Mcarter24

I commute daily to school and work, around 30 miles round trip and typically have hardback textbooks, notebooks, tools, a change of clothes, shoes, and other various bits of junk in my bag. I am looking for a backpack, I don't want a messenger bag due to uneven weight distribution, and I find that my current backpack moves around a LOT especially when stopping so a waist strap is a must. Only other detail I might be picky about is pockets, I like to separate my stuff, my current bag requires digging for five minutes to find anything. What do you all use and how do you like it?

cleanupinaisle3

North Face Jester & North Face Hot Shot. Works for me. Jester isn't exactly comfortable (doesn't have any backpadding) but gets the job done if you're not carrying too much.

Darth_Firebolt

inb4 someone doesn't read and says "messenger bags are better"

kringle

Banjo Brothers and home made backpacks.

Switched to panniers, and loving them.

Leukybear 

I rotate between a Chrome Citizen and a North Face Big Shot.\

I like the Chrome bags because of the design/location of the shoulder strap (always order the shoulder strap opposite of ur writing hand); it allows you to be able to ride feeling unrestrained by a pack and your arms are free to all the ranges of motion. And I picked the Citizen (medium) model because it's not too big or small; just right.

I use my North Face only when I have to; like my chrome being in the wash.

RooNYC

I use an Ortieb messenger bag. Great dry bag so no worries at all about getting your stuff wet in the worst downpour. I got the clip in pocket inset and that only gives me two tiny pockets (cell phone in one and iPod Touch in the other. I use Fed Ex envelopes (the bubble wrap type that I can get for free at work) to divide up my gear.

The thing is enormous (30 liter internal volume, that like over 7 gallons.) I can easily fit two pair of shoes and three changes of clothes and have room to spare, a jacket and some books. It's very comfortable even when fully loaded and heavy.

psirue

anyone sell sag backpacks in the states?

mrvile

I'm using one of those Crumpler Mahoubar backpacks that kind of look like turtleshells/capes...they are a bit weird but actually function really well.

adriano 

the mahoubar is the tops.

caloso

REI Vista daypack. It's okay, not nearly as good as my dearly departed Northface daypack.

dmcdmc

i used to use a timbuk2. the cross strap broke a few times though (the hinge is made of plastic) but timbuk2 sent me new ones without a problem.

now i use my old north face hotshot (from about 8 years ago) since it balances better

wastan

You could go with something pitched more to the hunting & law enforcement crowd like this https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/PACK121-1.html

Hydration ready, cheap, tons of organization potential, reasonably water resistant and you can get it in basic black.

DRietz

Look at any climbing or hiking pack. They have waist straps and chest straps. I have a Jansport Solstice 3 from years ago when I was into climbing. I like it's about seven years old now, not a single tear and it works phenomenally. I use it on every mtb ride, even if I don't need it. Without it, I feel nekad.

Haagenize

Ortlieb Velocity
Keeps everything nice and dry, great for books and laptops, by keeping them in line, unlike in a jumble. Compartments can be an issue though

Meepers

i have been taking a hard long look at the Chrome Warsaw and the Kirov. Kirov is smaller and not out until Dec. But the Warsaw is mighty big, has plenty of pockets and lashing straps. i am very picky about pockets myself. if i needed another big bag, i would have the Warsaw. I think i am going to wait until the Kirov comes out. Chrome told me it is the same bag, just smaller and without the laptop sleeve.

pancake4life

anyone tried these? they seem pretty cool, and they are relatively cheap

RigHty

i got a white freight back pack. so far so good. nice and secure on my daily commutes. it also holds quite a bit.

mumblesmumbles

I wouldn't really call it a laptop pouch, maybe a net book pouch. It's not padded so you'll still need a sleeve and not deep enough to hold a sleeved 15" MBP and still close.



It's in there enough that it most likely won't fall out but I'd be more comfortable if it were a couple inches deeper so that the velcro would do it's job.

Well let's try to stuff it in the document pouch.



Nope. That won't work either.

So neither the Warsaw nor the Kirov have functional laptop pouches.

dcdude

been eyeing that ortlieb messenger mentioned a few posts up for a little while now. it doesn't have subdivided pockets, it's just a giant sack.

i don't know if it's simply too big though, i'd really like to see one in person but I don't know of any shops that carry them around here

dbgray21

i rotate between 2 different jansports. can't knock the classics!

psirue

the ortlieb messenger / pro is huge.
like a suitcase on your back.
too large for my purposes.
the velocity is more of my size.

If I need to carry that much stuff, I'll ride my bike w/ a rack.

adriano 

why are you idiots are not smart enough nor cool enough to use a messenger bag?

psirue

clipless is better!

psirue

oh wait. you already did that.

adriano 

all i know is messenger bags make a lot of ergonomic sense.