If you’ve ever wanted to carry a suit into work without getting it ludicrously crumpled you’ve probably ended up just taking the tube, a bus or going by car. This new bag by Slicks is here to make it possible to cycle to work with a suit, trousers and shoes sat comfortably in your bag. Below is a rough and ready video I put together of my first impressions..
I haven’t had much time to try out the Slicks bag yet but here’s a quick overview of the things I like and don’t like.
What I like about the Slicks bag:
- Would make an amazing gift for a cycling husband/wife/close friend
- Comfortable on your back
- Waterproof
- Great looking design
- First bag I’ve seen for carrying your suit with you into work
- Looks like something George Clooney might use if he was a cyclist
- Doubles up as a briefcase
- Has space to put a laptop and cycling accessories
What I didn’t like:
- It is a little on the heavy side at 2.5kg
- Outside of some people’s budget. Currently at £132 including shipping.
This is definitely the most professional looking cycling bag I’ve ever tried but at the same time it doesn’t loose touch on some of the fun. In fact Chris (the designer) is keen to push the message of “love your journey”. I’m sure that’s something we can relate to as commuting cyclists.
I’m hoping to spend a little bit more time with the bag to give my full impressions on London cyclist. In the mean time you can find out more about the bag on the Slicks website:
Update: We’ve got a discount code to offer from the makers of the Slicks Suit Bag. Use B1XC1 at checkout for 5% off!
Also, the makers have posted a new video on YouTube showing the bag in action:
I really would love to buy something like that but the price is a bit too high for me!
Useful, and looks like it does the biz really well, but WOW! that price!
I’d expect a bag of this price to be waterproof – it’s not mentioned on the site, but I’m guessing it’s only waterproof with the rain cover?
Even so a nice idea. I would consider buying this if I didn’t have the large Rapha Fixed Backpack already.
Thanks for these comments and really keen for feedback. Since this post, I have been able to revisit pricing and now for sale at £114.99; am really keen to make this affordable (but the bag has a complex manufacturing process which I cannot get around infortuntately).
I think the price is about right, even at £130. Commuters want and need gear that’s both highly practical and a pleasure to wear and use. And there are those that are willing to pay a premium for it.
This market isn’t served particularly well at the moment, so what you have has massive potential. Don’t loose your nerve!
I guess it is, i’m thinkint that it could be useful while taking plane as well instead of those too business carry-on luggages.. Let’s see if i can pull that up on my expenses record.
This is a great piece of kit Chris, but the price is a real killer mate. Why manufacturer in the UK, if this is the problem in getting around certain manufacturing processes. Do what the big boys do and bring your gear to Vietnam for absolute high end quality, and they’ll probably give you many ideas on how to lighten it without sacrificing that quality. Take a look at Eagle Creek and Dieter’s quality for example, they’re all made in Vietnam. The prices you’ll get will blow you out of the water and allow you to be extremely market competitive without becoming your own competitor on this unique piece of kit you’ve designed. Best of luck.
Very clever / nice piece of kit. Even for use without the bike — it looks better than the standard suit bag.
I prefer panniers but it is a nice bag never the less, a lot of thought has gone into it and it looks like something you would be happy to carry into a smart business or hotel with.
I think the price is reasonable for what you are buying and you would have a tidy bike to go with it, you are hardly likely to be arriving on a second hand bike somewhere with a suit and tie in the bag are you!
Hey Chris,
Nice design, you could partner with Rapha, add a hint of pink and sell it for, ohh, £450 with a Paul Smith special at £600?
Seriously though, I think the price seems fair – it is a complex design as you say. I do know the guy who sources most of the manufacturers’ laptop bags from China if you want to explore other sourcing options?
Thanks pedalingfuriously; may be back to you – and for other reviews/thoughts; hope the bags find some happy owners, and cover some miles…!
Does solve a particular problem but would have thought a pannier system would have been more logical as there doesn’t appear to be much room in the bag for anything else (e.g. shoes, laptop, etc.)
As for price, if it was for a pannier system then fine but just for a suit backpack, no thanks.
Currently commute with panniers with one for laptop/briefcase and the other for clothes. Suit/shoes are just left in the office
I hope you find its as good as it sounds. I shall await your report.
What will it weigh complete with suit, laptop and shoes?
Maybe George Clooney is a cyclist.
I’ll do a better post with my full thoughts after some more testing.
I would love to have one of these here in Vancouver. I think it’s great and the price seems fair. However I would only buy one if it had an attachment system to carry it on my rear rack in addition to working as a back pack. Perhaps in version 2.0?
Best of fortune with it Chris!
Wish I knew about this when I bought my bag earlier this year. I’ve ended up going with the Vaude 25, the main selling point was that it could convert from Backpack to Pannier. The quality is OK, but if the higher end bags I looked at (ortleb, altura, etc) I would have spent aroung the £100-125 mark. As it is the material is already wearing from contact with the Panniers.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/vaude/cycle-25-convertible-backpack-pannier-ec021733?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle
You’re already hiding the bakpack straps, maybe having a version with removable panier hooks could be on the cards?
I’ve just purchased my Slicks bag and I’m really impressed with it. The quality is really good, it’s well thought out and I think it provides an excellent bag to bring your suit, laptop etc to work with you. I tried it out straight away and so far so good!
Excellent customer service by Chris also…Thanks and goodluck.
I purchased mine today – its excellent, my suit and shirt disappear into it. I haven’t tried a laptop yet – but an iPad fits in nicely!
This looks like a brilliant bag, but it’s panniers only for me … and the price is too steep, but for a UK made item is good value. I agree with others about getting it made overseas, then more commuters will be able to afford one. I would’nt pay £115 for a bag made in China, but for UK manufacture I would. Fit waterproof zips and make a pannier version and I’ll buy it.
It’s too expensive. If they lower the price it will sell like hot cakes.
Guess that’s the issue with having a product that hasn’t reached mass market yet – you can’t lower your price or you’ll be selling at a loss.
Looks good. Good design.
it ‘s great I have been looking for something like this. But it’s far too expensive. It’s a shame.
Around £75-80 would be more reasonable
can someone (who actually owns one) tell me if I can fit a pair of shoes in there, and maybe lunch? (and maybe a towel and swim shorts …).
this bag may be just what I need …
Can I suggest you have another crack at the video review, this time using a tripod? I’ve had a very good look at your bracelets and can see that you keep your nails short, but as far as the bag goes, I’m none the wiser…
Hehehehe like that feedback Tim, made me chuckle, and reminded me to cut my nails today. I did the review in a bit of a rush to be honest with you, I think I was about to head to airport and wanted to get it live before shooting off, it’s definitely not my best work – you live and learn!
£115 is it the price for the trip 25, the suit 25 or the biz 25? I can’t really see on their website what are the difference between those 3?