ghettocruiser

I ditched the panniers in the late '90s.

In the rare case that things are too big for my backpack, I use a trailer.

Statistically however, most commuters prefer panniers, both on this forum and among people I ride with.

Drew Eckhardt 

Pannier. It's much more comfortable.

I used back packs (and a BOB Yak for really big loads) for years and am so much happier after changing.

Panniers are detachable. With something like the Arkel commuter you pull one handle and the pannier comes off. There's another handle for carrying, and if you really want there are hooks for shoulder straps.

A single pannier also works great for a lot of purposes - you don't need more for a laptop, work clothes, rain gear, lock, etc.

irwin7638

For commuting and grocery shopping I would prefer folding Wald baskets. They're there when you need 'em and just about anything fits in whatever bag you like, grocery bags fit perfectly. But the best thing is they fold up out of the way when you don't. I never like carrying things on my person when riding, let the machine do that.

sharlars

I'm a short older woman who uses a backpack as I want to be able to carry bike easily up and down stairs (3 flights) at BART; want to avoid elevator which is more time consuming.

Ipedaltahoe

go with a long tail...Xtracycle. No taking bags off and on and no heal strike issues. You can carry everything plus a person if needed. I use mine all Winter and for hauling trips like grocery store and beach. When I want to travel light I have a single speed and use a timbuk 2 messenger bag with the sternum (?) strap. Its just more organized than all my backpacks.

carfreephilly

I use either, depending on the bike and the weather. If I'm on my little folding bike, I use a large backpack-style messenger bag. If I'm on my other regular commuter, I use panniers. If it's really hot out, panniers are the way to go, but cold and wind means I'll be taking my backpack.

EKW in DC

I did the backpack thing for a good solid 8 months before I finally moved on. I say avoid the backpack if you can.

I'd add something new to the mix and offer another solution that hasn't been suggested yet, and it is actually my normal daily commute set up: Topeak Explorer Rack and DX rack trunk w/ fold-down panniers. It has a shoulder strap you can clip on. the MTX system means it slides right off with ease when needed yet snaps into place securely. I keep my lunch, wallet, keys, phone, etc. in the trunk part, change of clothes, lock, and some other odds and ends (towel and shower supplies in summer, e.g.) in the fold-down pannier. That still leaves me room for the occasional grocery item I have to buy on the way home as well.

I do also have a pair of panniers which I sometimes throw onto my front rack for added storage space on days when I need to bring home bigger items from work, drop off dry cleaning (like today), etc.

tjspiel

Not as convenient as having the shoulder straps already attached, and better still, - already on your back. Plus, if it's wet and/or snowy, a pannier covered with road grit isn't something I'm going to want to sling over my shoulder.

There are pros and cons to each but neither one is perfect for all riders and all commutes.

anaheim flash

had racks, multiple panniers, trunk bags, etc etc.....my wife uses those now. i do backpacks as i hate all the girly-like fuss over them. the load on my back is balanced by me DIRECTLY as opposed to correcting shifting loads swinging over the back wheel.

girly-like. i said it.

hairlessbill

I like a small well-fitted backpack for my daily commute needs. Something that is as narrow as practical so my back isn't completely covered. My current pack is a fairly narrow Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon but I switch to a REI Flash 18 in the summer so I can toss it in my Carradice saddle bag. I have panniers but I seldom use them - I do not like how they muck with the bike handling and I hate transferring my daily carry stuff between them and my man-purse. I have to carry a bunch of stuff on me no matter what system I use.

Unless is it over 70F I hardly notice the pack on my back. When it gets hot I switch to a messenger bag - a Baileyworks SuperPro - or an even smaller pack like the Deuter Race-X.

hubcap

Practically, I carry too much stuff on my work commute to use a backpack, particularly in the winter. I use two Arkel Bugs almost all of the time. Sometimes in the summer I will downgrade to a single pannier if I am not shuttling batches of clothes or food to the office. I also have Ortlieb panniers that I mainly use for traveling/touring, but have occasionally used for commuting. They are nice when I know I will be riding in monsoon-type weather. I have used backpacks at times, but I really hate them, particularly if I have much weight in them. They make me sweat, even in the winter, and I don't like having sweat soaked clothes in the winter.

CptjohnC

You don't mention how far you are riding, or whether your bike is set up for panniers (does it have a rack?)

I would definitely say this is not a 'one size fits all' subject.

When I started, I used a backpack because it was cheap (I already had one), it was convenient (I am multi-modal, and carrying a backpack off the bike is tons easier than carrying panniers off the bike) and it was simple (no extra hardware, nothing to mess with). The backpack was great when I was riding a mile and a half each way. It was fine when I was riding 6 miles each way. It was not so cool when I started riding 10 plus miles each way. Note that I was not using a cycling specific backpack, and it probably weighed in somewhere between 12-20 lbs most days. A well fitted backpack designed with cycling in mind should be a very efficient way to carry stuff, and I doubt one would experience 'sway' on any decent pack. But, if it isn't well fitted, the straps are likely to impede mobility, and there could be issues with excessive motion. My pack is not cycling specific, and the straps are a bit too wide for riding comfort. I don't notice on short rides, but after 40-50 minutes, I notice the tension in my neck and shoulders.

Having said all that, I now ride with panniers. They are definitely comfortable for longer rides, insofar as the weight is not on me, but I do feel they exact a much greater toll on the bike's handling and feeling of stability, esp. when I began using them. Like most things, you adjust, but this might be an issue depending on your riding style. And, although the weight is carried lower, it is also carried to the rear of the bike (unless you plan to do front and rear racks and bags), which makes my bike feel light in the front (not always a bad thing, of course). And, if you have to pick up or carry your bike, panniers are a bit of a pain, as your 20 lb bike now weighs 5-X lbs more, with the addition of the rack, bags and load. And generally, that rack is there whether you use the panniers or not, which is added weight to pedal around all the time. There's also aerodynamics to consider, but that's the least of my worries :-) It also takes longer to get the panniers off the bike than it does to walk away with my backpack on.

The sweatiness issue is not a major factor for me -- I sweat plenty either way, and all that changes is where the sweat accumulates. Your tolerance might be different.

I definitely have more space with my panniers than most cycling friendly back packs offer, but that isn't necessarily a good thing, as I tend to carry more junk because I can. I was lighter and leaner without :-/

My take is longer rides? Panniers are far superior. Shorter rides? backpacks might have real advantages, and even if they don't, panniers might not be worth it.

I've never used a messenger bag, but no matter how well designed, I have trouble seeing how it could possibly be more stable than a backpack. I think that with a waist strap it should be as stable as a backpack with only the shoulder straps. It does move the weight lower, which might have some advantages. I tried riding once or twice with a regular shoulder strap briefcase when my backpack zipper blew out, and found that nigh unto impossible, as it wasn't stable at all. I do NOT believe any well designed messenger bag would share that flaw.
Last: As with most things, you probably get what you pay for most of the time. Cheaping out (as I usually do) is probably a false economy, if you plan to use the stuff for the long haul. I have middling cheap panniers because I wasn't sure I'd like them. When I need to replace them, I intend to move up to high quality bags. The same is true of my pack, however: it was a low cost alternative when I had no real money to spend. I would guess I'd be more pleased with a better fitting, cycling oriented pack.

rnorris

If there's any lesson to be learned here, it's that the panniers vs. backpack issue is a highly personal one and it will really boil down to which one you prefer. I've gone both ways, but mostly have used a backpack in recent years due to it being much simpler for a multimode commute. My commute by bike runs between 10 and 19 miles, and the backpack is light enough that it only becomes uncomfortable in unusually warm weather or when wearing heavy rain gear. I'm also quite small and find it much easier to carry my bikes when there isn't extra weight on them.

Allez3

Do like I do.

Work the same place your wife does!

She drives and drops off the kids, I'll be riding. Also gives me a way home if weather is insane.

I used to drive on Monday, take my clothes in, leave the car all week and drive home on Friday. Worked well. Only had to worry about a bag. Used a backpack. This also gave me an out if weather was too severe to get home.

oban_kobi

I used a backpack for months, then I got sick of it, especially because of the heat. I go to college, so it's horrible to carry a heavy pannier all day, so I just stick my backpack in it on the way in, then wear the backpack and carry the pannier. Sure, I may as well stamp "dork" on my face, but it's a LOT nicer than having that monstrosity on my back.

yarb

Backpack for me. I travel light, with usually just a shirt and underwear (tools etc in a seat bag). Maybe some lunch or a book. If you're not going to carry more than 3-5lbs you don't need panniers. Once in a while I have to carry my laptop and that is uncomfortable.

I use my backpack for grocery runs, too, but that only works because I live so close to the shops; it'd be too heavy otherwise.

When the sun's shining I ride a road bike which doesn't accept panniers anyway.

SurlyLaika

okay, I'll be devil's advocate here since a lot of people seem to be voting for panniers. (I do use panniers, but only when I am hauling a lot of crap) I use a Wingnut hydration-pack, ya know like Camelbaks...and I love it. It really helps me prioritize what I need to lug around all day. My daily loads are now much lighter than they were when I was using the backpack and an Ortlieb. I pretty much only carry things I know I need. There is so much unnecessary space in panniers that they kind of end up turning into a black hole, dragging you down with the gravity of the universe and a mess of things you don't realize are inside. Anyways, the point is that hydration-packs like Wingnut and Camelbak are very functional for bicyclists. And then there is the bonus of having water at your fingertips on longer commuters instead of stopping to get a water bottle. Panniers are just overkill for most of what you usually want to carry.

btw, my adventure pack from Wingnut has 1600 cubic inches of space and I find that sufficient for most of my needs, plus the features are extremely well-thought out. I really recommend their products.

SurlyLaika

What a novel solution. I've carried both a pannier and a backpack at my university. It gets old, too. I find that simply carrying less makes life a lot easier. Think about how much you use the things you carry and give the dead weight the boot. =]

SurlyLaika

I need to say that using one rear pannier loaded with pretty much what you list here has caused my bike to be unstable. One time I was nearly pulled in by the weight to the curb. Luckily, I was going slow enough that I was able to hit the brakes and use my foot to skid to a rough stop. The second time I was pulled into a thin, deep gap in the concrete and I ate it that time. I don't have that issue with a backpack. +1 for backpacks.

oban_kobi

It used to be a lot lighter heh, but now with mornings and nights being so cold, I have to bring extra clothes or I'll freeze. Summers I can get away with way less though. I'll have to remember that and try not to haul so much.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that nothing horrible has happened to me for using one pannier. Obviously bikes/racks/panniers are different though, so be careful the first few times.

hairlessbill

This has been my experience with the single pannier experience too. I love panniers for touring but for rough riding or ice/snow conditions the single pannier (or any unbalanced load) on the rear makes it way too hard to maneuver.

clasher

I ride with panniers now, just a fresh convert. I don't always have much in them, sometimes just a pump, flat-kit and mutli-tool. I don't really notice the weight when they are full, and I usually do 5-10km trips without any issues, and I have them mounted on a bike with pretty aggressive geometry, they are just far back on the panniers and my size 12 feet don't hit them. They aren't anything special or fancy but they get the job done. I used to have a small shoulder bag, and it's much nicer to have an exposed back. I also only have one pannier and it's on the right-hand side of the bike. I hardly know it's there. I find riding with a knapsack with a similar load to be much more uncomfortable.

mrosenlof

I think if your load is very light, then it doesn't matter. Especially when the weather is cool.

In the summer I'll pick pannier over backpack every time. It's cooler and more comfortable.

If you have weight or bulk to haul, the pannier route is probably more comfortable. If you can reduce the weight or bulk, that will always be a good thing as far as the riding goes, at least!

monsterpile

Welcome!

I had a great messenger bag that I used to use all the time and it was pretty great but its faling apart. I might rebuild it because I like it so much. I ride farther now and it matters if I am sweaty when I get to work so I haven't used a bag for quite a while because I tend to sweat with anything on my back.

What I use now is a bike with a rear rack a trunk bag for the stuff I always have like my lock etc and then I have one of those folding baskets on the side. The disadvantage of those is they are kinda heavy and they make some noise rattling around sometimes. What I like about them is you can put whatever you want in there. or if you don't need them they fold up. THey are pretly much a utility type thing which I like. If I need to take a bigger bag of stuff with me just throw it in there. If its just a small bag doesn't matter throw it in. I can take whatever I put in there easily and carry it with me. Its great for shopping. You could put something in it to keep the bottom of whatever you put in there dry which would be handy. I am not saying its the best idea, but its an option and I like it. I woudl like to try a pannier though that I actualy like. I had some old Cannondales I got at a Thrift store and while they were nice they were awful to carry anywhere and looked really weird off the bike.

You have what sounds like a pretty nice bag you can start with that and try out different things. Different stuff works for different people. One thing I like to have is one of these little gymsacks in my trunk bag to put your helmet in to carry it while you go into a store if you worry about someone stealing it. I have a bunch of these (probably near a lifetime suppply) from various booths at the fair.

https://www.famousfootwear.com/Shoppi...712&pg=1017659

Alan@TreeFort

Panniers are great as the create a lower center of gravity and get the weight off of your back. I'm forced to use a messenger bag right now because my commuter doesn't have a rear rack option. Its fine in the winter, but definitely an annoyance in the summer. Its also annoying when I have a small number of items to bring, but still have the huge bag to lug around. If your pocket book and bike can accept panniers, then defintely go with them.