"LIGHTNING RIDER" SLING BAG 12L

USD 299

INTERNATIONAL FREE SHIPPING
(exceptional for some countries)
(Shipping DOES NOT include import taxes / VAT.)

Foil Stamped Leather Name Tag, red leather

Design Concept
Features & Specs
Q & A

Ever since our ingenious convertible concept of the Spacejumper by designer Albert Yuan back in 2015, we have always been fascinated by the idea of foldable bags.

So when a member of WOTANCRAFT started commuting to work on a fixed gear bicycle, and wished for a bike messenger bag, Albert told him:

"No.

You ride for over 2 hours everyday on hot summer day, you don't want a large bodied bag that stifles your sweat soaked back. What you need is a small, compact bag that can carry a lot more when required. I will design one for you."

And in less than a week, Albert came up with an original prototype, a WOTANCRAFT design made for riders, a unicorn of sling bags.

Shape
Shifting

"A rectangular shaped sling bag that transforms into the size of a hand clutch... and vice versa."

With this design, we were able to use Rider Series bags per occasion, either as a rider bag, shoulder bag, or even just an iPad or laptop sleeve.

How did WOTANCRAFT make this possible?

Out of personal preference, designer Albert Yuan adapted a "pliable" bag structure that is less common in the world of men bags.

The Rider Series is framed with Wotancraft Duelcoat Fabric, meaning that the profile side of bags are extremely pliable, capable of extending space in an instant. All it takes is a simple release of the 2 front leather fasteners, to fully release the rectangular interior space.

In winter times, cycling to work can cause you to take your windbreaker jacket on and off, depending on how warmed up / cooled down you are from pedaling.

With the extendable bag space, you can stuff your jacket / garments / shoes inside, facilitating item storage and access en route.

The dimensions of the Easy / Night / Lightning Rider makes a perfect camera bag, with help from the right accessory.

With the shock resistant QUICK DRAW CAMERA INSERT (optional accessory), the Rider Series can carry up to 2 full-frame mirrorless camera body, plus 3 lenses. Without a top flap, it makes it quick and easy to access your camera and gear from the Rider Series.

The interior pockets are designed to be inconspicuous.

3 pockets are aligned in the same height, with hidden zippered pocket for passport and wallet. The Lightning Rider also has a laptop compartment that can fit up to a 14” MacBook Pro.

The exterior zippered pocket fits 700ml water bottle, a suitable size for commuter hydration.

3-Point
Stabilizing

When you are sprinting on a bicycle with your torso leaning down, the body of a shoulder bag can easily slide down to your belly, causing instability.

The common solution with an auxiliary strap for 3-point stabilization requires a quick release buckle, but we felt that it is too "modern" for our taste.

Albert Yuan came up with an ingenious solution.

WOTANCRAFT's auxiliary fastener uses thick leather, with small hook buckle attached at the end.

The base end of the fastener will be buckled to the bag, with multiple holes for adjusting length, making sure that the auxiliary strap is not too tight or loose.

When riding, clip the auxiliary strap to the "stud buckle" on the leather shoulder strap pad.

The auxiliary strap will wrap around the arm, stabilizing the bag to the upper back. This reduces the "bounce" when riding at high speed and the bicycle starts to bump, giving the rider more stability and focus.

Materials
& Crafting

The front plate of Rider Series displays unevenly corrugated surface, like calm waves in the sea. When you run your fingers across it, the rigidity of the waves whisper a simple fact:

"you have never seen a leather bag like this."

Such artistic feature is done with "hand crunching", a time consuming cowhide leather treatment performed by artisans in a small Italian tannery. You will never find 2 pieces of hand crunched leather with the same pattern.

We use the iconic WOTANCRAFT battle-distressed cowhide leather as accent for the Rider Series.

The oil tanning process gives this leather more pliability, as well as providing an unique aesthetic effect:

When you bend the leather, the oil among the leather fibers will be squeezed and shift, causing the surface to manifest a temporary dual-tone color.

Such characteristic is called the "Pull-Up effect", which greatly enhanced the vintage look of the leather.

Pull-up effect color creases, aging potential from vegetable-tanning, and coupled with the skin pores and distresses of thick full-grain leather...

These remarkable features give the leather a "vintage soul", which is like nothing you've seen in common chrome-tanned leather materials.

The beauty of this leather is its potential to "mature", thus creating a very personal piece of history, which is something we came to appreciate in faded raw denim and broken-in leather boots.

WOTANCRAFT knew from our camera bag making history that to build a reliable heavy duty bag, the generic poly or cotton based thread simply wouldn't hold.

We've adapted the "Bonded Nylon" thread, a thread type based off the ultra tough Nylon 6.6 fiber with protective coating, capable of sustaining chemical and elemental corrosion, and commonly used on leather products that needs to sustain use and abuse, such as leather boots or saddles.

Designer Albert Yuan created these original sling bag concepts to accommodate specific needs, but its versatility does grow beyond the initial expectation.

You are probably not a bulk bag kind of person. You like to keep your everyday carry light, and ride your bike regularly through city streets.

Take a few more reads to understand the Rider Series. You may come to realize that, regardless of its originality unseen before, the Rider Series is actually an old friend who truly knows what you really need.

2021 FEATURES

For better laptop access, the velcro for the laptop compartment has been canceled.

Features

The older it gets, the better it looks.

Built from vegetable tanned Creta leather, the WOTANCRAFT Rider Series will show patina after a period of usage. The patina will come in contrast with the surface dye, creating a bag with an old soul and vintage traces.

※ When in use, dark color clothing are recommended to avoid color fade/patina from transferring onto them.

Designed for riders, the 3-point stabilizing strap prevents the bag from swinging back and forth

Expandable Storage Space

For twice the storage space, simply loosen the front leather straps. The “Gator Style” front ends prevent the front leather straps from slipping out of the keepers.

Multiple Carrying Methods

Single shoulder, across the chest and hand held by the padded grab handle

To optimize the main compartment, optional Velcro module pockets are available “CLICK HERE”

Dimensions

Foldable main compartment
Expanded 35 x 25 x 14 cm / 13.7 x 9 x 5.5 inch(12 Litres)

Bag dimensions can be adjusted with leather fasteners

Can fit light jacket, headphones, foldable umbrella... etc.

With the optional "quick-draw camera insert", you can use this bag as a camera bag, capable of fitting full-frame mirrorless camera system 1 body + 2~3 lenses. CLICK HERE to see the insert product in the OPTIONAL COMBO menu.

Padded laptop compartment
35 x 25 cm / 13.7 x 9.8 inch

Fits 14 inch MacBook Pro (CLICK HERE to compare MacBook sizes)

Zippered front pocket
25 x 15 cm / 9.8 x 5.9 inch

Fits iPad Mini (CLICK HERE to compare iPad sizes)

internal zippered pocket
18 x 20 cm / 7 x 7.8 inch

Fits passports

Internal phone pocket
8.5 x 20 cm / 3.3 x 7.8 inch

Can fit iPhone XS MAX (CLICK HERE to compare iPhone sizes)

Internal pen pocket
2.5 x 20 cm / 0.98 x 7.8 inch

Shoulder Strap
76 ~ 109 cm / 29.92 ~ 42.91 inch

Stabilizing Strap
39 ~ 48 cm / 15.35 ~ 18.9 inch

Weight
± 1.2 kg / 2.64 Ibs

Materials

Dualcoat Water Repellent Waxed 500D Nylon Canvas

"Battle-distressed" cowhide leather (CLICK HERE to see more)

Hand-crunched Italian cowhide (CLICK HERE to see more)

Ultra-strength bonded Nylon 6,6 thread

Medical grade durable micro-fiber lining, less likely to fuzz after Velcro attachments

Cotton fabric liner

Zinc alloy

high-density EVA foam padding (backplate)

YKK Zippers with rustproof coating

Package include

main bag x1

detachable shoulder strap x1

detachable auxiliary strap x1

dustproof bag x1

Q & A

Q: What is the warranty period for WOTANCRAFT creations?

A: WOTANCRAFT creations have a 3 year warranty period. (CLICK HERE for further details)

Q: What's the main difference between this bag and the EASY RIDER / NIGHT RIDER?

A: This bag has a padded 14 inch MacBook Pro laptop compartment, which the other bags don't.

Exterior-wise, this bag is like a heightened EASY RIDER / NIGHT RIDER, which makes it look more like a briefcase when hand carried, and has a bigger capacity when expanded.

Q: Can I put camera inside this bag?

A: The bag doesn't have all-around EVA foam padding, if you wish to carry camera gear, we suggest ordering the optional "quick-draw camera insert" via the OPTIONAL COMBO menu. CLICK HERE to see.

Q: How to install the 3-point strap system?

A: Please follow the images above.

※These instructions are for left shoulder cross-chest users. If you wish to wear it from the right shoulder, simply change the leather end of the straps to the opposite D-ring.

Q: When not riding, can I remove the 3-point stabilization strap?

A: Yes, main strap and the auxiliary strap can both be detached.

Q: Can the 3-point stabilization strap adjust length / tightness?

A: Yes.

Q: The 8 shaped hole on the leather strap fasteners seem smaller than the stud hardware, is this normal?

A: Yes, when fastening the leather strap, you need to stuff the stud hardware halfway into the 8 shaped hole, and press the leather to stuff the leather edge across. This way the leather strap will be fastened more securely.

Q: Can this bag fit a laptop?

A: Yes, it has a padded laptop compartment that fits 14 inch MacBook Pro. (CLICK HERE to compare MacBook sizes)

Q: Is the bag waterproof?

A: It can withstand mild rain / snow conditions. The leather parts are slightly water-repellent, but with time water will gradually seep through.

Q: Does the leather require any special attention or maintenance?

A: CLICK HERE for more details about how to care for the WOTANCRAFT leather.

Q: Will the leather parts dye my white T-shirt?

A: WOTANCRAFT vegetable tanned leather is dyed with natural processing, therefore color does shift to lighter surfaces, so please avoid contact with white or light colored clothes and objects.

See all RIDER sling bags

Design Concept
Features & Specs
Q & A

If you have any questions regarding the ordering process at WOTANCRAFT, click here for more details.