Review

ION Hipbag Traze 3 on review – an eccentric newcomer

27.03.2020
by

Especially on the European market, ION is a big player in the world of bike clothing, protectors and accessories. With the Hipbag Traze 3, the German brand is now making its debut on the hip pack market.

Price:€ 69.95 | Weight: 399 g | Volume: 3 litres | Optional hydration bladder: 2 litres, € 20, 142 g

The ION Hipbag Traze 3 is a very curious contraption. From the shape and opening of the main compartment, to the adjustment and compression system all the way to the closure system and padding on the hip belt, the Traze 3 is crammed with new ideas and non-standard solutions. And the look is refreshingly different too.

The ION Hipbag Traze 3 is unusual in all respects.

In terms of storage space, there’s nothing we can complain about. The main compartment is big enough to carry all the things you need on a day out on the trails, and even with the optional 2-litre hydration bladder, there’s enough room for a thin windbraker. The zipper runs across half of the pack and the resulting flap provides easy and comfortable access. However, accessing the pack while riding can be tricky. In addition, the flap hides a practical, albeit too small, tool compartment and there’s also a pocket on each hip fin as well as a net at the bottom that can be strapped to the front. This allows you to stash either a spare jersey, a rain jacket or even a pair of knee pads.

The pack offers plenty of storage space. With the zip fastener extending halfway around its circumference, it also offers optimal access.
The tool compartment in the flap is quite small.
There are pockets on both hip fins…
… and a carrying net for spare clothes or protectors hidden in the floor.

Even with the carrying system ION goes its own way. Whilst the user-friendly, single-sided fastener on the hip belt can be found on other bag models, the compression system is different and somehow special. Here the hip fins are only attached to the top of the pack and pulled together at the bottom by a compression strap. There are two more straps to compress the top section. While this may sound complicated at first, the system is actually straight forward to use and stabilises the contents incredibly well.

The buckle is attached to the side and allows for easy adjustments.
The hip fins are only attached to the top of the pack and held in place at the bottom by compression straps.
Two extra compression straps in the upper section of the pack help secure the contents even better.
The thick, stiff pads provide an excellent climate on the back. On the short hip fins, however, they’re rather uncomfortable.

For cushioning, ION relies on thick, stiff foam pads which only touch the body in a few points. The system fits snug against the back and ensures excellent climate, without absorbing the sweat. Unfortunately, the system doesn’t work as well on the hip fins. They turned out too short and the chunky, stiff pads press hard against the hips. Unless you’re a very slim person, this may result in an uncomfortable fit, where the vertical stability of the pack is inversely proportional to the hip circumference. Since we tend to sweat a lot less in this area, longer and more flexible hip fins with a slightly thinner padding would be a better choice.

Comfort

  1. uncomfortable
  11. unobtrusive

Stability

  1. low
  11. high

Compartment Layout

  1. poor
  11. excellent

Climate

  1. unpleasant
  11. pleasant

Ease of Use

  1. fiddly
  11. straight forward

Price/Performance

  1. poor
  11. very good

Conclusions

The ION Hipbag Traze is a solid opera prima that hides many innovative features and creative ideas. Above all it strikes with its excellent climate, simple loading and easy handling, despite the large number of straps. In terms of comfort and fit, however, there’s still room for improvement, especially in the hip fin area.

Tops

  • Excellent climate
  • Easy handling of the compression/adjustment systems
  • Easy loading
  • Content stabilization

Flops

  • The hip fins are too short and uncomfortable
  • Overall comfort only average
  • Only fits slim people well
  • Tool compartment is too small

For more information head to ion-products.com

The test field

Click here for an overview of the best MTB hip pack in test

All hip packs in review: Bedrock Bags Greysill Hip Pack (Click for review) | Bontrager Rapid Pack (Click for review) | CamelBak Podium Flow (Click for review) | CamelBak Repack LR 4 (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps 5L (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps 2L (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps Stealth (Click for review) | Deuter Pulse 3 (Click for review) | Deuter Pulse 2 (Click for review) | EVOC HIP PACK PRO 3l (Click for review) | EVOC HIP PACK RACE 3l (Click for review) | EVOC HIP POUCH 1l (Click for review) | EVOC RACE BELT (Click for review) | High Above Cascadia (Click for review) | High Above Lookout (Click for review) | High Above Das Radpack (Click for review) | ION Hipbag Traze 3 | Leatt Hydration Core 2.0 (Click for review) | Mavic XA 3L Belt (Click for review) | Mavic Crossride Belt (Click for review) | Mavic Deemax Belt (Click for review) | Race Face Rip Strip (Click for review) | SOURCE Hipster 1.5L (Click for review) | SOURCE Hipster Ultra 5L (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Andreas Maschke, Christoph Bayer

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