Which Back Pack should I buy

[Spat]

Hi

 

Will be starting to ride into work soon, I will need to buy a backpack for this purpose, which one are you using and what are the pro's and cons of the one you have.

 

Would be great if there could be responses with what to look for etc , waterproof , back support, etc...

 

Please also let me know where you bought it and how much you paid.

 

where the best place to get the reflective bands as well and lights.

 

Thanks

[Mojoman]

One that allows your back to breathe is very important I think, nothing worse than a sweaty back in the middle of summer on your way to work!

[sias]

I ride with the Vaude Wizzard Air 24+4. It's got enough space for my office clothes and shoes and has space for a 3 litre bladder as well. The padded straps are very comfy and the Aeroflex system keeps the bag off my back and lets cool air through. It cost about R600, but I can't remember where I bought it.

[samson99]

interesting topic. also interested to hear the answers.

[slowpoke]

the important thing is, as mojoman says, that it lets your back breathe. Also get one that is waterproof, but always (just to be safe) put your clothes in a plastic bag inside the backpack. Padded shoulder straps are essential, and a chest strap is very helpful too. look at ones with built-in straps/elastic to tighten the bag so that the contents don't go bouncing around inside. depending on the distance you'll be riding look at backpacks with space for a hydration bladder too.

 

i used my karrimore edge when i'd been commuting - had the added benefit of pouches on the front of the waist strap where i could keep my access card and house keys for easy access. got it many years back so i can't remember what i paid.

[Kranswurm]

I ride with the Vaude Wizzard Air 24+4. It's got enough space for my office clothes and shoes and has space for a 3 litre bladder as well. The padded straps are very comfy and the Aeroflex system keeps the bag off my back and lets cool air through. It cost about R600, but I can't remember where I bought it.

 

Orca in Claremont CT stock Vaude.There is the most fantastic little shop next to Epic Sports Bike Shop in Centurian that also stocks Vaude

[sias]

Oh yes, sorry - the Vaude has a rain cover (bright orange), chest strap and padded waist straps as well...

[Danger Dassie]

Currently I use an old 30L Karrimor day pack that was made for adventure racing and it really is serving me well. If I had to take my laptop I just put in a neoprene sleeve before packing. Also has an external insert for a hydration bladder.

Just bought a North Face Limekiln as well, more for work use. It's a 19L and has a sleeve for a 15inch notebook. Can easily pack in a set of clothes and shoes as well.

 

Found that the best range of bags can be found at Due South, they sell Karrimor, North Face, Due South etc ...

[Tumbleweed]

Currently I use an old 30L Karrimor day pack that was made for adventure racing and it really is serving me well.

 

Have also used a Karrimore bag that size. Did the business. It was only when the waist straps gave out that I stopped using it.

[Hairy]

I bought a K-Way Meru My link from Cape Union Mart over the weekend for R450.00

 

I commute daily and it offers the following:

• The chest and waist straps are rugged, comfortable and fit well
• The back has a very good venting system whereby the pack is away from your back thanks to a mesh/frame type construction that lets your back breathe. First time that I get to work and my cycling tops are not saturated with sweat at the back so the system does work.
• It has a built in rain cover located at the bottom of the pack in its own compartment
• There are compression straps so if your load is low you can compress the pack and stop things moving around
• Reflective piping
• The main compartment can be divided in two (Think two bags ontop of each other) so I keep my towel, shoes and bike lock in the lower compartment with the rest in the upper compartment. The lower compartment has it's own access. Hand if you use the pack for MTB riding and you want quick access to a jacket or want to store a wet muddy jacket away from your dry goods.
• The pack is hydration bladder compatible ... should fit a 2l bladder in and I think one could even get a 3l in there ... still need to check.

After my first ride in I am impressed.

 

H

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I have a Camelback Skudo which is for commuting. Comes with its own rain cover. Love it have used it nearly everyday for over a year. It was great for taking a shirt 'n jocks and my netbook each day. But a bit cumbersome when I had my towel, jeans, tekkies, etc.

 

 

Now, I've got a pannier rack on my bike (part of my sons child seat) and on Friday I hooked up my old rug sack to haul my PS3 to work. It was perfect.

 

 

Personally I would say look at a good sized rug sack (19L) for normal commuting and then opt for a pannier bag when you need to haul the heavy stuff.

 

 

Because now I can take all my clothes, towels, shoes to work on Monday, then the rest of the week use my Camelbak (for my spares) and then haul it all back on my pannier the Friday.

[krl747]

Recently been introduced into the Adventure Racing scene. It looks like the most popular bag is the Solomon Raid Revo 30. You can buy them from www.kineticgear.co.za. It can accomodate a 3l bladder and has all the padding that you would need. Just a recomendation. When you are looking at waterproofing, buy yourself a drybag as well. You chuck all your stuff in the drybag and then put the drybag in the backpack. You will be able to cycle in a typhoon and everything will be dry when you make it to the office (being that you would be so lucky)

[Hairy]

I should add the Meru is a 25l pack and I carry the following and still have a little space left in the pack:

• Large Towel
• Soap and toiletries
• Jeans
• Socks, underwear the usuals
• Shoes (When looking at the bag open it up and step into the pack to make sure your shoes fit in easily enough)
• Shirt
• Jersey
• Lunch
• Toolbag and pump
• Space blanket
• Bicycle lock

on a good day it come in at around the 7kg mark and on a bad day it has touched on 10kg's.

[Spat]

Wow, great response as usual from the hub.

 

Makes my life very easy as I can now look at the ones suggested above and make an informed decision.

 

[Hairy]

Which route will you be commuting along?

[Woofie]

I have used two different backpacks.

I carry very little with me (compared to you guys) because I can luckily leave my car at work with fresh clothes supplies for the week.

One piece of advice I can offer you though, is that when the bag gets really heavy, you need to get the weight off your shoulders and onto your waist. So a waist strap is a must have for you.

Otherwise your lower back is going to get very messed up.

My bags are not water proof, but there is nothing wrong with plastic bags to keep everything nice and dry inside.

My back does get sweaty, but I have got used to that by now.