TEST: In contrast to all other test candidates, the Vaude Moab 4 bicycle hip bag is constructed with a stiffer, pre-shaped interior. Whether this offers advantages and You can find out how the hip bag performs on the trail here.
Vaude Moab 4 bicycle hip bag in the test
At first glance, Vaude's Moab 4 hip bag seems a bit bulkier than comparable test candidates. This is due to the pre-formed interior, which makes a very good impression at first glance. A drinking bottle sits safely and deep in the hip bag, the spare tube has its own compartment and everything else looks clear and tidy. The sustainable company from Lake Constance also relies on a wide, stretchy hip belt that promises a lot of comfort. Hidden in the left fin pocket you can even find a rain cover - the only one in ours Best list of hip bags 2023.
Facts & figures
Compartment layout & inner workings
As already mentioned, Vaude is taking a completely different approach with the pre-formed interior. The hip bag is very comfortable to handle and everything has its place. A special compartment for the replacement hose is particularly practical. The lid compartment is also well divided - in addition to tools, you can also store your wallet and bars here. The catch: None of the compartments are big enough for a compact air pump - only small pumps with cartridges fit here. In addition, the pre-shaped interior itself takes up some space, which is why items of clothing can only be stored in the fin pockets. In the right fin pocket you will find a small inner pocket for a key or a tool.
With a little darning, there is also room for a piece of clothing in the left fin pocket. This bag is slightly more spacious and also includes a hidden raincover that covers the bag well. However, our test bottle with 0,75 L and screw cap was too high. The maximum bottle size under the raincover is probably limited to around 0,6 L.
The bottle comes into a pre-shaped compartment in the middle and sits firmly and stably. Large bottles of 1 – 1,5 liters should also fit here. The smartphone goes into the flat pocket between the water bottle and your back. It's safely stored there, but difficult to remove if the hip pocket is tight.
Strap & adjustment options
The wide, elastic strap on the Vaude Moab 4 hip bag ensures it is very comfortable to wear. In addition to the Velcro fastener on the strap, there is also a strap with a buckle that can be easily adjusted. A large adjustment range makes the hip bag interesting for narrow and strong people. Thanks to the elastic strap, the hip bag always sits tightly, but does not constrict.
There are no compression straps, but the pre-shaped interior means the contents stay in place quite well, so the hip bag doesn't need a strap.
In action & on the trail
The shape of the Vaude Moab 4 hip bag hugs the hips quite well. This means that the hip bag practically doesn't wobble, even when it's very full. The seat is also very comfortable and impressive - not least because of the comfortable belt. If there is only a small amount of small content in the fin pockets, it can fly back and forth in the pockets.
When it comes to handling, Vaude knows how to impress with the Moab 4 Hip Pack: The arrangement of the compartments and pockets makes sense, but the cell phone remains difficult to grab in the pocket provided.
