I am probably asking too much of 1 pack but thought I would ask here. I've grown tired of the messenger style commuter/laptop bags and want to move into a backpack. The Osprey Radial 26 has caught my eye.

I'm looking for a pack that can bike, commute via car or bike, occasional day hike, and handle a couple days of downhill skiing. In your opinion/experience, can the Radial 26 handle all of those activities? It's primary roll would be commuting with a laptop, lunch, and assorted items for the day; other activities are secondary. I've read a couple reviews where it scored low marks when hiking due to the waist "strap" (I'm reluctant to call it a belt). I have other bags and packs but my plan is to replace my ski day pack and 2 messenger type laptop bags with this 1 pack. If the Radial 26 is essentially a 1 trick pony (cycling), then I need to look elsewhere.

A 26L pack is about all I would need/want so if there are other suggestions, I would love to hear some recommendations!

Thanks!

ARC'TERYX doesn't make the bag that I have any longer, unfortunately.

The biggest pluses about it are:

1. No zips to load/unload, those break after a while.
2. Unlimited space (rolltop/fliptop) good for baguettes or building supplies ... I carried a roll of DPM home in it this weekend.
3. Padded pocket for laptop.
4. Water resistance.

I find that I need no more than 20L for daily operations.

This bag looks interesting but I cannot vouch for it as I don't own it. However, if I had to buy a new bag tomorrow, that would be my first stop.

https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/granville-backpack

Good luck

PS - I personally think that Osprey is overhyped ... not tested in the wild, and the colour schemes like ugly American trainers.

I have an Osprey radial for cycling and an Osprey talon for hiking/light backpacking. I love the talon, but cannot ride with it. With that in mind, I love the radial for bike-commuting but feel its awkwardness off the bike. For an off-bike pack I value places for water bottles and pockets in the waist straps.

Osprey may get hyped, it makes one appreciate the power of getting into REI's inventory (MEC doesn't carry them), but I really like the packs for what I do with them. Also appreciate using the year that REI still gives customers to work out if/how best to use something, it was in week 51 that I realized I wanted my talon the next size up. Glad I caught that when I did!

I saw an Osprey pack on sale for $40 at Meijers a few months ago that was about 26L, and thought it was really well made. If I didn't already have a pack that about that size and another that was a little smaller plus one that was bigger it would have been great. I may only have one bike, but it seems that I have the N+1 problem with backpacks instead.

I have the radial 26 and really like it on my bike. They are pretty well made. It is bike specific though. Though I don't hike, I feel it wouldn't be a good for upright carrying.

I've been using the ~$30 Black Diamond backpack I picked up several years ago at REI. Very comfortable. Very well behaved. I carry my U-lock run through the long "loop" at the top (with a couple of easy to do mods that means the lock really stays put when I am riding. If interested, PM me. Good straps, good waist band. After a lot of use, it still appears brand new.

Bring your laptop to REI to check for fit.

It is dark grey, not ideal for visibility. I got some 3" Scotchlight reflecting tape and amd a big rectangle fo the bottom and lower back plus some on the sides.

Ben

I use the radial for commuting and it's an improvement over the Momentum I used previously. I've never used it anywhere but on the bike but don't see why it wouldn't work for hiking. I had hoped the mesh back would allow some air circulation but it doesn't really help. I like the pockets and compartments. I just carry an iPad but think it could handle a small laptop.

I have the Osprey Radial 26L that I use to commute to work (about 5 miles each way). They really thought it out well for cycling and it's very well made. It's so comfortable, honestly, sometimes I forget I'm wearing it. I think one of the best parts is that it has a "suspension" system that keeps the bag slightly off your back with only a mesh net against your body. I've never sweat on my back once using this pack. I also like that it has what they call a "kickstand" that lets the back stand upright on flat surfaces. Pretty handy. It also has a built-in rain cover.

I have an Osprey Momentum 30 that I like a lot. Interested to know how the Radial is even better.

I was looking at the Radial too but it was too big for me (26L is huge on the bike). I used the 'pack finder' on their site and they actually suggested the Syncro 15.

It's cheaper, has the 'airspeed' mesh for the back, pockets for keys, cards etc. two bottle pockets on the side, a "rain cover" at the bottom and it has space & shape for a hydration pack.

It's perfect for cycling, I couldn't have found a better pack for my needs.

I agree 20L is pushing it on a bike ... don't know why people need more.

Just because you can travel light doesn't mean everyone can. I have the Radial 34L and it was the perfect size for my needs. I've had to carry lab equipment, multiple textbooks, change of shoes and clothes, and food for the day. I no longer use the Radial bag (I have an Arkel that converts to a pannier), but it's very good for its purpose.

If I'm going out for a joy ride or if I'm only riding to work, then yes a small bag for the essentials works fine. When I'm riding to work, then to class, and then back to work, and I'm away from home for 14 hours then I need to be able to carry more with me.

--Edit--

This is the commuting forum, right?

--End Edit--

Same here ... Except I probably teach a lot of students like you.

I usually squeeze in a MBP, a full change of clothes including blazer and shoes, a lunch plus the essentials (wallet, passport, phone, bike lock, lights, keys, access card) in 20l with room yo spare

Currently, I'm packing up to head over the bouldering hall.

A lot of space utilisation is lost on the Osprey packs which is why I've never been a fan of them (do I really want to carry around a kickstand or water bottles in side pockets?)

Do students still carry around textbooks? I haven't seen one of our students with one in a long time.

I did say for my needs. I won't go into details, your needs are obviously different. The take-away is :
Try their 'Pack Finder' site, you might end-up with a better solution for your needs (could be cheaper too!)

And I completely agree with this. I am fortunate to have many different packs from which I can choose for a given task. My response was to acidfast7 who can't fathom that someone's needs might be different than his.

Because they use it for commuting and bring clothes and lunch and a laptop to work?


Also there are times I need to bring in extra biking clothes as the mornings are cold but afternoon warm. + a pump and co2 inflater and other necessities.

Look guys. My point is that not all companies make the space usable. My opinion via testing out several bags is that I get the same things in a larger volume Osprey bag than I do an Arc'teryx because the overall space is better utilised in the latter. My 20l curves to my back and it wider and the top and narrower at the bottom. It just makes sense for longer pointed shoes.

Just like packing luggage.

I think that the student above could get all of his/her in my 20l Arc'teryx spear bag.

Just buy better designed gear, unless you don't want to.

Can you do osprey manta? It holds less than its advertised volume, half of it is hydration pack. It would be a lot more comfortable for hiking strap and design wkse and it will hold 3L of water, which I imagine you will pack anyway.