Would You Wear an Air-Filled Cycling Backpack If It Could Reduce Drag and Improve Safety?

Inspired by paragliding, the innovative design makes bold promises, yet the lack of performance data leaves questions about its true impact.

Ram Air Fairing (RAF), a Hong Kong-based company, will soon launch a crowdfunding campaign for their “Pioneering Bike Backpack,” which, according to the brand, is designed to reduce drag and enhance safety while riding on the road. This “one-of-a-kind accessory” aims to set cyclists apart on the road, yet it remains unclear if it is also meant to carry items.

Inspired by paragliding, the RAF 1 backpack features a streamlined shape, lightweight materials, and integrated ventilation to minimize air resistance and enhance cycling performance, according to its makers. Despite claims of reduced fatigue and increased speed, no specific data on air drag reduction was provided by RAF at the time of this writing.

RAF’s founder, Calvin Ku, a professional paraglider, sought to merge paragliding principles with cycling to reduce resistance and elevate the riding experience. Key features include temperature-regulating ventilation and a contemporary design available in black, white, and blue. The backpack offers practical functionality with “ample storage,” durability, and ergonomic comfort.

RAF also claims the backpack improves safety with integrated airbag protection, though its performance in crosswinds, falls, or crashes remains uncertain. The 299 g (0.66 lbs) backpack measures 95 x 35 x 65 cm (37.4 x 13.8 x 25.6 in).

While the principle of attached airflow to minimize drag is well-documented, RAF provides no wind tunnel data or specific performance metrics. The backpack’s design team includes Ku, a professional paragliding pilot; Wang Qiang, an expert in aeronautics and systems engineering; and James Wen, with 22 years of experience in sports equipment manufacturing.

Pricing information is currently unavailable. For more information, visit their Kickstarter or ramairfairing.com

Rosael is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia (Lenape land), where she enjoys the city’s obsession with sports and its accessible trail systems and cycling community. She has a bachelor’s in Communications and Journalism from the University of Puerto Rico.

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