One that has a strong clip mechanism for attaching to the molle or webbing. A lot of the ones I have found just have a simple "slide on" type of clip made of plastic that may snap off or fall off if the bag is thrown around.

What kind of backpack? And what position do you ride in, upright or leaning forward. I thought about a backpack light in the past, but the angle of the bag changes depending o what position I'm riding in, and the internal lead of the bag.

If you are interested in a rear light and don't have a bike mount, why not try mounting it on the back of your helmet. If you don't wear one, many under seat bags come with mounting straps for clip-on lights.

On my old road bike, I mounted the light on the left seat stay using an old innertube to beef up the mounting diameter. The added benefit is the light dances off the spokes for better side visibility. The downside is it is low down in traffic.

Finally, on the rear light of my main commuter, I have had the plastic clip of two successive lights break due to vibration. So I opened the backside and drilled a small hole (easy with the soft plastic) and put a small bolt facing rear-ward (with washers). If you do something like that you could find a very sturdy clamp, like a small metal or plastic A-clamp with a pre-drilled hole.

it's a smaller 15 liter backpack that rides a bit high due to its size . I usually ride leaning forward and the mounting point on the bag is closer to the bottom, so that would make the light visible to traffic rather than aimed down or up.


I'll def look into the DIY options with the screw if I find one that can handle it

I like my Bontrager Flare R light. It's bright enough to be used during the day. I have an attachment for my seatpost, and another attachment that I use to clip it to a jersey pocket or backpack:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...Code=greylight

i think you just have to experiment with lights. I have used some different bike lights on various packs. it is tricky because of the riding position.

Right now, I have been just using a good seatpost light. I may revisit the backpack light again sometime.

Harbor Freight has a sweet triangular shaped light for cheap, but unfortunately not rechargeable, and the hook is pretty simple (although seemingly durable). If your pack has a mesh pocket, it might still work if stuffed into the mesh pocket.

Don't get a Cygolite Hotshot for this. It's a good, bright light, but it's not a good one for flopping around, it has a strong, narrow beam that I like to aim behind and left of me. When on the road bike I use the seat post mount and I'm much happier that way. My backpack has a single bit of webbing (not sure if "MOLLE" is apropos for just one loop) and I clip my Hotshot to it when riding the MTB. It's my second Hotshot, the first was lost while clipped like this, tho on a different bag.

Looking into it a little further, I think what you'd best do is screw the bike light to one of the standard clips. This is good reading, I didn't know about all this stuff before just now.
https://milspecmonkey.com/index.php/...nection-styles

It would be nice if it starts showing up in backpacker colors and not just military. Camelbak has a version of the MULE with this stuff but it's only in khaki, black, and camo

Moon tail lights have good clips for things like backpacks.
https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-co...ght-93618.html

I'm going to echo some of the comments above. I see an awful lot of blinkies attached to backpacks, and they are almost always pointing somewhere other than where they will be most effective. One reason for this, I think, is that it's hard for the backpack wearer to assess and/or adjust the position of the flasher.

I much prefer a frame, rack or seatpost mounting for my rear light because I know it will be positioned well.
However you mount or position your light, make sure the batteries are reasonably fresh or charged... I also see a lot of them that are barely visible. You want to "be seen and not hurt"!
Steve

Many of the battery powered lights just get dimmer and dimmer until you choose to replace the battery. And there is always the temptation to wait too long.

That is one advantage of rechargeable lights. Just throw them on the charger at night, and they're as bright as ever the next day. And never worry about replacement batteries.

As far as light positioning, I do like seatpost lights, but rear cargo on one's rack can impact light positioning.

I had also experimented with seat wedge bag lights for a while, although I think the one I was using eventually died.

Put a ziptie or o-ring or rubber band around the slide and the light. You can see one on taillight on this bike

DSCN0387 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

I've been putting them on all my lights to keep from losing so many. I see a lot of taillights along the road from ones that have bounced off. I've also lost a few. The ziptie doesn't have to be that tight and can usually just be slipped off when you need to take off the light.

all excellent suggestions, thanks. I went with the metal mount from bontrager for the Flare R. I put a zip tie around the bottom point to prevent the clip from sliding up and out. I only have the clip for now as it was only 5 bucks at an lbs. I wanted to first see if it would clear the wider nylon webbing on the bag, which it does. I'll pick up the Flare R soon and see about further securing the light itself to the clip using another zip tie.

I no longer use replaceable batteries in my lights. The Li-ion battery technology is so good I only have to charge the lights once a week... except for the one that runs off the dynohub.

Also... no batteries to discard. Li-ion batteries should be recycled though.
Steve

That is a novel lighting idea...I like it!

Tern "Vizy" light. There is some more information on this thread: Tern vizy light alternative
Steve

This is just a cheap $10-15 blinkie from one of the big boxes. I've got 3 total. Never had a problem with them falling off.

[IMG]These trees are losing their red seeds by res1due, on Flickr[/IMG]

Personally, I put a light on my rack, lights on each pannier and if I'm wearing a backpack one there too. Mostly, I've found multiple cheap lights suffice (and expensive lights aren't lasting that much longer). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014692F1W...a-323318046412 . works in a variety of configs. Some cheap small lights https://geek.wish.com/c/591c6b3b1cc0b0581b006e3b can work well, they don't hold very well on their own, but some creative rubber banding seems to do the trick, especially on backpacks. Reflective tape is also good https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Tena...flective++tape . works pretty well, and placing it near the light helps (even if the light wanders off axis a bit)

That's a great setup! where di you get that sweet light?

I have one of these that I keep on my bag.

To solve the problem of the light potentially falling out of the strap, I simply put a paperclip through the two metal pieces at the end. Problem solved!

Here: https://store.ternbicycles.com/products/vizy-light
Or here: Biologic
Steve

https://www.cheaperthandirt.net/prod...38739011899.do

Put the batteries in and smack yourself alternately in the groin and face with it while repeating "backpacks and bikes don't mix." Eventually you'll see why you don't need a backpack light.

I commute with one every day. No light on the pack, though.
Steve

webbing/strap hook is on many lights ,, planet bike Its on the back of the light, and the mount on the bike, is made to leave it there.

still have an old Vista Light blinky , hang it from a strap piece factory sewn on my Carradice saddle bag/.








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And a lot of people commute with a hangover every day. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Cynicism noted. Enjoy your backpack-free existence!
Steve