear and commuting.
Paired with the Velocio Recon backpack, I was winter-commute-, winter-ride-, and winter-travel-ready.
Velocio Recon Backpack Details
Velocio designed their Recon Backpack to be simple and practical. The bag is pretty straightforward–a roll-top design, a single exterior pocket, and mesh bottle holders/pockets on each side. Since the roll top varies, Velocio claims the Recon holds between 25L and 35L, with the very top secured by a strap and buckle.
Pretty standard backpack straps on the back, with a connecting strap and buckle across the chest, and a small hip belt strap and buckle. The back of the Recon pack is padded for a bit of extra comfort, and the hip belt has material flaring out at the base of the pack for comfort as well. Also on the back is a dedicated laptop sleeve with a waterproof zipper on the right side.
Moving to the front of the Recon Backpack, one small pocket with side entry is located on the right of the bag. The interior of this pocket spans a good portion of the front of the bag, and is built with a waterproof zipper to keep out weather and wet.
Velocio uses a durable ripstop nylon shell that is fully taped at the seams. While there is no “fully waterproof” claim on their website, Velocio uses phrases such as: “Shrug off bad weather” and “no matter…what the forecast says.” Ultimately, the bag seems pretty waterproof/water-resistant, and I never had any issues with wet items inside on rainy days.
Thinking of the inside, here Velocio also keeps it pretty simple. Access is through the large mouth of the roll top, and there is just one compartment that holds a laptop or something of similar size. Easy and simple.
The Velocio Recon Backpack comes in three colors–Black Olive (tested), Plum Truffle, and Moonrock. It retails for $199.
The Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie Details
The Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie is warm! Velocio gives a temperature cut-off of 50°F/10°C for this item. It features 60g of synthetic insulation that provides the perfect amount of “puff” without being too much.
The exterior of the Ultrapack Hoodie is made of recycled polyamide and is, of course, PFAS-free. It is water-resistant, windproof, and, oh, warm… did I mention that the jacket is warm?
Similar to the Recon Backpack, Velocio designed the Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie to be fairly basic. Essential, practical, but basic. A full zipper runs the length of the jacket’s front, with two zippered pockets on either side near the waist. There is no Velcro at the sleeve cuffs; instead, there is just an elastic cuff that provides the perfect amount of tension.
The same elastic material found on the cuffs is also on the hood, which is large enough to fit over a helmet. At the bottom of the Ultrapack Hoodie, an internal elastic cord allows you to adjust how tight the waist is.
Moving to the inside of the hoodie, one large mesh pocket is located on the left side. It is open at the top, but rather deep, preventing most small items from falling out. Velocio also designed the Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie to pack down, with an included stuff sack that fits nicely in the interior pocket.
Velocio offers the Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie in two colors–Black and Plum Truffle–and a massive range of sizes (XS–XXXXL). It retails for $349.
Riding With Velocio
Both of these products, while they could be used “on the trail,” definitely cross boundaries into “lifestyle wear.” And, due to the large size of the Recon Backpack and the unseasonably warm winter the PNW experienced, that is mostly how I used both of them.
Recon Backpack
The Velocio Recon Backpack went with me to the coffee shop, brewery, and longer trips. To be clear, this backpack from a cycling brand didn’t mix much with a bike during my testing time. The Recon falls into the commuter/lifestyle category and isn’t something I’m necessarily using on a trail ride.
Could I wear it on a ride? Well, sure, but I doubt I would be very comfortable. In fact, I’ll pass on any backpack while mountain biking, as I’m more of a hip pack sort of guy. Plus, I can’t imagine bringing 25-35L worth of stuff for a trail ride.
The bag is simply too big. In every other situation, it has been great.
To say I never had it on a bike isn’t true, however. A few times a month, I’d hop on my bike and ride down to the pub for a beer and an afternoon work session. While it was just a road ride, the Recon Backpack worked great. There is plenty of room for everything I need to bring, and it stays secured and comfortable during the ride.
While I was never in a downpour, it certainly handled some light to medium rainfall well. If Velocio was hesitant to claim “waterproof” or not, I’m unsure, but I never worried about my laptop getting wet. They do say, however, that the seams are fully taped. In the past, whenever I’ve seen that claim, the product is likely pretty waterproof.
I also enjoyed the simplicity of the Recon. One main compartment with an internal sleeve/pocket, and another dedicated laptop sleeve on the back. A front pocket for smaller items like headphones. I imagine some might knock Velocio for not giving it “enough” pockets for them to stay organized. For me, I only end up actually using a couple, so the Recon was perfect.
The last thing I’ll mention is the love/hate relationship I had with the mesh pockets/bottle holders on the sides of the Recon. They don’t open at the top like a traditional bottle pocket, but rather on the side, near the top. While I liked that this secured items you put in–bottle, iPhone, etc.–it also made those items more difficult to remove.
What I’m trying to say is that it took both hands to place and remove a water bottle in one of those pockets.
Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie
Initially, my idea for the Velocio Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie was to use it on cold-weather rides. I live in Central Oregon, where the winters are relatively dry and relatively cold. Now, I know folks from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other northern states are going to say I don’t know what cold is. Regardless, cold for me.
A cold morning winter ride can be anywhere from 20°F to 35°F. Sometimes it will even drop below that 20° mark. Again, cold for this Oregonian, but also, pretty cold in general. So, something like the Ultrapack Hoodie would be great on those chilly days.
The problem was that we didn’t have many. Or any, really. I had the jacket out on several morning rides that were in the low 40s. While Velocio says the Ultrapack is rated for 50° and below, I was still way too warm at 40°.
But I do know that I run hot, so take that for what it is worth. I did get a bit of rain on one of those nearly cold morning rides. It wasn’t much, and the Ultrapack handled it well.
What the Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie did well was operate essentially as a normal winter jacket. Velocio did a good job creating a cycling jacket that also looks “normal” when worn around town. Both the fit and look of the jacket didn’t look out of place when I didn’t have a bike near me.
Some sacrifices were made, however. For example, the hood is large enough to fit over a trail helmet. But there is no adjustment to make it smaller, which makes it a bit more difficult to keep on your head when you’re not wearing a helmet.
Also, the Ultrapack doesn’t compress down as well as some other offerings. This wasn’t a huge deal when I was just wearing it casually, but the times I did use it and overheated, it didn’t fit in my hip pack. Fortunately, I can strap the jacket to the outside via a nifty cargo net.
On that note, it also packs into a separate holding bag, rather than a pocket on the jacket. And, as you might have guessed, I’ve already lost that extra bag.
All that said, I have no doubt the Velocio Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie will perform well on the cold days. But, at this point, it looks like I’ll have to wait until next winter.
Final Thoughts
Both the Velocio Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie and Recon Backpack are on the expensive side. Does the price sting a bit? Yeah, for sure. Do they both seem like well-constructed, quality products that will last quite a while? Definitely.
I appreciate apparel and accessories that can cross over from a ride to everyday wear. I’d rather wear a “normal” looking jacket on a cold trail ride than wear something that is clearly mountain biking apparel at the pub. So, I’ll take something like the Ultrapack Insulated Hoodie, even if the hood is a little big!
