Old Man Mountain Atlas Rack Packs: A Comprehensive Review

Unveiling the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Atlas Rack Pack: A Bikepacking Deep Dive

Unpacking the Old Man Mountain Atlas Rack Pack: Design and Specifications

Old Man Mountain has established itself as a frontrunner in providing innovative rack systems and cargo solutions for bikepacking enthusiasts. Their product line includes a variety of bags specifically designed to integrate with their racks, with continuous improvements and new releases. This review focuses on the Atlas Rack Packs, available in 9L and 12L capacities, which were rigorously tested over three distinct bikepacking adventures. These bags are crafted from 100% waterproof TPU fabric, reinforced with Hypalon and fully welded seams, ensuring exceptional durability and weather resistance. Key features include a beveled front for dropper post clearance, attachment straps, a roll-top closure, and bungee storage on top. The 9L version is priced at $95, while the larger 12L model retails for $125.

Initial Impressions and Key Features of the Atlas Rack Packs

The Atlas Rack Packs are engineered to seamlessly integrate with OMM rack systems. Their design incorporates four straps and buckles for effortless attachment. A notable design element is the angled front, which is crucial for maintaining dropper post clearance, particularly for shorter riders using full suspension trail bikes. The bag’s upper section is equipped with a lightweight criss-cross bungee cord, offering a convenient spot for stashing lighter items. The rear of the bag features a roll-top closure, typical of dry bags, to secure contents. The construction quality is remarkable, with the waterproof TPU fabric and welded seams suggesting a high level of resilience against harsh environmental conditions.

Comparing the 9L and 12L Atlas Rack Packs: Enhanced Capacity and Features

The recently introduced 12L Atlas Rack Pack offers a more expansive profile, being both longer and wider than its 9L counterpart. Despite the increased width, it remains compatible with the Elkhorn rack. During testing, the added width proved more beneficial than the extra length. A significant enhancement in the 12L model is the inclusion of two zippered side pockets, providing easily accessible storage for small essentials, a feature that greatly contributed to user convenience.

Real-World Performance: Navigating Backcountry Trails with Atlas Rack Packs

Both versions of the Atlas Rack Pack underwent extensive field testing across three demanding bikepacking routes: the Black Canyon Trail, a section of the Arizona Trail, and the Peaks and Plateaus Loop in Moab, Utah. While the bags offered certain advantages, recurring critical issues emerged during these rigorous trials. A standout positive was the beveled front design, which consistently provided ample clearance for dropper posts, even under suspension compression. This feature proved essential for maintaining an optimal riding position and overall comfort.

Durability Under Duress: Withstanding the Elements

The construction of the Atlas Rack Packs demonstrated impressive resilience. After hundreds of miles traversing technical singletrack, rugged 4x4 roads, and even enduring a severe thunderstorm with pounding hail, the bags exhibited minimal signs of wear. This robust build quality suggests a long lifespan, making them a durable choice for frequent bikepacking adventures.

Critical Design Flaws: The Unraveling Roll-Top Issue

A significant problem encountered with both Atlas Rack Pack models was the tendency of the dry bag-style roll-top closure to unroll, especially during rapid descents. This issue persisted regardless of how securely the closure was fastened and was more pronounced with the longer 12L bag and when carrying heavier loads, even well within the rack's 25lb capacity. When the roll-top unraveled, the bag would flop against the rear wheel, creating an undesirable friction point. A straightforward solution, common in other bikepacking saddle bags, would be to incorporate straps that cinch towards the front of the bag, effectively preventing the roll-top from disengaging.

Strap Inadequacies: A Mountain Biking Setback

Compounding the roll-top issue, the locking buckles on the four webbing straps designed to secure the pack to the rack proved inadequate for dynamic mountain biking. While functional on smooth gravel paths, these straps would repeatedly loosen during descents on rough 4x4 roads or singletrack. This resulted in significant slack and excessive bouncing of the bag. On particularly challenging trails, such as Steelbender, the straps often completely disconnected, necessitating frequent stops for re-tightening. This fundamental flaw significantly hindered the bag's utility for genuine mountain biking, leading to reliance on additional Voile straps to maintain stability.

Final Assessment: A Disappointing Performance for Technical Trails

Despite innovative features like the beveled front for seat and dropper post clearance, durable construction, and convenient storage options, the Atlas Rack Packs ultimately fell short in performance on technical mountain bike trails. The unreliable roll-top closure and the ineffective rack straps render the bags largely unsuitable for the demands of off-road bikepacking. While they might suffice for smoother gravel or paved routes, their lack of stability and security makes them an unreliable choice for adventurous backcountry expeditions, particularly on challenging descents.