Which is best for a sweat free back?

Pannier 😉

I prefer a messenger bag over a rucsack though. Crumpler, Timbuk2 make good stuff all well over priced for what they are. I picked up a well made Manhatten Portage for £11 on ebay. Worth searching for the less well known brands, even the North Face one looks pretty good.

backpack with airflow type system

heavy loads in messenger bags never sit straight on your back, great if your a courier, fashion statement if not

Mission Workshop seel the nicest Courier bags, and backpacks IMHO.

I’ve a few bits of theirs’ and its amazing kit.

In my experience it makes little difference. The air-flow backpacks help, though if you have a waterproof or something underneath that will still end up pressed against your back making it sweaty.

Sweat-free: neither

Less sweaty – courier bag.

IME, obviously.

Long rides with ‘stuff’ – airflow backpack.

Shorter rides (circa 10miles) then a messenger isn’t ‘quite’ as comfortable, but I feel offers a better use of ‘space’ – like a transit compared to a low estate type difference…

I can carry more, comfortably, in a messenger (picked up 3 pizzas, two four pinters, and some olive oil the other day in mine – a custom medium timbuk2).

DrP