Commuting Bag

cjcp

MartinGT wrote:

Guys

Just a thought, after reading this forum for a couple of weeks now.

What do you guys use to commute stuff too and from your workplace?

Me, I have a Lowe Apline Rucksack I use. I take my clothes / food and other stuff in for the day and it seems fine.

However I am thinking of taking in some stuff on the Monday and having less to carry midweek.

I dont have a car so I dont have the option of take stuff in Monday and take it home Friday.

What do other people do?

I use a 35-40-odd litre Kathmandu backpack (more a hiking backpack really) to carry shirt, underwear and socks plus tools and spares and any work. They come home with me at the end of each day.

Suit, shoes and wash kit stay in work. Gym provides a towel.

monkeycowboy

Uncle Bernie Love wrote:

My Howies Chevron bag (the old style) is still going strong, and still waterproof after a good few years service.

I have a Howies that predates the Chevron, its just got a plane reflective panel flap, still going strong, waterproof but huge!

My regular bag is a Timbuk2, nice and stable with the "third leg" strap, Ive pinched the shoulder pad off my Chevron and put on to the Timbuk2 to give some extra comfort.

NGale

tardington wrote:

I've got the wee size. I like it!

A smart feature - the back padding pulls out to form a sit-on mat. So you can sit and eat your cheese sandwiches with a dry bum. 8)

I think I shall be investing in one next week when I get paid, with the bright colours it will be seen on the darker evenings. Also being a dry bag it'll keep my uniform dry when cycling through the rain.

I would go for panniers, but for some inexpliciable reason I don't want to spoil the lines of my bike Also my bike just wouldn't suit a pannier.

I am thinking of investing in a Subway with panniers for some of my commuting as ling as the bike isn't too heavy.

lastant

MartinGT wrote:

Im all confused now. I think a messenger / courier bag would be better than what I have now. So people who have those I take in the following:-

Shirt
Trousers
Clean Underwear
Lunch & Breakfast (Maybe leave breakfast in work to save room)
Towel
1 spare tube, multi-tool

Thats it. Now we dont have lockers at work, well we do but none spare for me Nor do we have changing rooms, so I have limited space at my desk to leave stuff, i.e my shoes, showergel etc.

So what size messenger bag, and what type to peeps recommend?

Both bags I've had, the Howies Chevron and now the PAC Street Scene Large have easily been able to carry everything I needed (jumper, shirt, jeans, shoes, underwear / socks, lunch, towel and occasionally football kit too).

The current PAC I use to go and get my weekly shop with too...everything fits in there which is good. I'd have no hesitation in recommending them, although UK stockists appear to be as rare as hen's teeth. I've got a personalised one in mind having now bought this one, will be getting in touch with their HQ to get it costed up.

Those Reload ones that Il Principe look pretty awesome too (although VERY similar to the PACs), I'll definitely be getting a quote from them too when looking for the personalised one I've got in mind to have a comparison.

Regarding stability, I'd agree with Il Principe - get the chest / waist strap on and the bag's going nowhere. Best thing to do is try and see one in 'the flesh' though - only way you'll really know if it's big enough.

Sorry for the late reply, only just saw your post (it'd dropped onto the second page).

MartinGT

lastant wrote:

MartinGT wrote:

Im all confused now. I think a messenger / courier bag would be better than what I have now. So people who have those I take in the following:-

Shirt
Trousers
Clean Underwear
Lunch & Breakfast (Maybe leave breakfast in work to save room)
Towel
1 spare tube, multi-tool

Thats it. Now we dont have lockers at work, well we do but none spare for me Nor do we have changing rooms, so I have limited space at my desk to leave stuff, i.e my shoes, showergel etc.

So what size messenger bag, and what type to peeps recommend?

Both bags I've had, the Howies Chevron and now the PAC Street Scene Large have easily been able to carry everything I needed (jumper, shirt, jeans, shoes, underwear / socks, lunch, towel and occasionally football kit too).

The current PAC I use to go and get my weekly shop with too...everything fits in there which is good. I'd have no hesitation in recommending them, although UK stockists appear to be as rare as hen's teeth. I've got a personalised one in mind having now bought this one, will be getting in touch with their HQ to get it costed up.

Those Reload ones that Il Principe look pretty awesome too (although VERY similar to the PACs), I'll definitely be getting a quote from them too when looking for the personalised one I've got in mind to have a comparison.

Regarding stability, I'd agree with Il Principe - get the chest / waist strap on and the bag's going nowhere. Best thing to do is try and see one in 'the flesh' though - only way you'll really know if it's big enough.

Sorry for the late reply, only just saw your post (it'd dropped onto the second page).

Cheers for that, much appreciated as all the replies have been.

Think ill go shopping this weekend

lastant

Oh yeah, one other benefit of a courier bag (or rucksack etc.)...you can't use the panniers if you're off on holiday / a trip somewhere without the bike!

Something really nice about going away on a short break and being able to fit all your bits into an easy to carry bag that fits in as hand luggage - lovely feeling just walking off the plane past those waiting for the bits from the hold...

daviesee

tardington wrote:

I've got the wee size. I like it!

A smart feature - the back padding pulls out to form a sit-on mat. So you can sit and eat your cheese sandwiches with a dry bum. 8)

I prefer to eat my cheese sandwiches with my mouth

Back to the question, I use the Deuter Superbike

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Deute ... 2395/#more

Lightweight, comfortable, expandable, waterproof cover, camelbak compatible, helmet straps, holds all I need and I don't even get a sweaty back. Result!