I am looking for a waterproof rucksack for a 15 mile each way commute. Ideally it should be able to hold laptop, folded shirt, spare socks etc as well as toolkit and spare tyres etc.
In a perfect world would be reflective and have a loop for attaching a blinker.
I have been looking the Ortleib flight 27L which is now discontinued, is it worth trying to get hold of one or are there better alternatives?
P.S. am leaving my current company and expect a decent chunk of the acquisition cost to arrive in the form of a leaving present.
[url= https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-30 ]I have one of these in orange[/url]
[url= http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/high-visibility-drybag-cycling.html ]and have a mate who swears by these[/url]
I have a gourdon as above its not bad
But i find it hard to adjust its stable but not pressung on my neck because the straps are so close together.
ALDI had some for 20 quid. Welded seams and it looked pretty well made for the dosh.
ortlieb messenger (big and chunky) or velocity (a bit smaller)
gourdon is ok, but it is just a bag with straps. there is no separation for anything. I managed to put a big tear in mine.
currently using a mountain hardwear scrambler 30.
A mate has the basic ortlieb (velocity?) And that seems decent.
But in the spirit of things, why not a Carradice SQR Slim like mine? 😀
Got an Osprey Escapist 25, not waterproof as such, but has rain cover attached that pulls out of own pocket in bottom, been best commuter pack i've had so far.
+1 alpkit gourdan
Appkit Gourdan +1 also.
Smaller sizes have handy side pockets.
They are also cheap and look funky, possibly even cool if thats your look and you squint.
Alpkit Gourdon is fine for your use, cheap and functional for sure, doesn't crash well though... 😀
Ortlieb ones are much more robust, more expensive too though
It does depend where you live, but where I am (North London), it doesn't rain heavyily enough, often enough to warrant a waterproof back pack. A cover would be fine. In fact I use a rack pack rather than a back pack and have never put a waterproof cover on it, it's not waterproof. The contents have never got wet
Does the bag itself have to be waterproof, or does one with a rain cover suffice? I've got a bag from Mountain Warehouse - a Walkabout 20l. Lasting really well. Used to use it for commuting to work with no issues with all my stuff in. Changed job and not currently cycling - using the same bag to carry a laptop on the walk to work along with shoes / lunch etc. Might be a tight fit for full change of clothes and a laptop. But mountain warehouse had bigger bags and all reasonably priced / with water covers / with compartments for hydration packs etc. Got lots of different pockets etc.
another +1 for the gourdon straight rucksack no faffy bits had mine for a few yrs now ,been dragged up various climbing routes (when wife let me climb) and its stood upwell,as said though it is just a big bucket bag
Using an Ortlieb at the moment that wor lass bought for commuting. Comfy enough, but can be in your vision when looking over your shoulder. Well made. I had looked at the Oxford aqua bags which come in 12 and 20ltr and a range of hi viz colours.
15 miles each way=sweaty back.
I'd find something like the deuter air mesh back...other brands have similar vented styles.
And buy some roll-top dry-bags.
Found a pack of 3 (in various sizes) at my local Tesco for a fiver.
15 miles each way, I'd use panniers (preferably Ortlieb).
+1 for panniers
20 litre drybag strapped to the top of a rack - I try to avoid anything on my back when riding for any distance.
Thanks all. Will go away and have a rethink.
Clearly sweat is in play with that distance so my have to evaluate a new bike as well!!! Cheers
I have an [url= http://www.over-board.co.uk/pro-light-waterproof-backpack-12-litres.html ]Overboard Pro-Light[/url] and been using it for a couple of years.
It's very good, never had any wet getting inside plus it has a few pockets - one internal and two external.
My commute is 20 miles each way and I usually carry a rucksack a couple of time a week, but only in winter so I've not had an issue with a sweaty back.
A mate in work also bought one, after seeing mine, and he uses it daily all year although his commute is only 7 miles.
I like Alpkit stuff as a rule but the Gourdon isn't that great. It didn't stay waterprrof for long. I also wanted a pack that would do for running and biking on my commute - the Gourdon was really uncomfortable when running - as a previous poster said the shoulder straps seem to be too close together and would always rub my neck
Lomo . Harder wearing than Alpkit
Kriega - specifically designed to be worn on bikes.
10yr warranty, waterproof, pockets, etc.
Everything else is a compromise
The AlpKit Gourdon seems to suit my son for his daily ride to and from school. They're fairly priced, simple, and robust.
Haven't seen the Lomo backpack in real life. I am very impressed by Lomo's waterproof roll-top holdall bags. Very fairly priced and tough. Perhaps indicative of the back packs?
Or, you could use a regular back pack you like and put your stuff in a roll-top waterproof bag inside.
Two years of Alpkit Gourdon here. Most annoying thing is having nowhere reachable to put my key if I'm in non pocketed tights in the winter. No padding unless you're using a hydration bladder so you've got to be careful in what you pack next to your back.
Another very happy Gourdon owner.
I like the simplicity.
I just put glasses, wallet etc in a small bag I keep on top.
Always carry half a litre if water, so only the middle bit touches your back, so not sweaty.
You can bungee it on a rack and go anywhere.
I find them comfy and stable, don't usually need the chest strap.
They do wear eventually, usually from being rested on and dragged up pointy things.
Just started using the third in twelve years, used pretty much every day.
One of my absolute favourite bits of kit.
Spent ages looking at bags as did have a carradice SQR slim on the back of my cx bike for the work commute but it annoyed me a little.
So decided to try an Alpkit Gourdon 20 as had great reviews.
So far I'm really pleased, comfortable and lightweight.
I have a couple of pod sacks inside to keep all change of clothes in and iPad etc and then another for tools and tubes.
Yes it can be a pain for people that love organisation and separated pockets, but for £30 I certainly wasn't going to complain.
Does the job well especially for commuting.
If I was doing road to work, I would suggest panniers or a trunk bag to keep the weight off your back and heat issues too.
But my commute consist of trails, gravel, unmade paths and fields so I opted for a rucksack so I can throw the bike around without excess weight unbalancing it.
Thats my thoughts, and obviously everyones commute is different.
I love bags though, so I'm sure Ill buy another at some point.