You know what I’ve never dreamed about?
A purse that costs more than my first car.
While other women are curating designer bags like they’re building a museum collection, I’m out here thrilled to the gills over a $150 backpack I found on a motorcycle website. Yep. A motorcycle site. Ha.
I Never Imagined Finding the Backpack I Needed on a Motorcycle Site.
I wasn’t even looking for it. I was supposed to be doing Important Travel Blogging Business (read: Googling dog-friendly campgrounds and comparing disc golf courses like my life depends on it), and somehow I ended up on VikingBags.com. Honestly, I almost just clicked the X and moved on, but first, I scrolled their “Adventure” category… and lo and behold.
That’s when I found it—the Explorer 12L Adventure Backpack.
It’s not a designer bag, it’s not covered in glitter, and it sure as hell won’t get me invited to anyone’s yacht party.
But what it will do?
- Carry my video equipment without falling apart.
- Strap snug to my body when I’m sprinting across disc golf fairways.
- Haul dog treats, spare batteries, charging cables and a hydration pack like it was made for us.
Talk about all-purpose… I mean, it even has a satellite phone holder on the shoulder strap.
I don’t own a satellite phone, but T-Mobile’s starting to roll out satellite texting with Starlink, so it’s kind of the same.
What Do RVers and Motorcyclists Have in Common? Apparently, This Backpack.
Turns out, motorcycle riders and RVers are living in the same pocket of reality.
- We’re hauling our entire lives in small spaces.
- We obsess over equipment that’s lightweight, multi-purpose, and won’t crap out when the weather gets iffy.
- And we both know that if it’s not comfortable to carry, it’s dead to us.
The Explorer Backpack ticks every one of those boxes:
- Ballistic Nylon build? Yeah, it can handle dog slobber, gravel, and a surprise rainstorm.
- Adjustable waist and chest straps? It’s basically the fanny pack’s cooler, GenX cousin.
- Multi-pocket design? My cables, batteries, snacks, and questionable chapsticks will finally have their own zippered spaces.
- MOLLE panel? Yes, I will absolutely be finding unnecessary accessories to clip to this like the gear hoarder I am.
Oh, and it comes with a 2L hydration pack. Which means this thing can carry my camera and my water and my random bag of peanut M&Ms, easily.
Why I’m Excited to Try This Bag
This isn’t a story about product placement.
It’s about finding gear that solves a problem without pretending to be something it’s not.
I didn’t need a bag made for RV life, printed with a cute little camper, or a dog-backpack with a cute little paw print.
I need a bag to keep up with me—someone who’s chasing her husband down desert trails one minute and across a hot, humid Midwestern disc golf course the next.
Weirdly, I never expected a bag built for motorcycle touring to be the solution I needed – but it’s on its way!
The Bottom Line: Practical > Pretty
I have never been “that girl” who needs glam and glitz – I need practicality and usefulness.
Do I think this backpack is going to save my life? Doubtful, although staying hydrated is keystone to adventuring.
Do I think it’s going to save my shoulders, organize my chaos, and look cooler than a $3,000 handbag sitting unused in an RV closet? Hell yes.
Sometimes, it pays to look outside your comfort zone – you might be amazed at what you find! Maybe I’ve just stumbled onto a new content series – “Shopping Adventures” – where we plunder and pirate equipment from other niches to solve practical solutions. Hmmmm. 🤔
Stay tuned, I’ll give you an update when we get the backpack in hand! (Shipping while living in an RV can be a challenge!) We’ll let you know how it goes…
