Commuting - Backpacks - how long til stop hurting?

Tried using a backpack yesterday. It was not too heavy, just a laptop and power cord. But shoulders hurt from riding with it. I presume this will go away with time, but don't have an idea of how long to expect. I know many use backpacks instead of rack bags, so looking for enlightenment.

Thanks

I gave up using a backpack shortly after I started commuting. I now use panniers and a trunk bag. That also means I carry a lot more stuff. :)

I've only ever used backpacks. But I use a pack with an internal frame, nothing fancy like an expedition pack but something that fits along the curve of the back. Plus it has a waist belt that keeps the weight off my shoulders when I'm sitting up on the bike. It also has a chest strap that keeps it from shifting when I'm riding low. I would definitely recommend something like that if you're going to continue with a pack. It may still hurt for a few rides, but should go away.

Everyone here has their own opinion. Some love the backpacks and hate panniers, and some go the other way. I rode with a backpack for a year, then switched to panniers and I gotta say, I am way more comfortable with the panniers. But they do cause quite a load on the rear wheel and significant wind resistance. In a tailwind, or riding flat ground at a steady pace, the panniers are wonderful. But taking off from a red light or cornering fast, or riding in a hard crosswind, you definitely feel their presence. But at least my back doesn't ache.

Yeah, try to find a pack that carries the weight low and has a form that fits so that the weight is sort of resting in the small of your back, just above your butt. I commute with an L.L. Bean Escape - and it works perfect for me - even on days when I have to stuff my laptop in with my clothes. If I tried to ride with my laptop bag (backpack) it would not be fun. If you have a good outdoor store near you go try some on.

Is it a laptop specific backpack? If no padding, sometimes having a laptop in a backpack causes you to try to compensate for the flatness of the laptop across your shoulder blades causing back/neck pain. Pretty much the same as riding with your back strapped to a board.

It is padded but does NOT have internal support. Just a freebie laptop bag provided by vendor. I plan later to get a supported backpack, but wanted to test riding with a pack before dropping the cash.

I use a backpack everyday. The "classic" jansport backpack I guess. No padding just one big compartment and one smaller one. The average temperature this last week was around 95F with a heat index over 100F everyday. On Mondays, I carry all my clothes for the week and a lunch. I leave my bag of clothing at work, and the rest of the week I only take a lunch and a 1L bottle of water for those "just in case I run out of water going each way days." In the afternoon, I take the clothes that I wore that day along with my empty lunch bag, so Friday afternoon there isn't that much stuff to take home. I ride a little under 40miles round trip. My morning commute isn't that bad, but in the afternoon it's pretty hot. The straps on my bag aren't super tight nor are they super loose, but the bag really doesn't move around that much... probably only 1/2" - 1" either way so its not very noticeable. The pack itself isn't all that bad for the commute, but sometime in the future I might install a rear rack to bungee the bag to.

I would imagine if I had to carry a laptop and cord, I would bungee it to the rack so it doesn't move... at all. Or possibly remote into the computer from my home machine. Everyone has their preferences. Good luck!

I don't remember ever having sore shoulders from commuting with a backpack, but even before I cycle-commuted, I always carried my stuff in a backpack, so maybe that helped.

But anyway, I'll second (or third) the suggestions to find an outdoor store and look for a better pack. Plenty of day packs nowadays will accommodate a laptop and still have a good fit. I use a Deuter Trans-Alpine 30 (big 30 liter pack) which has waist and chest straps to keep it from moving around. I carry a fair amount of weight, but the pack seems to almost disappear while I'm riding. It's not that I forget it's there, but it distributes the weight well enough that it seems lighter than I'd expect.

Also, how you're positioned on your bike may affect how the pack feels. My bikes all have handlebars even with or lower than the seat, so my back is at a good angle. If you're riding more upright, you'll feel the pack more on your shoulders.

pull the straps up so the bag rides higher, a drooping bag pulls on your shoulders

pull the straps up so the bag rides higher, a drooping bag pulls on your shoulders

yeah, but:


Yeah, try to find a pack that carries the weight low and has a form that fits so that the weight is sort of resting in the small of your back, just above your butt.

Try a lumbar pack (with shoulder straps) like a BBP or the Mountainsmith Day, or the Banjo Bros Commuter pack, which rides lower on your back.

People opinion will vary depending on MANY things. Pure comfort, what they carry, and possibly most important... riding position/bike type. I ride a road bike and more often than not, my track bike... both have significant saddle to bar drop, but not TT type setups.

For ME, a low backpack is uncomfortable. If it's higher, the weight sits on my back instead of hanging off my back and pulling on my shoulders.

With that said, my shoulders didn't like 2 strap bags... but I ride every day with a messenger bag hiked up nice and high/tight. The one strap, and fitment just works for me.

I hate the feeling of a "heavy bike" so I avoid racks/panniers/etc... but am debating a small rack for a few trips. The big bags just encourages me to bring lots of extra crap along for the ride :lol:

I use one of those Chrome bags and I love it. I'm able to hold my laptop and my clothes, including shoes and it's very comfortable. It contours to my back and doesn't slide. More importantly I no longer suffer from shoulder pain. It's a bit pricey for the larger versions.

I prefer a rack and bag. It keeps the weight and center of balance low.

Is it a laptop specific backpack? If no padding, sometimes having a laptop in a backpack causes you to try to compensate for the flatness of the laptop across your shoulder blades causing back/neck pain. Pretty much the same as riding with your back strapped to a board.

An internal frame will prevent this. And the shoulder soreness is almost certainly from supporting the weight of the bag and laptop and power thing on the shoulders; a good backpack will have a hip belt that's actually designed to transfer the weight here. It'll also have a curve that's fit to your back.

I got one of these (http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Mens/Packs/Miura-30), on sale, and it's the most comfortable pack I've ever had. Three laptops feel like they aren't even there, whereas SLR camera gear, a heavy tripod, food, water, and a jacket, are very comfortable. While hiking. I got the tall version, and the corners are high enough to just block my vision when I try to look behind me, so it's not fit for riding in traffic, unless I get a mirror attached maybe.

I don't think it's a matter of how long until it stops hurting, though: it's either a good fit for you, or it isn't.

Your shoulders shouldn't hurt, especially with only a laptop and power cord in it. I'd say you need to look for a more comfortable backpack. I use one with curved and well padded shoulder straps and a padded waist belt. I carry about 30lbs worth of stuff, on average, in my pack which feels comfortable and very much a part of me.

Has the OP tried panniers?

With my middle aged deteriorating skeleton, that's the only way I can haul stuff.

Try a lumbar pack (with shoulder straps) like a BBP or the Mountainsmith Day, or the Banjo Bros Commuter pack, which rides lower on your back.

Yes, this. Also, do not tighten down the shoulder straps too tight. Allow it to ride a little loose, but not too loose.

Seems to be alot of variations even within the backpack crowd. Personally I prefer to have the shoulder straps snug with the pack up high on my back. I don't like it swinging or bouncing around at all. Luckily I don't have to lug my laptop back and forth. I just use an 8Gb flashdrive to copy files and data back and forth, and if need be I have 250 Gb USB drive that is about the size of two decks of cards.

Yes, not that loose. I have found that if I cinch the straps down really tight, my shoulders tire. Cinch up tight, loosen a tad.

I'm not a big fan of name brand crap, just stuff that is well made and works. I'm a middle-aged grandfather so my body isn't as resilient and tolerable of hardships as I remember it once being but a good back pack should be comfortable no matter what one's age... and my pack is.

On a side note, I just came from a 2 week trip to what so far is easily my favorite place on this planet... Scotland. I was in a town of Dunvegan when a 100 mile hike was just wrapping up. There were people my parent's age (arthritic looking grey-hairs) finishing their 100 miles wearing huge packs stuffed to the hilt. Is it a matter of the mind, equipment or a combination of both? I think that making the right decision on equipment that works and having the "can do" attitude is what enables people to accomplish what they can.

Your shoulders will stop hurting as soon as you start putting the backpack into the milk crate.





Y'all knew someone was going to mention milk crate sooner or later.:p

I use a Jansport Revolt (http://www.amazon.com/JanSport-Revolt-Performance-Daypack-Ventech/dp/B001M0O8DC) that I picked up from tj maxx for around $30. Nice shoulder padding and egg crate style backing with chest and waist straps. I've not had a problem with it yet although I only haul around 10 pounds or so worth of stuff at most. I'd say look for a pack with good padding in the back and shoulder area with chest and waist straps. Maybe also a compression strap as well.

Some backpacks will hurt until you stop using them. Other backpacks don't hurt at all, IME. How long is your commute, timewise?

I prefer a backpack, but I like to carry the backpack on my rear rack. Unfortunately, there aren't too many options (at reasonable prices) so I end up adding hooks and bungees to turn the backpack into a pannier.

Right now, my last DIY bag lost its zipper and I've moved to two panniers. A real nuisance if you have to walk any distance after locking up the bike.

Not sure why Axiom or REI don't sell a backpack pannier at a reasonable price.

I used to use panniers, but I bought a new bike and the chain length is too short and my feet hit the panniers, so I went and bought a very nice backpack. It has different compartments for my clothes, my shoes, my watches, cellphone, wallet, etc. Doesn't bother me at all; but I will confess one of my former students is now an officer in the USMC, and he showed me what to get and adjusted it for me. Semper Fi!

Tim C.

I guy I know got hit by a car on a roundabout this week and went over the bonnet and broke the woman's windshield. Luckily though his backpack took the brunt and apart from a wrecked laptop he came out of it with only a few bruises. My backpack saved me from a similar fate when I slide down a steep bank on my back!

Once in the late 80s I was doing some late night drunken downhill trail running and my backpack saved my life. I was starting to outrun my feet, veered off piste, tripped over a rock and did a perfect front flip, but landed on my back. Glad I had a little padding.

It was weird, I've been riding with a pack for ten years without issue.... Thursday night I had unexplained and rather severe shoulder pain from the strap. I actually had to hang the pack off my other shoulder only until I got home.

Friday morning there was no indication anything had gone wrong, to the point that I was unable to remember which shoulder it had been.

I'm gonna pretend it never happened.

Backpacks have their place for some, but as my loads grew larger and heavier, I switched to panniers to let the bike take all the road shock instead of my spine and shoulders.

As a FYI, Targus makes a couple of decent packs in the $25 range. "Groove" is one of them if I recall correctly. I have one I wore out, and a brand new (identical) one to replace it that was bought the same time I bought my Chrome bag, so the replacement Targus one has never been used. Worked well, but I definitely like my messenger bag better. I frequently carry two laptops in that one.

I just started using a Timbuk2 Swig (small) for carrying a Macbook Pro 15" (contrary to what Ebags.com says, it will fit) back and forth from work (6 miles each way). Considering the weight of the laptop, power supply, external hard drive, cables, and various crap I carry, the pack is surprisingly comfortable. Been using it for the last two weeks with no shoulder pain. I gave up on backpacks until I started using cycling specific ones from Deuter and one of my favorites, Banjo Brothers. They carry lower on the back (so you can see over your shoulder and the weight sits more on your back). I like the Swig so much that i have started to sell off most of my other bags.

Some backpacks will hurt until you stop using them. Other backpacks don't hurt at all, IME. How long is your commute, timewise?
Best response. Personally, I wouldn't use a backpack that hurts. I have done adventure races where we're running and biking for many hours over rotten bumpy fire-roads. The back-packs which were loaded with water and food and odd-and-ends never hurt. Not for a second. The OP is doing something wrong.

There was a good suggestion to get a pack with a lumbar strap. And sufficient padding. No kidding. I'm presently using a "sling" type camera bag backpack when I'm riding. It moves around and when I'm trying to jump a curb or something, the weight shift is really bad. I'll need to look into a mod for this.

a good backpack can apply the majority of the weight to your lower back and it won't ache. it's when your shoulders bare the brunt of the load that it gets achy. not all backpacks are created equally. that being said, after getting a trunk bag i much prefer riding with nothing on my back instead. but that is personal preference.