My old transition bag is falling apart and it is time for me to buy a new one. Any suggestions?
I really think you should get zoot. The main difference between the smaller one and the bigger one is whether you want to have a pocket for everything. The bigger bag is really BIG. I posted a bunch of photos of it on a thread. The smaller one has enough space for everything and is probably sufficient.
The quality of the zoot bag is amazing.
I wish we could stop calling these “transition” bags. I’m tired of dodging the tent-sale layouts some people bring AND LEAVE in transition. Somehow people have taken the idea that these are “transition” bags to a fault and end up taking the equivalent of a 5000 square-foot-home with them into the already cramped quarters of a transition area.
Sorry. Rant off.
FWIW…I have an Asics duffel that helps me transport gear to/from transition. Works great. It usually stays in my car during the race. Transition area has shoes, helmet, glasses…sometimes an extra water bottle.
Saw a posting by a guiy who had the Zoot bag. He said that he is on his second one and neither has stood up very well.
How old is yours???
When you join USA Tri you get a discount to fuel belt. They have a nice cheap bag that I use.
I was the one who came up the name Transition Pack back in the early 90’s. In other words like slowman developing a product category for triathlon-specific wetsuits, I did it for triathlon-specific packs and bags.
New features include zippers on steroids, bigger wetsuit compartment, light-color interior for easier viewing of what is inside, and a travel compartment to store passports, maps, tickets, pens, sunglasses, keys, and money. This pack still has as a case made of soft-plush fabric for sunglasses, a vented mesh pocket inside, and a small tool pocket.
Outside there is a thermal insulated pocket to hold cold food, a mesh water bottle holder that fits a liter-size bottle, a waist strap and ergonomic padded shoulder straps with an mp3 or cell phone pouch, and a larger zippered mesh pocket.
Our pack is the first to have an adjustable buckled strap to hang the pack on the transition rack to get it off the ground. The pack has a volume of 4000 cubic inches. Included in the price is a 17x24-inch foldable changing mat to stand or sit on.
Emilio,
Thanks for your reply. What are the bag’s external dimensions?
Phread
I want to say I have had Desoto stuff and it is the best. I had one of their earlier bags and it was stolen, ****
**Who says crooks aren’t smart : ) **
Mine is still pretty new. I have no idea what the “guy” did to his zoot but I think I could drag this bag behind the car and not have a problem with it. It’s EXTREMELY sturdy.
honestly the best deal on a bag is the Rudy Project sunglasses freebie deal. You get sunglasses for around $150-250 and a free transition bag, tshirt, helmet, hat/visor. You need a club code to get it, I think.
I am thrilled with the zoot bag I got and I would also consider the smaller one just to save some space. But the rudy project deal is so good it’s hard to pass up.
I found probably one of the last in-stock Rocket Science Elite bags (at least in red and black) anywhere and loved having it at Lonestar. They’re having supply issues right now and don’t expect to have more until next month, but I really like the design. Separate zippered sections for running shoes and bike shoes. Waterproof bag for the wetsuit that also goes in its own section. Yet another divided section for post race clothes, etc. Padded sunglasses pouch, external helmet pocket. Great straps.
http://www.rocketsciencesports.com/Elite_Bag_Page.php#
There’s also the Rocket bag, which is basically the same except lighter and water resistant.
I like the rocket science bag, too! It’s a similar design to the larger zoot in that it has compartments for everything. It might even be superior in that you can access everything from the top of the rocket bag while the big zoot has side closure or at least requires you to lay it out and open it from the side if you want access to all the interior. Also, red and black is superior to silver and orange.
The Zipp bag is really nice. Has wetsuit storage underneath. Four bottle carriers. Two small internal pockets and one large internal pocket. Two shoe pockets that isolate your shoes from your gear, but which don’t affect the overall dimensions. There like cars with internal ski carriers - the pockets open on either end, and then billow out into the center of the bag. A helmet carrier on top (unfortunately doesn’t fit aero helmets). The bag is really big. Plenty of room for a change of clothes, etc. I actually use mine as luggage most of the time.
The Zipp is nice and popular. I prefer a backpack style for a long walk to a transition area.
Here are some photos of my zoot bag, right out of the box. http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2188481;search_string=zoot%20transition%20bag%20review;#2188481
The exterior dimension of this pack are approx 24" x 15" x 12", and this does not include the volume of the pockets or bottle holder.
Another note, notice the prices of our competitors packs and what you get compared to ours.
I have an earlier version of the De Soto transition bag and love it. Also, quite a bargain at $63 at the time. Plenty of room for everything. Will buy that brand again when ready for new one.
I ended up picking up an older Zoot and Rocket Science Bag on ebay. Both were decent deals, so good I decided to get both, then sell one. The Zoot was brand new, still had the tags. But it was bigger than the Rocket Science bag, but the RS bag just seemed more durable, I especially like the waterproof material the RS is made out of. While the RS boasts specialized little pockets and organizers, I almost found the zoot bag to have a better arrangemets of pockets and compartments to sepearte the wetsuit from the rest of the pack. The RS bag just puts snaggy labels on them, the Zoot gives you more of them. I wish the rocket science bag had a few of the zoot features, some of the interior compartments seem to be lighter weight to cut costs.
The interior zippers on both bags are pretty weak and will probably break after some hard use. I end up keeping the RS bag, because it seemed just better made and designed a bit better, but the Zoot was close. The zoot was just a bit big. I don’t do ironmans and didn’t need anything that big. Planning on selling it if anyone is interested PM me.
There probably is no perfect bag…