Test: We subjected the USWE Airborne 9 to a practical test. The backpack can come up with a special carrying system, which should prevent unwanted movements of the same. The Airborne 9 is in the lower midfield in terms of size and is ideal for after-work laps or sporty day tours with reduced luggage.
The team behind USWE promises their products are "Made by Riders - for Riders". You often hear promises like that, but in this case it's true. The squad spent a lot of time on the bike and were annoyed by the backpacks from other manufacturers. They always felt that the products were actually designed for running and restricted movement when cycling. So they bought an old Husquarna sewing machine and got started. After several thousand hours of work and testing, USWE backpacks were born and in 2007 it became a business. They are unmistakable, as is the USWE Airborne 9, thanks to their carrying system. "No Dancing Monkey" is the slogan of the company. The guys from the German distributor SHOCKER DISTRIBUTION showed us that it works at the Eurobike 2015:
The Swedes have different models from two to 26 liters in the program. The Airborne is available with two, three, nine and 15 liters volume. It comes without a protector for the back. If you want one, you can go for the Patriot from the same house. To put it bluntly: nine liters volume is not lavish. But if you value a backpack that is stable and offers good freedom of movement, you will certainly be willing to show a little pragmatism when loading and to do without anything unnecessary.
The layout and the existing features are great. There is a lid compartment on the outside. This is divided inside with mesh so that tools, for example, can be organised. There are also tabs that hold air pumps and the like in place. This lid compartment of the USWE Airborne 9 is also the outside of the helmet compartment, which is open at the top. The has two adjustable straps at the upper end that can be opened and are equipped with a buckle. Everything can be stowed away from the half shell to the full face. Behind it there is a small zipped compartment in which small items such as a wallet or mobile phone are well kept. The compartment is said to be almost waterproof. The large main compartment sits directly on the back, in which two further subdivisions are hidden: a large mesh pocket, which fits a rain jacket, for example, and a zipped compartment for the hydration bladder.
The hydration bladder itself holds a massive 3 liters. It is very well made. The hose is detachable and the mouthpiece is comfortable. To keep it in shape despite the 3 liter volume, it has a reinforcement bar on the inside. Because the main compartment can be opened wide and there is a pocket with a zip inside, the bladder can be easily removed and inserted. But I can't recommend filling in much more than two liters. If the amount of liquid is too large, this creates a rounded back part in the rather compact backpack and it does not sit well on the back. The routing of the drinking tube, with the attachment via clip on the belt, is impeccable, and the exit over the shoulder strap is also well chosen.
As already described, the carrying system is unusual. Most backpacks have two shoulder straps, a chest strap and a waist strap. The USWE Airbourne 9 also relies on 4 straps, which meet on the chest. the closure is located in the center here. When you put it on, proceed as you would with a normal backpack, but instead of pulling the shoulder straps tight, connect them in the middle. The width is adjusted once, nothing changes when worn. A width adjustment is possible on all four straps and the adjustment range is large.
Both large and small drivers, very slim and also quite heavy contemporaries can carry the USWE Airborne 9. It sits really well on the back if you don't overload it or if the hydration bladder isn't full to the brim. Two out of four testers would have liked a better ventilated back. Difficult with a backpack that should sit particularly tightly and firmly on the driver. I don't understand why it is recommended as a unisex backpack. The potential wearer must already have a very compact décolleté to experience wearing comfort. The processing and the material appear consistently high-quality. The backpack is also pleasantly light at around 600 grams (without hydration system). Reflective inserts at the front and back increase safety at dusk.
