Customers who choose a Kicking Donkey bag often ask if it is completely waterproof. It is a fair question, especially considering bike travel, rain, mud, and unpredictable conditions. However, the answer requires a bit more explanation.

We use highly water-resistant materials and components: laminated technical fabrics, durable reinforcements, and closures designed for heavy-duty use. At the same time, our bags are stitched rather than seam-sealed. This means that, in the event of very heavy or prolonged rain—or submersion—some minor moisture seepage is possible.

This is not a flaw. It is a deliberate choice, one shaped by real-world experience gained through years of travel and discussions with fellow bikepackers.

The first thing we learned—often the hard way—is that “waterproof” doesn’t automatically guarantee dry gear. On a bike trip, you often have to stuff a wet tent, a damp bivy sack, sweaty clothes, or a rain jacket you’ve just taken off into your bags. In these situations, even the most waterproof bag in the world can’t work miracles.

That’s why we always recommend protecting water-sensitive items—like sleeping bags or down jackets—individually using nylon bags or internal dry bags. It’s a simple, effective practice shared by those who truly live the bikepacking lifestyle.

Creating a completely waterproof bag almost always requires radio-frequency (RF) welded construction. This manufacturing method is primarily compatible with PVC-like materials or those with heavy plastic coatings.

We chose a different path. The materials we use for our bags are selected for their abrasion resistance, stability, durability, and real-world performance on both road and off-road terrain. While these materials are not suitable for RF welding, they are significantly more reliable for everyday use.

Furthermore, a stitched seam (in our case, using marine-grade polyester thread) is structurally stronger than a weld. It is no coincidence that many high-end sports equipment manufacturers offer long-term warranties on seams, whereas they rarely do so for welds.

Today, RF technology is linked almost exclusively to industrial manufacturing and overseas supply chains—often in China—involving quality standards that do not align with our way of working.

Kicking Donkey is an artisanal company that manufactures directly in Italy. Even if we considered welded materials to be the right approach (which we do not), we would not consider outsourcing production. We prefer to maintain total control over the process, the materials, and the final quality of the product.

That said, anyone who wishes to do so can seal the seams of our bags themselves. There are readily available sealing products that can be applied to the inner seams using a syringe or a small brush. We do not consider this necessary in most cases, but we always leave it up to those who want to take that extra step.

For us, sustainability has never been a slogan or a buzzword used for branding. It has always been a natural outcome of the way we work and how we experience cycling.

Kicking Donkey was born from a genuine need, not a market concept. I sewed the first bags using reclaimed materials, trying to breathe new life into what I had on hand. It wasn’t about making a “green” statement; it simply made sense: less waste, greater care, and more respect for the materials.

We still produce only what is needed. We don’t manufacture in huge batches, stockpile inventory, or chase volume. Every bag is made to order or in small quantities, one at a time. This means less waste, less unsold stock, and greater control over every single product that leaves the workshop.

We choose durable, technical materials because a bag that lasts is, in itself, a sustainable choice. I would rather create a product that stays with someone for years—one that can be repaired, adapted, and used to the fullest—than something designed to be replaced after a single season.

Manufacturing in Italy—working directly with a small team of local artisans—is also part of this vision. We know the people sewing the bags and understand exactly how they are made, allowing us to make adjustments, improvements, and corrections. We don’t outsource tasks to distant supply chains when we can do the work with our own hands.

To me, cycling is inherently sustainable: it represents a slower pace, independence, and a mindful connection to the landscape. Kicking Donkey simply seeks to align with this way of living, crafting honest products built to last and to be truly used—without waste and without shortcuts.