Kriega R8 waistbag review | Practical, quality luggage that lasts

5

There aren’t many things in my life, let alone my bike kit, that have been in regular use as long as this Kriega R8 waist pack. It’s only really my workshop tools that have seen longer service, and in a way that’s what this piece of lightweight luggage has come to mean to me – it’s a perfect tool for the job.

I’ve lost track of the exact number of miles it’s been along for the ride, strapped around my waist as the most convenient of travelling companions, but we’ve certainly rolled past 30,000, and then some, this past year.

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What struck me about how long I’ve been using it was a recent trip around Europe, where I was utilising the main compartment to carry an Insta360 X4 and a bunch of accessories. It doesn’t seem that long ago that it was a mini-DV camcorder with spare tapes, extra batteries and cables for a bullet helmet cam.

Does the Kriega R8 waistbag look good?

With its rubberised matt black cover flaps, sturdy clips and rip-stop construction, the Kriega R8 looked tough when new, but with almost 20 years under its wide padded belt it looks like the kind of thing you’d expect Mad Max to come wandering out of the desert wearing. There’s red dust from India, yellow sand from Africa and grey pumice from the Himalayas embedded in its various nooks and crannies, and enough signs of wear, without affecting function, to give the appearance of having been there and back again.  

Is the Kriega R8 waistbag good value?

On a pound for pound basis the Kriega R8 has been worth every single penny. Not only has it proved indestructible as an investment, but it’s also been a lifesaver in all sorts of situations. The zipped compartment in the underside of the main flap has proved to be a safe and secure haven for passport and travel documents, meaning I’ve had them to hand when under pressure at awkward border crossings and aggressive spot checks; the waterproof roll-top side pod kept baccy, papers and filters dry through a week long monsoon ride back in the day, and on more occasions than I care to remember it’s held an emergency bottle of water and some back up snacks for when the day’s ride ended up being far longer than expected.

How practical is the Kriega R8 waistbag?

The deep padding on the main bag means you can strap it snug to the small of your back and not really feel any of the weight when it’s loaded up. And with 8 litres of storage space you can carry quite a bit. The R8 comes with a neat tool roll, although I’ve rarely actually used it in the pack itself, preferring to carry that elsewhere on the bike.

Fastening is with a simple plastic click-together clip, but like most Kriega bags, the clever bit is in the adjustment. With a tug on the alloy ring it can be easily cinched up (or loosened), but once set, remains exactly the same length whatever you put it through.

I particularly like how you can slide it around your waist, which comes in jolly handy when travelling toll roads. The zipped compartment on the smaller bag is perfect for wallet, toll tickets and receipts, so there’s no faffing about in pockets. Being able to access the R8 easily without having to take it off is convenient for when stopping to install or break down the aforementioned action camera gear too.  

Is the Kriega R8 waistbag good quality?

In terms of build quality, it’s surpassed its 10-year guarantee almost twice over, and that’ll do for me. Yes, there are some signs of wear, and the front outer pocket is starting to get a bit thin in places, but every part of the Kriega R8 is still functioning exactly as it should.

Despite being subjected to countless hours of intense UV sunlight, soul soaking humidity and freezing temperatures at altitude, all the plastic fittings are intact, there’s no rot to the fabric and the padding still cushions. It’s remarkable really.

So what’s the verdict?

I can’t recommend the Kriega R8 as a reliable, functional and durable lightweight luggage solution enough. It’s been a faithful companion on many an adventure and has more than enough life left in it for plenty more.

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