Must have: space for a 15" laptop, ideally in its own sleeve. space for shoes, lunch, power cables etc. Waterproof obvs budget up to £100.00 or thereabouts
Is there no possibility of keeping your shoes and laptop at work, transferring your work via interweb data transfer or pendrive from a another laptop/pc at home?
The Lomo daypack backpack was my solution before I moved to panniers. It’s waterproof / large / not too bad for comfort. No internal pockets though - I used individual dry bags / carrier bags inside it to seperate stuff out. Maybe in your case just get a laptop sleeve.
That said, panniers are much nicer for riding with. It’s so much freedom having nothing on your back. I commute with laptop (chunky thinkpad thing), clothes, shoes, toiletries, lunch etc. Our office has lockers but you’re not meant to leave stuff in them overnight and they frequently unlock and empty them all. A policy implemented by someone who hasn’t ever cycled to work on a regular basis
I've got an older version of this:
https://www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk/moab-jam-pro-24.5/2010261_1274_OS.html
Which in itself was a replacement for an earlier JW which lasted for YEARS. Daily commuting use, was my standard rucksack at uni and it was bombproof. The current one is pretty decent too although the zip pullers lasted about 3 uses before all falling off. Zips still work fine, just without pullers. Other than that, it's comfy, doesn't sit hard up against my back, has a large pocket for tools, spares etc (which just stay in there), a fold-out waterproof cover, reflective details, light clip, the usual.
Anyway mine fits a 15" laptop, clothes for the day and a lunch box. Not shoes though, they get left at work. Life will be WAY more simple if you can find somewhere to stash shoes, work trousers and a spare / emergency top, underwear and socks.
Is there no possibility of keeping your shoes and laptop at work, transferring your work via interweb data transfer or pendrive from a another laptop/pc at home?
Any company that takes it's data security seriously would say absolutely not to this.
Many companies require a company asset to be connected to the employers network in order to work regardless.
Altura Thunderstorm ticks all those boxes.
20l, and an internal pocket that will take a ~18" laptop at a pinch, plus some other pockets to keep earphones etc in.
I've also got a full set of Ortlieb panniers, but they rarely get used for commuting because:
1) If you have to get on a train or walk the bike anywhere, they make the bike top/rear heavy, so whenever you lift the bars up a step the bike tries to fall over.
2) They don't hand vertically when you're carrying them. Meaning all the hard plastic mounting hardware bashes into your leg as you walk.
3) Like 2, you will clatter them against every door and radiator as you try and get in and out of the building whilst carrying bags, backpacks are just easier to move around with. Try and maneuver a laden bike through a doorway and sooner or later it'll try and invert itself whilst you're holding one side of the handlebars and your top tube will pick up a scar.
4) You can't just walk to the shops with them at lunch for the same reason. You're basically tied to your bike and luggage being one thing together.
5) They make stopping at traffic lights unwieldy, again the bike is just simply top heavy which makes it harder to maneuver through all the chicanes and toucan crossings.
6) Because of all that they make the most sense on a nice long commute with few interruptions. The kind of ride where you'll need a shower anyway by the end, so what's the problem with a slightly sweaty back?
7) They lack any sort of internal organizer.
Panniers are great for shopping or the odd occasion when I need to carry an in-between amount of stuff, more than 20l but less than is worth getting the trailer out for. But they're far from practical a lot of the time.
I have a Thule Paramount lurking at home that never gets used as I am a pannier kind of guy. I'll have a look for it tonight if you fancy it for a very reasonable price?
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/thule-paramount-commuter-backpack-varparamount
Similar thread from the other week might be worth a look (lower budget):
Commuting backpacks that don’t blow the bank – Bike Forum – Singletrack World Magazine Forum
I had a really nice Osprey one. Can’t remember the model, but it was really comfy. It had an internal frame which held it away from your back (like Lowe Alpine rucksacks) and it would stand upright easily on the base for easy access.
Great bag
I’ve got a (previous gen) Craft Cadence pack. Tough, waterproof, internal organiser and loads of space.
Shoes need to be left at work. Even just under a desk. They are so bulky.
I like panniers but have used a Deuter Race Air EXP for many years. It is held off the back by a neat mesh webbing. Will take a laptop and shirt but would struggle with shoes. I’ll use it tomorrow as I want to ride my gravel bike into work rather than the commuter. Mine is over 10 years old. I’ll replace it with another when the zip finally dies.
I bought Osprey Radial commuting backpack last year and have had about dozen commutes with it. It has mesh on the back and loads of features designed for cycling, including rain cover and internal compartment for shoes etc.
Works quite well, negative sides are that it feels bit short for my back length and somehow it tries to lift my shirt from waist when riding. Also it is not the most compact pack for commuting without bike.
Seems that this model is discontinued or renamed.
Mous backpack looks impressive for protection in their ads. No idea on price.
id agree that their ads are pushy but maybe they have to do that to get a place in a crowded market. I’ve had 4-5 Mous phone cases and been v. happy with them.
panniers for the win. Leave shoes at work, everything else in the pannier. If you MUST have a backpack then can't help sorry but some good suggestions above
Didn’t say but my deuter has doubled up as my off road pack since new. Carries more than enough and I don’t notice I’m wearing it. I prefer panniers and my Ortlieb Downtown is 20L and has all the compartments. But thatDeuter keeps on going.
Any company that takes it's data security seriously would say absolutely not to this.
But carting laptops about all the time is fine?
Not that I disagree but "Data Security" is often used as an excuse to keep on inconveniencing staff when what makes reasonable sense is a Company laptop (that connects to company systems via the interwebs) and a Desktops in the office, rather than making employees lug their own IT everywhere...
Obviously not all companies operate in the same ways, but I am constantly baffled by "Data Security" justified decisions/policies that don't appear to massively benefit the security of company data...
Not that I disagree but "Data Security" is often used as an excuse to keep on inconveniencing staff when what makes reasonable sense is a Company laptop (that connects to company systems via the interwebs) and a Desktops in the office, rather than making employees lug their own IT everywhere...
The better solution is to leave the laptop at work, because that's where I work.
That and most useful bit if having a laptop is being able to work on / check stuff in real time during meetings rather than take notes and "I'll get back to you on that". Teh actual benefit of having a laptop would be lost if it wasn't in the office.
And seriousrikk is right, no sensible IT policy is going to let you access their systems from your personal laptop with unknown malware and viruses on it even if you could connect to the network via VPN.
Plus twice as much time spent faffing with IT installing software, getting licenses, access rights etc.
The better solution is to leave the laptop at work, because that's where I work.
Companies that have embraced hybrid working really need to start factoring this in. An "at work" computer (maybe even a desktop) and a laptop for home working. Saves all manner of transporting expensive kit back and forth, breakages, left on the train etc.
I'm still working out options to ride in with the laptop, leave it at work then ride him, ride in next day without then take it home. Gives me some riding without lugging it around.
I downsized laptop to the smallest available - 13" HP Elitebook, not much heavier than the original rounded MacBook Air. Small, doesn't need the power adaptor (that WAS a bind) of my previous 17" Zbook tank, and will fit in a tiny rucksack (or pannier), but still rather heavy on the back for a 90 min ride. All our work is on Teams/OneDrive now, although I do run a local analysis program, but there is a system option for that too. There should be no reason why our workstations at work don't have a desk PC (Except there aren't enough desks!), and laptop stays at home.
Shoes have to be left in the office. We have a changing facility with dynamic lockers, but here are about 50 pairs of loose shoes in racks. I keep keyboard, mouse and charging cables in the locker (used to have a folding keyboard and mouse in the pannier), but we also have team lockers to store these things too. Got it down to shirt, pants, socks and laptop in a sleeve now.
Companies that have embraced hybrid working really need to start factoring this in. An "at work" computer (maybe even a desktop) and a laptop for home working. Saves all manner of transporting expensive kit back and forth, breakages, left on the train etc.
Or possibly the reverse. Laptop at work is good as you can take it to meeting rooms, people who are hybrid working might also be hot desking when they are in etc.
At home it just sits on the desk.
And then you have people who need to visit 3rd party locations, eg client sites, and take a computer with them. Thats the laptop for obvious reasons but will they be doing this on their non-office days as a full day trip from home, or is it a partial day visit starting from the office?
If I could work out how to make my Ipad work for home and site working (I think it nearly works) and have a secure place to leave the laptop at work where I am 3 days a week then I could have some nice bike commutes this summer.
I like my Rapha rucksack, the smaller version. One downside is that the shoulder straps are not quite long enough, and wouldn't fit shoes.
My preferred commuting option was a Carradice longflap bag. Bagman QR mount. I use it as a shoulder bag; big enough for laptop (in a sleeve), various bits and pieces, incl shoes if necessary.
Any company that takes it's data security seriously would say absolutely not to this.
But carting laptops about all the time is fine?
Yes.
The issue isn't the laptop being carted about, that remains secure. Business laptops owned by companies who do take data security seriously have encrypted hard drives. The administrator of said devices will usually have policies in place which prevent copying files to USB devices. The company also usually has policies in place that forbid copying any company data to a personal device.
Personal devices are the issue here - either the USB storage device or the employees own machine. Neither are likely to be encrypted and once data is 'in the wild' then there is no control over who can access it or where it may end up
Not that I disagree but "Data Security" is often used as an excuse to keep on inconveniencing staff when what makes reasonable sense is a Company laptop (that connects to company systems via the interwebs) and a Desktops in the office, rather than making employees lug their own IT everywhere...
While that might make sense from a usability point of view, it does not make any financial sense for an organisation. Especially as more and more organisations are not using centralised IT services.
Personally I would also resist any efforts to do such a thing as that means maintaining software on two machines rather than just my company laptop.
Obviously not all companies operate in the same ways, but I am constantly baffled by "Data Security" justified decisions/policies that don't appear to massively benefit the security of company data...
I've been involved in IT security audits for organisations seeking (or maintaining) ISO accreditation... A lot of those "Data Security" thing you may baffled by are actually there to mitigate risks which mean the organisation passes aforementioned audit. Some are more annoying than others.
Back to the question from OP... it's a bit more than your budget but MPB have a peak design everyday 20l in their used section for just over 130 quid right now,
If I want a non-sweaty back and an easy to carry bag, I just use velcro luggage straps to strap a normal backpack to the top of the pannier rack.
