Product Review: Kiefer Team Backpack

I have had the Kiefer Team Backpack for about a month now and honestly I have to say, I'm not really a fan of it as an every day gym bag or even as a swim bag (which I will explain later) but as a triathlon bag, I absolutely love it! I also think it would make for a great weekend camping bag or overnight bag as well.

The reason why I say this doesn't make for a good swim bag for me is simply because my YMCA provides towels, kickboards, swim buoys (which also happen to be the Kiefer brand) and just about everything I would need for swim drills so all I have to really pack when I go swimming is my swimsuit, swim cap, googles and flip flops which makes this bag too big. But I used this bag for my indoor triathlon a week ago and was quite surprise how it held everything I needed and I'm sure it will come in handy this summer for triathlon racing.

Pockets & Compartments

This bag does have plenty of pockets and compartments which I really like. I hate digging around the bottom of a bag trying to find something. I also prefer backpacks over duffle bags because well duffle bags just don't fit in lockers very well unless you turn them sideways shifting all the contents inside. With this backpack, I found the side pockets very convenient as I could access them while the bag was hanging in the locker. I always hang it on the left side of the locker and use the left side pockets for all my necessities for getting ready to go back to work (comb, brush, hairspray, lotion and makeup). There are three internal pockets which I use one for my flip flops so I didn't have to dig around for those (in my other bag, they always ended up at the bottom) and various other things (socks, hat, visor, etc) for the others. As far as those straps on the front, well I have yet to find a use for them and why they are even there. I think it would of been better if another smaller pocket was added there instead or even bungee cords.

Comfort

This bag is quite comfortable even when full. The padded straps never dug into my shoulders and it never shifted around when I walked and while the backpack looked quite large on me, it sure didn't feel big.

Price & Quality

This bag is currently on sale for $24.95 at kiefer.com which I feel is a steal at this price. There are similar style bags on the market for a lot more. The quality seemed to be great as well. In my 1 month of putting it through some abuse (such as taking it in and out of a locker) this bag shows no signs of wear and still looks brand new. In fact the pictures shown below were taken after 1 month (or ~20 gym visits) of use.

[gallery columns="3" link="file" ids="1557,1554,1556,1558,1555"]

Product Description (from kiefer.com)

Store all your swim gear, wet and dry, in Kiefer's sturdy, standup backpack. Our backpack has all the right pockets and zippers to organize and transport swimwear, training gear, towel, electronics, personal care items, and street clothes.

Features include one large zip 8" x12" wet pocket, three roomy interior pockets to organize gear, and two 7" x 9" zip side pockets with mesh to provide easy access to smaller items. Hold your phone in the side zip pocket with ear phone port. Comfortable padded straps, and easy grip handle let you focus your strength and attention where it belongs - the swimming pool.

We've left plenty of room to add a team logo on the front flap.

Dimensions: 19" tall, 13" wide, and 10" deep.

Colors: Black and Navy.

 

Full disclosure: While I did receive this bag free of charge, it in no way affected the outcome of this review.