Commuter backpack
 

Hello. I'm hoping to get some recommendations from you guys on a solid commuter backpack. I do carry my nursing uniform, lunch, and a few textbooks with me daily. Would something like an Osprey be my best bet? What size? Thanks!!

bgreen

One thing about Osprey backpacks and sizing: do NOT trust their advertised volume information. A couple of years ago I was shopping around for a large waist pack for XC skiing. Osprey Talon looked promising with an advertised volume of 8 litres. I went to see it in a shop, and a joint estimate by myself and the shop clerk suggested they were off almost by a factor of two (we figured one could stuff maybe 4-5 litres in there, maybe). We had to check two packs because we thought the first one was smaller size and mistakenly labeled. All manufacturers are optimistic in their claims, but Osprey was outright delusional.

Go see the product yourself (it's a good idea anyway to try a backpack on before buying). Width, length and depth measurements are more difficult for manufacturers to get "creative" with, but backpacks can be oddly shaped, so they don't tell much of the volume.

--J

How many miles will you be riding on a daily?

Around 16 miles per day.

Have an Osprey Spin 32. It's a big pack and it should hold and carry your listed items easily. It's mass is really the only quibble, turning around to look for traffic approaching from behind, there's a blind spot from the upper corners of the pack.

Is there a particular reason why you're looking at backpacks, and not trunk bags or panniers? They're a lot nicer for commuting to work so you don't have as much sweat once you arrive, and there are quick release options so you can carry them like a bag into work.

I've been jonesing for an Osprey Talon 28 since they came out, but more as a daypack than a commuter. For commuting, it's panniers all the way for me.

I have an osprey momentum 34. Excellent pack. Easily holds a laptop lunch, clothes, spare tube, mini pump, etc. I normally take an iPad and leave my laptop at work. If I were back at school I'd try and avoid carrying books if possible and get them as ebooks instead. I think a backpack is probably preferable for going to school as it's easier to carry around campus once you get their than a pair of panniers but that's more of a personal preference.

I was wondering how many posts it would take for someone to tell you that you needed panniers instead of a backpack. Don't listen to them.

I did a daily route of about 14+ miles using either an Osprey Talon 22 and later a Manta, but I forget which size. It's in a storage unit right now in between moves. I loved the Talon, but I wanted to try something with a really light integrated frame to get more air circulation on the back (I am in Texas...), so I got the Manta. I loved riding with both.

You're looking at the right kind of pack. Go to your nearest REI or any outdoor store that carries these kinds of packs and find a knowledgeable salesperson. They will let you know how to fit and wear the pack so that the weight is properly over your hips. It will change a bit in the cycling position (I always rode a drop bar bike with at least 4 or 5 inches of saddle to bar drop), but the key is to get the weight off of your shoulders. Let them know you'll be biking with it, or better yet, ride the bike up there so you can try it out on the bike.

But yeah, you'll hear a lot of "don't carry that weight on your shoulders and back, get panniers!" or "You're going to get a sweaty back!" in this forum. 1) You're in Colorado, it's not stupid humid and hot all the time, and 2) like I said earlier, a properly fitted pack doesn't hurt your back or shoulders.

Oh yeah, I forgot to address that. Definitely e-books. When I started commuting, I had heavy engineering text books and a 5 pound laptop. Bought a 3 pound laptop and went to e-books. Best thing ever.

Thanks. Yeah I have no interest in panniers for my commuter. I think I'll go look at some Osprey's this weekend!

e-books are fine for casual reading and what not. but it's just not the same for studying. i've tried. but thanks anyhow.

Or, listen to whoever you want and make up your own mind.

Don't know how much of a concern rain is where you live, but here in Seattle waterproof backpacks are very popular.

Ospreys I think usually have waterproof hoods you can pull out but are not otherwise waterproof.

So around here you see a lot of Ortliebs, SealLines, Timbuk2, Chromes, etc.

http://www.cyclingbackpack.net/wp-co...n_backpack.jpg

http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/user...backpack_2.jpg

http://cdn.timbuk2.com/static/Produc...2001_front.jpg

I guess I should have said "Listen, smile, and nod."

There are certain topics where people are just waiting to leap at the question no one asked. This is one of them. Panniers are good if you want panniers. Backpacks are good if you want backpacks. I don't know why everyone seems to think they need to immediately tell someone asking for a backpack that they don't want a backpack as if they had never heard of or considered panniers.

I've got the last one pictured by [MENTION=410612]ShortLegCyclist[/MENTION] - Timbuk2 Especial Medio.

It'd meet your needs, is waterproof, and has a lifetime warranty. I really like mine.

R&K, Klick fix makes a Back pack you only wear off the Bike , riding it fits on a seatpost mounted hook ,

its made with a plate to hook into, hidden in it's back. http://klickfix.de/images/produkte/t...il/0211x_1.jpg

Backpack lovers here use everything for expensive backpacks specifically designed for bike commuting to cheap backpacks bought at garage sales/discount stores/goodwill stores with good results for their needs. As do the pannier lovers, messenger bag lovers.....

I have a Osprey Momentum that I commute 17.5 miles each way on. It's very comfortable even with significant weight. By far the best backpack I have ever owned.

The person who mentioned panniers raised it in a very polite way. Sometimes people asking questions haven't considered all the alternatives and may appreciate some ideas they haven't thought about. The only person telling the OP what to do in no uncertain terms was you.

Read post #1 1 ...OP was very clear that they are not interested in racks/panniers. There are a lot of cyclists including myself who prefer backpacks or messenger bags for carrying things. And if you go back to post #1 the question was about which backpacks are good for cycling, it's very obvious that OP has their mind already made up and they want a backpack.

I have one of those in a smaller size, been using it for about 7 years... Very good bag and 100% waterproof, I love the one big compartment, very easy to get stuff in and out.

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.

like a better backpack or maybe a messenger bag? ;)

It's fine that people bring up panniers, but there is a tendency in these forums to go beyond that and suggest that the only good way to carry something is on the bike itself. That didn't happen here but this post was moving in that direction.