Backpacks for commuting
 

So I'll be started school again in a few weeks, and I've been looking at backpacks that would be better for commuting. There are a couple I had in mind, like the Osprey Radial 34 and the Momentum 32. However, there are issues about both bags that concern me, particularly the elastic cords that would have to hold up the weight of a fully loaded bag. They both have some really nice features, such as an integrated rain cover, and a spot to attach a helmet when not in use.

I just purchased the Osprey Radial 26 on Saturday and haven't had a chance to use it. I bought it on recommendations from this forum. As for the elastic straps, if you are talking about the ones holding the top of the straps, they are not there for strength. The strap is sewn elsewhere to do this task, the cords are not taking the full weight of this bag so I wouldn't worry about that. As gregf83 mentioned they have a great warranty if anything goes wrong.

I use and love Osprey Talon 22. Great venting and capacity. Reflective, and meant for cycling.

Use the Osprey Radial 26 and can highly recommend it. Anther great feature is the "kickstand". You can stand it up on any flat surface and it will stay. Easy to pack/unpack.

Mostly I use panniers; but I have a large collection of backpacks as well. My top end is an LBB

If you need to haul a lot of stuff on your back, it's a solid choice.

The Arkel backpack pannier is good (much smaller), I have a very ancient model and it works well.

Mostly you need to figure out what works for you. It may be a family of bags, for different loads ... or you may find one you just love ;>

I think I just found my brother from another. I too have a large assortment of backpacks in general. It's good to see I'm not the only one with an issue out there when it comes to backpacks. The fact you have that LBB bag tells me you are serious about this life. I have that bag also. The one thing I don't like about it though is the black interior. I feel the boys in Jakarta should of made it another color because without a flashlight (not your phones light), things will vanish in there, even with all the organization pockets. I really want to name all the bags I have but then that would take all day, it's a lot. I will tell you to check out "Truce Designs" and "Boundary". Those are two legit backpack makers. The latter being a kickstarter I pledged for but the bag came out dope.

Side Note......I read the last sentence about a family of bags and that's how I see it. There is no one bag that does it all. I have multiple backpacks, panniers, backpack panniers, bikepacking bags that all have a purpose depending on the riding I;m doing.

I recently picked up the hikelite 26 for $75 for my 9 km commute (I shower at work). If you need a larger backpack for more stuff, you better get panniers since the weight up high will bother you.
This one has the mesh panel and is super light (0.74kg). You really want the mesh panel to keep some air between your back and the bag. Trust me on that. Cheaper ones have am "airflow" padding with many small holes in them.... trust me, you want the mesh panel.
It also is my hiking pack, BTW.

Hey bro, the folks at LBB heard your pain ... and revised the bag. At least I assume mine is newer...seems unlikely they'd have gone from yellow to black for tine interior.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a074cd533.jpg

easy to spot stuff, hard to keep really clean

From the looks of it, you have the normal version of the peloton which is yellow inside. I have the asphalt version of the bag.

'The Peloton ASPHALT' - Life Behind Bars

Oh, I know the feeling. My bag can be like a black hole.

I've mainly been using 2 bags lately. Neither is perfectly waterproof, so I tend to put stuff in plastic bags when necessary.

Older Swiss Gear bag. Petty robust, but not overly expensive. I don't like the mostly black color. :P

Older Camelback Mule (without the bladder). Small, but this seems to be about the perfect size for an everyday commuter. I can stuff a few items in it, but nothing too big. Nonetheless, it has quite a few places to stuff extra stuff when overloaded.

Of course, I'm no longer lugging around college textbooks.

The Osprey's are popular but ugly. I had almost purchased one but was more impressed with the Vaude reviews. Have had my Vaude for 4 years and still use it nearly every ride. What a great pack. Like Vaude says, "made by cyclists, for cyclists." And they aren't kidding. Functional, simple and sleek.

Eyup you got that right. I don't recall the Asphalt being available at the time (or more precisely, when I'd put the bag on my wishlist. My wife gifted me with the LBB bag sometime later ;>).

Arc'teryx Spear 20.

I haven't bought into the Osprey hype ... style over function there.

Really? The Osprey are very functional. What do you mean?

EDIT: I thought so, no substance.

I've had the Timbuktu Rogue for a while. Surprisingly comfortable. Has the molle loops on the front for a u-lock.

I have an Osprey Momentum and love it. It's a great backpack.

I use the 2 Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack. It transitions from a backpack to a pannier for the commute. It is very well made and I no longer have the dreaded back sweat. I very rarely use the backpack function now since I park the bike at my desk.

A big bike messenger bag will not cover up your whole back, and prevent sweat from cooling you.

thus, I have tried to avoid wearing a backpack ,

In the winter it will matter less, of course..

In the rain , there are Dry Bag Backpacks ,

but there a Messenger bag with a waterproof liner may be OK.



....

In the winter I wear a jacket with a rear vent. Backpacks interfere with it, But I live with it and don't commute much into winter (a good snow stops me as I ride on the trails 60+%).

I have a Patagonia Black Hole, 25l backpack. The part on your back is nice and cushioned, the rest is a waterproof material. The straps are more comfortable than the North face ones I've tried. However, you do get sweaty underneath it. It has a laptop sleeve inside and water bottle pockets outside. I'd reckon a bag with venting might be better to avoid being the sweaty/stinky kid in class....

the Osprey rucksacks have moved in to the expensive end of the market without as much real-world testing as the high end European manufactures. They've moved into that market segment with fancy designs and big eagles. I'm more of Fjällraven/mammut kind of guy as they're tried and tested.*

I found that they don't make anything small and utilitarian enough for cyclocommuting and that Arcteryx does.*

let's not even go down the road that the Osprey bags are quite gaudy and sophomoric-looking.

the roll top on the Arcteryx is excellent for occasionally carrying large items like baguettes and postertubes to conferences,* which most other brands don't employ :/

but if youre rolling on a small framed 20 inch BMX (or maybe a more modern cruiser with 24 inch)* then an osprey may make more sense :D

Wow, you really are full of it.

Sorry man, Osprey is overpriced/underperforming gear.

In German, we joke that the wearer must be American or from Cali. Also, the company isn't as green as it should be.

They should be more like these guys...

https://www.fjallraven.us/pages/sustainability

My large rucksack is a 65L Kajka ... unfortunately, it's lasted too long (it's the pre-woodframe model) from 2008.

Nahhhhhh you are full of it.
I love my Talon22. Gets used every single day for commuting to work. Does what its suppose to and in comfort.