Dakine Hot Laps Gripper

As I sit here typing this, I realized why I am writing this review.. Armchair warriors. I see a lot of negative comments from people without trying products themselves. Sure we all want to save our hard earned money and buy what we know and trust. But without the people who buy the product and give feedback, it’s hard for a company to actually take feedback serious.

I’ve already started the fire for you and I am ready for the rage induced patreons to flame this review.  If you’ve made it this far read on further and this item might be for you as well.

Upon first opening the Dakine Hot Laps, I was confused how it opened and how the straps routed.  After 5 minutes of fumbling around I figured it out. The Dakine Hot Laps offers two spots for Co2 and on the sides there is room for a small multi tool and tire levers.  

The elastic holds are very tight fitting.  If fact, I suggest putting everything in its place before putting the tube in as it can be difficult if the tube is heavy duty.  By now you're wondering what I fit into the Dakine Hot Laps. Wonder no more!

Items:

27.5 Tube
2 Park Tools tire levers
1 Co2 Tube
1 Co2 Inflator
2 Master Sram Links

All the items fit snug.  I could fit more things in there if I need but since this is for daily rides up to 5-15 miles there was no need to.

I placed the Dakine Hot Laps under the top tube of my 2016 Transition Patrol Carbon.  I also placed Racers Tape anywhere the Dakine Hot Laps would be touching the frame. As good as it is, it's not bolted down and its possible for it to move around and rub in place.  Plus the added texture of the racer’s tape helps the straps grip into place.

I’ve put well over 100 miles on the Hot Laps here in the land of rocks, Phoenix, Arizona.  South Mountain is a great proving ground for items. If any place will break a product its, the chunk of South Mountain.  Having done countless rides with the Dakine Hot Laps it only moved once. I am not sure how but it did. I when I noticed it, I restrapped it up and it didn’t move anymore.  The crazy thing is didn’t move when I had a nice over the bars on the bike. It has never made a single sound and all items haven’t shifted one bit.

My favorite part of this product is how it protects the tube.  Most people that strap tubes to there bike often forget that the tube is exposed to the elements.  It can obtain a hole in it well before you use it. Especially with the cactus all around my local trails, tubes are low hanging fruit ready to be punctured.

I've thrown a lot at this and I am presently surprised by it.  But like all products it does have its faults. My biggest gripe with it is it sticks out wider than I’d like to see.  More of a cosmetic issue than anything. But a tube strapped to your bike sticks out just as much. I really don’t even know if you could make it smaller to be honest.

Conclusion

The Dakine Hot Laps is a great product for me.  It fits all my needs and allows me not to wear a pack.  This combined with my SWAT Vest are a winning combo.  Small products like these make me forget how good we have it sometimes.  Its a set it and forget it product. Transfers to any bike with ease. For $22, its a hard product to beat at this price point.