put a set of racks on the front forks ,old man mountain make some great ones ,skewers through the axle and clamp to the fork ,you can hang panniers and still has a platform over the wheel .You will find the ride much more stable especialy climbing with some weight distributed to the front and get some strain off the back wheel ,you will flat less as well .The bike is meant to carry the weight so it doesn't make sense to wear a pack