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Don't want panniers as I have some pretty narrow gaps to navigate. I use a courier bag at the minute, and while it's big enough to carry everything I need, my left shoulder has had enough, recommend me a back pack. It must be waterproof.
I have an Ortlieb Velocity 17 that I quite like .....
topeak rack with one of the top-mounted bags? sits in way narrower than pedals, probably the same width as the rear stays.
https://www.topeak.com/us/en/product/638-MTX-TRUNK-DRYBAG
much nicer than getting a sweaty back
Not bicycle specific, but can’t speak highly enough of any of The Kriega motorcycles stuff.
Tough, functional and well thought out.
I’ve got an Ortlieb Commuter daypack which is pretty bombproof and big enough for laptop, change of clothes and shoes. More than comfortable enough for my 15km commute each way. Can pick one up for £100. Would recommend.
https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/commuter-daypack-city+R4106
Excellent piece of kit, absolutely bomb proof and you'll never worry about its contents getting wet.
I used to swear by backpack but then in the summer during lockdown started riding with minimal gear stuffed in a frame bag. Then when I returned to commuting again, didn't want to go back to backpacks. I use a waterproof Ortileib frame bag, for lunch, pump, jacket, keys etc, waterproof Alpkit dry bag for clothes, strapped to rear rack, and a waterproof Ortileib saddle bag for spare tubes, multitool etc. And half a Maxxis Minion SS wrapped around a short spirit level strapped to frame. Much fun in heavy cross winds too.
I’ve got a Lomo dry bag backpack quite similar to the pro vis one above. Only paid about £40 for it.
Keeps everything dry without needing one of those fiddly covers over it.
When I get a bike that can take a rack I’m tempted to get one of those bags that sit above the back wheel on the rack - with a heavy ish laptop / clothes / food the backpack can get wearing.
Ah, here it is - £38:
https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/30l-hi-viz-cycling-dry-bag-rucksack/
The one bag I gave away and actually regret,Evoc Commuter 18L Backpack.
Made out of a tarp material but had a good back breathing system, its a not a massive storage but enough for some t-shirts and pants and the odd laptop/sandwiches, had it for years and they are possibly out of production.
Was always just grab and go and survived commuting better than I did in all weather conditions.
(12-15 miles each way Bristol-bath battle path)
Other option I used to sometimes use was a front barbag,topeak frontloader in the summers but I did find it moar fiddlier than Evoc but handy to just drop a weeks worth of pants and t-shirts into work on a Monday then just carry stuff in jersey pockets or small Topeak mid frame bag rest of week.
Got the lomo one above, its great.
And half a Maxxis Minion SS wrapped around a short spirit level strapped to frame.
Why do you carry a spirit level?
I also use a Kriega on motorbike - tailbag. They have a ten year guarantee I think. Really good.
But for biking I use a Henty vertical rollbag backpack. It's absolutely waterproof, holds a 3 litre bladder as well as two lunchboxes shirt and undies, wallet, etc and is brightly coloured. Great on a 60km round trip commute covered in mud and rain.
Why do you carry a spirit level?
Just a one-off, a futile attempt to get the ageing office pool table level.
I've got a Craft Cadence roll top commuter back pack https://craftcadence.com/collections/backpack/products/craft-cadence-backpack-30-litres-yellow-black?variant=40128273186984
Very good. Has a removable internal sleeve with pockets for various bits plus a couple of other internal pockets. Pretty much the only backpack I could find that would take my 17" work laptop in the sleeve and carries that weight together with change of clothes pretty well
Another Lomo owner. It’s been great and no signs of giving up after 2 years
On rack bags, I looked at them, I actually have a Topeak but they're known for failing in the zip and don't actually roll that much. Not the biggest either.
I use a Carradice Carradry which can be a PITA when trying to get it out the SQR mount but is otherwise good if prone to slipping through time. The size of it is also a bugger as it needs a lot of tyre clearance. It could do with being flatter and wider tbh.
There is a smaller/cheaper Lomo backpack as well, never heard anything bad about them.
prone to slipping through time
That sounds like a right pain! So does it turn up to work 10 minutes after you do? Or does it just mystically appear from 1904, covered in coal and paraffin wax and orphan's tears?
I switched from courier bag to rucksack for the exact same reason. I use an Osprey Talon 22, which I won't recommend as it's not waterproof. But I do love how light it is - about 750g (well below the claimed weight, oddly).
And that Ortlieb Commuter Daypack linked above claims to be the same weight, but also waterproof. Which is very impressive if accurate!
Another Osprey user here, but I keep looking at the local equivalent of the Lomo bag and wondering if that would be a better choice for when the weather is bad. Luckily, when it is winter here it is cold and snwy, not cold and rainy, so the Osprey is still good. Holds more than the Chrome messenger bag too.
That sounds like a right pain!
Have I said something that makes perfect sense as a Scot but for some reason nobody else can even approximate the actual meaning?
Alpkit Gordon