InTheRain

I've tried a lot of different ways, but probably not all of them. I've done the backpack, panniers, trunk rack, carradice pendle with a bagman support, and now my favorite - a carradice SQR slim that attaches to the seatpost. (Not really my favorite, because in the summer I can carry everything I need in my jersey pockets.)

I like the SQR slim because I can take it off my bike so quickly and easily. It's great for those days when I ride my road bike to work and I go on a club ride after work. I can leave the slim bag at the office and pick it up after the club ride. I have purchased a second SQR seatpost clamp for my touring bike (my regular year-round commuter) so that I can move the bag easily from bike to bike. I like the slim bag on the touring bike because it sits up high enough and out of the way so that I can use panniers on my rack in addition to the slim bag.

I think I've finally got my commuting "luggage" dialed in!

CliftonGK1

I don't have a lot of stuff to carry, so my favourite is either my Carradice Pendle or my Berthoud GB28. A combination of the two if I have a lot of stuff.

EKW in DC

My favorite way to carry my stuff so far - my current set up of rack trunk w/ fold down panniers. Haven't tried proper panniers yet, though I hope to get some soon for a little touring this summer, but the Topeak rack trunk w/ the MTX system is super convenient and can fit everything I need for work and the occasional package to carry home, too. Then I can always bungee cord other items on top of the trunk, too.

Did the backpack thing from when I started commuting last spring until Christmas. Not a big fan. It worked for me and made commuting possible at a time when money for a rack, trunk, and/or panniers was tight, but it's certainly not my preferred method at all.

wunderkind

With my rear rack. Used to bungee chord my backpack. Now I DIY two panniers out of two old knapsacks.

El Gigante

+1 on the Topeak Trunk bag with the Quick Track system. Have used a Topeak EXP bag for the last two years and it has held up remarkably well. The fold down panniers will hold a change of clothes, shoes, lunch, jacket when it gets too warm. etc. and its pretty durable. Probably not the best choice for carrying a lap top or riding in the rain, but for a quick simple way to get the backpack off your back, its hard to beat.

altersego

Commuting & riding around town: Carradice College with the quick release.
Shopping runs: Orlieb Velocity.

I decided to ditch backpacks and go saddlebag almost exclusively. I can't carry my laptop in the saddlebag, so I stuff it in the Ortlieb when I need it.

Praxis

I prefer carrying my stuff via automobile.

What I must carry, I carry in a messenger bag. Panniers may be better in some ways, but it works for me.

turtlewoman

I use Wald baskets that came with my bike. They do the job but I would really like to have some Ortlieb (sp) panniers. That would be sexy travel as far as I'm concerned.

sooprvylyn

The only "stuff" I carry is a tire kit(levers, pre-glued patches, co2 pump) and a multi tool, those fit in my pockets.

edit: if I need to bring something larger with me I use a cheapo Nashbar Messenger bag I got several years ago.

BA Commuter

I use a Topeak Explorer rack with a single pannier. I can carry some tools/spare tube, rain jacket, my lunch, and assorted papers for work.

It works for me because I have everything I need and never worry about forgetting anything. If I need to stop on the way home, I can also fit a few groceries in there as well...

colleen c

Started with Backpack. Hated that sweaty back. Switched to shoulder bag. It was ok for a while until I needed to carry more of everything just short of carrying a kitchen sink. I needed to get the load off my shoulder and went to a Transit pannier bought at Performance just for trial. After some soul searching of a personal debate of what is the better side to put it on my rack, I installed on the left side but I also ended up with a foldable shopping bag pannier on the right side. That shopping bag pannier is much needed when I buy three boxes of takeout food to feed the hungry at home since commuting takes time away from cooking at home.

frankenmike 

Been commuting for 9 years. Still using the same messenger bag. (Timbuk2 ocho)

AdamDZ

Panniers, absolutely. But I do carry a lot of stuff that is just too much for a backpack.

Seattle Forrest

I don't have a good answer to the question ... but have been trying to find one. I hate the sweaty back a pack gives, and in the winter, with a back on, it doesn't matter how much mesh is on the facing; it's pushing the jacket into your back, and your skin can't breathe.

I asked a cyclist on the trail what she thought about her panniers last night, and she said she has to be more mindful about breaking a little early with them. That's enough to scare me away ... I already had my doubts.

But occasionally it's nice to carry lunch, a jacket, and a small book on a ride. I don't always want to wear the jacket, though; you can set out when it's warm and sunny, and return home long after dark. So storage is a must. I think I'm going to give this pack a try, but that's mostly because I need a good way to carry a heavy tripod hiking.

ddez

Carradice Pendle and when needed a bar bag carries all i need for light touring. Thinking of replacing my ratty looking old bar bag for a Carradice Roll bag for handle bars,would love to see one mounted before i get one though.

jputnam

I use a Pelican box mounted as a pannier for commuting.

Keeps my laptop safe and my office clothes dry.

cyclokitty 

My handlebar basket works well for storing a jacket or a small bag. If I'm bringing stuff home on a clear day I bring my fold up REI grocery panniers. Or if it's raining my waterproof pannier. I rarely wear a backpack because my back gets too sweaty. Messenger bags bug the heck out of me when they slide around my back.

I like the handlebar basket best since I don't have to take it off when I lock up the bike.

mr geeker

i use a set of shopper panniers and those are usualy on my bike, but if those aren't on i use my nashbar trunk bag and a back-pack, or one or the other depending on what i'm doing or going.

Doohickie

Panniers.

nice_marmot

I have a pair of lovely Axiom waterproof panniers I use whenever I have groceries/books/cookout supplies/etc. to bring with me. Otherwise, I put my emergency gear in a pocket and lash my U-lock to the rear rack with a bungee net.

RI_Swamp_Yankee

I've been giving this some thought. Currently, I have a Detours Uptown pannier I bodge into The World's Least Comfortable shoulder bag with carabiners and a laptop bag strap, and a generic fold-out grocery pannier that's locked to the bike full-time. I've been daydreaming about a Carradice Bike Bureau and a Rixen & Kaul Cargo folding pannier in blue. They would be more comfortable and convenient, and they look damn good on a bike. Yet, apart from being bicycle jewelry, would I really be better off dropping $300 on new panniers for the commute?

When I was in college, I had a SS beach cruiser with Wald wire basket panniers, the 535 long model. It was a rear rack with two fixed steel baskets on either side. It cost $30, and I could stuff a week's worth of groceries in them, and bungie my laptop bag and camera bag to the top. Then I spent another $10, and bought a used Wald 139 courier basket for the front. I think there are import pickup trucks from the time that couldn't haul as much stuff... I helped friends move with that thing. I could go for pizza and bring back a 30-rack as well.

I dunno if I want to go that deep into Fredland, but the threat of Ultimate Practicality keeps the credit card in the wallet when I see people posting pics of their Bike Bureaus... barely.

Timber_8

My Topek MTX trunk bag it always on my bike regardless of what I do, I never go anywhere without my camera. I rarely use the Panniers in the open position but they are there if I need them. I will also put overnight clothes in the drop down Pannier and the roll it closed up again depending on what it is. You can also zip a bottle of water in each Pannier on the MTX bag for long rides. I have a small nashbar rack & trunk bag setup on the front wheel that holds as much as a bar bag for a rain poncho, tubes, oil, medical kit. I carry my computer in a Caradise Bike Bureau when commuting to work. I only use the Bike bureau if I have the computer with me.

TuckamoreDew

It looks like I'm in the minority in using a backpack as my day-to-day commuting stuff carrier. It usually just contains my lunch, a book and a few bike tools .I've been using the same MEC cycling backpack for 5 years now. For bigger loads I use a cheap ($20) set of ugly Bell panniers that can carry an awful lot. One of the zippers broke near the end of last season but I did get a solid two years heavy use out of them. For even bigger loads I use a trailer. Sometimes I use all three methods at the same time.

cyclezealot

I hate the cumbersome feeling of backpacks. And the hot spot on your back.. I might use a backpack should I have an overload situation in my panniers.. The result my race bike without pannier's gets ridden only about 1/3 of the time.

cubs1982

Arkel Utility Basket on tubus cargo rack. I like the fact that it is so open and can store all I need for the daily commute plus some odds and ends that I may need to pick up on the way home.