Commuting - backpacks and rain

For those commuters who use backpacks to carry their books or any other important things that can't get wet how do you combat the rain? I have a backpack but water seeps through. I have just put a plastic bag around everything, clothes and books mainly. Does anyone have a better suggestion or is what I'm doing a common thing among commuters?

I thought all packs except for that mesh stuff was waterproof. Oh well. They sell weatherproofing spray if you want to go that route, or upgrade your pack to one that can handle the elements.

Doubling or tripling the bags is sometimes worth doing. Even small holes can let some moisture in.

A drybag inside the pack is another approach.

A drybag secured to the top of a rack is another.

Good waterproof panniers also work well. (Ortlieb is one brand.)

I thought it was waterproof. I can't put panniers on my bike because I don't have the mounts on the forks for them. Its a mountain bike that looks like the only new thing you can put on it are lights and disc brakes.

I got a Timbuk2 messenger bag years ago solely because it was waterproof (in the rain sense, not the chuck in a river sense).

My older backpacks were nowhere close to being even water-resistant, sprays or no.

It's worked great! No lining with plastic bags required.

I think I found my saving grace!! http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

You can buy backpack rain covers that are usually made with a coated nylon fabric. Campmor sells some generic ones, at a resonable price, and some vendors have rain covers made specifically for their brands. Even with a rain cover I still put any critical items in either a small dry bag or a zip lock baggie.

Waterproof spray:
http://www.workngear.com/cgi-bin/frontrunner.cgi?ri=111&rc=WKNG&rs=T&ro=T&pln=01&pid=170&pm=&sid=P202&whs=ALL&os=NEXTAG
http://www.rei.com/product/720436

Banjo Brothers makes a Commuter Backpack (http://banjobrothers.com/products/01150.php) that keeps the liner separate and removable so there's not even any stitching to let water in, according to them you're stuff will stay dry unless you like to ride under water.

I have one of these http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442332943&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883914&bmUID=1196131864053

or you can go for

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442332953&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883914&bmUID=1196131959417

depending on the size of your bag of course. I've never needed to use it, but it does cover my bag.

I use a poncho and wear my bag underneath. Dry bag, dry body, dry bike. :)

How do I know what size cover to get if I decide to get one? I bought a trail backpack but am using it for commuting because it has so much damn space!! Heres the one I got http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelID=20007&Subcategory_Link=Details_High%20Sierra_20007

What size might be the best?

Chrome mess bag ftw!! My stuff never gets wet.

Ortlieb makes some really good waterproof bags, too, but they're ugly (I think). But then again, you could throw them in a lake and your stuff would probably stay dry.

Edit: If you're going to go with a rack, make sure that you get panniers that are actually waterproof. Not something that comes with a rain cover. When your stuff is at the back of your bike like that and low to the ground, everything sprays up onto it. A rain cover will end up trapping the water against the bag and your stuff will get wet - maybe not as wet as without the rain cover, but still wet. Especially in a downpour. I'm thinking about spending my birthday money on a set of Axiom panniers: http://www.axiomgear.com/product/bags/waterproof_bags/

Good luck

Banjo Brothers makes a Commuter Backpack (http://banjobrothers.com/products/01150.php) that keeps the liner separate and removable so there's not even any stitching to let water in, according to them you're stuff will stay dry unless you like to ride under water.


Yep, the Banjo Bros Commuter Backpack is the best bag I have ever used. Keeps everything dry even though I usually have nothing that can't get wet, and it holds a case of beer pretty darn nice! Banjo Brothers Commuter Backpack (http://www.reviews.bicyclesmile.com/#Banjo2)

That banjo bros commuter backpack gets no style points. Wouldn't panniers block a lot of the gunk that usually gets in your chain?

That banjo bros commuter backpack gets no style points. Wouldn't panniers block a lot of the gunk that usually gets in your chain?

I actually thought it looked good for a waterproof backpack. It's just too small for me..

The panniers aren't going to help your chain much if at all. They really just end up over the cassette part of the back wheel. You'd be better off investing in a chain cover..

Get a roll top dry bag and use it as a pack liner. Or for the cheap solution, a kitchen-size garbage sack.

Waterproof backpack covers. REI sells them in numerous sizes for less than 10 dollars.

I switched to mess bags back in my motorcycle days because I got tired of putting plastic bags around everything in my backpack when it started to rain. Spray-on waterproofing only works so well because water still gets in through the seams.

The way to go is a proper weather-proof backpack,mess bag,or pannier system. Timbuk 2 bags can be had for $50 shipped off eBay and outlet sites. Backpacks can be had from Chrome,SealLine,Ortlieb,etc. Google is your friend for finding them. Just about any bike can be fitted with a rack. Axiom and Topeak make MTB and disc-specific racks. There are also seatpost mount racks.

Related to this thread: are there any good waterproof laptop backpacks? Like, ones with actual padding in the laptop compartment.

edit: I currently have this backpack (http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TLB004US), which is great, but definitely NOT waterproof at all.

I think I found my saving grace!! http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

Old Man Mountain makes some great racks. I think you'd be happy with them.

In my experience, it's often a relief to get the weight off your back. The lower center of gravity, improved movement and agility, lightened weight on your sit bones (which can make a real difference), and better air circulation all make for a better ride.

There are some excellent waterproof backpacks now. Backpackers are using them. Backpacking and ultralight backpacking websites would be good places to find recommendations. Some of them are very well designed, durable, and truly waterproof.

A drybag inside your existing pack would also do it.

With a couple of side-release accessory straps, you can easily secure the pack to the top of the rack.

****
[If you tie the straps in place and leave them on the rack, it makes it quicker. They're always right there, ready to click in. This also makes things much more secure -- there is no slipping or shifting of the straps, and it makes a big difference. (It's one of the more useful little tricks I have found.)]

For those commuters who use backpacks to carry their books or any other important things that can't get wet how do you combat the rain? I have a backpack but water seeps through. I have just put a plastic bag around everything, clothes and books mainly. Does anyone have a better suggestion or is what I'm doing a common thing among commuters?
Unless you have something against them, milk crates are worth considering. They make it extremely easy to load and unload. They're probable the most convenient of all. There is another recent thread on this forum that has some pictures. They can look pretty good; they are sturdy; and they are very useful.

The elongated ones are probably a bit more useful, and they make it easier to lay most daypacks down inside, rather than standing them upright.

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The other thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=365184

www.chromebags.com Look at the Roll Top Backpacks - they are water proof. I have one of their mess bags, and they are very water resistant.

www.seallinegear.com Seal Line does waterproof gear for kayakers and boaters, but have a "urban" line that looks pretty good.

http://www.whitemountain.com.au/backpacking_accessories_rain_covers.html I searched 'waterproof backpack covers' and found this link, but you could probably just go to your local Army Surplus or REI and find something similar.

-C

It's probably an individual thing, but in my own experience, having weight on top of the rack is not a big deal, if you don't make it one. You adapt. You get used to it. It becomes second nature, or normal. Same with panniers.

(The exception is when you use very heavy loads, and you have a wobbly rack or mounting system. Not good. Fortunately, though, it's easy to avoid this with a good, solid rack and secure mounting.)

****
Someone mentioned backpacks that have built-in hooks, so they can be attached to the racks just like panniers.

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I've used panniers quite a bit, and they are good in many ways; but there is always a slight inconvenience loading and unloading.

The exception to this is when the pannier is extra large, and the backpack slides in and out easily. Then it's not bad at all.

The Xtracycle system is quick -- as with the milk crate, you can just set something down inside.

There are open-top panniers and wire racks that allow for the same.

Isn't the problem with most backpacks their exposed zippers more so than the material or seams not being waterproof/resistant?

Messenger backs are really great for that reason.

You can buy backpack rain covers that are usually made with a coated nylon fabric. Campmor sells some generic ones, at a resonable price, and some vendors have rain covers made specifically for their brands. Even with a rain cover I still put any critical items in either a small dry bag or a zip lock baggie.

Ditto. This is my routine as well. I have a generic backpack raincover I got from REI. I have a dry sack that I keep my important (keys/fob, cell phone, etc.. ) stuff in. You can get much bigger dry sacks though...big enough likely for whatever you want to cover. It will be fine if in a dry sack.

Nearly everyone is using waterproof zippers now. They are nothing more than a standard zipper flipped backwards with a higher quality treatment to the nylon. Seams can be sealed with seam grip if the person is very industrious and doesn't mind the bead of goop along the interior or exterior of the seam.

Sprays don't waterproof anything. They make them water-resistant. Waterproof means water doesn't get in even after an extended period at x psi (I think the mil standard which is low is 18psi). Things are either waterproof or water resistant. There is no middle ground.

Personally, unless you live in an area like the pnw or thailand, I think a normal bag with a garbage bag (I use a trash compactor bag bc they are so durable) used as a liner, or a waterproof pack cover for really rain days should suffice. Either of the later options will keep the most delicate electronics dry. I put small items like my pda in a reused & cleaned ziplock freezer bag, which gives me a way to reduce my trash output as well.

Pack cover! Available at any camping type store.

http://images.ems.com/media/images/products/210/21020/2102065/210206532/210206532_GREEN_200.jpg

Isn't the problem with most backpacks their exposed zippers more so than the material or seams not being waterproof/resistant?

Messenger backs are really great for that reason.

Proper messenger bags have a waterproof lining that is seperate from the outer shell. Even if the shell gets soaked,the contents stay dry. Daypacks don't have a lining.

my Tatanka backpack comes with its own rain cover. Really handy thing. I also use a poncho to cover me, part of the bike and the backpack. I also use Ziplock bags for the stuff like mobile phones and wallet.

Proper messenger bags have a waterproof lining that is seperate from the outer shell. Even if the shell gets soaked,the contents stay dry. Daypacks don't have a lining.

Nearly all day packs are made with nylon which has been coated with polyurethane. Daypacks leak at seams mostly.

During the rainy season where I'm at, I would just wrap my books and extra clothes in plastic bags because my backpack would get soaked. I got a Timbuk2 bag and love it now. No more need to wrap everything in bags before I head out :)

Am I the only super-low tech, Fred one here? No matter how "waterproof" all packs that I have ever used are supposed to be (even goretex, high-end pvc lined), stuff usually gets wet in there if you are riding in a heavy down-pour for more than an hour. I always carry a couple of used plastic grocery bags that have no holes in them, and stuff my "can't get wet" stuff into them, and put them back inside the pack. They stow/pack into a very small space, and have a multitude of other uses in-a-pinch (emergency wet or cold helmet/hand/feet covers, carrying stuff outside the pack if it is full, separating dirty/wet/smelly riding clothes from other pack contents after work, etc.). And I get double-use out of the bags from the store as well (they make excellent dog poop bags too).

Banjo Brothers makes a Commuter Backpack (http://banjobrothers.com/products/01150.php) that keeps the liner separate and removable so there's not even any stitching to let water in, according to them you're stuff will stay dry unless you like to ride under water.

I have the Banjo Brothers commuter backpack. It is a good backpack and definitely waterproof in the rain, but it does have its downsides.

It has no frame and is one big pocket, so you have to pack carefully or you end up with something poking you in the back. In the warmer months you getting the sweaty back problem.

Good points though is it is fairly easy to pack. Large capacity and has both a chest strap and waist strap so it is stable while riding.

I am still looking for the perfect backpack for me, but until I find it the Banjo is pretty close.

I'm going to join the chorus here advocating messenger bags for waterproofness.

I use a Pac Designs Ultimate which is comfy, carries a huge amount and is seemingly impervious to rain. I've ridden 3 or 4 hours solid in the rain, and many more times on my commute which is 15 - 20 minutes, and I've never had water get in (when the bag was closed... remember to close your bag when you're changing a tire in the rain). I got it with the Tom Bihn modification so it takes their Brain Cell laptop case allowing me to keep my laptop well protected.

The Timbuk2 bag I used before did just as good of a job keeping rain out, although it was lacking in most other areas.

The only downside to messenger bag is that the outer layer gets soaked, leaving you with this big mass of dripping cordura when you get to your destination.

You can also go with waterproof messenger backpacks, such as those made by Ortlieb, Sea Line, Reload or Timbuk2. I'm not a fan of panniers (tried that route), but my Ortlieb panniers kept everything consistently dry.

I've yet to find a messenger bag that doesn't dig into the side of my neck when loaded no matter how I try carrying the damn thing, that and the ability to carry more weight with more stability is why I prefer backpacks.

So far stuff getting wet hasn't been an issue so I'm not all that worried about it.

I've yet to find a messenger bag that doesn't dig into the side of my neck when loaded no matter how I try carrying the damn thing, that and the ability to carry more weight with more stability is why I prefer backpacks.

So far stuff getting wet hasn't been an issue so I'm not all that worried about it.

There's no reason to switch from using a backpack if that works fine for you, but in my experience any messenger bag where the shoulder strap comes straight up off the sides has this problem. Many bags avoid this by having their straps come off the back of the bag at an angle: that's how my Pac Designs works (they also have a bunch of padding both on the shoulder and at the ribs). Chrome, Bailey Works, Reload, to name a few, all do something similar. Timbuk2 bags are awful in that respect; I found that with any real weight in the bag it felt like the strap was trying to saw my head off.

The size of the rain cover is normally rated by the capacity of the day/backpack that it is being used for. Different vendors will have different ratings for the same size.

http://www.seallinegear.com/urban.asp?Action=UrbanBackpack&Category=Urban

I can attest to this working great. I live in Ketchikan, Alaska and it rains all the time. Google our yearly rainfall. I have some commercial fisherman friends too that use this pack as well and so far none of us have any complaints.

right on
thats what i do when i know there will be a lot of rain
i got a rain cape from campmor.com

works great and came with a nice little bag for small electronics or wallet

For those commuters who use backpacks to carry their books or any other important things that can't get wet how do you combat the rain? I have a backpack but water seeps through. I have just put a plastic bag around everything, clothes and books mainly. Does anyone have a better suggestion or is what I'm doing a common thing among commuters?

Backpack or pannier, when it looks like a good rain.... I put my stuff in trash bags to keep it dry.

Does anyone have a better suggestion or is what I'm doing a common thing among commuters? Here in rainy Portland, Oregon I use a combination approach. I use a Kelty daypack with built-in rain cover, and also pack very water sensitive materials (work files, books, maps, cell phone, wallet) in a UPS bag. UPS bags are light weight, waterproof, and damn near indestructible. I've used the same two UPS bags for over six months. If you use a new UPS bag (rather than recycled) there is a significant cohort here on Bike Forums who will think you are a social degenerate for your brazen theft.

Its very simple. When its raining I drive my car. :D

Just kidding. Like some have already said using a pack cover, like the one from REI, is the best solution. I once used a trash bag when I was caught unprepared. It worked pretty well once tied down with some twine.

Putting fenders on your bike will do wonders too. It keeps the rain topside.

I sewed myself a backpack cover from raincoat material from the fabric store. It worked, but didn't look so good. Also, I left it open at the bottom, so I could slip it on from the top, and in a really heavy rain the bottom of the backpack still got wet.

Now I have switched to my one piece of high-end biking gear, and that is the Ortlieb waterproof messenger backpack. I like it although I can see some things another might want to improve (no blinkie attachment point, no carrying handle--new ones do have a handle). But it does a good job of maximizing its one main feature: It definitely is waterproof. That was why I got it, and it does the job.

Banjo Brothers makes a Commuter Backpack (http://banjobrothers.com/products/01150.php) that keeps the liner separate and removable so there's not even any stitching to let water in, according to them you're stuff will stay dry unless you like to ride under water.

+1
I have one of these and I use it when I ride the bike that does not have a rack or when it rains. None of the panniers I have are as waterproof as the Banjo brothers bag. My Panniers are old though and never claimed to be waterproof.

Am I the only super-low tech, Fred one here? No matter how "waterproof" all packs that I have ever used are supposed to be (even goretex, high-end pvc lined), stuff usually gets wet in there if you are riding in a heavy down-pour for more than an hour. I always carry a couple of used plastic grocery bags that have no holes in them, and stuff my "can't get wet" stuff into them, and put them back inside the pack. They stow/pack into a very small space, and have a multitude of other uses in-a-pinch (emergency wet or cold helmet/hand/feet covers, carrying stuff outside the pack if it is full, separating dirty/wet/smelly riding clothes from other pack contents after work, etc.). And I get double-use out of the bags from the store as well (they make excellent dog poop bags too).
You are not alone. I also put gallon no-zipper freezer bags over my socks. Cheap and they keep my feet dry. Sexy? Absolutely not.

I second the messenger bag/messenger backpack option. Also look in the army surplus stores - I had a small bag I bought from an army surplus store that was very water resistant. I suppose for long distances in sustained downpours water would eventually get in, but the material in my estimation can hold out for 45 minutes or so. You may be able to get larger sack-type sling bags for cheap - I bought my small bag for US$5 at an army surplus store.

Its very simple. When its raining I drive my car. :D

Just kidding. Like some have already said using a pack cover, like the one from REI, is the best solution. I once used a trash bag when I was caught unprepared. It worked pretty well once tied down with some twine.

Putting fenders on your bike will do wonders too. It keeps the rain topside.

Tied down???? no, no, no.... you put it INSIDE the pannier/backpack. :o

I have the Banjo Bros Messenger Backpack, and a Chrome Rolltop Messenger Backpack. They both are
totally waterproof. They are both very stable, altho I think the Chrome is a bit more stable. The Chrome
also has individual storage compartments and waterproof zippers.

I use the Banjo Bros most days, as it is easy to use, and slightly smaller and more convenient. When
I have to haul more in, those days I use the Chrome, and it is excellent as well. Could not go wrong
with either of these backpacks.

Can the Banjo Brothers bag hold a laptop?