M. Silva
Visalia, CA
Awesome product.
I'm on my 2nd Backpack (sold my other one to my buddy) and love it. I can carry anything I need from extra clothing for the cold ride home, drink system, etc... I can be seen from a good distance at night with all the reflective material. The fellow motorcyclists on my base have asked where to by one. This bag is by far the most comfortable backpack I've owned. I was really disappointed to see the 2009 models DO NOT have the pouch for the extra visor (well at least mine doesn't) because 50% of my riding is at night and not having the extra pouch made me have to pack my bag differently to accommodate for the loose visor so it wouldn't get scratched...Other than that this bag is awesome...So awesome that I’ve thought about buying the black one for when I'm not riding to and from base...
Ricardo
Miami, FL
Very Nice but Too Heavy
I think the back is comfortable, with a lot of features; but I think is very heavy, I have to get use to it but after two weeks of use it my back some times hurt me. Another nice thing about the bag is resist very good the rain.
TD
Los Angeles, CA
WOW!!
This pack is awesome! It feels like it's actually a part of my back, opposed to some awkward oversized backpack. This backpack was made for riding. I had another pack that I used for 2 years to carry everything, including a laptop. I can't believe how easy it is to ride with this pack on with my laptop, and feel amazingly balanced on my ZX6R Kawisaki. I purchased the Hilighter Yellow, and it reflects at night AND in the day time. The shoulder harness is awesome and doesn't dig into my shoulders like the other bag. I don't know why I waited so long to purchase the milspec backpack. The guys at ICON got this right!
Josh Lawhorn
Zephyrhills, FL
Ridiculously cool
There's lots of cool compartments for anything and everything you'll ever need on your bike. I accidently stumbled upon the spare visor pocket today. Every pocket or compartment is labeled, It's very comfortable to wear, fully adjustable, and all the "gray" areas are reflective surfaces for better visibility. I bought mine to eliminate my saddlebags from my bike, and it holds everything I need for the ride, my lunch, jacket, spare glasses, etc. I love it.
Bob Narloch
Deptford, NJ
Motorcycle Backpack
Backpack is a little too long. Helmet storage is hard to zip back up after helmet is removed.
Matthew
Brighton, MA
Icon - Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
Awesome durable pack. I tend to overload packs and destroyed the straps on my Field Sheer in less than a year. This pack holds not only my laptop and rain gear, but also my motorcycle's cover. I dig how reflective it is since most of my gear is black and I ride in the rain a lot. Only draw back is there is no belly strap so it is hard to cinch it so it doesn't slide around.
Bill
Wester Provinces, SK
Icon Squad II Pack - 250 miles in 10 days
Chose this pack based on features, visibility and design purpose. Had a 2500 mile, ten day bike trip planned in July and needed a pack to match my travel needs. Pack is well designed for carrying purposes of many types; it packs and unpacks quite quickly. I only carried shoes, clothes and shaving kit but pack was full (and probably weighed 25 lbs.) And would not want to pack any fuller. Over riding leathers, the pack fits decently and the adjustments are acceptable (for someone 200+ lbs and 5' 11'); if using the arm bands it takes an extra minute to secure prior to riding, but quite acceptable to fasten up. Pack rides properly and generally does not shift once adjustments are made (even at higher speeds). The feature carrying spaces for items (ie. phone) work well; I drove through a short but hard rainstorm without stopping and no apparent leaks to contents of any part of the pack. The ORANGE version is highly visible with the reflective features on the chest and arms (and the biggest reason I picked this model). After 2500 miles in ten days, this pack has been fully broken in but worked well!!!
Shaman Hughes
Clovis, NM
Innovative solution to the vest vs backpack issue
I bought this to ride on military bases, and I haven't been stopped at the gate since. The sleeves come off and although they add to the reflective area, I prefer them off. I'm 6' and the backpack rides a little low (the bottom rides up on the moto's seat), and that's a little annoying at times. I wish there was an adjustment over the shoulders to raise it up. It's a little pricey, but that's the cost of innovation. Thank you Icon! Overall, great product.
Jeremiah
Bellevue, NE
Great Product!!!
If you're military and you’re wondering if you need to get this bag, stop, and buy it now! I have been using this backpack for over a month now and it's perfect for everything. It gets me on base, due to the reflective areas and 360 degree coverage (required by some bases), it has two holders on the front straps for your ID and if you need it, your MSF Certification. It looks great and is really comfortable. The only problem I've encountered is that occasionally it will make my back hot, but other than that it's perfect!
Paul
Portsmouth, VA
Terrific all-around pack
I'm not in the military but purchased the black/silver version of this pack to replace the regular backpack I'd been using. It's a bit bulky but there is plenty of room for everything. The built-in helmet case and jacket retention system is money. I took off the corny arm bands but I guess if you want the maximum amount of visibility you won't mind them. Very pleased with the pack.
David
Brooklyn, NY
Great product but a little loose and slightly low in the back
This is a great product and I don't regret buying it, but I'm an average size man (5'11, 180lbs) and when I'm sitting on my bike, the bottom of the bag sits on the seat in back of me and lifts the bag off my shoulders. Maybe this is good since it relieves my back of some of the weight, but every time I hit a bump in the road I think about my laptop getting damaged. I wish the shoulder straps could be adjusted more tightly so this didn't happen.
Otherwise very well made and useful bag.
Chris Carter
Kingston, ON
Icon Pack
Great bag. Don't even know I'm wearing it while riding. Helmet area is only good if you own a conventional full face helmet however. Still have to Hand carry my Arai-XD3. The pack fits everything you could need and more and the visibility is great.
Robert
Colorado Springs, CO
Icon Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
Bought this all in one safety vest/pack so I wouldn't have to wear a large vest and then my backpack over that with another reflective item. I can see the straps in the front being tighter on larger individuals, but if Icon makes clip extensions this could solve the problem. It would also be nice if they made this vest in the fluorescent yellow/green. Plenty of room to put what you need for the day, and very comfortable overall.
Russ McCulley
Stanwood, WA
Lots of features, but a little small
There are a lot of good features, but the chest strapping is tight on the neck and not enough adjustment to make it comfortable and arm straps won't fit around a winter jacket. Chest straps are sewn into vinyl and show signs of tearing. I am looking for a better fitting pack.
Bryan C.
centerburg, OH
Great motorcycle backpack
I bought this pack for school and riding, and it's amazing! It fits perfectly; I hardly notice I have it on when I’m riding. It’s very durable so far. It has so many compartments to store things. The only thing I don't like about it is some of the straps don't have a place to get tied down so it blows around in the wind, especially the chest strap. A zip tie can fix that. Also the price, it’s a little expensive.
Brett
Rockville, MD
Very Nice Icon
This thing is pretty sweet. The only downside is it's a bit heavy before you even put anything in it. Other than that, it's really nice and has a good amount of pockets and storage. I love the inside zipper part to hold the extra visor.
Kelly
Holyrood, KS
Squad II
With my old backpack I've lost a lot of stuff due to zippers coming open. Not with Squad II, even at high speeds. I like it so much I gave one as a gift, he loves it to.
Nathan
Benton, PA
Great Pack
Very nice. Use it all the time. Well made, very useable.
Michael
Littlerock, CA
Squad II Pack Black
I wanted a pack that can carry my clothes, lunch, bike tools, sodas, tunes and helmet for work and play. I am not crazy about saddle bags or adding luggage racks on my motors so a back pack was my salvation. The fit was a bit snug but I am 5-11/230#. I tried smaller day packs but found it hard to organize everything I carry. The finish and long term durability is all top shelf. It is a bit higher in price than your equivalent sized day pack but the features, durability and looks are worth every penny. I am asked every time I wear it, "Who makes that pack" and "Where did you buy it" ? I carried everything needed for a 3 day trip in this pack and still had room for other items not on my trip list. I also like the fact that carrying this pack does not affect the handling of my bikes and it gives me the flexibility of riding different bikes without the hassle of changing or buying bags for all the different motors I own. Motorcycle Superstore has quick shipping and is a pleasure to do business with. ICON is the last word in motorcycle gear. That's my 3 cents worth.
Irwin C. Harrington
Queens Village, NY
Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
This back-pack is great with only a few minor issues, which I found as a big person. The straps were a little tight around my arms and shoulders. Even after adjusting the straps for comfort I found that they still were tight. Besides the tightness of the straps I think this pack with all of the extras provides riders with extra mental protection of knowing that cars would see them at night with its bright color. In addition, the various compartment of the pack makes it ideal for the rider who is always on the go and takes his or her work with them.
mike
meridian, ID
good product
The pack is a little small for what i wanted, but looks and fits great. I'm able to carry a change of clothes and my lunch for the ride to work.
Chris Verga
Phenix City, AL
All in one bag!!!
Well I was a little hesitant to buy the bag, but once I got it, WOW!!!! This bag holds everything!!! Much better that wearing a vest and then another vest around an assault pack. I fit a whole uniform including boots, and what ever I need for the day, and there is NO PROBLEM!!!!!! Padded and fits comfortably. Awesome product!! Thanks ICON....
chuck
Pleasanton, CA
Didnt fit me...
I dont know what skinny guys these are intended for. I'm a pretty big guy, 6'1", 240lbs, so maybe that's the problem, but over my mesh jacket it is too tight even with the straps all the way out, I can barely buckle the front. It's comfortable on the bike, but if it slips just a touch the top front buckle is on my throat. Also the arm straps are about 8 inches too short (they end up on top of my shoulders, not down toward my biceps and there is less that one inch of velcro touching to keep them on, both sides ended up flapping in the wind the one time I rode with them).
I would only recommend it to pretty small guys, but then the pack might be a bit long.
My laptop also did not fit well and having the zipper on the BOTTOM of the pack seems like a gravity-laptop incident waiting to happen.
Cliff
Rapid City, SD
Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
I ordered mine before I left Koera and when I got home I put it on and went down the road and after 10 miles it felt like I wasn't wearing it. Everytime I had to stop for fuel everyone said that it was a great pack and some bikers even asked where I got it. I use mine all the time back home when I went to work held all my gear and snacks. I would tell anyone that has a bike to get one.
Carlos Calderon
Torrance, CA
Typical Icon quality I like it with the exception of one thing; weight.
I found the bag to be too heavy. Everything else is basically what I expect from Icon. I bought it then passed it on to my friend.
Shawn Edwards
APO, AE
Couldn't be happier
I was using a Blackhawk tactical backpack to lug my stuff around.. which to go along with my black R1, and my black jacket, i was required to wear a vest... so now to have a backpack to eliminate the need for the vest, it's very nice! i rode 6 hours down from Venice to Rome and the pack was great on the highway, no movement, everything stayed closed and no flapping... i would recommend this to anyone in the military.. and unlike a previous review, my chief said that I can wear the backpack in my uniform since it conforms to Military regulations, it's more like wearing a reflective belt or a vest than a backpack, and since safety is the number 1 priority, i wear my backpack in my uniform all the time and no one says anything... great job icon!
Hambone
Miami, FL
Outstanding bag, but is it for the big fella?!?!?
The bag is great!
The fit is great with the comfortable harness around the shoulders, with a snug fit to the body. Sweet padding for the back. Only the arm loops give me problems. I have big arms, so that little velcro strap will not hold very well. I just added some more velcro to extend, and it works fine. I will need more visibility in the mornings now. I can remove them for the afternoon.
The finish is great! Great color and can be seen. Eventhough a Ford Expedition almost took me out, because the lady didn't see my sunburst orange busa. She finally stopped after she saw the pack on my back.
Durability will take some time.
Features are great. I have room for my helmet, uniform items, a laptop, and lunch...This is insane! I can pack for a small picnic. I will do that by the Miami river this weekend. Not sure about that ID card holder....Try a clear cover pocket you can slide your ID in. Easy to pull out, if the gate guard gets cocky. There are pockets everywhere, and I just found two more. They are perfect enough to hold my sunpass, so I don't have to stick it to my windscreen. Great product and I am looking to order the black one next.
Johnny Donaldson
Neenah, WI
This is the pack to buy!
Being in the military I weighed the costs of this pack or a vest for my outer cover. I went with the pack because of the functionality. I can carry tools, portable air compressor, a small battery charger, and still have room for some sodas, my helmet and my jacket when I'm not on my bike. I was amazed at how much this pack will actually hold. This pack is truly a street bike rider’s greatest accessory.
Wendell
Shreveport, LA
Good bag
I bought this backpack to preclude buying a vest. The pack is nice but an inconvenience to carry around since I cannot wear it as a backpack while in my AF uniform (we can only WEAR certain colors and oddly enough day-glo orange is not one of them :-)). However, it is still a great product. I've used the helmet storage compartment and put my jacket inside with no problems. The only thing I would change would be to put the ID card holders on the chest part vice the straps that go over your shoulders. Good job ICON!!!!
Patrick
Miami, FL
Squad Backpack
This is a great backpack for visibility. I've had friends tell me they could see me at night from a mile away! That's VERY important in a city like Miami, where NOBODY knows how to drive. Space is good - lots of pockets, creative placement of pockets, space for a laptop, a few smaller pockets. Fit is good- I like the way it clasps in front. Enough space for a weekend trip with a change of clothes & some personal items. Overall, I think this is a great backpack.
john
houston, TX
Icon - Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
Seems sturdy so far and I put my Shoei in it (not the drop down part) while at the gym, very reflective and fits well once adjusted...I took the sleeves off for quick access to jump on and go but they fit fine over my jacket size 44.....THOUGH if you are a big dude the sleeves may not wrap around, its something ICON needs to address as far as adjustment...maybe not fixed velcro.
Gary D. Courterier
Mountain home, ID
Icon - Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
I bought this pack, due to military regulations on motorcycle safety gear. Before this pack, I would have to wear a vest, and a pack. The vest must not be covered by the pack. It was a hassle trying to get everything situated and comfortable. This item is great as a day pack, and you can easily store all of your accessories if you don't have saddlebags.
larry willman
Silverdale, WA
ICON - Squad ll Mil-Spec Pack
Last year I loaded up my anniversary pack from another brand and road all the way to Gilroy Ca. in one day from the Seattle area. Problem is just as I arrived my pack blew out from weak straps, so I was tired not yet to my destination with a pack just barely hanging on. No way to start my Laguna Seca weekend. Had to ship all my stuff by via mail. So I can personally tell you what to look for in a solid pack for traveling and this Mil-Spec pack is what I'd wished was available then. After using it for a few weeks it is fantastic and money well spent. Get one now!
Jack
FPO, AE
Great Concept...
but the devil's in the details. The ID holders are poorly placed; i.e. the apex of my shoulders, and the neck/shoulder adjustments leave me chafed on occasion, but the balance of this pack and its compartments and added visibility are great compared to any other options in any pack market segment. Recommended ICON not put cardboard cards in the ID holders as mine were orange upon receipt. I have no doubt that ICON will get this spot-on in an updated model, but I'm more than satisfied with mine.
Dan
Staten Island, NY
Icon - Squad II Mil-Spec Pack
Amazing bag! Doesn’t feel like you are wearing a backpack; no strain on your shoulders, neck, back. Very padded, lots of great compartments and very visible to drivers. I would recommend to anyone.
Scott Servian
Navarre, FL
Great pack...but one major flaw
I had lost an ID, and bought this bag to take care of both the bag I bring everyday and the reflectivity I need, and as a great way to secure my ID and make going through the gate easy. I found that with my bag packed out and comfortably adjusted my badge holders would not stay down and sometimes come dangerously close to falling off. This culminated in exactly why i bought the bag happening again. My ID, still in the holder, flew away somewhere on the interstate. If you cinch the bag as tight as you can get it when fully loaded then the Velcro will sit more on your chest, but with any amount of slack they end up on your shoulder and the flat doesn’t mold to the round. I am very pleased with this bag though. I use it every day still. I would just be wary of that one thing. Everything else on it from all the pockets to the comfort and usefulness are top of the line
Stephen Harriau I
Centerville, PA
Pack, Mil spec
What a cool pack, I can't wait to try it. It really glows at night and it is very adjustable and comfortable.
Tony
San Diego, CA
Great but could be even better!
This is a great product from a great company. Saves me having to wear my vest plus another vest over my backpack when I ride on base. Quick and easy to don, won't weigh you down, and has a good amount of storage space although I wish it had a few more inner compartments.
Kim Budde
Rockford, MI
GREAT PACK
Just wanted to let you know that my husband loves his pack. He has not had a chance to actually USE it yet since we live in Michigan and bikes and snowflakes don't really go together, but once spring hits, he'll be packing it for sure! Thank you for the quick shipment also. That was greatly appreciated!
katherine
kekaha, HI
Mil-spec Pack
My husband was very grateful for the vest. Now he doesn't have to worry about my co-workers pulling him over on his way to and from work. I liked that it shows the exact Instruction printed right on the vest.
Chris
Athens, AL
Icon squad backpack
This product is a very nice backpack. It wears very well and has a lot of nice features. Make sure you measure your laptop and see if it will fit. I am very pleased with way it feels while I’m riding with no matter how much weight I have in it.
Josh
San Antonio, TX
Storage upon Storage!!!!
This is a must own for any military member or those just need a perfect riding back pack! More storage than you should need with this product and with safety being a big issue in any branch of the service, this answers the call with big patches of reflective material for hours of darkness and the body of the bag is a bright, contrasting orange color to stand out in the day helping you stay a bit more visible to the oblivious drivers that share YOUR road. It’s a safety vest and back pack all in one. Being a military member myself I know what it is like lugging your PT gear, uniform and any other items you might need to work, this bag easily fits all my storage needs and is padded very generously all around to prevent something poking you through the bag or to keep your shoulders from fatiguing on longer hauls. I could go on and on about this bag. Great buy! Would definitely recommend to any rider!
Russ
FPO, AP
My review for the pack
I have had the pack for about a month now and here are some pros and cons:
Pros: It has pockets and ID holders on both sides, useful for when you’re traveling internationally where you utilize both sides of the vest to show gate guards your ID.
The sheer amount of utility the pack has is amazing - laptop, helmet, visor, tool, first aid, cell phone
I love the fact that it is a pack and I don’t have to put a separate vest on it. Since I use a pack daily anyway, it's quite convenient.
Cons: Adjustability lacks, especially in the shoulders. Since the shoulder straps are sewn directly to the pack there is no way to adjust the pack up and down on the shoulders. Although the pack sits so low already that it nearly sits on the cowl as it is.
The ID holders need to be moved down an inch or two. As it is now they are located directly on the apex of the shoulder which means that the holder (with stif ID card inside) cannot latch flat to the pack, thus will blow away at anything above 80km. This has happened to me numerous times already so I attached it to the pack with string. The hard liner in the pack restricts helmet movement; I took this out to avoid this. As well the helmet sometimes catches the side or ID holder while turning the head.
In the end this pack is great for when you need to lug spare clothes ect around or for picking up packages at the post, however for your average roll about the town, go with the vest instead.
Greg Mutter
Bay St Louis, MS
Best Chioce
I have been searching all over for a motorcycle back pack. Out of all the ones I have reviewed, this is the one I purchased, and I am glad I did. So far it has been everything that it claims to be and more. I get many compliments, has plenty of room, very good fit even over a jacket. I can hold two bags of groceries with no problem. Love the helmet holder, no more helmets in hand when I go places. I have had plenty of bags in the past and this is the best one so far.
JOSE L VALENTIN
SAN DIEGO, CA
SQUAD2 MILSPEC
This back is awesome. There is nothing wrong or to complain about it. Especially for us in the military is perfect because we don't have to wear a reflective vest over the backpack as required. A lot of big and small storage compartments and the padding is very comfortable. I recommend this backpack to every rider.
Brandon
Honolulu, HI
Kinda pricey...
This pack was expensive I thought at first but it is really well made and has some really great features. I like how you can take the arm reflectors off and the helmet storage compartment is great. I wear this everywhere, not just on base. Lots of storage room and comfortable to wear. This is a WAY better option than a vest, I need to carry a backpack anyway, and this is the best of both worlds. GET ONE!
Jason Hall
Citrus Heights, CA
Great Pack!!
I got this pack after seeing it on line. Awesome pack! There is plenty of room for most things you'll carry along whether it be to and from work or to school. It really is designed well and seems to be very durable. I mainly got it because of the heightened visibility it give me as I ride day and night rain or shine. I took the armbands off but carry them with me for when the weather turns really bad i.e. night time fog, heavy rain, etc. It fits well and due to its design doesn't pull on the tops of your shoulder and put strain on your neck. It really works well on the sport bike riding orientation. If there was any drawback to mention it would be that with a heavy jacket on the straps over the shoulder get pushed up (they are thick) and sort of hinder looking over your shoulder, but this is really no big deal as I just tip my head down and look along my arm. Great Pack!!!
Travis Zellmann
clarksville, TN
ID holder
This backpack is great; it makes it very easy to get on and off of the military installation where I work. There is one major design flaw though; The ID holders on the shoulder straps are not secure w/ good Velcro. I've lost two IDs already and have had to tie the holder down so it won't fly off at highway speed. The Velcro on the mil-spec vest is great and there needs to be a design improvement on that part of the pack
Paul Lusk
Suquamish, WA
Icon Mil-Spec Pack
Now that I have lived with the Icon Mil-Spec pack for a while, I have formed some definite opinions, regarding fit, overall it's not bad. It's comfortable and fits well when I'm on the bike. I ride a cruiser and with the stepped seat it actually provides me with some back support. I like the arm straps however they need to be longer. I ride year round and the straps can be difficult to secure over layered clothing unless you have really small arms. I like the way the shoulder straps secure at the chest, but the buckles will slip and loosen over time. Finish I think is good. But I ride in a rainy area and the zippers could be designed with more water resistance in mind. Durability so far has been good with one exception. The zippers have a grab strap that will come off in your hand very easily unless you are really careful about how you use them. They snap back on, but it's irritating. I love the features! The main reason I got the pack was utility and visibility which are exceptional. There are lots of useful pockets and a laptop really will fit securely in the area designed for that purpose. The only complaint I have is the pockets in the chest strap area that are designed for a cell phone or IPOD. They would be more useful if they were bigger and the zippers were on the outside. I know they designed the zippers for weather resistance, but it makes for difficult usage.
Complaints aside, I like the pack and would buy it again. For what you get in usefulness, I believe it is worth the price.
Greg
Alta Loma, CA
Great Product
I've been looking for a reflective motorcycle backpack that can fit over a full jacket and this does it. Great visibility. I ride to work daily in So. Cal. often in the dark both ways. The first day I was riding, a car followed me into a gas station and asked me about the backpack stating they could see me from at least 1/2 mile away! It has plenty of storage space. It is a bit heavier and longer than a normal backpack but the trade off is great visibility.
Mal
Southern Illinois, IL
Excellent Pack
I ride my sport bike to work almost every day and this pack holds everything and then some. There are different size pockets literally everywhere. Well made and extremely comfortable (copious amounts of padding) when riding. I took the arm restraints off as they are not needed with the two chest clips. The orange color and reflective panels make me that much more visible to cages on the road, day and night. It is extremely easy to get on and off over both my motorcycle jackets, it does not get hung up on anything, unlike my old pack. I would recommend this pack to any bike rider. This pack will last for many, many years. Yes it is more expensive than some other packs but like they say, you get what you pay for and this pack is worth every cent.
Alfonzo
fort rucker, AL
Pack
I just purchased this pack and it is great. The chest straps makes it a more comfortable feel and also fills great when riding. The pack has many pouches which makes it easy to put everything you would need into the bag. The shoulder straps are easy to take off so if your worried about it don’t be. This pack is very well seen on the road, I was told that I was so visible that it was crazy. Recommend for those who need to carry stuff to purchase this pack.