Boblbee Megalopolis review
Mason Leuck - May 2nd, 2025
I recently picked up a Boblbee Megalopolis backpack since I will be commuting to work by motorcycle more often this summer. I needed a bag that had flexible storage capacity, was rigid and supportive on the bike, and had decent internal protection for both a laptop and occasional rain gear if needed. I came across the Boblbee - which meets all of these needs while supposedly serving as a CE lv2 back protector.
The Boblbee bags seemed to have a lot of popularity decades ago, and continue to have popularity in the Japanese market. they are now produced with “Point 65n” labeling, and slightly different design. The 2025 parallel to the Megalopolis would be the GT25L. This bag I picked up from eBay was one of the original models that was sold purely under the Boblbee name with a very cool hardshell look. It can be customized in a variety of colors and accessories can be added to alter the function and look.
Right away the build quality of the bag is apparent, it has very thick padding on both the lumbar area and shoulder pads, which are very soft. It has plenty of room for adjustment, and fits very well over motorcycle gear even with the padding on the shoulders. I have not ridden with this bag for long durations, but I imagine it would not cause any discomfort. The lumbar area is made of some sort of faux leather material, which could cause breathability issues if worn with a lumbar belt. I dont imagine this will become a huge issue on the motorcycle. The bag sits tightly, and I would expect it to do its job of offering protection if needed. Since it is a hardshell, it can be cleaned and polished with automotive wax to maintain a shiny, fresh look.
Aerodynamics of the bag feel better than a softshell unsupported backpack, and since it is completely rigid it does not flop around at all. The internal storage area fits about a 15” laptop without issue and it is held in tightly to the back of the bag. It has stacked organizational pockets on either side of the internal storage, and a zipper storage area in the rolltop. This is plenty of organization for my needs. My one complaint is that it does not utilize the bottom curved area of the bag for storage of flat, tall items.
I have the lumbar cassette external storage upgrade. This adds a claimed 10L of storage, and can be flipped down for easy access, or stowed up to keep it out of the way. I haven’t had the need to store additional items in this attachment, so I typically remove it. in the flipped down position the lumbar fins can be a little floppy as well, which doesn’t affect the function but isn’t confidence inspiring either. I typically leave the cassette flipped up. The bottom roll storage area of this attachment is great when you use it. I would suggest anyone looking to get the cassette to instead consider the tube attachment that is offered instead.
One of my biggest complaints about this bag is that it does not sit well when taken off. The bottom of the bag is the strange curved area, and since the plastic makes contact with the floor it slides very easily. This makes the bag hard to deal with at a cafe or the office. I have found success in hanging it off the back of a chair if I am able.
Overall, this bag has a very niche target market but meets its needs very well. I recommend looking to purchase one used. They can be found for as little as $120 in the used market. The quality of the bag is exceptional, but it is very hard to justify paying the retail price for it ($300). At the end of the day, it is up to each person to determine whether or not the bag is worth it to them, I really like it despite its flaws, but there are certainly better options especially if purchasing retail.
