Port Designs Go LED Backpack

Port Designs' Go LED Backpack is a superbly made rucksack with copious refinement and an onboard LED indicator system controlled by a wireless bar-mounted pod. Although I've really enjoyed using the bag, those electrics are little more than a gimmick, and the full asking price is hard to swallow.

Talking of which, it's an extremely well-organised 35-litre design made from a very rugged 210 nylon, coated polyester and PU leatherette mix. It's shrugged at the usual rough 'n' tumble of daily commuting, and the wrap-over storm cover means contents will remain dry come hell or high water. It carries a lifetime warranty against defects too.

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The slate grey is as neutral as you'll ever need, though reflective piping at select points prevents it becoming too stealthy, and webbed nylon loops make good hosts for flashing red lights.

Flash player

It's the big flashing electrics on the bag that are its USP though. A removable tablet-sized LED board displays a large blue/green directional arrow denoting left/right/forward, along with an emergency function. It reminded me of motorway gantry boards.

Instructions are sent wirelessly via a strap- or handlebar-mounted switch, which is fuelled by two CR2032 batteries and pretty intuitive, even in gloved hands. Aside from a quick precautionary lick of Vaseline on the battery contacts, it seems robust, sniggering at persistent wintry showers and a blast from my garden hose.

In common with bar-mounted computers and similar wireless gizmos, pylons, electricity substations and other sources of interference have made no impression. It has an operating range of 9ft, and at night those chunky arrows were visible to around 250m, though this dips to 100 around town.

Other traffic typically responded with greater caution, in many cases giving more room, but I'm pretty sure this just boiled down to novelty.

Daylight performance isn't comparable with indicators on cars and motorbikes, and after 10 hours of nocturnal riding and five hours during daylight I'm still not convinced that it's a substitute for hand signals (something a smooth-talking defence lawyer could readily exploit in the event of a collision with a negligent driver). And the danger/stop modes managed to confuse my riding companions, who had some inkling as to what they might be, let alone other traffic.

Neat and tidy

As for the bag itself, it's very well made, with the storage space neat and orderly throughout. Outside there's a handy helmet caddy and zippered cubby holes for keys, mini pumps and so on, while inside, a large main compartment swallows a lock, change of clothes, shoes, toiletries, lunch, an A4 pad and other stationery.

Laptop sleeves have been standard issue on messenger bags and better quality rucksacks for the last decade or so. This and the tablet slot are well padded and will manage 15.6in notebooks and 9.5in tablets respectively. There's the obligatory headphone port too, should you fancy some music or take calls during your commute.

> Check out our guide to the 10 best cycling rucksacks here

Now, I should point out that this isn't a cycling-specific rucksack; it's aimed at runners and other outdoor activities, but it sits low enough not to brush against most helmets when glancing over the shoulder.

Personally, anything longer than 10 miles and I'll opt for panniers every time. That said, even with five or six kilos on board, the densely padded shoulder and waist straps offer ample support and prevent it bounding around like a playful labrador. Airflow is very reasonable too, although that familiar damp patch became apparent after seven miles at a steady 18mph.

Number crunching

The £170 price tag can be bettered in many places online, typically £129.99, though it can be found cheaper still, bringing it more in line with other quality luggage.

The LED board charges via USB cable in 4hrs from the mains, 4hrs 35mins from laptops/PCs. Run times will depend upon use, but I've managed about 33 hours from a single charge. By comparison, a waterproof high-vis rucksack cover and winter gloves proved more effective at communicating intentions and require virtually zero maintenance, save for once-overs with a damp cloth.

Verdict

High quality rucksack but the indicator system seems little more than an expensive gimmick