Originally Posted by
EKW in DC
but having commuted w/ a backpack for the better part of a year, I can tell you that I much prefer not having ANYTHING at all on my back...
+1, my regular commuter is being (very slowly...) over-hauled and I've been commuting with a backpack the last few weeks and I absolutely can't wait to get back to using panniers. I'm sure people have toured across the country, etc with backpacks but for me I'd much rather put my gear on the bike.