Laptop Rucksack ?

Xee

Looking for a good rucksack style backpack (alternative to a courier style bag)

I've had a good root around various sites and companies but obviously they're all giving it the big sell.

It's a cliche, i know but i really need to commute with my laptop now (half road, streets and half cross) without destroying my work - any ideas? I really am trying to avoid the thieving ned/chav magnets that Crumpler produces but they do make excellent bags, the other alternative where Dakura and Howies - anyone got any tips or ideas?

Rykard

try insight or staples. why not panniers?

Jacomus-rides-Gen

The best laptop rucksack I've found is on from a company called Targus - Its never soaked through, and is very comfy, also it looks like your generic black rucksack - ie doesn't attract much interest. I don't have to use it anymore for commuting, but it is really useful as a normal rucksack because you can take the laptop protecting bit out to free up space.

daniel_b

I bought this Swissgear (Swiss army knife people) one from WH Smiths, half price last year for £24.99:

http://www.taschenkaufhaus.de/index.php ... oducts=397

They do other models for similar prices, such as this one:
http://www.taschenkaufhaus.de/index.php ... oducts=398

I gather Staples sell them too, for around £40 I hear.

Very good build quality, nice padded straps, and the backing is really well contoured/padded. The laptop has it's own compartment, and a elastic strap that clips into hold it in.

Dan

Xee

Many thanks for the links - still a little indecided - there's so much to consider when karting your pride and joy.
Unfortunately Panniers would get demolished as my commute can get quite rough and i hear shock absorbtion is an issue with pannier carriers - ok if your carrying sock, pants and a flask but maybe not a laptop.

A plain looking Crumpler would do the trick (Was looking at the Darkside) which are costly - or maybe a Gimp protective cover (which i hear are great) and use my XC day pack i which seems to have a large enough pocket for hydration/laptop.

Any other ideas welcome

misterben

Arkel do a pannier with a pouch specifically for a laptop, called the "Commuter".

http://www.bikefix.co.uk/index.php?uniq ... sgl_id=178

Around £89.

I believe it has a pouch for the laptop that is somehow "suspended" within the bag, so as to take the worst of the shocks out.

mossycp

Not sure I've ever heard a laptop described as "your pride and joy" on a cycling forum

Anyway, when I've needed to travel with my work laptop I've just shoved it my normal rucksack. No padding except my clothes and lunch box stopping it from moving around.

My original rucksack was a Vaude Bike+Day 25 on which the zip broke after several years of abuse. My current rucksack is a Deuter Superbike which is OK but just doesn't sit right on my back and I much prefer the Vaude's but they don't provide light loops anymore.

Never had problems with damage to the laptop or data on it. Please remember to backup the data on a regular basis though, you won't lose any work if you keep it backed up and it always surprises me how many people just don't back up their data on a regular basis. And don't expose the laptop to extremes of temperature (leaving it in a car outside during the winter is NOT a good idea!)

Teuchter

I'll second the normal rucksack vote. A couple of years ago I came off my motorbike with a laptop carried in my rucksack. I hit the deck at about 50mph and tumbled down the grass verge with it on my back.

The laptop didn't look too pretty - there were a couple of gouges out of the plastic on the lid but it's still worked fine every day since!

The rucksack was destroyed though (along with a good bike jacket and half the bike's fairing)

Jacomus-rides-Gen

Better them than you mate!

Xee

Cheers mate - yer i think getting a Crumpler Gimp or something similar and using my Xc rucksack is the best vote - it looks very non "i've got a Laptop in here come kill me for it" look about it and monsterously waterproof.
Comes with a removable airvent packwhich means i can put it in the spacious Hyrdration skirt - but i'll need to remove the air vent pack first to do that which removes all rigidity in the bag and put the laptop in contact with my back as i'm riding (Whats spinal cancer? least it'll keep me warm on a winters morning. I'll need to have a little experiment to see what fits.

Oh and as for the pride and joy list - 1st my XC Bike 2nd My Laptop 3rd My girlfriend.

(Thank the lord she isn't a member of this Forum or i'd have my baws clipped for that....)

donnie murdo

Hey,

I use a Chrome Citizen messenger for commuting (I don't care if I'm not a messenger) and it's a great bag. Far better than any of my previous Crumpler bags. They also do Laptop specific bags.

http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/computer/

They also do inserts for laptops/notebooks for their messenger bags and backpacks.

You could also look at these:

http://www.sfbags.com/products/cargo/cargo.htm

http://www.freitag.ch/

(With Freitag you can even make your own. Look under the F-Cut section it's cool)

bigease

I use a Haglofs InCase 15. They do them in various sizes and are comfortable and supportive for the laptop.

The big advantage of these bags for me is that they are a decent daysack that happen to have a removeable laptop sleeve.

dialforclown

I've had an Osprey rucsac now for 6 months. It has a specialist laptop pocket with enough room for other books/papers as well, then there is room for my flask, buttie box, running gear, etc all in about 30l. Comes in two sizes. Pretty comfortable too, chest and waist straps. The only thing that was missing when I went to buy it was compression straps.

My son was so impressed that he wanted one too.

Also I was sold the idea that it was ethically produced, can't verify that, but if it is so much the better.

snooks

I'm in the same sort of position, that I use a laptop and need to take it with me.

I think my solution is going to be a Camelbak HAWG and a Crumpler Gimp. I need a rucksack for day rides, I was thinking about getting a hydration pack anyway, so in effect this pack will be used 3 times as much as a rucksack or small hydration pack

The other solution I thought of would be if I'll be spending a few days in the office in a row, would be to take my laptop in one day and leave it there...this also has the added advantage that I won't be able to work at home in the evening and might get some of my own time back :-)
.

ddraver

I wish I'd bought a chrome one.....went fot the cheap (but still good) timbuk2 one, but i don't like the strap adjustment need ing two hands to adjust, especially if you wear it high enough up the back to be comfortable (i carry a laptop padded with the clothes i wear during the day, along with the kitchen sink) you CANNOT get it off over a helmet, which causes embarrissing stuck moments at the bike racks

being able to just adjust it whilst riding would be awesome!!!!

Ben_H

I use a Deuter Futura 22 - its not too big, can handle a laptop and has a rain cover. Can recommend.

Ben

Xee

Cheers guys again - I'm definately close to getting a Sleeve just now and if i feel it rattling about too much i'll look at the Chrome Roll Top Rucksack as recommended by Howies.

Sleeves of the moment

I-saver Shell - http://www.i-saver.de/

And the Chrome Sleeve - http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/52/

Thank god i wasn't carrying this morn - Pedalling through the School rush, kid steps out in front of me and i swerve to avoid him, hitting a wall and going arse over tit. more embaressing than sore and thankfully i was sleepy enough to bounce off the ground/wall without a scratch. i imagine the laptop woulda liked that one if it where wrapped in a towel!

Apple store in Glasgow maybe worth a look - paying premium for in there though!

Xee

The i-saver is working out top notch, without having to shell out on a brand new commuter pack. fits snuggly into my 30-35 litre pack - recommended if you've got a 13"-15" laptop.

Its built like a tank - the guy who designed the sleeve was chucking his bacpack about with his laptop inside it and it takes some serious kick in.

Only slight concern is the open top part and if it rains - it might be prone, or i've got to go into my pack for spares etc it could get wet - putting my waterproof over it will just have to do just now.

Not much of a review but so far it's working out really well - now if i can just stop my bike from breaking apart.....

Ngalbrai

I have one of these:
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300

You either get them in horizontal or vertical configuration depending on what sort of bag you are carrying them in (I use mine in ortlieb panniers). They are a very good fit (lots of different sizes depending on what laptop you have) and have a shock absorbing system inside.

Another one for the list... fast delivery from the states too, to Sydney.