Hello all
I decided this year to forgo panniers on my new ride after over 8 years of panniers and try backpack. The thing with panniers is if they're convenient in putting on and taking off, they'll fall off at a most inconvenient time. So I secure them on and leave them, and after a season they need replaced. I wouldn't get any high end panniers as they'd be a huge loss in case of theft.
I was able to get a NOS timbuk2 swig off of Ebay for just 40 bucks incl. shipping. I recieved and found I liked it. Unlike other years, I have been more anxious to ride after having taken a year off of commuting. I've been riding in the cold, which I've never done before. I found the pack kept my back very warm. It also held a week's worth of groceries and was handier than having to load up my panniers.
I was also looking for a smaller hydration pack for my long rides later this spring. I found a Camelbak Alpine Explorer on Jenson USA for 40 bucks + shipping. It was rated larger than the Swig pack so I resisted. After much shopping and finding the quality hydration packs are generally 50 to 60 bucks, I dropped the hammer and ordered the Alpine Explorer.
I have found the AE to be superior to the Swig pack in pretty much every way. I can wear it real low on my back, put the waist belt on and take the weight off of my shoulders. The left side pocket holds my mini tool, tube and patches. The right side mesh pocket holds my lock just fine. It's not as easy to get into as it has zippers instead of buckles and velcro, but then I don't get into 20 times a mile so that's okay.
The only thing is the Swig pack has more rugged material, but the Camelbak should hold up well. Ultimately I guess the perfect pack would be an Alpine Explorer made with the same material as the Swig pack. I really like the AE's quick access pocket between the main compartment and the small front compartment.
I could go on and on. I do like the waist belt. At first I didn't like it then it occurred to me that it's called a 'waist belt' for a reason. I loosened up the shoulder straps so the belt would go around my waist below my stomach and no longer effected my breathing.
It also has cinch straps to secure a load or to make it more compact when empty.
Presently I don't keep the water bladder in it, I'll use the bladder only on my long rides.
I hope my post is informative for anyone considering a backpack, I won't say I have the best pack out there but so far the Camelbak seems like it will work best for me.

try wingnutgear.com
I have the Adventure Pack and I love it. Kinda pricey, but I have no regrets. Quality outweighs price sometimes. Especially for things that are used daily.

Mission Workshop Vandal. Best bag ever. You pay for what you get, and what you get with the Vandal is a SUV...its epic big. I rode my Rockhopper 29er WITH my CAAD9-5 strapped to it along with the wheels AND had my college books (around another 20 pounds) and still had room for spare clothing and my lunch AND dinner. Only thing the bag didn't hold at that point was me.

That's a photo op if there ever was one.

I'm actually considering the Rambler as the Vandal is a lot larger than I'd ever need. You do get what you pay for generally, but if the Camel Bak holds up for at least 3 yrs I think for the price I'd probably stick with that, butif it pukes on me this summer, a Mission Works bag will be in my posession.

Why?, I just mentioned my bag works. Hey that's a nice bag, but I only paid 40 bucks for my normally 100 dollar bag, so I think I'll stick with it.

Don't know why I'd do that since I have a great bag now, two to be exact. Anyhow if I move up the price ladder It'll probably a MW with a belt. Not sure why I'm getting recomendations for other bags when I post how great the ones I have work, but I guess the MFRs are apreciating the cheap advertising that we're giving them.

Because people are responding to your original post, you silly ass. And they probably don't read more than the first sentence of that, because of the terrible formatting and sentence structure.

If you don't want more suggestions - because they hurt your tummy, perhaps - then post something like this

I have a bag now, so there's no need to spend any more time helping me - if you do I'll only get whiny!

Btw - the Wingnut will have much better ergonomics than the packs you bought; it's probably a two-way competition between the 'nuts and Ergons "flink" based packs for the best-balanced-and-most-comfortable-pack title.

I misunderstood. You posted your assessment of a back pack you just recently purchased, and then had buyer's remorse over so purchased a second back pack option...to tell us how good they were; but only in the assumption that they meet your strict requirements for a bag, in which case...you had no other option but to use what you'd already purchased?

I still just wanted to brag about my Mission bag, so it's no worries mate. Good luck with the two bag option.