What is the best kind of Backpack for commuting?

I will only have a 4-mile commute each way to work. I can leave clothes at work if I want, but I would like to be able to pack clothes in it just in case I change my mind about what I want to wear (woman's prerogative). I need to carry my cell phone, money, credit card, license, my lock, etc. At this point, I don't plan on taking my laptop back and forth to work. However, I may need to transport the laptop later on.

I have looked at a lot of different types of backpacks and just get more confused as to what would be the best. I'd like to keep the backpack as light as possible. Right now, I don't want to use panniers or baskets because I like having my bike "free" of stuff and ready to go when I just want to go for a short ride. I had panniers on my last bike and they were a real pain to take on and off.

Thanks for the advice in advance!!

I'm a big believer in keeping the bike light, the rider heavier.

I'd rather have the weight on my back so I can swing my bike back and forth to get up those hills.

I have an Eastpac because they have a lifetime guarantee. When it messes up for any reason I mail it to them for a couple bucks, they fix it or replace it (usually replace it) and send it back.

i like my camelbak mule... small backpack w/ removable bladder. even has a nice mp3 player pocket.

I love this one that I bought from Ebay. Think I paid $25.00 for it. I take pants, shirt, underclothes, wallet, belt, tube patching kit/multi-tool, deoderant and small aftershave. When I get to work, I place my headlight, taillight in bag and airpump in side pocket.
Ernest

I really love my Crumpler "Mahoubar" bag.



It's plenty big, and designed immaculately.

Jannd Mountianeering. Mine is 20 years old and going stong..

There is always the "Messenger bag" route. Many ways to go there.

Crumpler I don't know much about them but I have seen them more in my LCS(local camera shop) they make some nice looking camera bags as well.

Chrome I uses a Citizen, I even did a 300mile tour with it pretty well stuffed, not a lot of weigh mostly bolk(my cloth) I love this bag.

There are many others.

Seagull
R.E.Load
Timbuk2


All those companys also make Back pack style along with laptop capable bags. A good thing about them is they have a vinyl liner in them so that when it rains its no problem or worst your back sweet does not get in to what ever might be in the bag. I stand by my Chrome. There are others Though.

I still uses my basic JanSport that I have had for 10 years.

*edit*
I would also like to add that you should not be afraid of only having one strap. It will still fell nice(again 300mile, plus couriers do it everyday.) It will keep the load nice on your back. They have mostly have a stability strap. & they keep a nicer part of your back open to the air.

I had a major score at the REI garage sale a few years back. An Arc'teryx backpack, similar to this one, for $10, original price was $110. It's been a perfect commuting back pack for me!
https://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Arro-22#

I commute with a Reload messenger bag. It has a waterproof truck tarp liner, it keeps everything dry inside during the Guam rainy season. I commute 11.5 miles to work rain or shine nice and dry inside.

I use a Camelbak Blowfish these days for my commute. But I have a paddling "burrito" shaped bag that bungies very nicely onto my lightweight rack (Tubus Vega) when I need it.

Lately I've been doing a Saturday morning run to the office with clean work clothes for the week (from there I head out for other errands or just a Sat afternoon ride). I do use the rack bag and an older North Face rucksack for that. With pants, towels, and unmentionables in for the week, I just use the Blowfish Mon-Fri for a clean shirt, bit of food, and to bring back the dirties every day. Keeps my daily commute light and fast (relatively speaking ).

My personal favorite

I used a Swiss Gear laptop backpack for a couple of years, but you could do with something a good bit smaller -- the only issue is if you might want to transport a laptop sometimes, then some of the packs mentioned above will probably not cut it. Still, I wouldn't buy a bag based on the idea that some day you might want to haul something around -- that's how you end up hauling everything but the kitchen sink. Anyway, after two years of the backpack I switched to a messenger bag, which I very much prefer.

kajero, you have a new private message..

Serious? From experience or just theory?

I've done the backpack thing and it sucks. Weight on the bike is 100% times better than on the back. If you go with some panniers, and balance the load, the weight will be lower and the effects on the bike are a lot less dramatic than the effect of carrying a heavy load on the back. Even moving from a large trunk back to panniers was a dramatic difference.

try bunny hopping a 8 inch curb with 20lbs in a rear rack. Now try with 20lbs in a backpack. For agile city/urban hucking a backpack is the only way to go.

mmm...crumpler. sweet designs. strong like bull. pricey though.

20 lbs in a backpack commuting? Sounds more like touring. damn. What do you carry? I"m a little guy and 20 lbs on my back would only happen on a framed hiking backpack.

20 pounds is an easy thing that adds up.

5lb laptop(that's for a brand new one, older ones can get heavy)
+cords and chargers
2lb Ulock
3lbs of books
10lbs of bricks


but really I carry 20lbs in my bag sometimes, I had it full of potatoes one day I have a cook out with some friends.

There are grade school children carrying more than that in their daypacks.

Anyone else find it curious that (for the most part) cycling clothes are bright colors but cycling backpacks are dark or dull colored?

BTW: I went from a backpack to a rack/trunk... love getting that off my back.

I use this pack from Mountain Hardware which allows me to carry everything I need and a place for my helmet plus a laptop.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/Prod...&viewAll=False

Hard to see in the picture and the details do not say this on the website but it does in the brochure you get when you buy the pack. There is a pocket on the outsdie when you are looking at the green part of the backpack that is for a bike helmet and there are two side pockets which you can use for another bottle or food which you can reach when stopped or riding. Very useful pack.

I just weighed my backpack, 10 lbs. Thats after I drank my 3 bottles of water and ate my lunch.

I carry my:

school book(s)
Folder(s)
lunch
water
2x tubes
mini pump
small toolkit
adjustable wrench
leatherman
clear and tinted safety glasses (bugs to eye = bad)
hammer gel
zip ties
electrical tape
spoke tool
lighter
replacement AAA batteries (for blinky)
replacement lithium 123a something or others (for phenix luxeon headlight)
some change (for payphone, dont have a cell phone)
cable lock (dont need anything heavy duty in my area, plus it gives me versatility since there arent many bike racks were a u lock would work)

So full with lunch and water it could be 15 lbs, and when I buy 2 40oz on the way home it could be 20.

BTW I use an animal bike co. backpack. i dont think they make it anymore. Its pretty much a hobo BMX riders dream (or mine since i cant stand racks/panniers).


But for some people who dont huck and jive while commuting, panniers are perfect for flat gound cruising at speed.

Just like any choice we make its about what we prefer and what makes more sense for our situiation/how you ride. I come from a bmx backround so i like to make use of my ability to hop, jump and slam through shortcuts and obstacles while never slowing down. Thats why i use a backpack

I used to use a seal line baja bag. It is a dry bag with straps on it which is not for everyone. It holds a lot of stuff (30 liters) and has worked fine for a while.

Next week I am going to buy a seatpost rack and a trunk. It has a quick release so it will be quick to get on and off but can still hold up to 20 lbs. If I carry big things I will supplement with a backpack.

I bought a Bailey Works super pro, messenger bag last weekend. (medium size) and, although a little pricy, I think it's the best purchase i've made in a while. Lots of pockets for the small stuff. Large cargo space for my clothes and such. Comfy when on the bike, and when i'm not on it. I love it.

I bought a Spalding day pack from Goodwill. Cost like $2.99. It's black, with a nice reflective material stripe across it. It's pretty simple, only has three pockets, and I hooked one of my blinkies to the zipper fob. Works great.