Bike Forums - Commuting with a hiking backpack

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When it goes back to 30C + summer temperatures ,
you may not want something hanging over,
covering all those sweat glands , in your skin,
trying to cool your core temperature..

....

Quote:

Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 20686534)

When it goes back to 30C + summer temperatures , you may not want something hanging over,
covering all those sweat glands , in your skin, trying to cool your core temperature..

That is one advantage of the external frame packs over the internal frame packs. They usually have limited contact points.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas58 (Post 20684785)

Interesting.
My external frame pack carries the weight way too high for how I ride (relatively aero). I guess it could work if you are more upright. Big bonus is that their is air circulation so you won't sweat that much (not that this is a concern this time of year, lol).

I try to pack the external frame packs with the weight low. But, that is for camping, not bicycles.

I carry a small backpack on the bike a lot. But, would reserve the big packs for very rare "emergency" use, and probably would snag a trailer instead if that worked for where I was going.

Using a backpack, I was a sweaty mess in the summer when I got to work. Been doing a smaller messenger-type bag this year. But sometimes it wants to swing and fight with me. Since I really don't have to carry a lot anymore and am fortunate that I can stow things at work (such as clothes), I'm considering switching to a "fanny"/hip pack. Don't care how it looks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 20686534)

When it goes back to 30C + summer temperatures ,
you may not want something hanging over,
covering all those sweat glands , in your skin,
trying to cool your core temperature..

....

Too true. Backpack and clothing begin to smell like a middle school locker room. I was having to wash my pack weekly.

Also, makes harder to regulate when the weather is cold. And it’s pointless to layer clothing when the moisture is trapped against the skin.

I assume OP is pretty dedicated to using a backpack.
Mine is an ugly $4 thrift store find, but it was unused. It fits my 15.6” work laptop and a change of clothes. Or about 2 bags of groceries. In addition to my bike tools, spare tube, mini pump, and lock if I’m carrying one. Wallet, keys, all the personal effects.
I started using a backpack years before I started commuting by bike. They’re just practical.
A cheap rack and pannier that my backpack fits into works pretty well for me. Keeps my backpack clean and dry and off my back while I’m on the bike. I get the added bonus of more than double the hauling capacity for grocery store trips, I can wear the backpack AND load the pannier AND strap a bag or two to the top of the rack. Or I can take the pannier off completely, strap the pump, patch kit, and tools and maybe some food to the top of the rack for a day trip. Rear racks are generally inexpensive and will fit almost any bike. Panniers can be pricey but people do sell them used. To go back to carrying all that weight on my back and dealing with the additional sweat at this point would feel like punishment.
Edit: Additional thought - Handling is very different for me, too, whether load is on my back or on the bike, but I don’t generally commute aggressively, I tried for a few months and was never able to realize the benefit. It was just more sweat and more pain, I never really saved any time. Maybe I just wasn’t aggressive enough. But I would not describe the difference in handling as positive or negative if not riding aggressively, just different. If I were to want to ride aggressively, I wouldn’t want any added weight on my body or the bike honestly.