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Currently got a Dakine Drafter 14l which I love. Looking for something a bit bigger for big days out in the hills.
I can squeeze a decent amount of kit into the Dakine but I struggle to fit say, and insulated layer in along with everything else. I've just bought a range extender for my Rise too which ideally I'd like to stick in the bag once it's depleted.
I want enough space to ride all day in autumn/ early spring where 2 layers might need to be carried along with food, water, tools, spares etc. I tend to carry more crap than I need most of the time but I also tend to pack things for just in case. I'll probably never wear an insulated layer while actually riding but if I have a mechanical or fall off and break myself, I'm sure I'll be glad I carried it.
The thing I like most about the Drafter is the suspended mesh back. Partly because it keeps me cooler (well, less sweaty) and partly because it has a rigid insert in the bag so even when you stuff it full, it doesn't end up a wierd shape and roll around on my back.
Options seem fairly limited for this style of pack. I've got an Osprey Talon and a Lowe Alpine Airzone Trail for walking duties but want something more bike oriented that comes with internal pockets etc for organisation. And to be fair, the Talon is too big, the Airzone too small.
Front runner currently is the Osprey Syncro 20 which seems to be the closest to what I want.
Anyone got any better ideas?
I’ve got an Osprey Escapist 30 which is enormous and can easily get all my overnight gear in it for a winter bivvy. The back panel is very comfortable indeed even when fully packed. If Synchro is as well made and thought out you’ll not go far wrong.
I was going to suggest a 25 or 30 litre pack...I've got 2 from Evoc and they are great (but forget the names). One is 25l and has a built-in back protector and can carry 3l of water and space for plenty, it is black with yellow highlights). The other is a 30l thing I use for my commute to work so has a 17" MBP, change of clothes and wash kit...only thing it doesn't have space for is a pair of shoes, but I'm a size 10 and I reckons they'd take up too much space just based on size (it also have capability to carry a 3l water bladder).
I’ve just bought a range extender for my Rise too which ideally I’d like to stick in the bag once it’s depleted.
Out of interest, why?
I had looked at the escapist as well as the syncro. They seem pretty similar bar the back panel. Syncro has the suspended mesh while the escapist has the airscape foam. Escapist come in bigger capacity. Syncro come swith a roan cover.
I see they do a 25l which looks good capacity wise but would definitely prefer the suspended mesh back.
I'd prefer to get the weight off the bike.
It's 1.4kg on an already heavy (but 'lightweight' bike). Even though the total weight doesn't change, It's far less noticeable to me on my back that it is on the bike.
Good deals on Evoc to be had from Merlin. Ive got a Trail 26 with the back protector. I rarely fill it to the brim but it's nice to not have to faff with packing/unpacking.
Ok... Ordered a Syncro 20 and was fairly unimpressed.
Size wise, it's great. Easily fits everything I wanted in there, including the range extender. Falls short in design unfortunately. The mesh panel on the back has no tension to it meaning my back is in constant contact with the pack. Sort of defeating the object really. Once you've got a bladder in there, it's the bladder that's constantly touching my back.
That's not great from a sweaty bloke perspective and also means the water is going to get pretty warm, pretty quickly.
Go outdoors sell the Escapist so I might go and have a look at one to see how it looks in the flesh.
Otherwise the search continues
Would the Evoc ebike FR Trail pack be any good for you - my GF has one she has never used (came with her Merida ebike) and would sell. It has the battery compartment to keep the battery weight central.
Maybe worth a look at Wingnut packs?
https://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/wingnut-rucksacks
Really helped my sweaty back, though obviously there's still some contact lower down. They do a 'try before you buy' option too so you can check capacity & how it feels on the bike.
Another vote here for the Osprey Escapist; I'm on my second 25L one, both having come with rain covers included. The first one eventually disintegrated after almost 10 years of really quite hard use and had by then faded considerably from strong sunlight in Scotland, Spain and the Alps. Back ventilation is as good as any other pack I've tried. Swallows a group shelter, knee pads, 1kg of first aid kit, spares & tools, layers, grub, more layers...
The chest strap pocket is too small for a modern smartphone but is large enough for a typical short range VHF set.
Would the Evoc ebike FR Trail pack be any good for you
I've got one and it's great - fit's all my gear including 3l water, a spare 504wh battery and an Endura MT500 Jacket. Room on the outside for pads/helmets etc. Really stable and comfy - notice it less even when fully loaded inc battery than a Camelbak Mule NV without the battery
Osprey does - or maybe did - a bike commuter backpack called the Radial complete with suspended mesh back panel in, I think, a choice of 26 or 34L capacity. I've used one and I didn't think it was an amazing carry on the bike, felt a bit too, erm, rigid almost, to me, but it ticks most of your other boxes. The Escapist is a much nicer carry ime.
There are, of course, loads of hiking packs with suspended mesh-type back arrangements, Gregory do some nice ones and are also quite generous with their pockets ime. Or maybe a smaller capacity Talon.
<p style="text-align: left;">Another for osprey escapist 25, plenty of room in it for the family to fit everything in......and then I have to carry it</p>
I have a dakine with a 3 litre hydration bladder. Really rate it.
I've got a raptor 14, not sure how I'd ever need anything bigger, does me for a ride round the forest with all the crap you need for 4 kids, cinches down to almost nothing with just the bladder in. I'd happily get a full packed lunch, tools and a shell and an extra layer in it for a day in the mountains.