You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I've found some older topics on this but looking for some up to date recommendations.
What bag would STW recommend to carry a 14" laptop, lunch, shirt in a carrier, underwear, waterproof jacket, plus occasional U-lock?
Must by a backpack/rucsac - pannier not suitable for my use (yes, I know) as I'm lucky enough to go full MTB on my way home often!
Recently resumed part-time working from the office after 18 months of 100% WFH and (unlike before) I now need to cart a laptop back and forward two days a week. I keep toiletries/towel and trousers/shoes at work thankfully.
I'm unsure if a suspended back system (with a frame that holds bag away from back for ventilation) would be comfier/more stable than a close-fitting bag that hugs the body. Instinct says a close-fitting back would spread the load better, and the suspended back type might be less stable placing the weight further from the back, but I'm probably wrong.
Currently considering the Osprey Radial 26 (suspended back) or Osprey Stratos 24 (suspended back) or Osprey Metron 26 (close-fitting) but only just started looking and open to suggestions.
Thanks.
I had a Berghaus suspended backpack for years. It was an absolute PITA as the curved panel meant that nothing laptop/folder/textbook sized would fit. Or if it was slim enough you lost 2/3 of the volume as the laptop blocked off the top/bottom space.
So test it first in the shop as that 20l bag ended up holding less than my laptop bag.
And the lumbar supourt/strap still left you sweaty.
I've been using an Osprey Momentum (24) pack for a few years. Stupidly, I bought it on sale in a bright green colour. I actually don't mind the colour, but it's now very grubby so I have been looking at replacements in order to stay respectable at the office. But, having decided what I like about this bag, I haven't found anything new that ticks all the boxes.
Essentials for me: Decent laptop sleeve, proper straps (chest and waist), organiser pockets, wattle bottle accessible from the outside, rain cover pocket, 20-24l. It's also got other nice features that I'd miss if they weren't there - a helmet clip thing, a little compartment for tools. It's also lasted very well with no durability issues despite daily (weekday, anyway) use. Basically, I reckon it's as close to perfect as is possible.
So, I'm watching this thread with interest.
P.S. Keep an eye on Sport Pursuit, they seem to occasionally have some good deals on Osprey bags. Usually in weird colours (I've learnt nothing!)
Thanks, that’s echoing my thoughts. I’m using a small Vaude bag with suspended back at the moment that can juuuuusy about carry everything except the lock, but it’s bloody uncomfortable. And yea still leaves me sweaty.
I’ve got a loan of a Radial 26 to try for a few weeks so we’ll see how that goes.
Courier bags by the likes of ortlieb don't have back plates in them, presumably so laptops etc can fit in them as above.
I use a blahol new wave back pack for commuting and absolutely love it. They're hand made in Warsaw, completely waterproof and feel just like wearing a hug on your back. Had it for years now and I can certainly see it lasting many years more. For extra you can customize colours too if you wanna go full tart. Not too sure what the shipping from Poland is like these days but I see they still are shipping to the UK.
I've got this it's OK. Keeps most 9f the rain out and is nice and simple
Regarding framed rucksacks.... load of shite. I last had a framed rucksack about 40 years ago and it was a crap idea then. Just pack a soft rucksack vaguely sensibly and keep it as close to your body as it'll go. Applies to mtb just as much as climbing or skiing.
A Carradice Saddelbag of some sort? Keep the weight off your back, near your own CoG and clips off the bike in seconds? Not cheap but will last a lifetime...
I hate using rucksacks on the bike....
I've got the older 25ltr & 30ltr versions of these and they are still going strong. Only issue I've had is when I stood on one of the waist belt clips and broke it but managed to find a really old camelbak one to bodge onto it.
Never let me down so far and a damn site cheaper than others
as above the rucksacks with a small frame that allow for ventilation are generally curved and you can't make good use of the space if trying to carry a laptop.
I ride everyday back & forth to work with a rucksack, road and off road, and do all my shopping by bike as well. For off road riding and running I much prefer a snug & close fitting rucksack with a waist strap and a chest strap.
I've recently replaced my North Face with a EuroHike Rush 25. Been using it for a couple of weeks now and am really getting to like it. At first I thought it might be a tad too small as my last one must have been a 26 or 28L, but I've not run out of space yet.
it's got a pocket inside for the laptop, two net pockets one each side, a front zip pocket, a small inside pocket, and elastic netting on the front. It also has an opening at the top for a camelback tube should you want to use one and a safty catch to attach it, or keys or anything else you might want to hook up so as not lose.
I find the biggest thing is making sure you have enough room and also keeping it dry.
I bought a lomo dry bag as you don’t have to worry about bagging everything up inside or fiddling with bag covers - the top just rolls up and is 100% waterproof as it’s essentially a dry bag with a waist strap and shoulder straps. I think pro biz might make something similar in reflective material - the lomo one is showing out of stock.
I haven’t had a lot of joy with suspended back bags - they don’t stop you getting sweaty really (surely the point of them) and hey don’t feel anymore stable / have awkward internal space sometimes.
I’m in the same boat with having to cart a laptop to the office and back everyday I’m in (also twice a week, you’re not in my office are you?) and unless your commute is very short I’d seriously consider something to keep the laptop off your back.
I’m riding my motorbike to work, it’s only 20 mins and it kills my shoulders. No way I’d be cycling with this load on my back
A Carradice Saddelbag of some sort? Keep the weight off your back, near your own CoG and clips off the bike in seconds? Not cheap but will last a lifetime…
I hate using rucksacks on the bike….
Some variation on this would be my prefered solution though.
Or ask your IT department for a desktop to use in the office.
I always thought it was weird the way companies provided IT kit. Surely no sensible IT department would encourage/allow you to save any data locally anyway. Even less on a device that they'd allow you to commute on a bike with and inevitably going to get rattled or worse!
I have a radial and its class. Comfortable with plenty of adjustment to get it sitting just right. My back still gets sweaty but not as bad as it used to with other packs.
Laptop fits well and there's loads of space and pockets to keep things organised. It genuinely swallows a shit ton of stuff without even having to expand it to 34L.
Provided it's got enough weight in the bottom it stands up on its own due to the built in frame.
It will move around a bit if you start jumping up and bouncing off things but I don't use the waist straps which I guess would help with that.
Only downside I've found so far is that its not got any hydration specific features, but I use a bottle & cage on my commute so not an issue for me.
@gotbike, that blahol bag looks absolutely bombproof - I'll take a closer look but the weight of the bag alone at 2.2kg is something to consider!
Thanks @fazzini, I keep forgetting about DHB stuff when I should know better - impressed with the tights and jacket I've got, and that's a tempting price. Easy returns too if it's not what I expect.
@prawny, I wish there was another MTBer in my office - nobody else understands me...
Or ask your IT department for a desktop to use in the office.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Sorry. Our IT dept are inept. No, actually they're worse than that. For my sins I'm (apparently) the IT liaison for our organisation and managed to get hold of 235 laptops during lockdown for our staff, but even I'm not good enough to acquire TWO for myself. Oh it was tempting though. We're on 365 with files on shared physical servers vis Zscalar, so nothing locally stored.
I have a radial and its class.
I trial-loaded up the Radial I'm borrowing earlier - it just absorbed everything with ease, barely half filled it but didn't seem bulky. I'll see how it goes before looking further.
I have an Ortleib Pac-Man Pro - I’ve had 3-4 years solid commuting use out of it so far. It is totally waterproof and the ideal size for a laptop and shirt/underwear/lunch etc. It is close fitting but I do not find it too sweaty.
Been through a few for commuting including Osprey (lacked laptop protection) and Chrome (not worth the expense as only water resistant and my laptop got wet). Currently have an Overboard 30L. really well made and very good value, comfortable, properly waterproof and there is a laptop sleeve insert which is really great protection. The only thing I miss is external pockets.
I've got an osprey synchro 12. It might be a touch small for your use, but one thing to add is that I use one of the hump reflective covers. It keeps the rain off a bit but also keeps the pack nice and clean. I do like the suspended back design and my 14" laptop fits in perfectly. I put it in a ziplock bag inside my pack for extra protection.
Following with interest - looking at 1-2 days a week in the office but now having to transport a laptop, charger, headphones as well as the regular commuting kit.
We've also potentially lost the use of lockers, or at least will have much smaller ones, which is making a few of us think it's not worth the aggro, not sure how this matches our greening credentials.
@MCTD, can you get an additional charger to save carrying that? Mine weights about half as much as my (admittedly quite light) laptop.
AIUI, if we want a spare charger we have to pay for it, though that's being reviewed given how much they paid to give us kit to work at home, but also depends on having lockers to keep them in.
My suggestion is the Nitecore BP18 pack. Interesting back panel should keep the air flow. Pack weights 700g. Fairly sure it will fit a 14" laptop in too.
Camelbak HAWG (bike specific not the Mil spec version).
Or a rack on the back of the bike and no dramas with sweaty back then?
Another vote for Osprey Radial here. It's a better progression of the Osprey Momentum (which got broken zips).
I've not only used it for bicycle commuting but day-to-day and hikes too. The expansion is useful.
As others have said, keep weight off your back if at all possible. I normally stuff anything sensitive in panniers, only stuffing the backpack if on the Brompton or using public hire cycles.
I've one of these i'm looking to sell:
https://www.over-board.co.uk/products/pro-vis-waterproof-backpack-20-litres-1
VGC, i've swapped to panniers due to a back issue.
DM me if interested.
Despite me saying I wasn't going to look further until I'd tried out the Radial I'm borrowing, I've got a DHB Slice 30 arriving today, currently down to £28 on Wiggle. I'll try it on, load it up, etc before using it in anger.
With the route/terrain I use I'm better with a backpack than panniers/saddlebag. I too have back issues and really try to minimise the weight I carry - thankfully it's a light laptop and I've got extra power adaptor, etc I leave in work. Tried panniers in the past but too much movement. Plus this bike doubles up as my gravel bike and I'd really prefer not to add a rack (not that it has mounts anyway). I've bike-commuted daily for 15+ years and been through a few setup iterations, rucksack still the best option for me.
Despite me saying I wasn’t going to look further until I’d tried out the Radial I’m borrowing, I’ve got a DHB Slice 30 arriving today, currently down to £28 on Wiggle. I’ll try it on, load it up, etc before using it in anger.
Any update? I've found myself looking for a new bag after deciding that checking in/out of hotels with a Lidl bag for life isn't a good look 🤣 and don't want/need to be carrying the 2 weeks holiday + duty free sized wheelie bag.
@thisisnotaspoon, yep - some progress. I was in the office two days last week and tried a different bag each day.
Pre-COVID (pre laptop) I used a Vaude Splash 20+5, suspended back. Used daily but too small to fit a laptop in - comfortably - alongside my shirt, lunch, etc.
DHB Slice 30 was a disappointment. Quite small/narrow footprint on my back and boxy, stuck out quite far (not one to wear walking around a shop with lots of breakables on the shelves). The fabric felt cheap, reflecting the price. Complee disappointment and promptly returned.
I tried Mrs a11y's Osprey Radial 26 (old model - the bag, not her) on day 1. Bulky, sat quite far from my back and too high up hitting the back of my helmet no matter how I adjusted it. Could feel the contents move independently from me when, for example, gnarring off a kerb. Could also feel the contents contacting my back through the mesh. Built like a brick shithouse and the integrated stand is great, but it's not for me.
Day 2 on a whim I loaded up my 'big day out' MTBing bag, an EVOC FR Enduro 16, minus the back protector. Plenty of space for 14" laptop, shirt in a carrier, lunch bag, underwear, waterproof jacket, Rainlegs, arm warmers, tools and spares etc. Enough space remaining to add a U lock and/or work shoes. Sat close to my back, very stable, no interaction with my helmet, just comfy. Superb. I'm sure it'll be warmer but I really liked it. Only issue is it can't easily double up as my MTBing and office/commuting bag as it's usually manky!
I've now got an EVOC Explorer Pro 30 ordered. Probably overkill and too big but found it at a good price. It's not a suspended back but appears to have an airier design than the usual EVOC back style. I've been impressed with how much abuse my current and previous EVOC bag handled, so hopefully a worthy investment.
Cheers, usefull info as I'd been looking at the DHB as an option as it's in my budget.
Looking at the Berghaus 247 30l and Osprey Transporter 30l Flap as they're on sale. Might pop into Blacks and see if they have any in store. Slightly put off as both seem a bit utilitarian and might not be stable on the bike.
My laptop's a 15" though so options are a bit more limited. Might just get a laptop "wallet" style bag/cover and put it inside a more sporty backpack.