Hey everyone-
I commuted into work for the first time today (17 hilly miles) but the backpack I was using totally sucked. It's a jansport messenger-ish bag that kept sliding around so it was under my armpit. Very annoying. Does anyone have any better recommendations? I'm saving 12 bucks a day on gas! Thanks

My recommendation would be to invest in a rack and trunk bag or panniers. You can find very reasonable deals at Nashbar/Performance/Jenson etc. Putting the weight on your bike and not on your back will make a would of difference in comfort especially for a 17 mile commute. If you have to go the back pack route, try to find one with gel papped straps.

+1 on rack + pannier(s), but if you don't want to go there, get a real messenger bag or a decent backpack. A "decent" backpack has good shoulder straps, hip belt and a strap across your chest to keep the backpack steady while riding.

--J

+1 on rack + pannier(s). The H2O Aircomfort by Deuter has a frame that holds the pack an inch or 2 off your back. It is available in 3 sizes.

i commute 20+ miles a day with a timbuk2 messenger bag. they come with a cross strap for stability. get the shoulder strap pad.

I'm one of the few backpack fans you'll find on bicycling forums. Probably only because I've been using backpacks for 20 years and see no reason to change my habits simply because I bought a bike. Probably because of my experience, I have no problems at all with the usual objections--it's too heavy, it makes me feel tippy, it makes me feel sweaty--and so on. I ride a hybrid anyway, so even the aerodynamics argument doesn't apply to me.

That said, the recent hot spell *did* make me wish for an alternative. Before next summer, I'll likely treat myself to one of these: The Arkel Bug is a convertable backpack/pannier. Wear it around like a backpack, attach it to a pannier rack for the ride. At 1400 cubic inches, it's a little small for what I routinely carry, so it will be a second choice for really hot days. I also doubt that I'd want to strap the thing on after using it as a pannier on a rainy ride .

Meanwhile, the Tom Bihn BrainBag is the best backpack I've ever owned. 2100 cubic inches also makes it the biggest pack I've ever owned. The three front compartments really help to keep things organized. The upper one is perfect for my multi-tool, lights and keys. The other two are reserved for work stuff and snacks.

The two main compartments are just plain gargantuan. I use one for lunch and for clothes (I can fit a complete change of clothes in there, including shoes and rain gear) and I use the other for books, laptop and work stuff.

Alternatively, either main compartment swallows up my helmet with room to spare. The bag is rugged enough that I can fill the thing with canned goods when I go shopping without worrying I'll leave a trail of groceries in the street. And I can fit a lot of canned goods in there. (I use it in addition to grocery panniers.)

Hope this helps!

I guess I'm in an exclusive club, then. I'm a backpack fan, too. I have a GoLite Race and a Sea-to-Summit ultralight sil-nylon drybag for a pack liner. The combo weighs under 2.5 pounds, holds 3000 cu. in. of stuff, and the pack has a hydration sleeve, too.
There's more backpack bike commuters up here in Redmond than there are pannier bike commuters. I think it's because the SRT and B-G trails are a little narrow, a lot of commuters use the trails for at least part of their ride, and no one wants to wreck because they knocked panniers w/ somebody at 15 mph.

The other way to take the load off your back and onto the bike is a saddlebag.

I have been using a Camelback Trans Alp backpack for 4 years - awesome pack. I use it for a 1hr commute each way and it is my go to pack for everyday use as well. Fits great, lots of pockets for organizing your gear, helmet & shoe pockets. The only think I would add is a spot to attach a blinky - I'll probably get a tab added myself.

Not cheap, but when this one wears out I'll be buying another ASAP. And I own at least 4 good backpacks - this one is the best by far.

ARRRGGGHHH! - just checked the Camelback website - seems they don't make the Trans Alp anymore - sh*tty. If you see one at you LBS grab it!

arkel bug

I really like the Deuter bag. In fact I own a Deuter BP and panniers. When in the drops I agree with those that posted to go with panniers, if affordable. When riding upright(mnt or hybrid) a BP is fine, in fact preferable(IMHO). Often heel strike is an issue with rear panniers on a mnt or hybrid. Here's a link for Deuter
https://www.deuterusa.com/
Charlie

A rack and rack trunk like one of the Topeak combinations is probably the best way to transport things on a bike especially for longer distances or heavier weights.
However if you really want to use a messenger bag or backpack get a good one. One of the $15 kids book bags or messenger bag look alikes are not going to be comfortable for a long ride. I really like my Chrome Metro. It is much more secure on my back than a cheap shoulder bag or back pack and easily accomadates fairly large loads. In addition it is water proof, durable and easy to use. I use a messenger bag because I can use it with multiple different bikes, it comes with me when I leave my bike, and it easily accomatates small loads for commuting or large loads for shopping.
Craig

I used a Camelback Trans Alps for a year. It worked well, but it was a little difficult getting my clothes in and out. The collection of pockets worked very well. I noticed I was distinctively faster using the backpack rather than panniers. The biggest problem sweat infiltrating the fabric. The pack is rank . My wife has banned the backpack from the house. That makes it much more difficult to loadup for the commute.

I have switched back to panniers. I currently use Ortlieb Sport Packers and a trunk. I preload the panniers with clothes, then just take one one. My lunch and other bits go in the trunk. I'm quite happy with this solution.

+1 for timbuk2, though I share your discomfort regarding messenger bags their eventual slide into the armpit. timbuk2 bags have a strap that prevents this (mine fell off long ago, but I've noticed I can get a replacement, so I think I will)

if you're carrying much more than oh, 10 lbs (say, a laptop or college textbooks) you're probably better off with the rack/panniers. I don'd mind taking my laptop in the mb, but I find more and more I just leave it at work 2 or 3 nights a week to make the hills easier. (ok, well, putting it on a rack might not make hills much easier, but at least more comfortable)

I'm part of the backpack club as well, abandoning both panniers and messenger bags in the past. The secret to finding a good pack is to:
- get one with a well-padded back
- waist straps are better than hip straps for stabilizing a small load
- don't get the biggest pack you can find; pack smart/light
- try a bunch of packs on before making your decision, loading them up with whatever you might take with you on your commute
- when you're trying on the packs, assume a biking position [bend over ]
- alpine climbing packs can make good bike packs because they tend to be narrow and often are cut so they don't interfere with a helmet
- don't cheap out! You're saving $12/day on gas, put some of that money into a decent pack

I have found the Dakine Hilo-pro to be pretty good. I have broad shoulders and it does not cut into them at all. I could not say that about other major brands.

looks like the backpack club isn't so exclusive after all

i rock a Chrome Ivan. a hair under 1700cuin, completely waterproof (rolltop). it's got enough room to carry a 5lb dell d810 laptop, full change of clothes (including shoes) and a rain jacket. it's got pockets on the outside that hold tools, spare tubes, arm warmers, wallet, phone, keys, etc. it's also green and makes me look like a ninja turtle. it's really comfy; nice wide straps, vertically adjustable chest strap so you can put it in a comfy place. it's also got another large zip pocket where i stuff my lock and pump. if you've got the main compartment packed you probably won't get much in here, but it's nice to have a divider. i thought it was a little spendy, but after a few months riding with it i wouldn't want anything else. my only complaint is the padding on the back isn't THAT cushy, and the air channels on it don't seem to be good enough when it's 75+ outside. or maybe i just sweat a lot, i dunno.

I use a backpack too. I use a Jansport Air Vital https://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/6184650/c/42748.html

I like them because I could use the straps on the side to strap my helmet to the bag.

I've been using an Ortlieb messenger bag for the last year for commuting and all my gettin' 'round stuff. I don't have a car and this has been my primary means of carrying groceries laundry and cycling neccesities.

It's a backpack style bag with all the straps you usually find on back packs for carrying a bunch of stuff.

What really sets it apart is the part of the bag that rests against your back is padded in a striped pattern for venting heat. Then on the inside of the bag is a flat plastic peice that acts as a stiffener to give the bag shape and to protect your back from pokey bits that maybe in the bag.

You could comfortably carry railroad spikes in this thing.

Ortlieb

i change between a backpack and a set of panniers that i designef myself depending on the conditions and my ride. if i can pack light i go for the backpack with a cheststrap to pull it in tight cos it feels like the weight is more evenly distributed rather that hanging on your back wheel. But if it's hot or i have a bit of a load to carry i go for the panniers - they convert to a shoulder bag which helps at uni or going grocery shopping... it's great changing between panniers and backpack, for me it makes for a nice variety in the feel of my bike... thats just me... im rambling, bye

Oddly enough that bag looks exactly like my BlackHawk Tactician, minus the color. I'd heard that BlackHawk was into design stealing but now I see some support for that theory.



I guess I won't be buying from them anymore.

I can get everything I need into a Camelback Blowfish. Not too big, slim profile, just the right amount of pockets.

If you're sure you want a backpack, then go that route -- but I'd suggest looking at real messenger bags like those from Chrome. You might also want to look around your LBS for a bag made locally. That way you get a nice bag and support a local business at the same time.

most of the messenger bags used in melbourne are crumpler (should come up if you google...), i've had friends that have had the same one for 10 years with hardly any wear - very good construction and materials, and desinged for messengers

Yeah, i'm planning on getting a bag for commuting to uni this year. For me panniers look kinda weird...I haven't seen a single person using them at my school. I know I know, who cares what they think right? But yeah, i'm looking at the chrome bags too, I like the chrome citizen messenger, and the backpack ranchero that they have. I'm not sure which one i'll get yet.