Road Tests :: T-Level Infinity Roll-top 43L backpack

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We’re really enjoying watching the renaissance in T-Level at the moment. They’re playing with a bunch of new formats and producing interesting new stuff.

The Infinity Roll-top 43L backpack is one of their flagship products in that it has a bit of everything to it – which is both a blessing and a curse.

Who it suits

This pack is for people who love the bike aesthetic. The reflective bits are great for riding, but beware that the waterproofing isn’t as good as other cycling packs out there.

Who it doesn’t suit

If you’re not using it for cycling, then the active ventilation system is a little overkill. This isn’t really a suitable option if you’re just looking for an office bag.

Materials

In terms of fabric there’s a mix with most of the external made from a reasonably heavy tarp, then partnered with a 600D-ish polyester. Nylon lining is throughout the interior, with fleece in the laptop section.

We had mixed feelings towards the tarp used. It’s quite heavy, which should mean high durability, but it feels like a PVC tarp rather than a PU tarp, as we were already getting several wear points from our early abuse (particularly at the fold points). However, it does give the pack the rugged aesthetic that T-Level are going for.

Then there’s airmesh, but thankfully this is a pretty good variety. It’s not nearly as scratchy as most airmeshes, and has better surface durability to boot.

FEATURES

Harness and ventilation

One of the most notable things about the pack is the harness system. This is a collapsible and ventilated harness system, so you can increase the amount of curve for greater airflow and ventilation. It happens reasonably quickly, and you can get quite a lot of airflow behind your back. Overall it’s a good system.

The only thing working against it is that Boreas have a sexier system which has a single pull at the top, offering a less clunky way to do things (this one requires dexterous fingers). But the net result is similar – it is a good system and when you’re riding a lot it makes good sense.

The thing that T-Level does better than the competition is that they also add significant foam bolsters to their mesh.

Typically one of the issues with ventilated back sections is that if the whole back mesh is pressing your t-shirt into your back, even if there’s air behind it, your shirt remains pinned to your whole back and it will still get wet and sticky.

However, these additional bolsters on top of the mesh section create better airflow because there’s less contact. You have multiple channels between you and the bag, resulting in an enhanced flow of air which keeps you cooler and your shirt drier.

PERFORMANCE

Space

The Infinity is a large pack that can expand to be a huge pack. This expandability is a big feature – you can tube it right up with groceries, and still have room for Yoda.

While most of the space is in the cavernous main section, there are enough large pockets that you’re rarely left wanting for more space.

Top Access

One of the downsides to this excellent extendibility is that access is harder, because you have to get past all this extending material first.

The roll-top is the most obvious part of that access challenge, with a thick tarp used and then retained by two straps and clips (many roll-tops only use one retaining strap). Because this took more time to get past, we found ourselves just using one strap, and angling it across to the other clip. While not elegant, this was an effective work-around.

The other access limiter is the sock, which can be extended over a larger load, or cinched in for great water resistance. When you’re not using this feature though, you get the sock and cord hanging about inside your main section. While not ideal, we’d loop the cinch strap to the laptop buckle to try and keep it out of the way.

Pockets and organization

In terms of exterior pocketing it’s an eclectic mix. There’s that broad and flat pen organizer on the front, which is a little hard to get the Velcro fully aligned for. But then there’s a great long side pocket, and a nice document pocket behind that flat front flap.

A confusing one are the short stubby pockets down low on each side, which are fleece lined. We couldn’t work out what these are, as they fill up with water on a rain ride, and you wouldn’t want to put sunglasses or fragile small items down the bottom of a bag (where it gets dropped).

On the inside, there’s a good laptop pocket with enough gusset that you can still get a bit of flex in the back ventilated section without snapping your laptop. There’s also a nice mesh pocket on the side that is out of crush zones and is suitable for storing a variety of items.

There are then webbing sections and external clips, as well as a small waterproof vertical zip pocket that is great for your wallet and keys.

The shoulder strap width is good and the pack hugs close enough to the body (although having the load-lifters mounted on an unstructured top panel reduces their effectiveness a little).

The waist strap is a touch confused on the Infinity, as it’s really wide 50mm webbing (which then requires a large and heavier buckle), without any padding to justify that width. You can tuck it away, but it does have that fairly large 50mm buckle to deal with.

Weatherability

The Infinity’s weatherability is its Achilles heel. To have such a bomber roll-top system, using double straps, heavy duty tarp, and an additional sock lining, it all then feels silly when both side zips have unlined zip tape. So you’ll resist a light drizzle, but if you want to ride through storms you’ll need something different.

Alternatives to consider

An obvious alternative to consider is the Mission Workshop Arkiv System. You end up paying a little bit more once you’ve spec’d it up, but it’s more waterproof and a bit more resolved in several areas. However, with Mission Workshop you don’t get the back ventilation or the organizing features.

You should also look at Boreas Bolinas for their back ventilation system. Boreas is probably on par for waterproofness but offers a bag that is much lighter in weight. The Boreas misses some of the organizing also, but makes up for it in usability.

Then there’s 1001 other new roll-top options, including loads from Timbuk2, Chrome, and an army of brands playing in this space.

THE GOOD

• Excellent expandability
• Excellent ventilation
• Super fun colorways
• Lots of organizing

THE NOT AS GOOD

• Heavy, with a fair bit going on
• Access can be time-consuming
• Weatherproofness let down by side zips
• Some small niggles