I started out using a Detours backpack since it had the mesh panel & frame to allow airflow between back & the pack. It really did not help that much as I always would have a sweaty back after by 16 mi commute. I then moved onto the Arkel Commuter pannier bag, which I like ALOT. What nice is that it holds stuff better than the pack, has a laptop sleeve, and what I really like is the shoulder strap that attaches for carrrying off of the bike.

I'm still relatively new too. So far I have tried:

A backpack: I got really tired of strapping it on every day. I was not trying to shop or run any other errands yet. So I moved on to:

Messenger bags: Timbuk2, a large and a small. A lot of people hate them and the strap design does leave much to be desired. The small is my daily bag and it still sees a lot of use. The large was for groceries. It works and I still use it sometimes. But loading it and getting it adjusted is a pain. My biggest complaint about these bags is that some part of my bicycle -- a handlebar, a brake lever, a saddle nose or spring -- will inevitably catch on the shoulder strap while I am carrying the bike up or down stairs. This either unlocks the cam and instantly drops the bag or just creates an annoyance. And it's big and strapped to me and make getting the bicycle *and* me through a door an awkward experience. But like I said, they do work, and I keep going back to them. Whatever other solutions I try, I can count on the messenger bags.

Wald folding baskets: great for shopping and carrying home takeout food. But heavy. I eventually took them off the bicycle because I just got tired of hauling my five-pound heavier in the rear bicycle up the stairs. I still have them, but they are not mounted on any bicycle.

A small Wald basket, mounted in front. This worked great when I had the basket mounted to a rack. I no longer own the bicycle with the front rack (Trek Belleville -- P.O.S.). Basically, Wald *baskets* are good, but the mounting hardware is crap. It was less than a week before one of the struts bent. I don't have a bicycle with a front rack anymore, so not using this one, either.

A Sunlite wire handlebar basket (removable): clever design, but so far I have not seen a removable basket that does not rattle like crazy. A very heavy basket. Gave up on this one too.

My current commuter, a Retrovelo Paula, has a rear rack with binder straps. I love the bicycle, but the rack is not that great, and I can't exactly strap a sack of groceries to the rack using them. I have a wicker basket zip-tied to the rack, and a cargo net. Still not very useful. And it's a small basket, but it was what I had.

I'm sold on the Arkel shoppers, but still hesitant to order. As you can see, I've spent a fair amount on hauling accessories and have yet to be happy with one. I'm so far happy that I have not bought any panniers, because I would have cheaped out and got crappy ones.

Not much help, I know. I keep going back to the messenger bags. I think that decent panniers (Arkel) will be the answer, but I'm not ready to pull the trigger.

Backpacks are a literal pain for any amount of distance. Plus your back is all sweaty... something I'm sure you and your coworkers will love.

If you don't want panniers, try to find a proper, decent-sized sling pack -- not a messenger bag, which is just a big purse, and not one of those tiny, fashion-accessory slings. A good sling pack has multiple adjustments, a sterum strap and a padded, ergonomically correct shoulder strap, and hauls a decent load with reasonable comfort. I use mine just about all the time, usually just to carry my lock, a rain jacket, my wallet and phone, and a map or two. It will carry much more than that, but panniers are far superior for cargo. My Louis Garneau panniers clip on and off my rack in seconds, are light and easy to carry, and make perfect shopping bags. I keep one lined with an insulated zippered shopping bag, which is great for hauling frozen and/or refrigerated groceries, and also adds greatly to the pannier's waterproofing for hauling stuff that needs to stay dry.

You did not mention how far and how your commute takes you. For anything under 5 miles, I would simply messenger bag or backpack it. If you ride longer distances, pannier really come into their own since they take the weight off you and allows the rider to be more comfortable. I think waterproof Ortliebs are best but they are not cheap.

One consideration is that a backpack will obscure any high visibility jacket you are wearing while panniers will not.

Easily remedied. Reflective material can be applied to a backpack or mess bag. Some people cover their 'packs with safety vests; there's also that Flashback thing I've seen mentioned around here before. Of course, if the OP wants a backpack that is both waterproof and highly visible, then perhaps the Whitey Von from Banjo Brothers would suffice?*

*I own both a Large Commuter 'pack and a Large mess bag from Banjo Brothers, so I am a little biased towards their product.

I just reread the entire thread. There is one option that has yet to be brought up: a Carradice type saddle bag.

Both as needed...let me explain. I found that by using a water bladder "mini-backpack" I would always have tools, spares, plenty of water, etc, and I didn't have to "dress down" my bike every time I parked it. I had to drive to work once a week whether I wanted to or not, so I would use that day to take clothes for the next week and change out for the old ones. I even took frozen lunches that way, and stored an extra pair of shoes. So the days that I rode I didn't have to carry anything extra! If you get to ride 5 days a week, you might be able to do the same thing with a garment pannier and a rack pack or handlebar bag. For me, success was all about organization and planning ahead.

For whats it's worth, a backpack saved me from some broken collar bones.

It was a foggy(read wet, little visbility) dark morning in March. I was descending a hill in the middle of nowhere on my way into work. Unfortunately I work 15 miles outside of any town in the country. I hit about 30mph on the desecent when I ran over a pine cone. 2 complete 360's and a side skid later (or so i am told from a co-worker driving into work) I woke up in the hospital.

The backpack I was using had a suspension rack in it that came 1/4" above my shoulder. Looking at the pack it was obvious that IT and my head to all the force. If I wasn't wearing that backpack my shoulder would have taken ALOT of force, more then likely resulting in a broken collarbone or two.

Needless to say I still use that backpack whenever I can. Yes it did survive with relatively minor damage. BTW It has reflective material all over it for nighttime visibility. It is orange to begin with, has a place to clip on a strobe light up relatively high on the back, has a suspension frame to support the load, a curved back panel with mesh to allow airflow to my back and just about EVERYTHING a hiker/cyclist could ever want in a day pack.

Apparently they no longer make it in orange like mine, below is a link to the backpack I use.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/Str...ted/Stratos24/

Well - I did my first ride in today (went pretty well - but more hills on the way back than coming DREAD).

Anyway - just to kill the suspense I went with a..................backpack. Pannier bags will not be far behind I can tell you - but here's my thoughts so far.

I'm glad I got the backpack. It's an Ortlieb Messenger Pro and there's a lot to like about it. My reasoning was that - with a backpack, I don't have to worry about as much stuff on the bike - so I would be more likely to use it for things besides (or in addition to) commuting. Which is a big thing for me - I want to use the bike for more than getting back and forth to work.

Now - I don't have any major issues with the backpack - it holds a lot, it rides very comfortably, and I don't feel awkward or sore with it on the bike.

But packing up for the ride this morning - I can DEFINITELY see how nice it would be to have the extra cargo space of bags and not have to pick and choose what goes in the backpack. Also - it's cold now, so - the heat of it on my back is not a big deal but - come the warmer months, I know I will definitely want it off me.

That being said - it will be great to have around for quick trips and errands.

So - in short, I will be going with BOTH and just need to get the rack and bags in the coming week. My REI dividend is going to be HUGE this year :-)

Thanks again for all the feedback.

I don't use a backpack unless I have to. I know some people use them exclusively, but I can't get past the sweaty back issue. Plus, it obscures reflective clothing, so you'd need to adorn the backpack with reflective strips to compensate.

So I vote for panniers. And it looks like you are leaning that way now too.

The basket case
 

I use panniers and I really like them, however I thought of a new option this weekend that I might try out. The company Wald makes baskets for bicycles, why not get one of these for the rear and then you can throw your bags/gear in one of these. Then when you get to work just take them out. That way you do not have to drop a lot of money in some fancy bags or get a sweaty back in the summer months. These baskets are suppose to be nearly indestructible and they have a lot of options in sizes and design. Not to mention they cost less than most bags I have seen. The only down side, your bike might look like an old man owns it.

The only thing about the baskets is waterproofing. It's a big deal for me - being in Seattle. I don't really care about how things look - as long as they're functional.

Then you must have missed my post. I use a Carradic Nelson Longflap. In the summer I combine it with an REI Flash 18 which will stuff into the saddlebag if it isn't too full. I also use a backpack cover in the winter for high visibility and waterproofing:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=NP06852

Sea to Summit makes a pretty affordable dry bag. They are lightweight, compact very well and work great when it is raining, even when it's raining hard. I use them in my panniers which have long since lost their water resistance.

Start with what you have, and if you don't like how you feel, get a rack and panniers.

There are quite a few people who use the backpack + basket set-up. The common practice is to drop 'pack into basket for the ride, then grab the 'pack at your destination. Need to haul more stuff? Wear the backpack and put extra stuff in the basket(s). Plastic grocery and trash bags make pretty good waterproof bags in a pinch.

I'm currently use a mess bag for commuting, I have some old Nashbar Townies for shopping. After the temps start warming up again, I'll either try a lumbar pack or rack trunk, as most of my stuff now is all of the layers for the cold.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_200350
http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashba...BKRD-ANGLE.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashba...RD-MOUNTED.jpg
Anyone tried these?

I use to live just north of there so I understand the need for waterproofness. If your bags are not waterproof you can always put the bags in a plastic/trash bag to protect them while in transit.

I have been through a few mess bags, panniers, and backpacks. The Ortliebs won as panniers, and as I usually have just one on the back, it's even becoming my backpack of first resort most times. They make a backpack adapter that's pretty good--the bag is not as well-balanced as a true backpack, but the straps are nicely ergonomic and the backing that keeps the hard bits of the bag off our back works quite well. I don't always keep the adapter with the bag, as it's got some volume to it (weighs next to nothing though). However it would be pretty easy to clip it to the outside with one of the bags' straps.

I've really grown to like panniers, even the basic ones my sister gave to me (they're by Trek, and even the model name is "Basic Panniers" ;)).

No more back sweat when it's hot, no more cinching down on my warm clothing when it's cold, etc etc etc.

When I go to a store, there's so little space inside some places that walking around with a backpack gets in everyone else's way -- my body + a backpack = filling up an aisle in CVS, for example. I can maneuver panniers around a lot easier so I don't knock stuff off the shelves. Taking the panniers off and on the bike isn't any more difficult than putting on a backpack or messenger bag, either, so it's not like I'm wasting any effort that way.

I'll upgrade my panniers before I get another backpack or messenger bag (and my messenger bag is a Chrome Metropolis, which is already pretty sweet anyway).

I use panniers for most everything. I also use a backpack but keep it in one of the panniers. I just pull the backpack out and it has everything I need. If I were to pick something up on the way home, I just wear the backpack and I have more space. Best of both worlds!

I got tired of the way a backpack felt on my back and got a Racktime AddIt rack and a DoubleIt pannier - love that click system to put the pannier on the bike.

Well - I got some Ortlieb Panniers this week and a rack to hang them on (of course).

Installed all as well as a kickstand and I'm quite happy I did. I am glad that I got the backpack as well. If I want to run errands where I'm hopping on and off the bike....it would just be nice not to have to worry about leaving the bags behind.