Test: The Ortlieb Airflex 11 is a compact trail backpack with the proven Ortlieb robustness and, as the test should show, extremely high wearing comfort.
Founded in 1982, Ortlieb quickly established itself in the bike and outdoor scene and has always stood for "guaranteed waterproof" and "extremely hard-wearing". But not only the quality of the products has top priority at Ortlieb, also in terms of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), the Middle Franconians set themselves high standards with their sustainability program "Ortlieb cares - 4 Summit 4 the Future". The "4 summits" stand for Ortlieb's core business, so that economic profit does not come at the expense of the environment and society.
Simple, practical, well thought out
With a volume of eleven liters and a weight of 11g, the Ortlieb Airflex 650 is, as the name suggests, the smallest of our bike backpacks. And so after the first "technical data" you don't expect a big enough backpack, just big enough for a day tour - so the assumption. But when you arrive at the editorial office, the puristic and unfussy backpack design causes amazement. Not only does a rain jacket and rain pants fit comfortably in it, a hydration bladder (not included in the scope of delivery) and much more can easily be accommodated.
At a glance: The Ortlieb Airflex 11
Height 42 cm
Width 26 cm
depth 12 cm
Weight 650 g
Volume 11 l
Material PS21 / PS42
Price 99,99 EUR
The removable tool/inner pocket with integrated key carabiner is particularly practical. So you can quickly pack the most important things and switch between the different backpack sizes without having to repack for a long time. In addition to the large, guaranteed waterproof main storage space, there are two drawstrings on the outside of the backpack for attaching a helmet, protectors or clothing. Two (non-waterproof) side pockets for quick access also complement the Ortlieb Airflex 11 perfectly.
Certainly good through bad weather
The well thought-out concept of the Ortlieb Airflex 11 also keeps its promises on the outside. Two integrated reflectors ensure safety on the road and a flashing light can also be easily mounted on the bracket provided. The practical roll closure keeps the backpack absolutely tight even in the most adverse conditions. Moisture and rain cannot penetrate, nor can air escape from the backpack. The airtight property is surprisingly noticeable in the wearing comfort. If the backpack is only minimally loaded, the excess air can be squeezed out by clever closing, so you "fix" the packaged goods and nothing wobbles or rattles - even on rougher trails.
Surprisingly comfortable
Surprisingly, the Flex Wire carrying system is very comfortable. The foam padding is airy and offers sufficient ventilation even on long tours. The whole thing is stabilized by a wire frame, so the back plate remains dimensionally stable and distributes the weight evenly on the back. This construction means that the storage space is "decoupled" from the back, so even an overloaded and fully packed backpack does not have a negative impact on carrying comfort. The Ortlieb Airflex 11 is fixed with a chest strap and a waist strap.
