Dry bag for commuting?
 

Hi all,

I am currently commuting to work and in my country rainy season is starting, which is fine by me except for soaking my belongings on my backpack! I am considering using a dry bag such as the 20 liters Adventure Lion Premium Waterproof Dry Bag, I can´t post the amazon link yet but you can check it.

So my concern is, how comfortable would it be to use a 20 liters dry bag that only comes with one shoulder strap? Has anyone used a loaded dry bag to pedal for relatively short distances? Any feedback or advice would be appreciated. My average commuting distance is of about 9 miles and occasionally I will need to bring my laptop plus clothes and shoes.

Thanks in advance!

I use 2-gallon ziplock bags, if my wife can find them, or smaller if otherwise. I don't see how that can possibly be less effective than a waterproof/resistant carry bag.

Thanks, so you put all your stuff on the ziplock bag and then it on a backpack? That´s a simpler and more effective solution indeed. I asked a fellow commuter and he also gave me this advice, so I am also considering it as an option.

Yep. Or the ziplock inside a nylon bag transported inside my trunk, or inside what I use for a laptop bag, as the case may be.

I have always carried a rain-cover for my water-resistant panniers and trunk bags. Even with those, I have still put my electronics into ziplock bags, as a second layer of security.
Over the weekend, I found this pannier for 25% off at REI and gave it a shot:
https://ortliebusa.com/product/bike-shopper/
Oh my. This is my favorite bag ever! It hangs a bit lower than my old pannier. This makes for a bit more stable ride. The seal is beyond watertight. When I got to work and "unzipped" it, air from my house escaped (I'll have to remember to flatten it before sealing it). I've always carried by laptop on a low-profile backpack that can go under my raincoat, but this new pannier is big enough and watertight enough that I can take that weight off my shoulders now.
There are a couple of pockets inside, so I have a place for my wallet, house key and bike lock. This is my first bag with the Ortlieb Quick-Release system and it is quite impressive also. I can't say enough about this bag (and I've only used it once).

Why not get a drybag backpack?

Thanks,

My current set up is a revelate designs small pika seat bag and a regular jansport backpag. I haven't considered panniers yet due to the need of adding the frame to my bike. I am commuting on a singlespeed Specialized Langster.

Reviews of some have shown me that are not as effective as a dry bag and usually are more expensive. Do you have any particular recommendations? Thanks!

If that was my only bike, I’d look at getting a frame bag. Backpacks are awful. At least around here with the heat and humidity.

I was thinking of a frame bag. But the two drawbacks are small size (6L or less) and cost (many over $100). I'll have to revisit them since my current backpack is several years old and pretty beat up (one strap is fairly chewed up). Or maybe another option is a seat bag?

I did mention my low-profile backpack. It really does fit under my raincoat. I don't carry anything in it but a thin laptop and 2TB external drive. The bag really is that small, so you'd need another solution for more items. However, it is fully reflective, so when it is not raining, I would wear it out where cars' would light it up and see me.

https://www.betabrand.com/mens/more/...aptop-backpack

Even though it goes under my raincoat, I still would put my laptop inside a large ziplock, just in case.

No specific recommendations. IME a backpack is much more manageable on a bike than a single strap bag.

I generally dislike carrying much in backpacks, hate one strap bags (sliding around is what they do, especially if you get out of the saddle to go uphill) and love riding with the weight in front LowRider racks and panniers. And there are very good, fully waterproof panniers. (This was not true when I started cycling, but Ortlieb did the cycling world a huge favor by showing how it could be done. Now many others, inspired by them, make good waterproof bags and panniers. I still use the Ortliebs. The pair I bout 19 years ago hasn't worn out yet and the 9 year old pair look almost new.

I believe Ortleib now makes and I know some of their competitors make panniers with shoulder straps so you can carry them on the bike, then lift them off and sling over your shoulder when you lock the bike. My older Ortleibs have carry straps and I actually prefer to carry my dirty bags off the bike on wet days to throwing them over my shoulder.

Ben

An excellent philosophy and one that save me when I would get caught out in the open in one of Florida's torrential downpours. I had my computer double wrapped with the seam pointed down (water can still drip in when it gets really soaked). It was a nightmare when I lived in south Florida or any other hot, humid location. I got a Topeak with a quick release. If I ever did it again, I'd get a pannier.

There are also drybag panniers, which I believe are extremely effective at keeping the water out. Ortlieb. But, a few other brands too.

I just ordered a waterproof mountaineering backpack. It's supposed to get here Thursday and heavy rain is in the forecast for Friday. I'll let you know how it works and post the info after I've tried it.

Another option is a roll top bag that fits inside the backpack. I have a Banjo Bros replacement water proof liner that fits inside one of my panniers, but I know they make some for backpacks as well, and they are pretty cheap ($10.)

Cool, good luck and let us know!

Thanks to all for the ideas.

Do what many hikers/backpackers do. Line your pack with a heavy plastic bag. Put your stuff in and roll the bag top down to create a water proof seal. Most use a "contractors bag. It's simple, cheap and it works.

+1

I'm currently using the plastic shopping bags for my clothing inside the backpack trick. A little more ghetto than the contractor's bag but still fairly effective. I also take a second plastic bag and tie it around my seat. Put the knot in the front of the seatpost so it doesn't obscure the rear tail light. ;)

Spray paint the rack orange, get one purple pannier and one in metallic gold. Then it'll be hipster enough for you.

:lol:

I use a sling bag that isn't as water repellent as I'd anticipated, so after seeing this suggestion I looked around and found some extremely cheap dry bags on Ebay that are light enough to use as a liner. Haven't bought one yet but don't see why one wouldn't work. The Banjo Bros liner looks fine but I didn't see any details on dimensions, which annoyed me enough to look elsewhere for equivalents.

And does the sling bag stays put? I have a feeling it will be dancing around as mentioned on one of the posts above due to only one shoulder strap.

I have a Kelty Spur bag, it has two straps so mostly stays put. Bought it more for traveling but found that it works good enough for commuting.