Before we start this review, I want to say two things. One, I bought this utility belt right after writing about it at the beginning of August. I liked it then, and I like it now that I have used it. While there are a few niggles, this will be less of a review and more of a how-to. Second, I know that this color scheme makes it look like a carpenter’s tool-belt. Thanks to everyone who keeps pointing that out.
The belt is made for cyclists, and every part of the design shows this. The most obvious is the U-Lock holder on the back, which fits a Kryptonite Evo Mini, although as the belts are made to order you can specify another size. The Superhero is the full-sized nerd-belt (there is also a half-belt with less pockets), and is made from nylon or canvas sections mounted onto an old car seatbelt (we love the idea of dead cars resurrected as bike accessories). The whole thing is secured by Velcro, letting you adjust the size to fit over different clothes very quickly.
The Velcro feels odd at first. Because you can load up the Superhero with so much weight, it’s a little nerve-wracking not to have a proper clasp. In practice, the long wide strips are more than equal to a full load, and better, there is no buckle to dig into you.
So, the build-quality is fine, and worth the $120. What you all want to know is how does it work, and what do all those hooks and pockets do? I shall tell you.
At the back, you have the aforementioned lock-holster. If you’re the type that can’t spoil the lines of your bike with a lock-bracket, the holster is the most comfortable way to carry your lock. It slides in and out with a shove and a tug, and when you’re on the bike you can’t feel it. The rear position means that it often feels as if it might catch on the seat, but in practice mine never has.
Next around are a pair of elastic loops. I haven’t worked out a use for these yet (they’d hold a wrench, but that will fit elsewhere and be less dangly), so suggestions are welcome. Alongside these loops is a metal hook, onto which you can clip keys. One advantage of a belt for carrying your gear is that, when seated, it doesn’t jiggle much and you don’t feel any weight. This means the keys are silent on the bike, although you’ll jangle like a spinster kindergarten teacher’s ears when you start walking.
Then we come to the first pocket, which sits just behind the right hip, and can be left gaping open to carry a can of beer or cocktail shaker, or closed with a press-stud. This model is the Relaxed Superhero – Rust, which is made from waxed canvas and is floppier than the nylon, and also unpadded. Other belts have a zipper here. The open hole also works great for holding gloves or a cap, or anything you might toss in there.
Next to this is a Velcro-closing pocket that will fit a multi-tool or a cellphone. In fact, it’ll fit a cellphone, an iPod Touch and an iPod Nano, all at once. Being at the front right, it’s very easy to get to, even while riding. Finally, for this side at least, we get to the money pocket, which will hold a few notes and coins. The Superhero effectively closes off your pants pockets, so this is useful, if a little bit of a squeeze for the fingers. Because this pocket is sewn top and bottom, there is also space to squeeze an iPod Nano in behind it.
On the other side is a solitary pocket, but it makes up for its rarity with size. The zippered pouch looks like a whole fanny-pack on its own, and can fit a lot of gear inside. This could be a home for your toolkit: it’ll hold an inner-tube, multi-tool, 15mm wrench, patch kit, as well as a wallet. There’s also a small patch pocket at the back, where you could slide credit cards, a slim phone or an iPod, or cash money. You’d also get a mini-pump in here, but you don’t need to as right next door is a…
Pump loop. This is simply two pieces of Velcro that will wrap and secure a pump, and it is probably the dorkiest feature of all. It is also damn useful, as you don’t have to squeeze an awkward tube in anywhere else.
That’s it. As you can see, it looks great on, once you’ve got past the utilitarian construction-site aesthetic. I have even worn it off the bike, and it drew a mixture of looks, from curiosity to pity. And that was from people I saw walking towards me: God knows what the people behind me thought when they saw a bike pump hanging from my butt.
Product page [Fabric Horse]
Photos: Charlie Sorrel
Model: The Lady
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