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Hi,
Does anyone have any experience of either the Restrap commute or Thule pack'n pedal commute backpacks?
I need a new bag for my commute and both of these look interesting and are a similar price.
I like the ideal of the Restrap but it is potentially massive. I know you can compress it but how well does this work in practice?
On a good day all I'd have in there would be shirt, trousers, underwear, lock and a small plastic wallet that allows me to keep all the little bits to hand (work pass, USB stick etc).
On a bad day it could be laptop, notebook (in the traditional sense), clothes, shoes, coat, lock and the plastic wallet.
If I got the Restrap would I end up with a load of material flapping around or getting in the way?
Likewise the Thule looks really neat with some nice, not too gimmicky features but possible a bit too small? (Which is the only downside I see in the reviews I can find). Maybe I should just get the moon on a stick and be done with it!
My commute is either 5 or 15 miles each way depending on if I split it by taking the train for some of it. I have panniers as well but find these a pain if I have to go to meetings during the day as they are uncomfortable to lug around.
Any other solutions? I have an osprey bag which is great but getting old and has never been waterproof
I have the Thule bag. Had it for about a year now and use it most days for something or other.
Things I like:
Very well made out of quality materials. it looks better in real life than in the pictures and has a very premium feel to it. it seems a bit shiny when you first get it but that sort of rubs off after a few weeks and it loosens up.
Nothing has broken and it looks almost new despite being used a lot.
Its very waterproof, even without the rain cover. with the rain cover its 100%
Has a good helmet holder which also works for other stuff like wet swimming towel etc
Hard sunglasses pocket is good for protecting stuff, not just sunglasses but generally the bag is protective as its quite rigid.
I don't like:
No side zip - this is a biggy. Its a real faff to get something out of the main section quickly
Laptop sleeve is very well made but too small. Even a 15" is a struggle.
No waist belt
Bag maybe looks a little 'square' in both senses of the word
All in all its one of the nicer bags I've owned and I think its just the right size for commuting.
I am a bit of a rucksac junky though and i've got my eye on:
http://www.bikepacking.com/gear/oveja-negra-portero-backpack/
Cheers Winston, good feedback. I actually quite like the way the Thule looks, I guess my main concern is the size and how useable it is
From photos is doesn't look like there is much space in it after the laptop sleeve is in there. Do you reckon you could get shoes and clothes in the with it?
I've been trying to find a shop who stock them but even in London I've not found anywhere.
That other bag you suggested looks nice but reading it, I don't think that would do it for me, ability to cart a laptop and clothes is a must for me
I've actually got a Thule commuter, rode into work with it for a few months then they moved my office 36 miles away so riding in was no longer practical.
Would you be interested in it? worked really well for daily commute duties but haven't used it since.
Let me know and I'll see if I can dig it out and make sure I have all the bits.
Hi Hatter, might well be depending on condition and howich you wanted for it. Can you let me know. PM incoming
Dan
So, ended up going for the Thule backpack in the end.
First impressions, So far so good, it feels good quality and has some useful features. Only been using it this week but I like it. It also looks smart enough for dragging to meetings etc.
Some points worth noting.
Capacity is limited. I have laptop, b5 notebook, lunch, shirt, trouser, underwear and a lightweight down jacket in there. I have locks and assorted other paraphernalia in the pockets. It's pretty full. If I needed shoes in there I would struggle. You can increase capacity by not rolling it down but I think this would hinder looking over your shoulder on the bike.
The protected sunglasses pocket is useful but takes a bit of space out of the bag, I don't mind this as I use it but others might.
The straps feel a little hard on the shoulders at the moment and nowhere near as comfortable as the osprey it replaces. I hope there soften up with a bit of use.
It occasionally bumps around a bit if you bit a bad bit of road. This isn't helped by the lack of a waiststrap but in reality I rarely used the one on the osprey.
Quality feels top notch and like like the lock pocket on the front, perfect for a mini-D.
I haven't found the lack of side access a problem, I guess it depends how often you need to get in there. I just have stuff I need quick access to in the front pockets.
Positive so far, I'll update if things change.