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BUYER'S GUIDE

Best cycling backpacks 2023 — carry your stuff the easy way

From super-minimal to super-organised, these are the best cycling backpacks

Cycling rucksacks are the luggage of choice for most riders who need to carry stuff on their bikes for relatively short distances. The best cycling rucksacks are convenient, don't need any extra equipment and have features to help keep your stuff organised and dry. And of course a cycling rucksack easily comes with you off the bike. Here's a look at the best cycling backpacks you can buy right now.

Convenience is the great advantage of a rucksack. Throw in everything you need, strap it on and away you go, with no faffing with pannier hooks and no effect on your bike's ride.

Ease of carrying off the bike makes rucksacks the most popular way of transporting stuff on the bike.

Useful sizes for cycling rucksacks range from about 10 to 25 litres, but any bigger quickly gets uncomfortable.

Choose from cycling rucksacks with lots of internal compartments to organise your stuff or simple, lightweight single-compartment bags.

Cycling rucksacks have reflective patches for night-time visibility, high degrees of waterproofing or solve specific problems like carrying a suit.

One bag to rule them all? A high-quality cycling backpack doubles as a walking and round-town daypack.

Contents: the best cycling backpacks for 2021

The 10 best cycling rucksacks

Proviz Reflect 360 — £55.99

Proviz Reflect 360 cycling backpack

The Proviz Reflect 360 Rucksack is a stunning way of boosting your visibility when riding at night. During the day the backpack is a subtle grey, but when a car's headlights fall on it, the entire bag reflects back the light.

As a rucksack the Reflect 360 fulfils its task well. It's spacious with a 30 litre capacity which is more than enough for a change of clothes, sandwiches and any other stuff you need to transport. There's also a laptop sleeve.

Read our review of the Proviz Reflect 360
Find a Proviz dealer

Scott RC Raceday 60 — £159.99

scott race day 60 cycling backpack

It's not a pack for riding, at least not for any significant distance, but the Raceday 60 earns a spot here because it's a terrific bag for organising all your riding stuff when you head to a race, audax or sportive.

This is a near-perfect day bag for the racer or their support team, helping them organise their lives so they can focus on the task at hand. It's not cheap, but it's super-useful and really takes the stress out of packing.

Not all backpacks are created equal, that much is clear from my time spent with this backpack. As the name suggests, it has an enormous 60L capacity that should (and does) cater even for the compulsive overpacker (that's me), and does it in a smart way.

Read our review of the Scott RC Raceday 60
Find a Scott dealer

Deuter Race X — £64.99

deuter race x 12 cycling backpack

The Deuter Race X backpack might be a bit large for some racers (and it's not like anyone but enduro mountain bikers realy races in a backpack), but its features and design make it ideal for commuters, gym-goers, day trippers and tourers.

The Race X has morphed somewhat over the years – tweaks to the size, shape, straps and access arrangements have led to this version. It's not overcomplicated in terms of pockets and access, with decent ventilation at the rear and through the straps, a comfortable fit plus a splattering of bonus features. While this all makes it stand out among other packs, just be sure to check that it's a sufficient size for your needs.

Read our review of the Deuter Race X
Find a Deuter dealer

Camelbak Chase — £50.71

camelbak chase bike vest cycling backpack

Camelbak’s Chase bike vest is designed as a lightweight minimalist pack for runners and riders, with a 1.5L bladder and a unique design that allows you to still access jersey pockets. It's perfect for fast mountain bike blats or enduro races as well as being ideal for longer gravel bike rides.

The pack uses a rather neat design that keeps the bladder-containing main section of the pack high on your back, with the broad straps on the front then housing some extra storage. This means that you can still access the pockets on a standard road-style jersey while also carrying almost as much as a normal hydration pack.

Read our review of the Camelbak Chase
Find a Camelbak dealer

Ortlieb Vario Pack — £115

Ortlieb Vario cycling backpack

Half rucksack, half pannier, the Vario is a well made and sturdy fully waterproof pannier style bag with an effective and simple roll-top closure. It fastens securely to a rack with Ortlieb’s standard Quick-Lock fastenings. Ideally sized for commuting, the bag will easily take a 15.4” laptop in protective sleeve as well as a change of clothes.

A discrete zipped stretch fabric compartment on the front of the bag houses a rucksack harness which simply clips on to eyelets on the back of the bag with sturdy and secure clips, without needing to do anything at all to the Quick-Lock clips. The harness itself is robust and well padded, offering good wear comfort, but is a little tricky to put away again, as the front stretch pocket is quite neat in size.

Read our review of the Ortlieb Vario Pack

Osprey Tempest 20 — £73.04 - £76.50

osprey tempest 20 womens cycling backpack

Osprey's Tempest line of rucksacks is essentially the Talon range, redesigned to fit a woman's shape rather than a man's. The Tempest 20 is well made, comfortable to carry and cleverly designed to incorporate all the features you could possibly need.

Although it's listed on Osprey's website in the hiking rather than biking range, it includes cycle-friendly features – the Lidlock helmet carrier, a bike light loop and hydration reservoir compartment. It's strikingly light, especially considering the number of straps and buckles dangling off it (neatly, I might add). Attention to detail is phenomenal – this pack has so many features that Osprey has a series of handy video clips on its website demonstrating how to use them.

Read our review of the Osprey Tempest 20

Chrome Yalta 3.0 — £160.00

chrome blckchrm 22x yalta 30 cycling backpack

The Chrome Yalta 3.0 is a well-made, capacious, weatherproof and comfortable roll-top backpack with the extra practicality of an almost-full-length side zip to really enhance access. Add in some other unique features and you've got a bag that's just as good for the weekend shop as the daily commute.

So let's go through its features. Roll top for easy access and secure waterproofing? Check. Sturdy nylon sailcloth construction? Check. Multiple external and side pockets including specific options for phone and water bottle? Check. Internal 15in laptop pocket? Check. Chest strap? Check. Zipped side access for courier bag convenience? Er, check. Detachable waterproof inner tote bag? What?

Read our review of the Chrome Yalta 3.0
Find a Chrome dealer

Evoc Commuter 18L — £109.99

evoc commuter 18l cycling backpack

The clue's in the name – Evoc's Commuter Backpack is designed specifically with commuters in mind. It's very waterproof, roomy, and can transport all your tech essentials in safety. It's also very comfortable, looks good and there are some great reflective details. The price is pretty high, but it compares well with many commuter-specific bags.

Although it feels like quite a big bag, once it's on your back you hardly notice it there. Unlike the non-cycling-specific Evoc Mission, which Matt found unusually tight on the neck and shoulders, the Commuter is exceptionally comfortable to ride with for many miles, even when fully loaded with a laptop inside.

With all the attributes you might need on a commute, it's hard to fault the Evoc Commuter. Nitpicking, a hidden pocket to stash your valuables would be handy. Other than that, it's just the high price tag that some will find a little offputting. But it really does feel like you get what you pay for here – this bag feels like it will last a lifetime.

Read our review of the Evoc Commuter 18L
Find an Evoc dealer

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City — £105.00 - £125.00

ortlieb commuter daypack city cycling backpack

The Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City is an excellent bag for commuting, being comfortable when laden, adjustable for fit and storage, and with a removable laptop and organiser sleeve to keep everything in place. It's completely waterproof, lightweight and smart looking, with an external key pocket and loops for holding your lock and a rear light. Pretty much the perfect bag.

Read our review of the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City
Find an Ortlieb dealer

Mission Workshop The Rambler — £315.00

Mission Workshop The Rambler cycling backpack

There's no denying the Rambler from Mission Workshop is a beast of a bag. It's designed to be a 22 litre rucksack that can expand up to a massive 44 litres when required. Primarily it's aimed at commuters but also utility riders who are looking for a capacious bag.

The bag looks great, in a low-key urban sort of way and is made from a super tough waterproof fabric, a carbon fiber reinforced internal support frame and water resistant zips. Set up with three different compartments, each with separate external zip access, it expands to its full size via the roomy main compartment in the centre of the bag. There's a large flat pocket the full area of the front of the bag, and also a smaller smartphone sized pocket at the bottom corner of the front. The main pocket can either fasten via a more weather resistant 'roll top' method, or the traditional flap type configuration, and secures with a broad webbing strap and heavy duty buckle. The rear carrying system consists of broad, adjustable cushioned straps. In addition to the expandable central section, there are strips of fabric and rails on the straps for attachment of further accessory pockets which are available as optional extras.

This is also not a light bag, even when empty, so is definitely best suited to those who need a bombproof pack for regular heavy duty commutes, but the exceptional build quality and excellent materials mean that it'll deliver for that purpose for years. That innovative design and high quality does come at a price, however.

Read our review of the Mission Rambler

Honourable mentions — 9 more cycling rucksacks worth a look

Osprey Talon 22 — £87.00 - £101.50

osprey talon22 cycling backpack

Watch cyclists riding through any major city and you'll see a lot of Osprey packs. They're popular for their durability, light weight, and comfort, and I have to admit to being a fan of them myself; I've used this bag extensively, even though we've not reviewed it on road.cc. The Talon 22 has a large main compartment plus zipped pockets on the hip belt, and stretch pockets to stash extra stuff. There's a widget — the LidLock — to carry your helmet when you're off the bike, and if you want to go mountain biking there's a slot for a hydration bladder. It's comfy even when well loaded.

Find an Osprey dealer

Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo — £150

chrome barrage cargo rolltop cycling backpack

Chrome's Barrage Cargo is a bit of a beast when it comes to a commuting backpack. It looks a bit like an extra from an urban video game with the cargo net and is made from super-tough 1050d nylon which should last forever. It has some great details, too, including a well-hidden side pocket, an EVA back panel, and the Chrome buckle, albeit in miniature.

Read our review of the Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo
Find a Chrome dealer

Craft Cadence Roll Top Backpack — £79.99

craft cadence cadence cycling backpac

The Craft Cadence Backpack is a tough, capable, and cavernous no-frills backpack designed for the commuter cyclist who REALLY doesn't want their stuff to get wet. We like it a lot. In backpack terms 30 litres makes it a big medium, but its shape – basically it's like a roll top pannier but in backpack form – means you can use all of the main (and indeed only) compartment's carrying capacity; it's very easy to cram stuff in. A lot of stuff. And as fully loaded backpacks go, this is comfortable. The IPX5 waterproofing rating means that, short of riding underwater through a pond, the contents of the bag shouldn't get wet. We've ridden through three months of West Country winter and we can confirm that it lives up to its waterproof promise. Given that it's put together from sonically welded 0.6mm tarp, that's not a surprise,.

Read our review of the Craft Cadence Roll Top Backpack

Proviz Reflect360 Touring Backpack — £47.99

proviz reflect360 touring cycling backpack

Lightweight and comfortable to carry, the Proviz Reflect360 Touring Backpack delivers a lot more than just high-visibility for cycling adventures and commuting. This is a really good backpack for a variety of uses. The construction and finish is nothing fancy but it certainly seems strong, which is the main thing, as want any plastic product these days to have a long life.

Read our review of the Proviz Reflect360 Touring Backpack

Chrome Barrage Freight Backpack — £198.00

chrome barrage freight cycling backpack

The Chrome Barrage Freight Backpack is an absolute monster of a messenger bag that is comfortable on the back and full of useful features beyond just its huge size. It's not cheap, and it's not light, but it is excellent. The Barrage Freight offers a huge amount of practical storage space with more than enough pocket separation to keep things practical and organised. We also like the cargo nets, subtle high-vis elements and, most importantly, its incredibly robust material and hardware that make it very impressive. There is no getting around the fact that this is a very expensive bag, but the price is justifiable given how long we'd expect this bag to last. If you need the capacity, this bag is an excellent choice.

Read our review of the Chrome Barrage Freight Backpack

100% Transit Backpack — £69.99

100 transit cycling backpack

The 100% Transit Backpack is a well-made and practical backpack with a plethora of useful pockets and enough storage for just about any commuter. 100% has done an excellent job with this bag. It offers loads of practical space, numerous organisational pockets, and enough capacity for most commuters. It could be improved with a chest strap and a rain cover, but aside from that there is little not to like here.

Read our review of the 100% Transit Backpack

Alpkit Gourdon 25 drybag — £29.99

AlpKit Gourdon 25 drybag cycling backpack

If you want super-simple, waterproof comfortable gear-carrying at a bargain price, look no further. The Gourdon 25 has one main 25 litre storage compartment with a buckle-fastened roll top, and a narrow pocket that can accommodate a 1L hydration pack. That's it. It weighs less than 450g. For a bag that's so simple it's surprisingly comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps are padded, and there's a thin waist strap and sternum strap that keep the bag securely in place when you're in full flow on the bike.

Read our review of the Alpkit Gourdon 25

Deuter Giga Bike — £96.00

Deuter giga pro cycling backpack

Deuter's Giga rucksack has a vast array of nooks, crannies and compartments to help you organise your stuff, and it's comfortable to carry on and off the bike. This is a rucksack for the super-organised who want a place for everything, and everything in its place. Its 31-litre capacity is split between four compartments of various sizes and there's a pair of side pockets. That's all held on to your back by thickly padded shoulder straps with a sternum strap to pull them in round your chest.

Read our review of the Deuter Giga Office Pro, its very similar predecessor
Find a Deuter stockist

Rivelo Coombe — £70

rivelo coombe dry cycling backpack

The Coombe, from British clothing brand Rivelo is a fully waterproof rucksack with enough space for commuting or even an overnighter, and is comfortable on and off the bike.

The Coombe rucksack has a claimed capacity of 18 litres, making it a fairly compact option. Fitting a laptop in is no problem, although there is no padded compartment to keep it separate from the other contents. I used it for commuting and there was plenty of space for a change of clothes and some sandwiches. Unlike other larger rucksacks, one thing I liked about the Coombe is that it would generally sit above my jersey pocket, meaning I could use these while carrying the rucksack.

Read our review of the Rivelo Coombe

Henty Wingman suit bag — £135 - £155

Henty Wingman Bag - worn

The Henty Wingman is a clever bag that allows you to carry a suit and various other items to work when you commute by bike. It's made from a heavy duty tarpaulin fabric, a lot like those used for messenger bags. Think of it as a bit like a standard suit bag that you use to keep a suit clean and safe in a wardrobe, but one that you can roll up and carry on your back when you cycle.

If you prefer to be loaded on both shoulders there's also a rucksack version.

Read our review of the Henty Wingman suit bag
Read our review of the Henty Wingman backpack​
Find a Henty dealer

Things to know about cycling rucksacks

There's a huge range of options in rucksacks for cycling, from bike-specific packs with lots of pockets and hidey-holes to help keep your stuff organised, to walking daypacks that can be used on the bike, to ultralight bags for minimalists.

You don't want to carry too much on your back, so our recommendation is not to go bigger than about 20 litres, though we have listed a couple of bigger bags for those who absolutely must take along the kitchen sink.

What else should you think about as well as size?

Water-resistance

Backpacks vary in how well they keep out the wet. Roll-top bags made from seam-welded waterproof materials will generally keep out almost everything. More conventionally-constructed bags need liners to keep clothes and electronics dry; some have built-in raincovers that help.

Organisation

At one extreme you've got bags like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Metro that has just one compartment and no additional features to speak of; at the other, Deuter bags and especially the Giga Bike have pockets, pen slots, laptop sleeve and more. It's horses for course. Some love to have a place for everything, others prefer to rummage in one compartment. Tip for rummagers: get a bag with a light-coloured interior.

Padding

The more you're going to carry, the thicker the padding on the shoulders and back needs to be. The downside of this is that a thickly-padded bag is more likely to make your back sweaty in hot weather, so look for cooling channels and vents in the padding to keep that under control.

Reflectivity

A rucksack will cover a large part of your jacket in winter, so a bit of extra visibility is a good idea to compensate for the patches of reflective material that will be hidden.

Proviz takes this to its logical conclusion with its Reflect 360 pack, which is entirely made from reflective fabric. If your pack doesn't have enough reflective patches, Proviz and others make reflective covers to boost your visibility.

Explore the complete archive of reviews of bags on road.cc

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The aim of road.cc buyer's guides is to give you the most, authoritative, objective and up-to-date buying advice. We continuously update and republish our guides, checking prices, availability and looking for the best deals.

Our guides include links to websites where you can buy the featured products. Like most sites we make a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on one of those links. We want you to be happy with what you buy, so we only include a product if we think it's one of the best of its kind.

As far as possible that means recommending equipment that we have actually reviewed, but we also include products that are popular, highly-regarded benchmarks in their categories.

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You can also find further guides on our sister sites off.road.cc and ebiketips.

road.cc buyer's guides are maintained by the road.cc tech team. Email us with comments, corrections or queries.

John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

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46 comments

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
0 likes

The Overboard Classic 30l deserves a spot here. Very similar to Craft Cadence but sells at £55 (although the internal laptop and office equipment carrier adds £15-£20 to the price). 

Had mine for three years with no issues and fully loaded with shopping or clothes before now. 

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mpdouglas | 2 years ago
0 likes

Over my ten years of daily commuting, I have settled on the Evoc FR Trail 20L as the best (and I've tried many brands over those 10 years) https://www.evocsports.com/FR-TRAIL-BLACKLINE-20/100104100-M-L7

It is comfortable, takes a laptop plus clothes and shoes, has an in-built back protector, and the shape seems to discourage everything settling in a big lump at the bottom. It also seems to magically exand to swallow just about whatever I throw at it, helped by the main zip opening the whole length of the pack, on both sides. But the number one feature (and not many "cycling" backpacks actually have this) is the special compartment on the front, specifically for tubes, pump, tools etc so I don't have to start hauling all my worldly belongings out when I get the inevitable puncture. Fixing a puncture, mid-winter, in the rain, is the best test of how good your backpack is!! Whilst I do have one, the roll top, fully waterproof overboard style is an absolute nightmare in these circumstances.

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IanGlasgow | 1 year ago
0 likes

I've owned an Orltieb Vario since this article was first published 4 years ago.
I realy like it, but the build quality is disappointing for a brand with such a good reputation.

First one lasted a year before the zip on the outer pocket broke.
Ortlieb replaced it with another that lasted a year before a seam failed.
The replacement has now lasted 2 years, though after a year one of the clips that hold it to the rack in pannier mode broke. Evans fitted the new parts which unsurprisingly (if you're familiar with Evan workmanship) fell off. Ortlieb sent me a new part directly. But guess what... another clip has broken.
Good job it comes with a 5 year warranty. I've certainly had my money's worth from that feature.

EDIT: It has now been repaired some more; the springs that hold the clips closed when in pannier mode break regularly. A seam failed and was repaired. The repair has just failed!

I can't fault Ortlieb's customer service (or maybe the credit should go to the UK distributor, Lyon Equipment) but I feel that I haven't bought a rucksack, just taken out a lease for 5 years.
Ortlieb now have an updated model (the Vario PS) which is more expensive (and EVEN more expensive if you opt for QL3.1 fittings - QL2.1 have proved pretty unreliable.
When the warranty ends I'll try the new Craft Cadence convertible - it's half the price of an Ortlieb Vasrio PS 3.1 but comes with a similar 5 year warranty.

Avatar
vintvélo | 3 years ago
1 like

The Craft Cadence is a superb commuter bag. I've used mine every day for over a year in all weathers. Super spacious, comfortable, and you could probably drop it in the sea and your laptop would be fine 👍

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stomec | 3 years ago
0 likes

As an alternative to the shirt shuttle I'd recommend the gate8 Shirt Mate

https://www.gate8-luggage.co.uk/collections/travel-accessories/products/shirt-mate-shirt-carrier-folding-board

Carries up to a week's worth of shirts and has a nice folding aid.  The only problem I've found is that it is quite tall so doesn't fit in smaller rucksacks, but it does fit the 18l Deuter Bike One I've got and larger messenger bags; dimensions are on the website 

Avatar
spen | 3 years ago
6 likes

The best cycling rucksack is a set of panniers on a rack

Avatar
bobrayner replied to spen | 3 years ago
1 like

For many use-cases, yes. If you're worried about getting hot and sweaty, yes. But there are still use-cases where a rucsac has benefits; I don't mind the extra warmth in winter, and it's nice to have it on my back already when I walk into the shops.

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mdavidford replied to bobrayner | 3 years ago
3 likes

Or if you're going to be carrying it off the bike for any significant period, when panniers can be quite inconvenient.

Besides which, it's a pretty irrelevant comment when the article is about the best cycling rucksacks, not the best way to carry stuff on a bike.

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Notbuilt2climb | 3 years ago
2 likes

Road.cc on top form as usual.  Recycled articles with incorrect links.

Clicked on the links for the Proviz 360 bag.  The Amazon link took me to a running vest, the Tredz link took me to overshoes and the Halfords link took me to a jacket. Is it really that difficult to put correct links?  I looked at this article because I need a new rucksack, not overshoes or jackets.

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peakingintwomonths | 4 years ago
0 likes

Wot - no M-24 ?  Best rucksack I own yes

https://www.m-24.co.uk/

.......................and I don't work for them 

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Envee NV | 4 years ago
4 likes

48 years old. Lifelong cyclist who has never owned a car. I do my shopping, commuting and sport on the bike. A road bike. If you can't or do not want to get panniers then i suggest a messenger bag to get the weight lower on your back. I have had the same bag since 1995. Timbuk2 from San Francisco. They have internal waterproof liners and use tough, rugged material.
You wont be disappointed. Yeah, the bags are on the pricy side but how long do Sidi's last compared to shimano shoes? My last pair of sidi's lasted me 12 years

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HurdyGurdy | 4 years ago
0 likes

Have used the craft cadence Gen 1 - not impressed, good idea, very bad implementation. Also no means to contact manufacturer to discuss product issues.

 

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craftcadence replied to HurdyGurdy | 3 years ago
1 like

Dear HurdyGurdy, 

We are sincerely sorry for your experience.  We have made a number of improvements from v1 of our backpack and would be more than happy to send you a replacement free of charge.  Please could you get in touch with us at info [at] craftcadence.com and we will take care of it. 

Craft Cadence team 

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BBB | 4 years ago
0 likes

Not happy with my Lomo backpack(s). Both desintegrated at the folding closure section in less than a year of daily commuting.
Replaced with a Decathlon ITIWIT. So far, so good.

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earth | 5 years ago
1 like

Should have kept my ProVis 360.  The zips broke so it had to go but if I knew it was worth £6090 I might have got it repaired.

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hawkinspeter replied to earth | 5 years ago
2 likes
earth wrote:

Should have kept my ProVis 360.  The zips broke so it had to go but if I knew it was worth £6090 I might have got it repaired.

I'll sell you mine for a mere £3000 - it's getting a bit battered and has a bit of damage to the side pockets where I put my keys.

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Eton Rifle | 5 years ago
0 likes

Odd to mention the Osprey Talon but not their cycle-specific Escapist series.  I've been using an Escapist 25 for two years of commuting and really like it.  It is not full most of the time - only full when I need to carry a laptop plus towels for showering at work.  

It has a vented back and shoulder straps, so no sweatiness in the summer.  Lots of pockets and a zipped bottom compartment where you can stash muddy overshoes etc away from your clean office clothes.  Hip pockets on the waist belt hold tissues, change, keys etc and a soft-lined pocket holds electronics.  Pocket on the front of the pack is designed to hold pump, keys and tools, although I use it for a first aid kit, portable charger and medicines.  It has a helmet holder and an integral rain cover and you can attach a rear light to the loop on the pack.  Really nice, stable rucksack.

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PixelPusher replied to Eton Rifle | 3 years ago
0 likes

I've been commuting with the Escapist 25 for a few years too. Brilliant backpack with so many thought out features and most impartantly, comfortable to ride with. I also have the Alpkit Gourdon for quick trips to the shops, love it's simplicity.

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Brother Beyond | 5 years ago
0 likes

Suprised that Sealskin bags dont get a mention, fantastic. I have had one for a couple of years now, great price, waterproof and light.

 

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Jetmans Dad | 5 years ago
2 likes

dhb 30L for £25 from Wiggle, including fluorescent yellow rain cover, as well as plenty of reflective detailing. I'm a school teacher, so anything less than 30L really isn't going to cut it for me. 

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Bigfoz | 5 years ago
1 like

Some very expensive bags on there.

 

How about the Planet-X 365 commuter pack. £14.99, does everything I need, is visible and highly reflective, waterproof and carries my work clothes, notebooks, kindle, gym kit without even hesitating.  Doesn't have a waist strap, but still rides well. Excellent value for money. 

 

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srchar | 5 years ago
0 likes

None of the above; rack-top bag or courier bag for me.  I'd even take a basket on the front over a sweaty backpack.

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Chapo | 5 years ago
1 like

Decathlon £2.99 10L rucksack.

With an internal drysack.

It's very light. It's very cheap. Durable too.
And comes in various bright colours.

A cheap and useful mod - would be to sew a clip-on light tag to the bag.

And I found the Alpkit Gourdon - VERY uncomfortable on the bike.

 

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fukawitribe | 5 years ago
1 like

+1 for the Overboard. It's just one massive hole inside, bar a small zipped pocket, but very comfy and very waterproof. Been using mine for a few years now for pretty much everything that means i'd be near/in water or shit weather; good as new.

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Paul_C | 5 years ago
1 like

I use an Overboard waterproof backpack bag... not expressely designed for cycling... but actually designed for watersports...

 

it works well... doesn't cost the earth because of the cycling aspect and keeps my back sweat free as well as it is helfdoff the back by it's structure to allow air to get there

 

also has waist and chest straps to keep it in place.

 

I have the 20 liter version... only costs £36 on Amazon.

Avatar
Bmblbzzz | 5 years ago
2 likes

Starter for ten: that's Bath railway station in the Osprey Tempest photo. 

But "The most convenient way to carry your stuff on and off the bike" really? Off the bike, okay, but on the bike? No. Panniers and saddlebags of various descriptions are better on the bike. 

Avatar
kevvjj | 5 years ago
6 likes

I like these articles and always look forward to seeing that BTBS has something bigger, better, more efficient, and better value than anything on the list.

Having said that, if Road CC are going to rehash old articles at least take the time to find out if the packs are still in production and show us pictures of the current model. Point in case: https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-25 looks nothing like the pic in this article.

 

Avatar
NorthEastJimmy | 5 years ago
1 like

It seems Road.cc authors are really not engaging with their regular readers which is disappointing.  You look at any article now that was originally written a year ago or more and then just made to look new, actually not even that in a lot of cases, you will see so many messages from people urging them stop doing this lazy way of publishing material.

Also a very biased and limited range of makes from across the board of cycling products.

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roadmanshaq | 5 years ago
0 likes

I really like my Quecha (Decathlon) Helium 27L bag. It's pitched for hikers but works very well for cycling as it's very light and even comes with a free hydration bladder and waterproof outer layer.

 

Not at all bad for £40.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/helium-27l-trail-backpack-black-id_8245760.html

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AfterPeak | 5 years ago
2 likes

Honestly just stop posting old rubbish! This is the same post from about 3 years ago. There must be 13 new bags since then?? If you want me to try 20 bags and let you know about them I'm glad to help.

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