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I've got the option of commuting about half the distance (10km-ish) to work along the SDW. The plan would be to do this twice a week while WFH on the other 3 days. I'm looking for a bag that will fit my casual work clothes rolled up (just jeans, t-shirt and sweatshirt) AND be able to carry my work laptop safely. It would also double as a bag for big days out in the mountains, so would need to be nice and secure in steep / technical bits when needed too.
Does anyone do similar commute and have any recommendations?
Not a regular commuting bag, but have used an Osprey Escapist 25 for the odd 50km commute to work with clothes and laptop inside. There's no dedicated laptop pocket, but the rigid back lets one fit easily. Loads of space to store clothes, chargers and even shoes too.
I do use it as a day pack which is possibly excessive, but it has cords and straps to collapse it all down and the waist and chest straps keep it firmly fixed.
Worth a look...
I use one of these for commuting 20L evoc bag and it would carry everything. Full change of clothes, shoes, wash stuff, (had showers at work) laptop, generic bike tools like a pump, tube and all that can take a 3L bladder too i think. I found it a little much for trail rides but it would do the job.
https://www.evocsports.com/FR-TRAIL-20/100102516-S
Interesting, was looking at the Osprey but thought it may be too much. If it can be collapsed down though..
Also looked at the Evoc bag. I like the idea of the back protector too...
Interesting, was looking at the Osprey but thought it may be too much. If it can be collapsed down though..
Is significantly more stealthy in the flesh. The pics on the website have it jam packed full. Checkout the two compression straps on the sides - quashes down well.
It's because it's so unobtrusive that I get away with it as a day pack. Doesn't weigh much either.
Yeah it looks massive on the site! Presume it fits a 3l bladder as well?
I use a Lomo dry bag rucksack for commuting (although I haven’t commutes since March as wfh right now 😞). Don’t underestimate the value of a waterproof bag that doesn’t require a cover to be taken on and off to keep stuff dry.
I fit in a laptop, shirt, trousers, lunch etc. It will fit in a pair of shoes as well but not with loads of room to spare. I couldn’t manage all that with anything smaller. I think it has a waist band as well as the backpack straps so it’s fairly stable.
I have one of these:
https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/high-visibility-drybag-cycling.html
Although it looks like they now have a few versions - some a bit better looking:
https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/Dry-Bag-Rucksacks.html
Just to throw a spanner in the works.
I commuted by bike for years and ended up using a pannier and rack. Why I didn't do it sooner I don't know. Get a waterproof pannier. If your bike won't take a pannier then use this as an excuse to get another bike.
You can throw as much as you want in, laptop and clothes will be annoying to carry on your back.
If you are driving to work some days then you can leave a stock of stuff at work.
Joe - I did look at the Lomo stuff, but I want something which can take a hydration pack on the trails too.
Geomick - Totally agree, I've got a rack and pannier on the road bike for this reason. Don't fancy it on the MTB though!
Most rucksacks will do that fine, it's bread and butter stuff really
But if you want a fancy bag, the Evoc FR series would do that well and has a back protector.
Amongst many other bags, I have the FR Enduro Blackline and it'll do what you ask no problem. It's a very comfortable bag to use. Have worn it for a couple of days bikepacking no problem
I found an Ortlieb Messenger Bag Pro on eBay years ago for not very much. The Fakenger selling it was also selling a barely used fixie!
The bag stood up to 3 years of commuting and is still going strong and waterproof another 7 years later. I prefer the big square shape and 100% waterproofing for commuting and prefer something else for technical riding.
Them Lomo bags and stuff are bloody good value for money!
Just looking at getting a classic courier style bag and they have all but disappeared replaced by the ones that look like food delivery riders have.
I use an alpkit gourdon as it's actually waterproof. Which is great when you get cought out.
And it's cheap.
And it can take a bladder.
And I can use it on the MTB for 'working late love' after work jollies.
Great bit of kit.
I use an Altura rack top bag daily on an 8 mile commute. I drop a load of shirts and trousers at work, along with a pair of shoes. I ride in with lunch, boxers and socks in the bag. At the end of the day I bring the worn shirt and underwear home. If I have to take anything extra (laptop, etc), I use a pannier. Friday it will be 6 litres of UHT milk.
Offroad a pannier or racktop bag may be a bit violent for a laptop. I guess it depends on the speed/terrain.
I looked at the Alpkits. They do look very food but only take a wee bladder, I need something that can take 3l.
In traditional SDW fashion of recommending what you got Deuter bags are great
Ive been using Deuter Race EXP Air bags for the last 15 odd years on my commute
Plenty of room for clothes and a laptop, very breathable due to the mesh back system and can take a bladder too
https://www.deutergb.co.uk/products/bike/race-exp-air/
Happy to second Deuter bags as being seemingly indestructible, capacious, and comfortable. I've had a Futara 28l for around 10 years now which is used for commuting, hiking, and also for the odd bike packing trip too. It has a very comfortable framed back, allowing air to flow across your back for a less sweaty ride, I can get shoes, change of clothes, lunch, Mountain Morph pump, and other gubbins it and depending on size would accommodate a laptop too. I've used it with a 2l bladder and see no reason why it wouldn't fit a 3l.
While not as en vouge as Evoc/Osprey its a brilliant bit of kit and well worth considering.
Actually before I got the lomo I was commuting with a Deuter bag. It was quite big with a frame thing on it and it did last well / was put together decently. I didn’t pay a huge amount of money for it either - got it on offer at Argos I believe. Just wasn’t waterproof so had to use the cover that was built in - after a while that annoyed me.
Have you looked at Vaude bags? I've got a Splash Air 20, which is 20 litres expandable to 25. I have had it for ages - probably since around 2008.
It's not waterproof but comes with a hideaway cover, will take a 3l bladder and I used to easily fit my commuting stuff in it when expanded.
The only real downside was a lack of storage/organisers for tools etc.
I'm not up to speed with their current range but there'll likely be something in there.
I did look at Vaudes, and like the green credentials. Semi wrote them as off as expensive, but looking again they're about the same as the Evocs...
Another vote for the escapist. I use mine with a 2.5l hydraulics bladder.
My only criticism is the pouch on the shoulder strap that was clearly meant for a phone or personal device is too small for modern phones (it gets used as a jelly baby store). I have to put my phone in the hip strap pockets if not in a frame bag on the bike.
I can fit 2l in a 20l gourdon no problems I'm sure 3l would fit. There isn't really any pockets so you could actually fit 20l and use a straw 😂
Go for Aquapac 25 (Aquapac 25 rucksack)
Not as waterproof as Lomo, that I swaped it for but pretty good. Bonus for Laptop sleeve that get transferred to my Lomo pack and you can use bladder as well.
Mine, both Lomo and Aquapac are/were used for 18 miles one way commuting and weekend rambling around.
Cheers!
I.
I've got a brand new Altura Grid 20 backpack you could have cheap-ish if it might suit. Has sleeve for 13in laptops...
http://www.skinnergate.co.uk/bags-luggage-c23/backpacks-c24/grid-20-litre-backpack-p2248
I'd probably get a separate bag with big bladder for big mountain days myself anyway. Decathlon probably do cheap ones.
Mission Workshop Monty for me - 21L, fits my work clothes/shoes, lunch, laptop and tools.
Pretty solid when you have it on and doesn't swing about.
Used it in some lovely Irish downpours and everything inside has remained bone dry.
If you need bigger then they do the Rummy which is 27L.
Is a tad pricey though, but I use it everyday for work. It also gets used as a weekend bag for trips away.
I've got an Osprey Momentum 26 - I really like it although I wish I'd bought the more expensive black version rather than the garish luminescent green one.
Has:
Laptop compartment which works well
Large enough space in the middle
Side pockets for water bottle/race cape
Organiser bit in front
Small side pocket (I use for tools)
Waterproof cover that folds out from underneath
Plenty of straps / adjustment
Doesn't look too dorky / 'business' despite being in their commuter / urban range (rather than the more 'outdoors' range.