Commuting Backpacks

[Slosurf]

We move into our new offices in DC in April and I will begin my much anticipated bike commuting. Time to look for a pack that will carry my work clothes (business casual) and a few other items (pump, phone, iPad, etc).

Do any of you bike commuting veterans have any recommendations on a good backpack? I am looking at the Osprey Radial and a few of the Timbuk2s. Any others out there that are proven and will work well in the August heat? Are roll-top packs better than a zip-top? Any features to avoid or those that that are mission critical?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Slosurf 80925 wrote:

We move into our new offices in DC in April and I will begin my much anticipated bike commuting. Time to look for a pack that will carry my work clothes (business casual) and a few other items (pump, phone, iPad, etc).

Do any of you bike commuting veterans have any recommendations on a good backpack? I am looking at the Osprey Radial and a few of the Timbuk2s. Any others out there that are proven and will work well in the August heat? Are roll-top packs better than a zip-top? Any features to avoid or those that that are mission critical?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I love my Ortlieb Velocity. My main concern is waterproof-ness and it’s perfect in that regard. Very comfortable too. It doesn’t really have pockets inside (it has one removable pouch thingy) but that wasn’t really a concern for me. One thing in particular that I like is that it has pads on the back-side, so it doesn’t smother your entire back…you still get somewhat sweaty, but it’s much better than a traditional backpack.

[hozn]

I like my Banjo Bros commuter backpack.

http://banjobrothers.com/products/current/cycling-backpacks/commuter-backpack-medium/

It does have some pads in the back, but it is not the coolest pack. I like how simple it is and the big reflective stripe and while mine has started wearing out after three years, I have been pretty rough with it — e.g. have fallen a number of times riding through the woods. And when the waterproof liner developed some cracks a year ago, they sent me a new one for free.

I have an Ortlieb Pacman as a backup bag that I got on sale, but I haven’t really used it preferring the Banjo Bros. When this one does wear out (maybe this year), I will buy another. Probably in red next time for better day-time visibility.

[Steve O]

@Slosurf 80925 wrote:

We move into our new offices in DC in April and I will begin my much anticipated bike commuting. Time to look for a pack that will carry my work clothes (business casual) and a few other items (pump, phone, iPad, etc).

Do any of you bike commuting veterans have any recommendations on a good backpack? I am looking at the Osprey Radial and a few of the Timbuk2s. Any others out there that are proven and will work well in the August heat? Are roll-top packs better than a zip-top? Any features to avoid or those that that are mission critical?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I carried a back pack for 6 or so years before switching to a pannier. I much prefer the pannier, particularly in the summer when the backpack would make my back all sweaty. I think having panniers is also more flexible. On occasions when I’ve had to schlep some extra stuff I could load both on the bike (and even a backpack, too, if necessary). My panniers have external rain covers, which I only need to carry when there’s rain–they don’t need to be waterproof all the time.
That’s just my preference; I know plenty of people who have carried backpacks for years and years and are perfectly happy with them.

[sethpo]

I went the other way w/ my daily backpack and use a cheap (paid $20), small and virtually weightless REI daypack.

It has a small profile on the back to limit the heat area but expands and has good straps so it can haul what I need on a daily basis (laptop, clothes, lip balm, spare tube, keys, snacks, phone, etc.).

I decided that the extra weight of the water proofing wasn’t needed on most days. When it is raining, I pack my stuff inside bags and put that in the backpack. Works. It does help that I have space at work to keep shoes and some other stuff so I don’t have to carry that every day.

I used panniers before and didn’t like the way they changed the bike balance and I also found that the more space I had, the more extra stuff I ended up carrying. With the smaller pack, I’m more judicious about what I really need but still have the space for extra arm/leg warmers, a rolled up rain jacket, etc.

Sweaty back is the price but in the summer I am going to sweat regardless.

[vvill]

If I can’t stuff everything in my jersey pockets I’ll use one of those very light BikeArlington string packs. They fold down to almost nothing as well.

For days where I’m toting a bunch of work clothes I use a Vaude backpack that was originally recommended by Dickie here on the forum. It has lots of nice features and is my go-to commuting pack but at the end of the day you will still get a sweaty back. I’ve tried panniers but I only ride with a backpack maybe once a week at most, so it wasn’t worth it for me.

It was about $100:
http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Bike/Bike-Backpacks/Bike-Alpin-25-5-black.html

[TwoWheelsDC]

I like panniers, but only my slow bike has a rack. Fast bike + backpack > slow bike + pannier

[Dickie]

Here is a link to the post about the Vaude backpack VVill mentioned:

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?3212-Seeking-Recommendations-Rear-Rack-Shoulder-Bag&p=33965#post33965

I did a ton of research and ordered about 10 different bags (which were all sent back) until I settled on the Vaude.

[Slosurf]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like, ultimately, it comes down to what fits/feels the best to the individual. Waterproof seems pretty critical and I really want to ability to clip on a light.

Thinking of going the experimentation route and purchasing a couple/few. Will look into the suggestions above. The Ortlieb Velocity looks interesting, as does the Vaude. Also considering the Timbuk2 Especial Raider because it looks light but large enough; however, I think it lacks a rain cover and I am not sure a black pack with little reflectivity is a good idea.

I am going to give the backpack a go before I consider panniers.

edit: Dickie, thanks also for the link. Great info on that old thread.

[Arlingtonrider]

Waterproof is great, but I do the same as Sethpo, above, putting my things in plastic bags and putting the bag or bags in my backpack or pannier. I didn’t want the extra weight of the waterproof backpacks or panniers.

[LBSki]

When I first started biking to work, I used a running backpack that I had previously used for run commutes. It was a little daypack from REI, originally intended to hold a water bladder, which I took out. It worked really well, I liked that it was small, had pads, and centered on your back so you could hardly feel it. A few months ago I saw a deal for a Hydrapak Tamarack, and bought it. It’s basically the same thing, it had a bladder in it that I took out. The nice thing about it is that it has a specific pocket for a pump, and a pocket for an extra tube.

You’d be surprised at how much you can fit in a small bag, I’d err on the small side to start. I carry my work clothes, a change of clothes for the ride home (sometimes, if the temperature is going to change or what not), my wallet, phone, keys, and usually my lunch. The smaller day packs use space really efficiently,and you can build out so to speak, so the weight stays centered on top of your back, which is really nice.

Neither of my bags is water proof, and part of the reason I bought a new one is because the old one started to get a little funky after a few downpours and sweaty rides. I’m not hardcore about riding in the rain though, and when I do, plastic bags work well to protect clothing.

[guga31bb]

I have the same backpack that sethpo mentioned (except mine is the 22 rather than 18) and it’s great. They are really lightweight and I never carry a laptop so waterproofing isn’t important to me.

[jrenaut]

I love my Chrome backpack. They don’t seem to make the particular one I have anymore, but it’s something like this one. I’ve worn it probably 80% of the days of the last three years and it still looks new. Nothing inside it has ever gotten wet, and I’ve been in some serious downpours. I like that it’s made in the USA and has a fantastic warranty (You do have to get it to San Fransisco, but they’ll fix pretty much anything that might go wrong for free). It is not the lightest bag, and while it does have some mesh and padding that I assume is supposed to breathe, my back still sweats like crazy. But I sweat like crazy anyway.

I also recently got Ortlieb panniers, and really really like the option of getting stuff off my back. The weight is funny when they’re fully loaded, though. And I think I need some wider tires if I’m going to carry a lot back there regularly.

[americancyclo]

I bought a Deuter Trans Alpine 25 when I moved from a messenger bag to a backpack to help save my shoulders.

Things that I love about it:
Tiny zippered compartment holds a neon yellow rain cover with elastic band and loop for a blinky. i can get this out and on the pack at a stop light
water bottles fit neatly in the side mesh pockets
separate compartment on the bottom for wet/lunch/heavy loads
tons of straps to accommodate extra stuff like helmets, yoga mats, Hess trucks, etc.
lots of reflective piping
water bladder option
there are mesh pads in the back that do a decent job of letting air through
fits lunch, and work clothes without complaint

Things I don’t love.
no front strap phone pocket like my old messenger bag
no front strap id badge pocket.
the clips have cut outs (because weight weenie?) that make them “not the easiest to get clipped while riding with no hands in DC traffic”

Things I’m ambivalent about
hip straps and chest straps

i’ll probably have it with me at happy hour tomorrow if you want to check it out

[dasgeh]

@americancyclo 81313 wrote:

Things I don’t love.
no front strap phone pocket like my old messenger bag
no front strap id badge pocket.

The internet can help solve these. E.g. http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-3-Way-Accessory-Bag/dp/B004VD8TKK/ref=cts_ap_1_fbt

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