Reviews over the

Ortlieb Vario QL2.1

I am very happy with it. Just click it on your bike and when you arrive, fold the flap and carry on with your backpack.

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Given as a gift, first impressions from the user: perfectly suited to its dual purpose, as a bag to hang on and as a rucksack. Very large and waterproof.

Handy product for both on and off the bike. Only on 1 side of the overflap is a small pocket, otherwise there are no pockets on the outside of the bag.

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Very satisfied with this purchase. Not cheap but worth its money. There are few compartments inside but in the end it hardly seems a disadvantage because the bag stays open and you can easily find your material. Backpack straps are adjustable, making it comfortable to wear. Easy to convert into a pannier. Beautiful design.

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I really enjoy using the bag to cycle to work. Because I now have this (bicycle) bag, I can cycle comfortably despite my pregnancy! It sits well on my back and is easy to change from a pannier to a backpack. By the way, the petrol colour is very nice. I think it's a good investment.

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Very satisfied with this product for multimodal commuting. Conversion is very fast.

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Handy, easy to use. The flap is still a bit stiff but I'm sure that will become smoother as I use it more.

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Easy to use and well waterproof. Super quality.

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Always nice to have a brand you can rely on and where the quality never disappoints you. The bag is very handy to use, lightweight and the backpack carries very comfortably. Because I am small, I hesitated for a while about the size of the 26 litre, but I am glad I chose it. And Mantel also had a great offer!

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Great bag, hesitated for a long time because it is a bit pricey, but never regretted it for a moment!

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Great bag;,finally I also take an expensive laptop with me through all weathers. Converting to a backpack is much quicker than I thought. Also hangs very stable on the bike . Cool look, great colour

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Excellent bag that converts very quickly into a rucksack. Sturdy and light at the same time, perfectly waterproof. The price is relatively high, perhaps there could be two compartments inside for easier storage. Plus a small waterproof side pocket accessible from the outside.

good product

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We know Ortlieb from its watertight panniers and duffle bags. This is a hybrid backpack with the same features. Practical to use if you alternate a lot between cycling and walking.

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I use it every day as a replacement for a Basil that gradually became brittle. The 5-year guarantee gave me confidence, and in the few weeks I've been using it, I think I've made no mistake.

Bag is very convenient to use. Changing from pannier to backpack is very quick. Very nice!

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Fully meets expectations. Usage e.g. changing from pannier to rucksack goes more smoothly than in some demonstration films Also suitable for daily shopping as the bag can be loaded high (no need to close it in dry weather)

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I love it! My back doesn't hurt anymore. It's so easy to switch from pannier to rucksack And it's super easy to put the pannier on the bike. It only takes a few seconds!

This backpack meets my needs very well: a sturdy, waterproof rucksack that's quick to put on and take off, comfortable on the back and breathable

Great bag for bike tourers, attaches to the bike rack and converts into a rucksack on foot. A must-have that's worth the high price.

Excellent bike bag that also works as a rucksack. It takes no longer than 30s to change. The quality - Made in Germany and 5 years warranty stand for themselves!

Great hybrid bag that converts between backpack and bike bag in 10seconds. Plenty of space and there are several positions on the closure of the bag depending on how much you have in it. Would perhaps have liked some type of snap to tighten down the "flaps" that become when you roll up the top of it, like Chrome has on its rolltop bag.

Bag is lighter than expected, so that was a pleasant surprise. Laptop compartment is slightly wider, easily fits 2 laptops (I regularly carry), also a plus. Unfortunately, I (small version - 20L) miss a pocket on the outside for my water bottle. The small pocket on the outside is very handy, only with a lot of stuff in it, it becomes more difficult to switch from bag to backpack & vice versa.

Pros & Cons

I'm very satisfied with my purchasing experience at Mantel: very clear information, competitive price and fast, careful delivery. This Vario from Ortlieb is just what I was looking for: a rainproof roll-top rucksack that transforms into a bike carrier in a flash. The system is very ingenious and the overall design is a success. I'd definitely recommend it. Note that the bag has a large compartment. It's a bit like a tote bag, and has a specific, protected compartment for a computer up to 15 inches. The weight is quite substantial but is justified by the quality materials. I've got the 20L, which is more than enough for me, but it's available in a higher capacity. There are also two attachment systems: a completely universal system to adapt it to several bikes, and another with a device to attach to the luggage rack and a quick-release system inside the bag, which is more discreet.

First rode my bike to a nice hike, use on the bike is as usual of such nice bags and then hiked for 7 hours with the backpack and carried very comfortably. Didn't suffer from anything and really felt like a daypack.

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Top bag! Installation of the 3.1 system is super simple. May depend on your bike though. Bag is large and quickly converts to a backpack. Do note that the pocket in the flap is not waterproof.

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The ultimate bike/back pack. The size is much better (for me) than it's big brother.

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Been looking for a long time for a bag that attaches to the carrier in one click, but can also be worn as a backpack. Clever system with the flap that quickly switches the bag between backpack and pannier. This also makes it easy to switch to backpack mode when walking during a bike ride, and the backpack straps are also not in the way (or in the spokes!!) when it's on the bike. Loading is a bit tricky because both the backpack-side and the pannier-side have a hard inner plate and there is also a laptop compartment insert. So for loading up with groceries, the bag is less suitable. Really a perfect "daypack".

Pros & Cons

I love the 2in1 function as a rucksack and bike bag.

I have finally found a pannier that can be quickly converted into a rucksack. Until now I only had the "normal" bike bag from Ortlieb, there is no better one. I carry my shopping comfortably on my back to the bike. The bike bag also looks cool as a rucksack. The carrying comfort is great. Rain can't harm it.

Great buy, finally a bag that's versatile AND performs well in terms of safety and ergonomics. Would definitely recommend!

In de afgelopen regenachtige weken de tas/rugzak goed kunnen testen. Hij is zelfs bij extreme regenval 100% waterdicht.

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More than meets the product information.

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Very happy with this bag! Very easy to adjust from pannier to backpack. Only it would be nice if there was a handle for the shoulder to make it easier to carry from the pannier.

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Fast dispatch, great quality

Ask me in six months' time

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Handy bag that is one of the few that can be used as a pannier and a backpack. Easy to remove and put on the bike. Water resistance has not yet been tested

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The bag is very pricey and therefore I had a lot of trouble choosing between this one or the one from another brand. Very glad I went for this bag and I am sure it will last a very long time. Coincidentally saw the other bag I had my eye on (valkental) in the bike shed at work the other day. Although that one certainly looks nice too the fabric feels like it is of lesser quality than Ortlieb's. So I am confident that this bag is worth its money.

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The bag is top notch and the quality is second to none

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Great bag, which carries nicely and is comfortable to use

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I bike 50km commuting p.d. and this bag has it all for me. Obviously waterproof and a good carrying system. I had been looking for something like this for years and now found it!

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Very convenient bag to take to my work

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Easy to attach to the luggage rack! Also the change from backpack to bike bag works easily and quickly.

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I love this backpack! I hated walking around college with my bike bag. On the other hand, I don't like riding my bike with a backpack either. This bag is really a brilliant hybrid. Switching between "back carry" and "carrier" is a pretty easy feat. The back and straps are padded and the laptop compartment is placed so that it fits comfortably close to the back. On the luggage carrier it is hooked like any Ortlieb bag. Very practical.

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I chose the product because I do not like to wear the backpack on my back when cycling . The conversion is totally simple. I would recommend the bag without reservation. If they were a little bigger evtl also as a school bag for my son.

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This bag is the eierlegende Wollmilchsau. Extremely universal. We will purchase another bag, although we have several Ortlieb bicycle bags. What is not mentioned above: the bag stands by itself, very helpful. Colors are of course a matter of taste. Although I also wrote the negative thing, these can not be offset against the positive.

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This bag is my best purchase in a long time. No more bag on my back while cycling, but still possible to carry the bag on your back throughout the day. Super easy to use and the good quality you are used to from Ortieb.

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So far, the transformation into a backpack is super solved and holds perfectly. However, a long-term test is still pending.

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Bought the Vario to commute daily and for occasional day trips. The bag is spacious, waterproof and easy to convert into a backpack.Quick lock 2.1 system is super and more convenient than 3.1 if you change bikes frequently or want to share the bag with someone. So far all expected bags from Ortlieb for this price. The laptop compartment is non-existent. Indeed A4 documents fit in here, your laptop should not be much wider than an A4. According to the specifications, a 15.4" laptop would fit. This is not correct at all. Have tested it with a 15" and a 14", you can't get them in there. A 13" will do, but the compartment offers no protection at all. However, there is enough room to make that inner pocket bigger and put a soft shell. The (small) laptop is difficult to get in if there is already stuff in the bag. This information is wrong in the description and because of this I made a mis-buy. The bottom of the Vario is also not extra reinforced. External side pockets are unusable, a regular water bottle does not fit in there and when the bag is full, you can't even get a narrower bottle in there. Conclusion: For 5 stars, you are better off with a Bike Packer Plus (more convenient closure, front pocket, caps at the bottom) + Carrying System (backpack straps) + Commuter inserts (laptop compartment).

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It totally meets my expectation. Nice bag of good size that goes easily from bag to pannier. Ideal for someone who has to bike far to work.

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I gave the backpack to my friend, he is very enthusiastic and wears it with pleasure. In addition, he still looks great and makes a high-quality impression. The only drawback is that there is no laptop compartment. This requires that the laptop is always packed extra, which makes transport difficult. But for city use and for bike trips super, so still 5 stars.

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Usable on the bike and as a backpack!

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