Originally Posted by
cooker
You re-read it. Sure, they asked about back packs but said nothing about not being interested in all other alternatives. There was nothing "obvious" about it. They did clarify it later, which is fine, and up to them, not up to some third party to pronounce on their behalf.
Personally, if I ever ask for advice on some matter, I'm thrilled if people make suggestions I might not have considered, and I wouldn't want some know-it-all deciding it's not what I wanted to hear.
Right. Until somebody has at least mentioned panniers, the topic deserves to be raised. I knew about backpacks for years before I knew about the alternative to aching shoulders and a back drenched in sweat.