New commuting backpack

[Captain Raymond Holt]

Evening all,

It’s time for a new backpack, currently I use a 30L Decathlon jobbie however it’s something like 10-15 years old and is falling apart.

I’m looking for something to take a laptop, shirt, odds and sods - 30L is about right. Ideally I’d like to be visible however the Proviz bags seem to have an odd fit with a collar type thing round the back of the neck.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Cheers

ETA: Summink like this?

Edited by Captain Raymond Holt on Wednesday 4th September 22:35

[numtumfutunch]

Its a personal thing but I absolutely hate back packs on bikes

When I MTB its frame storage for spares and bottle cages, I accept the inevitable sheep st contamination
On a club road ride everything is stuffed in jersey pockets

And on my commuter its a pannier bag
For the price of the rucksack you linked to you're well on the way to a decent commuter bag and rack

I enjoy not having a sweaty back and if Im carrying significant weight am happier with the lower CoG that panniers give
Mine are Ortlieb - other brands are available - and have a padded laptop pocket and excellent weather protection

Cheers

[snake_oil]

I used an Osprey Momentum 26 when I was cycle commuting in London. Fantastic bit of kit.

Separate laptop compartment, waterproof cover, I got the luminous green one for visibility. Took a beating in all weathers.

I also used an Eagle Creek Pack It shirt folder. No creased shirts at work!

[Barchettaman]

Bloody hell. £110 to get a sweaty back?

No way. Rack and panniers. The quick-release panniers are best (Ortlieb).

[Captain Raymond Holt]

Panniers are a no go as I switch between three bikes:

- Pub bike for stopping off on the way home or if the weather is truly ste
- Road bike for the long way in (usual bike)
- Full sus for the fun dirty commute (deffo not pannier friendly!)

[bakerstreet]

A friend of mine has recently purchased a Military Tactical rucksack from military1st and its actually pretty good, but not the lightest thing in the world. However, I shall probably go for one when I replace my Weird Fish rucksack which is about 12 years old and falling apart. The tactical rucksacks are also quite a bit cheaper than the bags from Osprey and North Face.

[troc]

Captain Raymond Holt said:

Panniers are a no go as I switch between three bikes:

- Pub bike for stopping off on the way home or if the weather is truly ste
- Road bike for the long way in (usual bike)
- Full sus for the fun dirty commute (deffo not pannier friendly!)

Ortlieb make a pannier/rucksack called the vario. It’s what I use - pannier on my commuting bike and then as a rucksack got when I happen to use my mtb or other bike. It genuinely works well fir both purposes and is the usual waterproof indestructible ortlieb quality.

https://www.ortlieb.com/uk/vario

[SoliD]

I have a Vaude Splash 25+5 which would fit all of those things, the best bit is that the mesh back is completely separate from the compartment, so although this makes the actual size of the compartment a bit restricted, it is immensely more comfortable than every other backpack I have.

[DelicaL400]

I use a Highlander Summit, it has a mesh section between your back and the pack to reduce back sweating. Comes in 25L and 40L sizes, I use the 40L, the 25L looked slightly too small for what I needed. They're priced at around £35.

[mjcneat]

I've been using this since January for daily commute. No signs of any wear and 100% waterproof.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/high-visibility-dr...

[MiseryStreak]

I’ve used a Deuter Speed Lite every weekday for 6 years, not a single thing on it has broken or worn. One of the best purchases I’ve made.

I alternate between three bikes and don’t want a pannier on any of them. My commute is short so don’t get a sweaty back. I have used it for a three day cycling trip to Bruges though, and it didn’t bother me.

You will want a slightly bigger version and I can’t vouch for them, but I imagine the quality is the same.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter/?sr=Deuter

[SoliD]

mjcneat said:

I've been using this since January for daily commute. No signs of any wear and 100% waterproof.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/high-visibility-dr...

I had some of these previously and it lasted about 3 years before succumbing to wear, problem with it is the lack of padding on the back if you've got a full bag it's very uncomfortable.

[Matt_N]

Not sure if they do the same one but I got one of the Rapha (incoming groans expected) ones a few years ago in the sale for about £55 and it’s been great.

It’s cleverly designed, has lots of internal pockets and a laptop slot, a front pocket can be opened out to increase load space too. Plus it has a fold away rain cover stowed in another pocket inthe base of the bag.

It also survived me being t-boned by a car too

[louiebaby]

SoliD said:

mjcneat said:

I've been using this since January for daily commute. No signs of any wear and 100% waterproof.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/high-visibility-dr...

I had some of these previously and it lasted about 3 years before succumbing to wear, problem with it is the lack of padding on the back if you've got a full bag it's very uncomfortable.

I have one of these too. It ain't pretty, but it's effective.

Needs to be packed well to have the comfort, but I try to take a weeks worth of stuff in at the start of the week, and have nothing to carry the rest, so it's fine for me.

[martyn850]

I have the Proviz reflect 360 bag and can’t say I notice any odd fit. It’s no more or less comfortable than any other rucksack I’ve used, but what it is excellent at is being seen. My commute is 10 miles of country lanes with no street lights.

[JD82]

Been using a Deuter Futura 28 for years. No complaints, nothing broken but has a slight tear - from non- bike related activities I might add. Really comfortable as your back is kept away from the bag itself (and anything pokey in it) by mesh. Separate compartment at the bottom for wet/ sweaty kit and/ or shoes.

That said, my smaller Osprey Synchro 15 pack for MTB is on another level when it comes to being well designed and generally thought out for purpose, so I'd definitely go Osprey again.

[IPK]

JD82 said:

Been using a Deuter Futura 28 for years. No complaints, nothing broken but has a slight tear - from non- bike related activities I might add. Really comfortable as your back is kept away from the bag itself (and anything pokey in it) by mesh. Separate compartment at the bottom for wet/ sweaty kit and/ or shoes.

That said, my smaller Osprey Synchro 15 pack for MTB is on another level when it comes to being well designed and generally thought out for purpose, so I'd definitely go Osprey again.

The Deuter are very good because of the way they stand off your pack. Most have a hi viz stowaway rain cover too.

[Captain Raymond Holt]

Thanks all, I’d been looking at Osprey and Lomo too, so nice to hear the good opinion on them.

martyn850 said:

I have the Proviz reflect 360 bag and can’t say I notice any odd fit. It’s no more or less comfortable than any other rucksack I’ve used, but what it is excellent at is being seen. My commute is 10 miles of country lanes with no street lights.

Good to hear this too, do you find it waterproof ‘enough’?

Cheers

[rossw46]

I've used an Osprey bag for the past 3 or 4 years, in all weathers. Not cheap, but it's a fantastic bag.

The rain cover keeps it completely dry, it's big enough, the most I've ever got in it (was a struggle to be fair) was boots, hard hat, jeans, t-shirt, boxer shorts, socks, towel, shower gel, keys, 2 phones, laptop + charger and a wallet. It was heavy, but surprisingly comfortable, and still in good condition.

[martyn850]

Captain Raymond Holt said:

Good to hear this too, do you find it waterproof ‘enough’?

Cheers

Yep not had a problem with water getting in.