RideNoCO

Hello Everyone,
I usually use a backpack for riding 'round town to keep the valuable stuff that I don't want to leave on the bike. But, with the weather getting warmer, I'm looking for an alternative to having a sweaty shirt from backpack behind me.

I see more people with the messenger-style bags; the bags don't seem to be as close to the body (more airflow, less of sweaty shirt!).
But, it seems that they might flop around more in urban riding. That's good thing about a backpack: doesn't intrude much on the ride.

Anyone try both? Do you prefer backpacks? Or, messengers? Is one 'warmer' than other and how about the comfort and ride in a zippy environment?

no1mad 

I have a mess bag and backpack- both rated at 2000 ci, both black Banjo Brothers. A real messenger bag is going to conform and hug your body, so what you're probably seeing are shoulder bags being marketed as mess bags. I sweat with either one, the backpack is marginally more comfortable. I only use them sparingly nowadays, and actually have put one or the other up for trade from time to time in the sticky.

If you want better air flow, you need a backpack that is designed to provide it- but not all designs are as effective as others.

eltejano

I think I sweat equally, if not slightly more, with my messenger bags. Plus I get a weird sweat stain across-the-body-between-the-man-boobs from the strap. And like no1mad mentions, the messenger bags hug your body more- so with some of my mess. bags I get bigger sweat stains than my backpacks w/ raised padding.

Top Gunner

I agree with no1mad.

The difference is in their function. Both leave sweaty backs.

CliftonGK1

It depends on what I'm carrying. If I'm loading clothes and junk for work then my backpack is fine. If I'm running around doing errands I prefer to have my courier bag because I can fit far larger loads in/on it.

I use a Chrome Brigadier backpack which can hold a ton of stuff, but you're limited to the load capacity by what can fit into the top opening. It's great for gear loading to a CX race where I'll get there and don't need easy access to just a single item; I'll be hauling out all my race kit, then all my post-race gear. No problem.
My messbag is a Chrome Metropolis. Similarly gigantic, but without the load capacity restrictions of the Brigadier. I can fit much larger bundles, like a couple 24-pack boxes of soda, into the Metropolis. I'll use it to haul a frame and fork to the shop later this evening by lashing it under the top-flap to the outside of the bag; can't do that with the backpack without some additional straps and the like.

littlefoot

With both of my Timbuk2 Messenger Bag and Backpack I sweat. Don't want sweaty back, use Panniers .

onehappypanda

I get just as much sweaty back from my messenger, I just like it for the functionality and the fact that it's easier to swing it around and get things out of it without having to take it off entirely.

Panniers would be a good choice to avoid the sweaty back. Apparently there are some that even convert into a messenger bag type thing when you take them off the bike?

fietsbob

If they are sewn of cotton [or hemp] canvas, then the bag will absorb some sweat.

CliftonGK1

Even a well worn-in cordura bag will absorb some sweat. But then it just ends up being all gross and wet for a while.

Andy_K 

I'm going to buck the trend here and say that I sweat less with my messenger bag. I've got a fairly small Novara Buzz messenger bag. It sits low on my back and doesn't cover as much of my back. Of course, on a warm day I sweat a lot even without a bag, so while the bags definitely make me sweat more, they also make it seem worse by pressing your shirt into the sweat.

If you get a messenger bag, be sure to get one that has a secondary strap that stabilizes the bag. That's the key to keeping it from moving around.

Hendricks97

I tried about 5 different backpacks before I made the switch to my Seagull messenger bags. I sweat about the same, but I feel the messenger bags existence less than I did in a backpack with the same load

WestMass

Panniers. Timbuk2 shift messenger pannier is my peanut butter and jelly.

They have a new pannier backpack that looks really rad too. The clips are opposite the side that is on your back.

https://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/...-viaje-pannier

Confederate

I've ridden with both, but definitely prefer a backpack. I just couldn't get used to a messenger bag. Sweat wasn't the issue, though. I just never felt stable with the messenger bag--even with the secondary strap in place.

tjspiel

There's a huge variety of backpacks available and you're more likely to find a backpack that successfully provides airflow to your back.

Messenger bags are fairly simply (by design) and are meant to conform to your back.

I've used both and I just assume I'm going to sweat. It's not been a goal of mine to eliminate sweat from my back so that doesn't factor into my decision about what to use.

I did have a shoulder/back injury a few years ago that made using a messenger bag difficult so I switched to panniers for a bit while I healed and then went to a backpack. The backpack isn't quite as convenient as a messenger bag for some things but it's very comfortable.

I've entertained the idea of trying a messenger bag again but haven't wanted to make the investment in a high quality one. I have a fixed cycling "budget" and there are other things I'd rather spend my money on.

no1mad 

I know I'm quoting myself, but I came across this and thought it might be of interest to the OP.

bored117 

In theory this works great. There are couple of caveats... (I tried both deuter version and REI version last summer)
1. Airflow through the mesh isn't as great as it could be. It's actually quite simple... once you are moving in speed, the air between mesh and the backpack sort of traps in there. Is it better than one that' are right next to you... yes. Anywhere near not having one in back? NO. It's somewhere in middle toward having regular backpack.
2. The shape of backpack typically has frame on this type of backpack so the gap exists. Despite the volume advertised, and the external size, you might be a little more restricted.
Worth a shot though.

RideNoCO

Right on, thanks folks. I do think I'll try out that Sienna (or similar). I agree, for $65$, it's worth a shot.
I'll report back my trial (assuming the weather stays warm ).

MadCityCyclist

I've used both and I sweat with both, even with a back pack that is 100% mesh (minus the straps). That's why all my bikes have rear racks & panniers now.

flipped4bikes

$229? Per pannier? I'll pass. Seriously, you can get a pannier, messenger bag and a backpack for that price. Then you can vary how sweaty you want your back to be each day!

flipped4bikes

+1.

scorch

i prefer the messenger type for cycling. the weight tends to be lower on your back, more comfortable, and less sweat for me. i use a cheap tragger messenger bag.

ive tried book bags, and i dont like it as much. i feel like my back is sticking to the bookbag because of all the sweat. Maybe just the bookbag i have is like this.

But id stick with the messenger type.

positron

Deuter aircomfort backpacks are great...

https://www.google.com/url?source=img...ls-SMnQOvh-qrA

no1mad 

Unless you are unwilling or unable to use a rear rack, you could just strap your backpack to the top of the rack or get a basket and toss your bag into it- best of both worlds.

AlmostGreenGuy

For you backpack lovers, EMS is having a wicked sale on the Dakine Apex backpack today. This is the backpack I've been commuting with for the last year. It's an awesome cycling backpack. Best I've ever used. Absolutely bulletproof. Great for carrying odd sized loads too. This price is almost too good to be true.

$62.99 in the cart.

https://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp...16809.11443778

JeremyZ

The way messengers wear them, messenger bags will be just as sweaty as your backpack. They wear them high, so they're not flopping around. With a quick pull on the buckle, the come down and swivel around easier than any backpack.

BUT...

They don't have to be worn high on the back. When on a bike, I wear mine very low, just above my butt, so my back gets plenty of air. I wear it high when walking.

The trade-off is that they're not as good at distributing the weight. No matter how you look at it, all the weight's across one shoulder. That's why the good ones have such wide, thick straps.

When you're shopping for one, make ABSOLUTELY sure that there's another strap to keep the back from rotating around. I got a nice big Timbuktu bag for my wife. They're well-made and with lots of organizer pockets, but it doesn't have that "anti-swivel" strap, and therefore, it is all but useless for cyclists who lean forward even a bit.

I went with a Tom Bihn Super Ego, based on a big search and advice from a fellow forum member. It wound up being a great purchase, but if I had it to do again, I'd get the regular Ego bag, as this one is so wide it's hard to walk with it without scraping my arms on it. On the other hand, it is seemingly bottomless, and that has come in handy more than once.

If you're going to do some research, search on all threads started by me. I think I started mine last year some time, and there are lots of photos and good suggestions. It'll be a good read for you, I think.