Oxford Aqua V20 backpack review | No need to splash out for a waterproof commuter rucksack

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Oxford has cemented their corner of the bike market with affordable and effective options for bikers, and this motorcycle rucksack is no exception. Part of their Aqua waterproof series, there are also duffle bags, soft panniers and roll bag. So, there are plenty of options to match up, and keep your kit dry.

Is the Oxford Aqua V20 backpack comfortable to wear?

To keep you comfortable, there is padding on the back of the bag – air mesh for breathability – and the shoulder straps are also padded, but not too bulky so they don’t get in the way. There is also a waist strap and chest strap to take on some of the load, so you don’t get achy shoulders straight away on the road. As someone who doesn’t particularly like riding with a backpack, I found these to be quite helpful.

The only issue I had was due to my own stupidity; I stashed the bag in a pannier and didn’t see that one of the waist straps had escaped out of it. As a result, one of the clips melted so I haven’t been able to secure it since. As the straps are sewn into the fabric to keep them sturdy, I’ve been riding limited miles tying the two pieces together, but before my calamity, it was comfy as could be!

How practical is the Oxford Aqua V20 backpack?

With 20 litres of space there is enough room inside for a laptop and your lunchbox, so it does make it useful for commuting. But I feel like the opening at the top was a bit tight (as it usually is for a roll top) so sometimes had to play Tetris to ensure I had everything I needed.

As a result, I sometimes caught the internal seams under my fingernails, and I definitely didn’t want to do it again! Ouch! But with a bit of care and attention (something which I don’t have in spades) it shouldn’t be a problem.

The roll top itself is easy to use and keeps out the rain as long as you get a couple of rolls out of it. But if you do have a full bag, you can opt to either clip into the buckle halfway down the bag, or the other side of the opening, the choice is yours.

There aren’t a lot of pockets – but the one on the front is both useful and waterproof although a little tight, and inside there aren’t any internal compartments. This didn’t bother me, but it’s something to be noted.

Is the Oxford Aqua V20 backpack durable?

Aside from my own incompetence with the waist strap (see above) the bag seems to be holding up really well. The waterproofing is faultless as long as you’ve rolled the top enough, and even after being stuffed into a cupboard and brought out for long rides on the bike, the material still looks clean and ready for anything.

The straps are chunky and hardwearing, and the stitching is still firmly in place, and inside the material is thick and durable even if, like me, you’re of the ‘keep squashing ‘til it fits’ mentality!

Does the Oxford Aqua V20 backpack look good?

On the bag there are reflective elements on every side to help keep you visible on the bike, and I like the hexagonal design on the front as it doubles up as reflective and funky.

Although it’s a completely waterproof bag, the material doesn’t look too plasticky, and the overall black design is understated and not ‘in your face’ which is something I look for in my bike kit. Furthermore, the waterproof seams are neat and in keeping with the rest of the design.

Other backpacks to consider:

Oxford Aqua V20 backpack — the final verdict

As a commuter bag, you can’t go far wrong with the Oxford Aqua V 20 Backpack. At around £65, it’s a budget-friendly option, and it doesn’t skimp on the areas you need most.

Riding to and from the office, I’ve put this bag through a handful of rain showers – some heavy and some light – and, provided I’ve properly rolled the top down and clasped it in, I don’t need to worry about the stuff inside getting wet. Although I had a mishap and melted the end of the waist strap (completely my own fault) I’ve continued to use the bag as, at 20 litres capacity, it has enough room for my laptop and lunchbox, as well as an understated design and a comfortable chest strap too.

The only thing that irked me slightly was the small opening at the top as I’m a serial over packer (but this is true of many roll top bags I’ve tested) and the seams on the inside of the bag catch under your nails as you’re loading up, if you’re not careful.

While you’re here: How MCN tests rucksacks

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction (on purpose); we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

If you can’t see a review against a backpack on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These backpacks will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles with them.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.