We tested the new Gobik Stow 35L: every cyclist needs a backpack like this

Gobik has just presented its Gobik Stow 35 backpack, but we were able to get it a little earlier and have been using it for several weeks. We loaded it with everything a cyclist puts in the car before a ride or a race: shoes, helmet, a complete change of clothes, glasses, Garmin, tools, and a laptop for work. Here’s what we found.

The new Gobik Stow 35L backpack makes the pre-ride ritual much more comfortable

Any cyclist who leaves home to train, travel, or compete knows what it’s like to deal with shoes here, a helmet there, glasses in another bag, clothes crammed in, and a Garmin that appears in the last pocket you check. The new Gobik Stow True 35 liters arrives with a very clear proposal: stop improvising and give each piece of equipment its place.

Construction and materials

The body of the Stow is made of 600 denier ripstop nylon with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating. On paper, it sounds like jargon; on the backpack, it translates to a rigid fabric with a very subtle matte sheen that conveys robustness in hand. The finish appears resistant to abrasion and, although Gobik does not market it as waterproof, it can withstand light rain and ambient humidity—something appreciated if you let it peek out between the car and the finish box under a few drops.

RECOMENDADO

Narváez claims his second victory in the Giro with a display on the walls of Fermo

Egan Bernal had "his best 40 minutes" and still lost almost three minutes to Vingegaard

Pogacar activates Tour mode in Sierra Nevada

Vingegaard shatters the Blockhaus record with an attack averaging 450 watts

Why the UAE time trial tires do not explain the falls in the rain at the Giro

Lance Armstrong is helping to create the XCO circuit for Los Angeles 2028

The dimensions are 50 cm high, 32 cm wide, and 22 cm deep. It’s a large backpack but not exaggerated: it fits in a trunk alongside the bike without issue and fits many carry-on luggage sizes (most airlines accept it), although it’s advisable to check each airline's restrictions before planning a flight with it. 

Organization: the real argument

This is where the Stow shines. The main compartment is spacious and clean, with two internal zippered pockets and several side mesh pockets to keep small items from getting loose. From there, everything else is designed so that each accessory has its place.

The lower shoe compartment is independent, with its own closure, and keeps the shoes separate from the rest of the contents. It sounds obvious, but it means no more putting muddy shoes inside a fabric bag next to clean clothes. A pair of size 42 road shoes fits effortlessly, with room for XC shoes with bulkier cleats.

The padded side pocket for a laptop surprises for two reasons. First, because it fits a 16-inch laptop—with an interior space of 42 × 30 cm and a 36 cm zip opening. Second, because that side access allows you to take out the laptop without opening the main compartment, which is useful in airports and quite uncommon in cycling backpacks.

Additionally, there are three details that make a difference in day-to-day use. The top pocket with a fleece lining keeps glasses safe without needing a case and without scratching against the zippers of other items. The hidden front pocket with a magnetic flap quickly holds keys, wallet, and phone with a closure that doesn’t open on its own. And the elastic side pocket holds a 750 ml bottle upright without it falling out while walking.

External systems and details

On the front, there are two metal hooks specifically designed to hang the helmet. It’s a firmer solution than the usual elastic straps found on other backpacks and solves one of the most uncomfortable gestures of transport: carrying the helmet without it bouncing around. It hangs securely and doesn’t move.

The reflectors are placed in strategic areas to improve visibility in low light. It’s not a backpack designed for riding with it on, but these details always add up, and you never know when they might be useful.

Another important detail is the independent accessory bag for dirty clothes that comes included. It’s a lightweight textile bag, with enough space for a complete soaked outfit, and keeps the rest of the contents isolated. After a ride in the rain or a muddy race, putting wet clothes in its bag before closing everything completely changes how the backpack smells the next day.

There’s one last touch that appears when you first open the front magnetic pocket: inside there’s a small bag with interchangeable zipper pulls in gray and orange. It’s almost anecdotal, but it allows you to change the look of the backpack or add a color contrast to the most used zippers for easy identification at a glance.

Ergonomics and carrying

The back area has high-density padded panels that distribute the load without transferring uncomfortable pressure to the back. The straps are ergonomic, padded, and well-sized for different shoulders, and the adjustable chest harness stabilizes the backpack when it’s full. There’s one detail that is especially appreciated among cyclists with very different torsos: the front closure allows you to adjust the height of the chest strap in up to four positions, so the buckle sits exactly where you need it, not where the backpack decides.

When loaded with everything, the backpack feels centered, and it’s carried without the load tipping to one side. The chest harness makes a difference when you’re in a hurry: without it, a well-loaded 35-liter backpack sways more than it seems.

After several weeks of using it—training away from home, a short trip, a couple of outings with car transport, and as a work backpack with a laptop inside—the Stow delivers on its promises. Organization is not just a catalog argument: when you arrive at the car before a ride and everything is where it should be, the difference is real.

Where it works best is as a ride backpack. You arrive at the parking area, open the shoe compartment, and put them on; take the helmet from the front hooks; the glasses from the top pocket; the keys and phone into the magnetic pocket. There’s no need to empty it to find anything. On the trip, the option to put the laptop in without it interfering with the cycling gear greatly increases its utility. And the accessory bag prevents the typical mess of returning home with soaked clothes.

What we like most

• Real organization: each piece of equipment has its place without having to fight with zippers.
• Laptop compartment up to 16" with side access, very useful for travel and commuting.
• Metal front hooks for the helmet, firmer and safer than elastic straps.
• Included waterproof accessory bag for dirty clothes, separated and with good capacity.
• Construction in 600D ripstop nylon with TPU; careful and robust finishes.
• Thoughtful details: adjustable front hanger at four heights and interchangeable zipper pulls (gray and orange) included.

What to keep in mind is that 35 liters can lead you to pack more weight into the backpack. It’s a perfect size, in terms of volume, to carry everything necessary, but you should consider that if you have to make long trips or connections between several hours of rides, you can turn it into a very heavy backpack if you set your mind to it. On the other hand, its price of €115 places it in the mid-high range, but the equipment and construction quality justify it.

The Gobik Stow True 35L solves the problem for cyclists who no longer want to leave home with three different bags. It’s not a hydration backpack nor a backpack for riding; it’s an equipment backpack, and in that area, it does well what it claims to do. If you train away from home, travel to races, or add commuting to cycling, it fits into the routine effortlessly.

Here you can find the backpack and the rest of Gobik's new products.