People's opinions on how to carry their stuff varies as much as what type of bike to ride. For the most part it's personal preference after the trial and error process. If you think that you can make do with a backpack, then try it. You determine that's not your thing, so be it. Try something else. As for me, it's the milk crate + ? (Now to find a rack that will allow me to mount my old Nashbar Townie baskets along w/ said crate....)