Recommend me a rucksack for the commute (and running?)...

lastant

Picked up a cheap-ish Karrimor from SportsDirect before the summer which I used for about two months before its chest strap gave up the ghost and since then I've been back on the PAC Messenger Bag which I had opted to give up before picking up the rucksack!

Now, I like the look of a messenger bag but it gives my back a bit of gip so...what I'm after is some recommendations? I tried on the Deuter Race EXP in Condor and it seemed pretty decent, but does anyone have any 'you have to get this one' recommendations?

It's only got to carry (at most) jeans, trainers, shirt, jumper and maybe a hand towel - so not really that much. Thinking of also picking up running again so it'd be handy if it could be used for that too but that's not the primary use so not too fussed if it doesn't tick that box.

Budget's not unlimited, but I'm not worried about spending that bit more if it's going to last me longer than the Karrimor did! Thanks in advance.

mousetoo

I use a Deuter Aircomfort - incredibly comfortable and has lasted 2 years so far and still going strong

waddlie

Have a look at Osprey packs. They're not cheap, but they're damn good. I currently have a Raptor for day rides and commuting and an Atmos for hiking and they're both fantastic products. Something like the Talon might be suitable? If you want to have a look at one your best bets would probably be Snow & Rock or Ellis Brigham.

kelsen

Most of the big brands do running/cycling specific rucksacks. More important is size and fit. I have a 25 litre Lowe Alpine Rush which is an adventure racing back pack. I use it for my daily cycle commute, but it's also used for long runs and a 100K trek in Hong Kong as it can hold up to 2 bladders. It hasn't got the best padding as it's built for lightness, but that's never been an issue. 25-30 litre should be about the right size for your gear.

R_T_A

If you're looking for a messenger bag, I've got a Crumpler which still looks new after 5 years::

http://www.crumpler.co.uk/?page=categories

I think the modern equivalent of mine is the "Butterbaby"

Their advertising is *unique*, they are expensive, but they are truly brilliant bits of kit and have oodles of pockets for storing stuff.

boondog

alpkit Gourdon, very cheap at £15 and robust.

TheStone

Deuter everytime.
If you can leave your shoes at work, the tiny 10L race exp is perfect.

kurako

Deuter Race packs are pretty good IMO.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Deute ... 360041646/

Splottboy

Got a Camelbak Cloud Runner if you're interested, £20.

Only thing I've done is add a waist strap with a bit of stitching.

Very good cond, as I got about 6 packs.

No bladder though.

fatherted

Anything by Deuter

mkirby

dueter superbike. Built in rain cover for bag and cape for rider too. Best bag i have ever bought.

cyclopsbiker

I'd highly recommend Osprey rucksacks....well worth the money.
I've got a Talon 22 which I use pretty much everyday for commuting. have been doing so for about a year now and there's no signs of wear and tear yet. the straps are really comfortable whatever weight I put in the bag and you can get a water bladder to drop in the custom made back pocket that kept me hydrated in all that heat. a seriously good piece of kit. Osprey do various sizes, mine obviously a 22ltr would easily fit in what you say you're going to be carrying and the compression straps will stop it from rocking around - especially when running..... its pretty waterproof too...I've been in a few heavy downpours and all except once its been totally dry on the inside, just the once I got a few bits of paper damp in the top pocket. I now own a small dry bag (podsac) for my valuables which lives in the top pocket.

I've also got an Alpkit Gourdon 20 which I keep just for very rainly days...I would not want to use it daily as the straps are not that comfortable, and I'd definitely not use it for running. there's no padding on the waist belt at all. but, at £20 it's a steal for rainy days.

stuaff

Another +1 for Deuter. My Bike 1 is absolutely brilliant.

georgee

Another Osprey recomendation, I am always suprised by just how robust they are, my bag just keeps on going, still looks new and takes a lot of abuse.

That said i've never tried deuter

Sirius631

Do you need a rucksack for running, or would a hydration belt do? If you can get away without a rucksack here, you can get away from using one on the bike. It was always drummed into me thay you shouldn't carry on you what you can carry on the bike. So, what I'd recommend is that you fit the bike with a pannier rack and buy a set of panniers. This is probably outside your intended budget but you should seriously consider it as you put less strain on your upper body.

lastant

Thanks for all the suggestions, as I said I've already tried the Deuter Race EXP on in Condor Cycles but will go and find an Osprey dealers to do a bit of a comparison.

Sirius631 - I do have a seatpost rack and bag that I used for my LEJOG but I tried that for a couple of commutes and didn't get on with it. Admittedly a pannier and rack solution would be better than that, but all I'm likely to be carrying is a change of clothes as shoes and shower bits are at work anyway. I think a rucksack (small!) would be ideal for this - and the reason I mentioned running is because I might start running to work on the odd day, so need to carry the change of clothes again.

t0pc4t

I'vce got a dakine nomad, decent carrying capacity, raised back for airflow and it's been robust in the 5 or so years I've been riding with it

if you're after a hydropak I'd say the camelbak one is a bit better but that's a very minor thing

Sirius631

lastant wrote:

the reason I mentioned running is because I might start running to work on the odd da.

That's the way to the dark side. I sometimes go shopping with my panniers so they have proved more usefull than an rucksack.

Oh, before I forget. Take your Karrimor back to Sports Direct for a refund as failure within 2 months means it was not fit for purpose. If you don't they get away with selling cr*p and they won't understand that they are selling cr*p.

Gussio

As a cyclist and a runner, I can wholeheartedly recommend the OMM packs. They are super lightweight and sit really nicely on the back.

lastant

Gussio wrote:

As a cyclist and a runner, I can wholeheartedly recommend the OMM packs.

Gussio, which one have you got / would you recommend - The Last Drop one? That looks comparable to the Deuter Race EXP (although it also looks like the Deuter is more cycling specific...but also twenty quid more...gah, it's never easy!).

Gussio

lastant wrote:

Gussio wrote:

As a cyclist and a runner, I can wholeheartedly recommend the OMM packs.

Gussio, which one have you got / would you recommend?

The Classic Marathon 25L version http://www.theomm.com/products/packs/cl ... on25L.html Use it every day on the commute and it has proven large enough to carry everything that you need on a 2-day mountain marathon. eally can't praise it enough.

Canny Jock

These are great, made by Vaude.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 372c012369

Mesh back, built in raincover and last for ages. There's a few different sizes if you need bigger.