I received the Banjo Brothers Canvas Commuter in the mail today. I am not happy with the quality of the material or the shape. So it will be going back as a return.

Any thoughts on the Drago: Tracker Backpack?

Tracker Backpack

For $39.00
DRAGO Gear Tracker Backpack 18"x11"x11" 600D Polyester Black 14-301BL

Nope, mine is Treadlite 16L. Like this one, only in different color Blue Treadlite? 16L Backpack | Columbia.com

Even though, I would suggest to buy ManifestII. Treadlite 16 is perfect for smaller stuff like school books etc., but not universal enough (not enough room) for a weekend trip to, say, go skiing upstate.

those shoulder straps look rather bulky. how do they feel when you're riding?

thanks for the clarity. i was actually thinking the manifest looked a little more universal. i also like the thought of the stuff sack over the helmet clip for when my helmet is resting. wish the manifest was available with the red highlights though.

thanks for the review. sucks you were disappointed.

I've been using the Deuter Race EXP Air for the last two years and love it! It's a hydration pack, but I removed the bladder for commuting and am able to fit my 15" Macbook Pro, iPad Air, tupperware, shorts and sunglass case with "a little" room to spare. It has a built-in rain cover stored at the bottom of the pack and if I need to carry anything extra, I'll use the helmet straps to hold it on the outside of the pack.

Here's a link to the pack.

i've owned a good number of the bags being discussed.

i've got a +10yo chrome sultan ( i think, the specific model isn't made anymore or the name changed, but's the large rolltop similar to the ivan-like bags). it's a beast, it's an incredibly well travelled bag and still looks practically new. great investment. definitely fully waterproof in the roll top and zippered sections. in heavy rain some water can get into the exterior non-zippered pockets.

the biggest catch with the bag is the non-billowed nature of the pockets, fill up the large compartment and you're struggling to jam a laptop into the zippered pocket, and to get sundries into the smaller pockets. not such a big deal if you fill up the smaller pockets first, but can be a pain to pull things out and get them back in when fully loaded.

i had a mission workshop rambler before i swapped it out for a vx sanction.

the rambler is a beautiful bag, but mission workshop in general fails for small, easily accessible exterior pockets. the one small zippered pocket could barely squeeze in a phone and a wallet, and even that wasn't easy when the rest of the bag was full. also, it was really frustrating that it only had one of those pockets when the fabric on the other side is exactly the same and there could've been two. the non-main/expandable area large interior pockets are just too deep for easy access to small items, and are under a flap, complicating access. it carried like a dream and was great to be able to keep an emergency go kit of rain gear/whatever buried in the expandable area, even in the compressed mode, without even noticing it was there.

still, i swapped it out for a vx sanction 'cuz i found it's shortcomings just too annoying.

the vx sanction is also a beautifully made bag, carries wonderfully, but not quite as nice as the rambler (The rambler has a framesheet). the vx fabric is tough and light, worth the premium, imo.

if i had an office job i could keep stuff at and had generally small/consistent load requirements the sanction would be a nearly perfect man-purse. but i often find it just a tad too small. especially in winter when i want to pack layers/change of shoes/etc. i've gotten pretty used to the flap covering the small organizing pockets, but i'm not completely a fan. it also suffers from the small pockets being difficult to access when the main bag is full.

i find myself switching between the chrome and the sanction often. for this reason, i'm about to pull the trigger on a vandal, which i've had my hands on, and have seen in the wild. it has two exterior zippered pockets, on either side, unlike the rambler. in compressed mode it's a pretty reasonable size, doesn't seem oversized when i've seen it other people.

the interior pockets of the vandal also suffer from being too deep (on all mission workshop bags, they extend to the bottom of bag). which makes easy access to small stuff a pain. i'll probably take the bag to a tailor or local bag maker to get one of the interior pockets shortened for this reason.

the mesh style back panel of the mission workshop bags isn't my favorite style, and will cause pilling of polyester fabric. they're shoulder straps are incredibly well designed, nice and wide to distribute the load. i fully expect my vx sanction to enjoy the same longevity my chrome bag has enjoyed. the chrome backpanels are nice and smooth, but will get hot and sweaty.

my favorite summer bags are the osprey ones with the airspeed backs like the atmos (for backpacking) or the stratos series. i forget the specific model i had. the suspended back panel keeps you nice and cool.

when using non-fully waterproof bags like the ospreys i use a number of silicon impregnated nylon stuff sacks for organizing and water resistance. one sized about the size of the main bag and some smaller stuff sacks. works well. outdoor research makes some pretty light fully waterproof roll bags that i have one of for a main compartment bag that i like.

stashing a lock away on the chrome or mission workshops bags is either kludgy or tedious, i find.

Has anyone tried the timbuk2 Especial tres (or Medio)?
Especial Tres Cycling Backpack 2014

I have seen someone with that back in december at starbucks. They were definitely doing some kind of long distance ride, not commute.

- Andy

I couldn't help but grab one of the Timbuk2 Especial backpacks on sale at Zappos for Memorial Day!


Medio: $111 (from $180):
Timbuk2 Especial Medio Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways


Tres: $126 (from $210):
Timbuk2 Especial Tres Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways


Cuatro: $206 (from $230):
Timbuk2 Especial Cuatro Cycling Backpack Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways


Others:
Timbuk2 Especial, Bags | Shipped Free at Zappos


I ended up with the Tres: based on all of the great recommendations, Thanks! I hope to also use it for carrying my pro camera gear on outdoor assignments (as well as daily bike commuting).


Here are a few online reviews (for both the non-fully-waterproof 2013 model, as well as the newly updated, waterproof 2014 model):
Especial Tres Cycling Backpack 2014
Road Tests :: Timbuk2 Especial Tres - Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmmXtCeTuv0
Shameless Traveler
Timbuk2 Especial Tres Review » Gadget Review
Brevity Review: Timbuk2 Especial Tres Cycling Backpack | LaptopMemo
Timbuk2 Especial Tres Backpack | Urban Velo

I recently got a 2014 especial tres, and tried stuffing it with 12oz cans. The "how many beers" test. 72 cans of "beer" in the bag - phlatphrog's blog

So far I'm really liking the bag.

Wow- impressive.

I am also loving my Tres. Best option out there in my opinion. Even better designed (for actual use) than the Mission Workshop bags for 3 times the price.

this local (to me) company makes fantastic cycling back packs (lifetime warranty) and allows for complete customization:

PDX ? Rolltop | Blaqpaks

i cannot recommend them highly enough. (i like chrome bags too...especially since they are all made in the usa again).

Screw that,that's why I have a cargo bike.

Those look pretty awesome. One thing this tres is missing is enough compression straps, and it looks like Blaqpaks has got that figured out.

Yeah, I'd never actually attempt to move all that drink in my backpack. But I don't think they'll let me take my cargo bike onto the airplane.