Recommend me a commuting backpack................

[MadDad]

Like the title says can anyone recommend a commuting backpack?

Needs to be capable of holding a folded suit, shirt, laptop, not weight too much and must be waterproof.

Anyone using anything that ticks the boxes?

[Rolls]

Wow- thats quite a bit to carry on the commute.. - I'd go for panniers for all of that TBH!

[ewenm]

I use a fell-running rucksack from Inov8 but don't carry a laptop.

[anonymous-user]

This was featured in a bike mag recently... i think they said for one off trips it was ok but the suit takes a beating and you would be better off keeping it at work and changing when you arrive. Not sure if there is space for laptop etc in there too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Suit-commute-Cycle-backpac...

but i would definately go for panniers if you are taking that much on a daily basis. it would be a big weight to have on your back through traffic.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 20th March 14:19

[dave87]

Samsonite Backpack & keep the suit at work.

My Samsonite backpack is coming up to 11-12 years old, still in daily use, and has taken all the stuff I've thrown in it, been all over the world etc. Still perfectly serviceable (indeed used daily), if a little grubby on the outside.

[ewenm]

When I had to be in a suit at work I always left the jacket, trousers, shoes and washkit at work and just carried shirt, tie, socks and boxers in the rucksack.

[Smallend]

I found this online last night:
http://slicks.cc/

Looks like it might do a good job.

[a11y_m]

ewenm said:

When I had to be in a suit at work I always left the jacket, trousers, shoes and washkit at work and just carried shirt, tie, socks and boxers in the rucksack.

Same here. Plus I carry my shirt in an Eagle Creek Pack-It folder thing, works perfectly.

I can't imagine having to carry all that PLUS a suit PLUS a laptop on a daily basis...

[james239]

Have recently started cycling to work so need a new backpack too as my old one is getting a bit tatty and has no chest straps which I quite fancy.

Found a nice enough bag to order online but unsure on sizes.

All I carry to work is trousers, rolled up shirt and sometimes a tie. Need to fit sandwiches too but they take up no room at all and I lave plenty of snacks at work

Is 10 litres big enough for that?

Probably stupid question but will a smaller capacity bag have slightly narrower shoulders? If I don't cycle I take the motorbike so I also need to get the bag on over my leathers which can be a bit of a faff so don't want a bag that's too tight.

[Du1point8]

I like this one:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/Rucksacks/daysacks/product...

originally got one for snowboarding but has all the necessaries in there, for more go to the remote 30.

Should be able to pick it up for circa £30 if you try.

[XitUp]

I have this:

[Mr Pies]

Just the thread I wanted!

[AyBee]

Leave the suit at work. I carry shirt, socks, boxers and suit trousers, occasionally shoes and could probably fit the laptop in too providing it wasn't too hefty but I wouldn't fancy cramming the suit jacket in too, I have two jackets at work which works nicely!

[MadDad]

Thanks for the suggestions, will do a bit of surfing at lunchtime, I like the suit specific jobbie but £115 for a commuter bag is quite a bit, getting the business case signed off by HWMBO would be tricky.

As a scum-bag-contractor I don't get the same facilities made available to me as permy staff. So, although there are lockers etc in the office, I am not allowed to use them, hence the need to drag stuff to the office and back every day.

[a11y_m]

MadDad said:

Thanks for the suggestions, will do a bit of surfing at lunchtime, I like the suit specific jobbie but £115 for a commuter bag is quite a bit, getting the business case signed off by HWMBO would be tricky.

As a scum-bag-contractor I don't get the same facilities made available to me as permy staff. So, although there are lockers etc in the office, I am not allowed to use them, hence the need to drag stuff to the office and back every day.

Ah, fair play lumping all that kit around and not taking an easier travel option.

You're going to need a fairly sizeable bag. I use a 25L (plus 5L expansion) bag on my commute: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolutio... I've got the older version linked to with the review. Very comfy and very stable. The mesh bag sits it off your back slightly helping avoid a sweaty back. Rain cover essential for me! Big main section with small front ones for tools, wallet, phone etc. Made by Vaude and seems bombproof so far (6+ years).

[The Walrus]

That looks good and made by Vaude who make a very similar style but £10 more so thanks ally-m you just saved me a couple of quid.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

You'll be wanting one of these with the clip on bag. No more sweaty back. No more chaffed jerseys.

[a11y_m]

The Walrus said:

That looks good and made by Vaude who make a very similar style but £10 more so thanks ally-m you just saved me a couple of quid.

There used to be a bigger price difference between them but I think they've upped the Edinburgh Bicycle stuff prices as it became more popular

[1878]

I don't carry as much at the OP but +1 on the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op backpacks mentioned by A11y above.

[The Walrus]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

You'll be wanting one of these with the clip on bag. No more sweaty back. No more chaffed jerseys.

The only thing that worry me about that is how you secure whatever you are carrying to it ? in the case of the OP with all his kit it would be like a sail !