Stadium Backpack

Karl Houseknecht

Karl Houseknecht

Roadie
Messages
456
Okay, I got my Stadium Backpack before my Stadium (which arrives tomorrow) so I thought I'd open it and admire it and get to know it better.

What the hell were they thinking with this thing? How in the world do I even get the unit into it? I have to unroll a flap, open a trapdoor, and somehow slide the unit inside that narrow opening? I've had it all of 5 minutes and I want to send it back. The original Helix Backpack was perfect. This is...not.
  • You are forced to use it as a backpack because the "handles" are flimsy pieces of fabric which will likely rip with any kind of weight on them.
  • The backpack straps can't be stowed like the ones on the Helix Backpack.
  • I carry my guitar on my back in a Mono gig bag and my OG Helix by the backpack's side or top handle. Can't do that with this bag. I'd be forced to carry my guitar in one hand and have this on my back. It's not convenient at all.
  • Padding is seriously lacking compared to its predecessor.
Overall, I'm terribly disappointed with this purchase. The original was soooo good. What are my options?
  • I absolutely hate my Studio Slips FM9 bag and the level of protection that brand provides even with "double" padding is even worse than this bag, so that option is out.
  • The Helix Backpack might work, but won't it be too big for the Stadium?
  • The Gator Helix rolling case is probably also too big and the Stadium would no doubt flop around inside it.
  • Custom case option? Who?
 
Last edited:
Karl Houseknecht said:
Okay, I got my Stadium Backpack before my Stadium (which arrives tomorrow) so I thought I'd open it and admire it and get to know it better.

What the hell were they thinking with this thing? How in the world do I even get the unit into it? I have to unroll a flap, open a trapdoor, and somehow slide the unit inside that narrow opening? I've had it all of 5 minutes and I want to send it back. The original Helix Backpack was perfect. This is...not.
  • You are forced to use it as a backpack because the "handles" are flimsy pieces of fabric which will likely rip with any kind of weight on them.
  • The backpack straps can't be stowed like the ones on the Helix Backpack.
  • I carry my guitar on my back in a Mono gig bag and my OG Helix by the backpack's side or top handle. Can't do that with this bag. I'd be forced to carry my guitar in one hand and have this on my back. It's not convenient at all.
  • Padding is seriously lacking compared to its predecessor.
Overall, I'm terribly disappointed with this purchase. The original was soooo good. What are my options?
  • I absolutely hate my Studio Slips FM9 bag and the level of protection that brand provides even with "double" padding is even worse than this bag, so that option is out.
  • The Helix Backpack might work, but won't it be too big for it?
  • The Gator Helix rolling case is probably also too big and it would no doubt flop around inside it.
  • Custom case option? Who?
Click to expand...
Would it fit in the original Helix backpack?
 
I want to give this the benefit of the doubt until mine arrives, but I’m getting the same vibes I got from the Stomp XL bag, which would be unusable if it was for a larger piece of gear.

Oh, well. My backpack is on the way, so I’ll find out soon enough. I never used the Helix backpack as a backpack, so I’m concerned.
 
That really doesn't look too well thought out.
As far as alternatives go, if you don't need the backpack straps, there's plenty of pedalboard bags in all kinda price ranges which should just fit.
 
From this video, it looks like the original backpack is too big for it and it will be moving around inside:

1764077598033.png
 
I have a Gator soft bag that actually would probably work if I just want to carry the Stadium on it's own. I have one of those style flight cases (can't remember the brand) that I grabbed my FM3/FC6 combo with. I get why but it weighs a metric ton and I don't like it because of that.
 
Yep, ordered the Gator Titan carry case version. The wheeled case looks too big, plus I don't need to wheel it around. I just need to carry it in from my car. The bag is going back to Sweetwater ASAP.
 
Karl Houseknecht said:
Honestly, that Gator case might just be what I get. That looks perfect.
Click to expand...

I think it would be overkill for me. I'm not flying with mine, just putting it in the hatch with my guitars, monitor and a duffel bag with extraneous gear.

I'm going to try to keep an open mind until the backpack arrives tomorrow and I can try it for myself, but I have a feeling I'll be looking at alternatives.
 
For sure, see if the backpack will work for you. If you plan on only using the shoulder straps, it might do.

Some more observations on why it just isn't going to work for me:
  • Getting the Stadium XL into it is tricky. The mouth of the bag snags on switches and encoders. I worry about damaging the unit.
  • The roll down top feels like closing up a bag of chips. Why no zipper or even just a flap?
  • Laptop sleeve - never going to use it.
  • Pass through charging port. For those times when I just need to carry a battery to charge my phone between the parking lot and the stage.
In short, they spent a lot of time thinking about these other secondary use cases and apparently zero about one of the primary ones: carrying it by a handle. If you're flying to gigs, maybe this makes a lot of sense? But wouldn't you also be carrying your guitar in a gig bag with shoulder straps?
 
Those are always an option. However, I bought an Apache case for my FM3 like 5 years ago. The foam fell apart within a week of use and it sits in storage just wasting away. I don't need anything rolling anyway.
 
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