compose Lucas Winzenburg
time Jun 22, 2020
comment 0

Tested by Miles Arbour (@milesarbour)

Loaded with witchcraft and wizardry, the Alakazam Basket Bag is handmade in London, UK by Wizard Works. The Alakazam comes in two sizes, designed to fit Wald 137 and 139 baskets, and is available in a wide assortment of made-to-order colour and fabric combinations. Although Wizard Works may have a reputation for bright colours, the Alakazam I tested was made with a much more classic pairing of rust cordura and olive X-10 X-Pac.

The Alakazam uses a single large roll-top closure, with a massive expandable capacity from 9L to 36L for the smaller Wald 137 model. A large top flap keeps things in place via a secure velcro attachment, while two aluminum g-hook buckles attach the bag itself to the Wald basket. There’s a single zippered pocket on the top flap, as well as two sleeves on the back, facing the rider.

The floating interior liner is brightly coloured, to avoid losing small items, and assists with the overall weatherproofness of the bag. High density foam on the base and sides of the bag helps protect its contents and keep its shape. Although the seams aren’t sealed in any way, the water-resistant fabrics, floating liner, and burly construction have done a great job at keeping out some pretty awful weather. Overall, I’ve been very impressed with the Alakazam and believe it provides a great look into the attention to detail and superb craftsmanship Wizard Works has to offer.

compose Miles Arbour
time Dec 12, 2019
comment 2

Just announced, Wizard Works’ updated Alakazam Basket Bag is the product of multiple iterations over the last few years. Although small batches have been available at one time or another, the latest design is dialed and ready for the masses. It’s available in two sizes, designed to fit Wald 137 and 139 Baskets, which have proven to be a great addition to any basketpacking setup, and are among our personal favourites.

An expandable roll-top design with quick-access buckles offers massive carrying capacity, and a zippered pocket on top offers storage for smaller items. There are also two smaller pockets on the rear of the bag, facing the rider, that can be easily accessed on the go. When carrying loads that are just too large to use the standard flap closure, two extension straps secure things for riding. The bottom and lower sides are lined with foam for extra padding, and a simple shoulder strap is included for off-bike adventures. There’s also a floating, one-piece liner inside the bag to offer better waterproofing.

• Capacity: Wald 137: 9-38L, Wald 139: 20-70L
• Material: Rugged Cordura or X-pac outer with Bright Yellow Nylon Liner
• Weight: Wald 137: 750g, Wald 139: 1000g
• Place of Manufacture: London, UK
• Price: £165-£185
• Manufacturer’s Details: Wizard.Works.com

The Alakazam is handmade in London, UK, and retails for £165 (~$217 USD) for the readymade option. You can also choose your own two colours for £185 (~$243 USD).