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Work is 5 miles away, I've been using the ebike to save changing at the other end. But, the dreaded sweaty back, what are people doing for backpacks?
In typical STW-style, you don't want a backpack, you want a pannier. Perfect tool for the job.
Having a shower.
Or obviously panniers solve the problem to an extent. I prefer rucksack but I've never seen one that doesn't suffer with sweaty back to some degree.
Not fitting panniers to the eeb, they wont fit anyway.
Thinking of one that doesn't sit straight against your back?
Every backpack I have ever used causes sweaty back. Maybe its me not the bags 😉 However, as this is the case, I just got the best value I could at the time. Been using the same DHB for 7 years now and its never let me down.
I have used a Deuter cross air 20 for at least 5 years now, 15 miles each way.
It lifts the bag off your back which helps a lot with the sweatiness. Its still not ideal but a lot better than anything I used before.
Thinking of one that doesn’t sit straight against your back?
I have had a few - all still have something against your back and still get sweaty(ish), although better than a flat panel.
Bar bag instead?
I use an Osprey Escapist 25.
Only been commuting a few months and in the time it's not really been warm enough to get too sweaty!
My wife has a (hiking) pack with a frame that holds most of the material away from your back - I used it for commuting twice and found the single strap across lower back and shoulder straps were sweatier than ever, and it was uncomfortable, and even though it wasn't touching my back it was an enclosed area without airflow, so I still had a wet back.
Now (or at least before working-from-home became fulltime) I take all my gear to work on Monday by public transport, cycle Tues-Thursday, bring everything home on by train on Friday.
mtx beamracks have a qr to come on/off a bike, that plus a small pack (trunkbag ex or similar) is perfect for commuting. Stops mud coming off your rear tyre too.
I get sweaty anyway. Commuted for years with an 'air' style rucksack, but eventually moved to panniers, mainly as they were waterproof, and I didn't need to stop and put the cover on the rucksack.
Seatpost-clamp beam rack with top bag or a bikepacking style saddle bag would be my preference. I hate stuff on my back for my <2 mile commute, let alone anything longer.
All back backs cause sweaty back syndrome, no matter how ventilated or stand-offish they claim to be.
How big does it need to be ? Do you need to take a laptop in it?
Given that bikepacking is all the rage at the moment you could get a frame bag and/or seat pack
Whatever you do get, consider the waterproofing, I use an Alpkit Gourdon and put up with the sweatiness but I am lucky to have an office with bike shed and shower. All the bags I've tried involve some sweating including the Deuter ones with the raised sections.
Do you need to take a laptop in it?
This is the main reason for a backpacks for me. I hated having my laptop rattle over every pothole when I used panniers. I would also get my work clothes dirty from the (inevitably slightly grubby) pannier bag.
Only been commuting a few months and in the time it’s not really been warm enough to get too sweaty!
I think you might be one of those weirdoes that doesn't sweat properly. It's never too cold for sweating.
I understand that sweating level is very personal thing, but 5 miles, ebike and still sweaty back?
Cheers!
I.
I have habitually cycled at least 5 miles each way to work for 25 years now. I've used different types of bags including courier bags, rucsacs and panniers, and for the last 10 years a brompton front bag.
The main thing with anything on your back is that it's not too big. When doing a 20 mile each way commute I used a 25l KIMMsac which didn't stop sweaty back but reduced it mostly.
I’ve used the following;
a chrome courier bag - not bad, not particularly sweaty back
Saddle bag, proper carradice job, very good bit of kit good capacity too.
Handlebar bags - biggest is a carradice (again) , gets a fair amount in but not a patch on the saddle bag.
Wouldn’t use a rucksack for commuting, don’t particularly like them, and they make you look like a nodder, so I use alternatives
I understand that sweating level is very personal thing, but 5 miles, ebike and still sweaty back?
Cheers!
I didn't specify that I didn't turn it on!
Do you need to take a laptop in it?
Yep, laptop goes home with me
Similar distance, done it for 5 years year round. Only way to escape sweaty back is to not get sweaty by using less effort and dressing accordingly. Have an Osprey backpack, they're very good for commuting, straps to pull it tight when less load etc, mesh to allow air flow between backpack and back mesh pressed against your clothes pressed against your back.
t’s never too cold for sweating.
Definitely!
All you can do to avoid sweat is use less effort.
When commuting in rain I usually daydream about a jacket with a mesh cutout in the back for where my backpack sits (with a raincover on).
Since you're riding an e-bike couldn't you just use the basket that's on the front?
I also used to take a bag in on a Monday by car, and bring it home Friday, then ride the 20 mile each way commute Tue/Wed/Thu. Didn't stop me sweating though! As above, only less effort will stop that.
Are you riding for fitness, pleasure, save the planet? 5 miles each way probably won't do much for your fitness so why not just use a rucksack, dress normally, and turn the e-bike on to try and avoid sweating?
I switch between an Osprey daysac (35L) and a Chrome messenger bag depending on what I need to take.
BUT...
I ride through traffic (or used to in the 'before times') and did not want to hang around. Long story short, if I was not working up a sweat I was doing something wrong.
For a change of clothing, maybe shoes, maybe a laptop, the 35L Osprey makes more sense, but the lack of sweat will be mostly down to what you are wearing when you cycle.
I've the Pro Vis
Quality piece of kit, fully waterproof and high vis / reflective on the back.
Wouldn’t use a rucksack for commuting, don’t particularly like them, and they make you look like a nodder, so I use alternatives
What's a nodder?
A nodder is a cyclist, usually a commuter in London, who wears shorts, football socks and trainers and probably a fluro jacket. They never change out of top gear so they nod their head away as they try to put the power through the cranks and furiously jump red lights and swerve about, not looking and with abandon. Often called Josh or Ben, they use “lads” when speaking to mixed gender groups and they really “smash” things. They are a close relative of a chopper.
I use a Vaude Splash 20+5 which is a bit of a squeeze for laptop, shirt and lunch (probably due to size of lunch...). Wife's Osprey Radical 26 is much bigger but weighs a ton empty. Both have mesh suspended backs which help.
I’ve the Pro Vis
When you could have had this? What were you thinking!
Either a backpack with a trampoline style air mesh back system, they really do work, or attach bags to the bike - panniers, seat pack, carradice SQR mount, bikepacking bags etc
Well it's warm enough for me to have stopped for a pint in the local beer garden en route home. My back is a bit sweaty I concede! On a separate note, is it weird that I've put my arm warmers on at the pub as I've cooled down a bit since I've stopped?!
I asked similar about a year ago, ended up with an EVOC Explorer Pro 30. Working very well for me although the frequency I'm in the office is really rather low at the moment (will increase from February or so but still not back to daily).
EDIT: well I bollocksed that one up - meant to type this reply in the current question posed by @sam_underhill, but typed it into the wrong search result!