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.
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.
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.
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.
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
