johngwheeler

I've looking at getting a backpack for days when I need to carry a laptop computer or lots of gear that won't fit in a saddle bag. (Yes, I know a pack not ideal when it's heavy, but my carbon frame can't easily / cheaply fit a rack, and I need a backpack for day hiking in any case.)

I know I definitely want a waist belt and probably a chest strap as well, but am wondering whether there is any benefit or drawback in getting a wider padded belt, rather than thin one.

For larger walking packs, having a thick padded belt is really helpful because it allows lots of weight to be transferred to the hips instead of the shoulders.

However, I'm not sure on the bike. Would a thick belt become uncomfortable or make it difficult to get into a good riding posture?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Saale

My guess is that in hiking almost all of the weight goes into the shoulders, necessitating the need for redistribution, whereas being leaned forward during cycling it'll rest in parts on the shoulders and in parts on the back, and that a belt's primary function in cycling would be to secure the backpack, not to transfer weight. Comfortable shoulder straps and back padding would be a more important concern to me. A thick belt might even get in the way of thigh movement and start rubbing.

Also I doubt that a laptop or a bit of gear is comparable in weight to a hiking camping setup. Slightly overthinking it, but so would I.

fixedweasel

I have been using Messenger Bags and Backpacks for quite a long time and the backpack I have been using for almost 10 years has been a Chrome Warsaw (the Original one). It has a chest strap only and I have never found the need to have use for a waist belt.* My commute is 13 miles and I carry one to two sets of clothes, bike tools, 3 locks, 2 full meals, so not light but it's never been a problem for me. On a bike, because of the position, you have most of the weight on your shoulders/upper back and I'm not really sure having a waist belt would help that much. If you do have back problems though, it may be worth it for a little extra support. It also depends on your distance and the weight you're gonna haul about.





*i have a couple of lightweight 55l camping/hiking backpacks too with frames/waistbelts, so I can make the comparison.

BobbyG

I added a rackless roadbike to my commute mix about ten years ago in my 40s. When I ride it to work I wear my backpack, which in the winter can be packed tight with extra clothes and layers. Here's what works for me:

I leave the shoulder straps long and loose and rest the bulk of the pack on my lower back. This puts little to no pressure on my shoulders and mid-spine. In this way, even thinner shoulder straps would not be a problem, but my current straps are a little wide-ish.

I've never used a waist strap...I seldom have the bag slide off to the side (maybe once a year), and when it does, it's been much less than you would think, and not disruptive (YMMV).

Without a waist strap the bag is free to rock side to side. Now it may seem like this would cause it to slide to the side, but it actually allows the bag to stay centered as it rocks counter to my motion.

In addition to comfort, by leaving the straps long, the pack sits away from my back and allows for better ventilation. In the summer, only my shoulders get "sweat-through".

My advice is to check some second hand stores for an example of a backpack with a waist belt, and one without and try them out. When you decide which works best for you, then buy a new, quality backpack.

In the meantime, here's a couple of older short videos that show me wearing my backpack low and loose.

emptym

Like FW, I switched recently from a messenger bag to a backpack and I only used the sternum strap, never the waist.

rseeker

If you happen to have a pack with a waist strap but don't want to use it, it seems like you outta be able to buckle it behind the pack so it's out of the way. Instead of having the belt come forward, maybe push it behind and around the pack and buckle it there.

I do all my riding with a pack (because I'm diabetic and so carry a metric s***ton of food and glucose/fuel -- Don't Leave Home Without It TM ). The pack I use doesn't have a waist belt, so I just use shoulder straps. I have a sternum strap for it, but I only need that when I'm walking with it; when I ride, the arms-forward position keeps the shoulder straps in place.

The pack makes me sweat but I just live with that, I'm not commuting, just riding for recreation and exercise (and blood sugar control).

(As far as backpacking, when I was learning in a school outdoor program, they told us to adjust the pack so that the hips carry as much weight as possible, and not the shoulders. That and put the densest heaviest things as close to the body centerline as possible, i.e. in the small of the back.)

DrIsotope

Shimano Tokyo! Nothing quite like a pack designed specifically for cycling. I've been using an Untzen 6 for several years now. Tried "regular" packs a few times, and found the shoulder straps to be uncomfortably wide.

CliffordK

No pack belt here either.

I'll often change my back curve from down to up to stretch the back a bit. Sometimes I poke myself with a poorly loaded pack.

Anyway, I wonder if a belt would be inconvenient.

For hiking, a belt is handy for packs >50 lbs or so. For cycling, anything over 20 or 30 lbs goes on the rack/panniers or in a trailer.

55murray

I also do not bother with any belting on my back pack, I use one most days commuting.

caloso

I have an Osprey back pack that’s been ideal. Don’t remember the model name but just search on their website for commuting backpacks. It has a thin belt. Mostly to stabilize.

noglider 

Amazon has only one review of it, and it is unfavorable.

CliffordK

I regularly use the clip between shoulder straps on the camelback Mule. It helps relieve pressure from the shoulders.

Other packs don't have the feature, and I don't miss it.

DrIsotope

Either that guy was putting an unimaginable amount of weight in it, or wearing it without a shirt. I dunno. I've never noticed the straps on my Shimano pack once, even when with a full bladder in it and packed with stuff. The straps are what make the bags comfortable. Maybe he didn't like that they aren't padded? Maybe he didn't know how to properly adjust the strap length? Regardless, his review does not reflect my experience.

noglider 

Sure, but I wonder why so few reviews overall.

snoopansh

i usually use a thin and tough strap on my bag because i usually dont carry a lot but if i was really trying to drag something, i'd use a comfortable thick padded one. the width to me doesnt really matter as long as there is hella padding

ph0rk

I've used various backpacks, and I usually tuck the waist trap out of the way - the sternum trap does more than enough. Much happier with a rack bag though, even in winter.

acidfast7

my back it really beginning to show it's age (8 years of daily use).

however, except for the zipper which should be replaced, I expect it to last a long time.

lost_in_endicot

I've got this in red coming for my b-day:

https://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Raide...p?ie=UTF8&th=1

I don't need to carry a lot of stuff with me anymore, and it looks like it will work when I walk to work, too. Anyone else have any experience with this one? Pretty good price, if you aren't too picky on your color.

noglider 

I have it and like it. I got a tip on it here, and there was an ugly color selling cheap. But it's really floppy, so packing it takes extra trouble. Not a huge complaint, but when I saw mention of how some backpacks have kickstands, I began to understand it. It's a smallish bag, but it holds all I need. The laptop sleeve even fits my large laptop. I suspect the water bottle pockets may not last, but I'm still using them.

lost_in_endicot

It came today, and yeah, it's small. It should still work for me. I'm glad the sternum strap is adjustable. It was up around my neck when I first tried it on.

Bike Gremlin

This.

Although, my first choice is a rack - better let the bike carry the weight than my back. It's more comfy and even more aero to leave the backpack behind you on a (rear) rack.

And yes - no need for waist straps on a bicycle.

HardyWeinberg

For my own use I find when riding I use the chest strap and don't use the waist belt so therefore would not want to shortchange the waistbelt's offbike utility to make it fit into bike use