Laptop backpack recommendations?
Discussion
Evening all,
I've just got a Lenovo X230 laptop to replace my previous house brick. This means it's emminently more commutable in a backpack, but at the moment, it's still rattling around in a bag designed for a 15" widescreen model.
Does anyone have any recommendations for decent backpacks to take a small laptop, the usual cycling tools, keys, wallet and so on? Built in High Viz would be good too!
I've just got a Lenovo X230 laptop to replace my previous house brick. This means it's emminently more commutable in a backpack, but at the moment, it's still rattling around in a bag designed for a 15" widescreen model.
Does anyone have any recommendations for decent backpacks to take a small laptop, the usual cycling tools, keys, wallet and so on? Built in High Viz would be good too!
pablo said:
I use one of these its small but fits an a4 folder so should be big enough. It has a waist strap and I like it because its smart enough to take to meetings and not look like I'm going to school!
I just use a hi-vis cover on the bike.
I think that might be just a bit too small unfortunately. It claims to fit laptops up to 11.5 inches, and mine is 12.5".I just use a hi-vis cover on the bike.
It's amazing how difficult it is to actually search for one! Places like Wiggle and CRC are fine for finding backpacks designed for cycling, but no easy way of telling which (if any) have laptop inserts. Other places provide plenty of 12.5" backpacks, but no easy way to determine which might be best shaped for cycling!
Given the number of commuters these days, I'm surprised there isn't a laptop option to tick on any of the big cycling websites.
Work were kind enough to supply me with one of these: http://www.targus.com/uk/product_details.asp?sku=T...
I cycle a lot to different offices and for meetings and it's great: I can fit loads in there and the laptop slip is padded so it keeps it protected.
It's very well made and looks like it will last forever; I've had mine for about 2 years now and it gets used every day of the week.
I cycle a lot to different offices and for meetings and it's great: I can fit loads in there and the laptop slip is padded so it keeps it protected.
It's very well made and looks like it will last forever; I've had mine for about 2 years now and it gets used every day of the week.
Richair said:
Work were kind enough to supply me with one of these: http://www.targus.com/uk/product_details.asp?sku=T...
I cycle a lot to different offices and for meetings and it's great: I can fit loads in there and the laptop slip is padded so it keeps it protected.
It's very well made and looks like it will last forever; I've had mine for about 2 years now and it gets used every day of the week.
Believe it or not, I have exactly that same bag already! I cycle a lot to different offices and for meetings and it's great: I can fit loads in there and the laptop slip is padded so it keeps it protected.
It's very well made and looks like it will last forever; I've had mine for about 2 years now and it gets used every day of the week.
With the new laptop being so much smaller (12.5", and the bag takes up to 16"), and not needing to use it to carry spare clothes or anything (I can use the panniers on my other bike for that), I'm really after something 30% smaller and without the second full height compartment, as I just need to carry the laptop itself and tools/spare tube.
MattYorke said:
I have the rapha one. Not cheap, but worth it.
It's tempting, as despite the laptop compartment only being an inch smaller than my current Targus bag, the overall dimensions manage to be significantly smaller.castex said:
Rapha do a good one.
It's eye-wateringly expensive at £125 though! At least twice the price of anything comparable.
itsnotarace said:
I think I would prefer a messenger bag on a bike but anyway, Crumpler have an excellent range of both backpacks and messenger bags for laptops
Thanks for that! I had looked on the Crumpler website, but if you select "backpacks" from the "laptops" menu at the top of the screen, it says "sorry, no results found". Your post made me go back and click "all bags", and the backpack is definitely on the shortlist! randlemarcus said:
Might be me being daft, but can you not just stick it in a neoprene pouch, and leave the backpack at work? I move from backpacks to tankbags/seat luggage on the motorcycle as I'd rather not have an angled lump of titanium whacking into my back if things go a bit pear-shaped.
The idea of the backpack is to get the laptop from home to work and back on days where I want to take my Derosa. With a carbon frame and seatpost, the only way I have of carrying any kit at all beyond what would fit in a small saddle pack is on my back.I can see your point on a motorbike, but then you're traveling much faster!
I agree. However, it has a few key points that for me make it worth it:
1. It is small, but it's better designed than any other bag I've seen for compact packing - the full bag zip & shoe compartment are total winners
2. The cover has its own integrated pocket so it doesn't mess up your clothes when you put it away.
3. And the winner - it's the most comfortable bag to ride with. Am currently doing 40 miles a day with it on and it's the only bag I've ever ridden with that is comfortable enough I forget I'm wearing it, and even if it's pretty full, doesn't give me even a hint of back ache.
If/when this one wears out, I will replace it with the same again, for me at least, it's a worthy investment.
(Oh, I'm on a road bike too)
1. It is small, but it's better designed than any other bag I've seen for compact packing - the full bag zip & shoe compartment are total winners
2. The cover has its own integrated pocket so it doesn't mess up your clothes when you put it away.
3. And the winner - it's the most comfortable bag to ride with. Am currently doing 40 miles a day with it on and it's the only bag I've ever ridden with that is comfortable enough I forget I'm wearing it, and even if it's pretty full, doesn't give me even a hint of back ache.
If/when this one wears out, I will replace it with the same again, for me at least, it's a worthy investment.
(Oh, I'm on a road bike too)
Kermit power said:
It's eye-wateringly expensive at £125 though!
Well, I looked out of the window this morning, and decided I just couldn't bear to leave the Derosa at home and take the old snotter, just for the sake of having panniers.
I therefore decided to take a bit of back pain, bunged the laptop into my old Camelbak HAWG.... and discovered that the 2.5" reduction in laptop size made all the difference between lower back agony inside 10 miles and forgetting I was even wearing it!
So, it looks like I'm just going to need a Neoprene sleeve for it.
Man maths now broken, but back refreshingly unbroken!
I therefore decided to take a bit of back pain, bunged the laptop into my old Camelbak HAWG.... and discovered that the 2.5" reduction in laptop size made all the difference between lower back agony inside 10 miles and forgetting I was even wearing it!
So, it looks like I'm just going to need a Neoprene sleeve for it.
Man maths now broken, but back refreshingly unbroken!
I've been using the orange version of this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scan-Hi-Vis-Reflective-B...
...for over a year and 6,000 miles in all weathers. I put my laptop in a liner just in case but there haven't been any issues with it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scan-Hi-Vis-Reflective-B...
...for over a year and 6,000 miles in all weathers. I put my laptop in a liner just in case but there haven't been any issues with it.
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