As I'm the carrier of All-the-jackets, what 20ish Litre packs are people using these days?
I'm struggling to find (in stock) something that ticks all the boxes.
-reasonably durable
-hip pockets
-helmet carry (full face particularly)
-suitable for a LONG back
- back protector is a nice to have
I have an old Osprey Zealot in M/L (the biggest one) which is good but too small volume and length wise (ends up low on your back with shoulder straps in the wrong place.
We bought an Osprey Escapist 25L when we had to carry stuff for the girls. Its still gets used on all day rides half full as its just as easy to take it rather than swap out the necessities. We were lucky to get it in a half price sale.
haha! the 'family days out' back pack is a whole different category.
I'd add "turns inside out easily" to the list of requirements. Over the years mine has been inverted for washing out squashed bananas, biscuits crumbs, dismantled sandwiches (branston pickle is hard to wash out isn't it?), spilt juices, plenty sand, etc etc.
My 'lunch and coat carrier' is now about 24 years old, and despite the stains and wear I'm very fond of it, it's still used 3 times a week. It's 24l eurohike thing, and if wife or kids shout out "where's the blue and orange?" we all know what they mean.
EDIT: Entirely ignored OP's question and decided to reminisce instead.
The EVOC FR Trail 20 ticks all the boxes, including the one marked 'reassuringly expensive', unfortunately.
Lidl had some hiking/walking and cycling stuff in recently and we got a 20-odd litre 'cycling' backpack for £11 that's pretty comfy, it might be worth popping in to a larger one near you to see if they've got some stuff left.
EVOC FR Trail does look just the job (aside from hip pockets for haribo).
They also seem to be pretty rare in XL unless you either order from abroad or go with the Black and White "Unlimited" colourway*. I would assume the Unlimited refers to the amount of scrubbing would take to get it back to it's original colour after 1 good ride anywhere vaguelly muddy...
*I hate myself now.
You don't specify the number of coats/flasks/spare wellies etc. that the mule is expected to portage, but 20 litres would be far too small for my duties. 30 would be more realistic and allows for added "but this stick is perfect, pleeeaase".
20ish litres is too small for me on proper family-dad-pack-mule days out on the bike. Something more like the EVOC Explorer Pro 26 or 30 might suit better.
I've got the Explorer Pro 30 as a commuting bag and plenty of capacity for stop offs for bits of shopping on the way home. Haven't used mine as a day pack for family rides yet but imagine it'd be ideal. No back protector but very nice padding and structure to the back section and very comfy. I'm 187cm with average torso sizing I think.
Hip/wing pockets are perfectly sized for Haribo...
My kids are old enough that they can carry their own sticks when out for a walk...
This is for bigger rides with my 11 and 13 year old. So all my stuff, normal spares tools, first aid kit plus their discarded layers plus the sandwiches for everyone.
They tend to be self sufficient with regards to spare gloves, a snack or two and water via bottles on bikes and hip packs.
Quite a few Decathlon ruck sacks with hip pockets - I've had their own brand ones - very decent for the money (ie 1/4 of the going rate).
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-accessories/c1-bags/c2-rucksacks/_/N-1y26mwp
Second the Decathlon packs. I am on my second basic but cavernous walking pack. It's my second not because the first wore out but my eldest son (so called adult) nicked it because it was so useful.
Every rider carried a bottle on bike and a jacket in a 5l camelback from about age 5 in our house. Both on bike and on foot.
I lugged safety kit, spare drinks and packed lunch, mrs_oab lugged extra fleeces and was Keeper of Snacks.
Keeper of Snacks
Hugely responsible position. Overall outcome of the venture depends on it.