Cordo Zuidkaap Blue Laptopbag/Pannier

Very similar to Cordo's Tafelberg we reviewed recently, the Zuidkaap has a few alternative features that allow it to fill a slightly different niche.

It's still very much a laptop bag/pannier made from tough fabric with rugged straps and some great padding to protect your computer, but it's orientated the other way round from the Tafelberg. Where the Tafelberg is a horizontally shaped bag, the Zuidkaap is vertically inclined, with the laptop sitting end-on in the bag. Like its sibling, it's designed to carry a 15' or smaller laptop or notebook, with plenty of padding and a really well designed protective sleeve. There are plenty of pockets in which to store bits and pieces, but the Zuidkaap is more slimline than the Tafelberg, with a smaller cargo area (12 litres quoted storage rather than the Tafelberg's 19). There are still fold in flaps to keep the weather out and good reflective accents, visible whichever side of the bike you mount the bag on.

There's a pocket in which you can tuck away the carry strap, and there's a flap that fastens over the Velcro for when you want to carry it as a bag. It's a bag with a Jekyll and Hyde personality. The more vertical design does make it less carry-friendly as a briefcase type option, but the converse is also true, in that it's better suited to use as a pannier with its less intrusive dimensions- this orientation means it's a lot less likely to catch your heels when rack-mounted. Good solid adjustable Rixen and Kaul fastenings mean it's rugged and should fit most racks.

Essentially, the Zuidkaap is a pannier that can be used as an office bag, where the Tafelberg is an office bag that can be mounted as a pannier. The distinction is obviously a very fine one and the choice of which to buy will depend entirely on personal preference. For me the Tafelberg ticked more boxes, but if you're likely to always use the bag as a pannier then perhaps the Zuidkaap is a better option. Another good value rugged office bag though.

Verdict

Well made, rugged and protective. Ideal for frequent use as a commuting pannier.