Makeshifters Snackhole, made from waxed canvas or wool felt, is sure to bring some colour and flair into your bike. We take one bikepacking in Baja California and report back on how it weathered the ride and fared in the sea air
In our time at BIKEPACKING , we’ve seen more than a few stem bags that look like feed bags.. These tiny cubby holes can be extremely useful. You can put in water, trail mix, your Opinel, a lens or other beach items.
Makeshifters Snackhole Stem Bag stands out from its competitors because of its gorgeous design that combines hardwearing waxed canvas with a colorful and distinctive felt finish. The Snackhole comes in many color options (both felt-and canvas), and has names such as peacock, spice, moss, and moonlight to reflect its individuality. Makeshifters distinctive double triangle patch, seen throughout their products, really adds character to your ride. We are not talking about any wool. This is felted Merino, not less.
In terms of general design, the Makeshifter Snackhole follows the classic feedbag recipe, at least for the most part. Still, lets run through it all, so you can see what your gets you. There are three attachment points that can be used to attach the bag to the stem, handlebars and headtube using one-wrap Velcro. You can attach the bag to either side of your stem. The top of the bag has a daisy chain with contrast stitching. It can be used to clip on keys or slide in sunglasses.
To keep dirt and dust out, the Snackhole has a drawstring closure and a ripstop liner. Although it is a thinner material than other feed bags, Makeshifter has since revealed that they plan to use a heavier-duty material. You might spill your drink while riding in a downpour. The bag’s base has a grommet that drains liquids.
Material-wise, we were talking about a combination felt and 340gm waved canvas. The latter is actually treated using triple-filtered beeswax. Becky from Makeshifter says that this adds water resistance and imparts a beautiful floral-honey smell. It was not something we noticed after a few weeks in Baja California. However, we are all for natural products that add character and life to our lives.
Unfortunately, the white felt, as lovely as it is to look at, is also prone to picking up dirt and dust. It is okay to consider some dirt and dust part of bikepacking. However, after a few weeks on dirt roads, the felt will not look as good as it did when it was first installed. The waxed canvas is a great choice. It weathers well. It is also very high quality in terms of build and stitching.
Pros
- A special piece of kit
- Waxed canvas adds durability and good looks
- Roomy outer pockets
- Feel-good vibes
