When I volunteered to review a new product called a ‘˜Quivver‘, I wasn‘t sure what to expect. Advertised to ‘˜protect your money, mobile and keys so you can focus on the journey‘, Quivvers are essentially small, smart organizers designed to be worn either over the shoulder or as a fanny pack. Quivvers provide a clean, minimalist means of keeping your important items on your person and immediately to hand.
I am finding that the more I use mine, the more I like it. It offers room for the basics without being large enough to become a purse. Using it, I‘ve been able to go out in public with my pants pockets empty for the first time in years. I hadn‘t realized how attuned I am to the feeling of my wallet in my back pocket and mass of keys, gum, and the rest the front, until it was all gone. The sensation is still a bit strange, but I like it.
Quivvers offer three zippered pockets with options for externally attaching additional gear. The pockets are arranged two on one side in what I‘d estimate as a 60/40 split opposite a larger, see-through pocket on the other. All are secured with smooth, easy-pulling zippers.
Clear pocketI like the triangular, synthetic zipper pulls. They are unobtrusive but stylish while offering better grip than traditional pulls, especially for sweat-slick fingers. Almost more importantly, the synthetic material seems to stop the pulls from clanking or jingling with movement. Such repetitive noises are an absolute deal-breaker for me, and haven‘t been a problem.
As for the pockets themselves, the clear one is perfect for a phone, allowing for touch-screen use and quick status checks without the necessity of either removing the phone from the pocket, or the Quivver from my shoulder. For more extended use, I do un-sling the Quivver, but leave the phone in place within.
Keys, cards and the rest go in the other two pockets. More bulky items like water bottles or sunglasses can be attached externally in a few ways: a flexible, triangular attachment-point and S-clip on one side, or a plastic loop on the other. The loop doesn‘t look particularly robust, but has proven solid so far.
Loaded Quivver with attached sunglasses and 1L H2O bottleThe shoulder strap is adjustable via an elastic cord which runs through the middle and is secured with a press-lock ball. This is also how the Quivver converts from over-the-shoulder to fanny pack use. I‘m not a fanny pack person, so I haven‘t used it that way past confirming that it works as advertised. One potential fanny pack issue was the elastic cord, which makes a pretty large loop when the strap is cinched down around my ~34” waist. The loop was easy enough to tuck under the strap, but might still pose a snagging hazard.
The design is minimal and very simple, but it‘s clear that a lot of thought and attention to detail went into making it that way. The product looks finished. Its parts each have a purpose, with nothing wasted. Materials and build quality appear solid, and as well thought-through as the design. I see every reason to expect this thing to last through years of daily use and abuse.
Though I‘ve worn and been happy with my Quivver on a few walks, my exercise of choice is bicycling. As much as I love getting out for a ride, toting my wallet, keys, etc. has always been a hassle. They fit easily enough into my handlebar bag, but that means extra steps when I want to leave the bike, even for a minute: the bag has to be removed, shoulder strap clipped on, then slung. Reverse to hit the road again. It‘s a small thing, but the extra time and hassle is a pain, as is fishing items out and replacing them.
Quivver plays well with hydration systemsWith my things stored in the Quivver, the difference is startling. Since my important items are already on me, I have only to lock my bike and walk away. Bathroom breaks and quick runs into stores are faster and easier. When I need an item, it‘s right there in front of me. Tug a zipper and grab. No digging, no shifting, no forgetting where I put something. I appreciate that convenience a lot.
Though I was mainly interested in testing the Quivver for its cycling and hiking potential, they are meant to be worn daily. I gave that a try, and have been impressed with the results. I like that when I want to get out on my bike or go for a hike, I don‘t need to transfer the contents of my pockets from one set of clothes to another. I just drop the Quivver, change clothes and re-sling it.
Better yet, I‘ve found it‘s faster and easier to retrieve and replace items stored in the Quivver than it is to access the same items when stored in my wallet or pockets. Just tug a zipper and grab. No fumbling or digging. The added convenience at drive-up ATMs, in particular, surprised me. Hassle reduction rules!
I‘m happy on the comfort front, too. My review Quivver has proven to be quite comfortable worn over a variety of clothing, from cycling jerseys to collared and t-shirts. While it does shift a bit with activity, the movement is minimal and has not been a problem for me so far.
I‘ve also found that the Quivver and my Camelbak are just as comfortable when worn together as they are separately. That sounds silly given that even a small Camelbak can easily hold everything the Quivver does and more -but at the cost of having to remove the Camelbak to hunt through its pockets anytime something is needed. For whatever reason, I hate that. The Quivver keeps my important items immediately accessible for the win.
That‘s 3 sets of keys, cash, gum, pocket knife, ID and other cards, 2 spare phone batteries, phoneThe down-side is that space is fairly limited: the Quivver cannot hold my bi-fold wallet, for example. It handles the contents, just not the wallet itself. A tri-fold design might fit, but if it did, I think it would be very tight. Space runs out quickly.
That‘s okay, though. Quivvers are not intended to be packed with everything you own. That is what purses, backpacks and similar items are for. Quivvers are intended to keep your really important items right where they need to be: on your person and immediately available. Carrying a wallet within the Quivver would actually make the contents less accessible.
Wearing a Quivver is a bit odd at first, but it grows on you. The functionality is really impressive. I expected it to be good for active use, but I‘m still surprised at how much I like it day-to-day. I find it‘s simply more convenient than the alternatives.
My tester came with military-style digital camouflage, but they are also available in a variety of other patterns and solid colors. At $40-45, I like the value. They are machine-washable and should be hung up to dry.
I have a feeling I might already have lost this one to my wife if not for its camo pattern. She is very interested in trying a more ‘˜girly‘ color scheme for herself. I see more Quivvers in our near future.
Visit http://www.quivvers.com/ for more information, or to make an order.
– Matt