Commuting backpacks

bontie

I commute daily and am required to take my notebook home every day. At present i use the bulky Targus backpack supplied by my employer, but I am considering something smaller and more reasonable. The notebook that I carry is a fairly small 15” Dell, so I could do with a small backpack. I don’t need much more space as I generally carry a tube, tyre levers and multitool along with wallet and folded shirt and socks.
So, what do the experts recommend?

Mr Sworld

One of these when they come back in stock...

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16379&category_id=251

dhope

Love my Deuter Race. Think it should fit a 15" Dell

UndercoverElephant

dhope wrote:

Love my Deuter Race. Think it should fit a 15" Dell

I love mine too, but it doesn't fit my 15" Dell, well not with closing. As a consequence I leave my laptop at home all the time. If I were you, and I may well be doing this very thing, I'd look at the Deuter Race EXP Air, it's both slightly bigger than the Race, and expandable. I'm also considering an Osprey Syncro, they look vey noice too.

cyclingprop

Deuter Bike 1

asprilla

Alpkit Gourdon 20 fits a 13" MacBook Pro or Air or a 13" Elitebook. Not tried anything larger in it.

Being waterproof (which none of the other bags listed are) is a massive advantage when transporting electrical items though....

tomwardill

I've been using one of these for the last year:

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/q-backpack

Really nice, fits my largish work 15" HP laptop (though it's tight to get it through the zip, but okay once it's in, so I'd check the dimensions).
Utterly bombproof, and made out of the same material as the messenger bags, so I have good hope for it's longevity.
Separate laptop compartment, then a full depth compartment for clothes, etc, with extra pockets for keys, pens, whathavyou.
Looks smart too.

Downside: Not cheap, and you'll probably have to import it.

SimonAH

My Timbuk2 bag is due to arrive tomorrow from San Francisco....I am all atremble with anticipation!

I had an issue with the delivery address and asked them to change it from home to office as there would be nobody at home to sign for it......this is the email response I got;

“Hello Simon,

Thanks for the email.

I just spoke to the UPS Customer Service department and after 25 minutes on the phone with their representative, I was able to update both of those mailing addresses. Timbuk2 even covered the cost for ya.

Both orders should arrive soon. The UPS tracking numbers will remain the same.

Thanks,

Brandon
timbuk2”

The septics may suck at many, many things - but customer service? They rock.

mousetoo

I'd look at the Deuter Race EXP Air

I have one amd carry pretty much exactly what the OP wants to carry. Not much spare room but definitely fits the brief

Sharkyssurfers

i too have been searching for a more waterproof rucksack, its between the gourdon and the overboard range at the moment, dont know if i need the 20, 25 or 30L one, as everyday, i take clothes, lunch, tools in a saddle bag, waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket (aldi special), wallet keys, shades case, 3 innertubes and i think thats it!!

asprilla

Well, in a 20l Gourdon and I comfortably carry:

Lezyne caddy with 1 tube, multitool, levers and co2 in one of the mesh side pockets
Underwear
Tshirt
Waterproof jacket
Trainers
Assorted other items (watch, glasses, wallet, phone, etc)

On days when I change my towel at work or my jeans I can fit that as well, but never both on the same day.

Sharkyssurfers

sounds good, and i forgot my mini track pump to the list!, the thing with the gourdon is that its all in one with no compartments, plus that see through bit puts me off.

asprilla

20l doesn't have the see though panel.

UndercoverElephant

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

i too have been searching for a more waterproof rucksack, its between the gourdon and the overboard range at the moment, dont know if i need the 20, 25 or 30L one, as everyday, i take clothes, lunch, tools in a saddle bag, waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket (aldi special), wallet keys, shades case, 3 innertubes and i think thats it!!

Ooh, I like the Overboard Pro-sports... Alpkit 20L is out of stock until July.

Fireblade96

I've been using one of these for the last couple of months, and I rather like it



It's 24l but very light, and the compression straps allow you can squash it down when not carrying much,
I really like the front pocket which allows me to keep my D-lock separate from the main compartment, and ready to hand when needed

It's comfortable to wear and has proven waterproof so far, even during this monsoon season.

UndercoverElephant

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

i too have been searching for a more waterproof rucksack, its between the gourdon and the overboard range at the moment, dont know if i need the 20, 25 or 30L one, as everyday, i take clothes, lunch, tools in a saddle bag, waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket (aldi special), wallet keys, shades case, 3 innertubes and i think thats it!!

Ooh, I like the Overboard Pro-sports... Alpkit 20L is out of stock until July.

And there goes my guilt-free PayPal cash... I got the yellow one if anyone's interested.

jds_1981

bontie wrote:

The notebook that I carry is a fairly small 15” Dell, so I could do with a small backpack.

I think in order of preference: -
- Get your company to supply you with a second laptop for home. Unless you're travelling between client sites & need your own laptop they should be able to do this.
- Get your company to supply you with a smaller laptop due to your routine. A 13" or 12" laptop would be a lot more transportable.
- pannier.
- rucksack as advised by someone else on here.

Stevo_666

Camelbak Hawg is a good quality buy, plenty of compartments, waterproof cover and took my laptop no problem (can't remember what size screen it was though). Also has a water bladder which is very useful.

Sharkyssurfers

UndercoverElephant wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

i too have been searching for a more waterproof rucksack, its between the gourdon and the overboard range at the moment, dont know if i need the 20, 25 or 30L one, as everyday, i take clothes, lunch, tools in a saddle bag, waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket (aldi special), wallet keys, shades case, 3 innertubes and i think thats it!!

Ooh, I like the Overboard Pro-sports... Alpkit 20L is out of stock until July.

And there goes my guilt-free PayPal cash... I got the yellow one if anyone's interested.

let me know what its like, i am too a click away from ordering

mudcow007

i loves my berghaus freeflow pack

it has a mesh back bit so your bag doesn't get sweaty

its lasted for years an still going strong, plus has partition for bladder so you can use it as a camelbak

daviesee

I use a Dueter Bike 1.
Small enough when you want, expandable when you want.
Air flow gaps down your back, light, has a built-it gillet and a rain cover.
Plus it has a helmet holder on the outside. I don't use it but I can see how that would be handy.

Mine is 4 years old and look like it will last 40.

rick_chasey

daviesee wrote:

I use a Dueter Bike 1.
Small enough when you want, expandable when you want.
Air flow gaps down your back, light, has a built-it gillet and a rain cover.
Plus it has a helmet holder on the outside. I don't use it but I can see how that would be handy.

Mine is 4 years old and look like it will last 40.

Does that really work? If so, am tempted. How much?

daviesee

Rick Chasey wrote:

[
Does that really work? If so, am tempted. How much?

:oops: :oops: :oops: Just shows you shouldn't work from memory.

I have the Superbike model. The venting does help but isn't going to keep you 100% dry if you are working hard.
I suppose many other manufacturers have similar designs.
All in all though it works at least as good as can be expected, if not better. I am happy and not looking to upgrade (if possible) or replace.
It is expensive now though. £63 where-as I got it on sale at £45 but that was 4 years ago.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-superbik ... -rucksack/

Edit:- I can fit a 17" Macbook Pro in there so most laptops should be okay.

optimisticbiker

Mr Sworld wrote:

One of these when they come back in stock...

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16379&category_id=251

+ lots, best bit of kit I ever bought

stuaff

daviesee wrote:

I use a Dueter Bike 1.
Small enough when you want, expandable when you want.
Air flow gaps down your back, light, has a built-it gillet and a rain cover.
Plus it has a helmet holder on the outside. I don't use it but I can see how that would be handy.

Mine is 4 years old and look like it will last 40.

And another +1 for the Bike 1. Brilliant bit of kit.

UndercoverElephant

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

i too have been searching for a more waterproof rucksack, its between the gourdon and the overboard range at the moment, dont know if i need the 20, 25 or 30L one, as everyday, i take clothes, lunch, tools in a saddle bag, waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket (aldi special), wallet keys, shades case, 3 innertubes and i think thats it!!

Ooh, I like the Overboard Pro-sports... Alpkit 20L is out of stock until July.

And there goes my guilt-free PayPal cash... I got the yellow one if anyone's interested.

let me know what its like, i am too a click away from ordering

Well it arrived this morning, and is going back. The fastening clip for the sternum strap is broken (really thin, so no wonder), overall finishing isn't really top quality either, some fraying of the black material where it's joined to the yellow. I'm not convinced it would stand-up to the rigours of an everyday commute for one year, let alone several.

Shame.

Sharkyssurfers

Thanks for the quick update UE, guess i'll be looking at the ALPKIT then

UndercoverElephant

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

Thanks for the quick update UE, guess i'll be looking at the ALPKIT then

Alpkit looks a strong contender, but the lack of fixings for a blinky light and the non-ventilated back are putting me off. Plus they're still two months away in the 20 L size. I hate to wait.

Quite liking the look of the SealLine Urban:

http://cascadedesigns.com/sealline/urba ... ck/product

Perhaps I'll give it a go.

bails87

How about a fibreflare for the bag?

asprilla

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Sharkyssurfers wrote:

Thanks for the quick update UE, guess i'll be looking at the ALPKIT then

Alpkit looks a strong contender, but the lack of fixings for a blinky light and the non-ventilated back are putting me off. Plus they're still two months away in the 20 L size. I hate to wait.

Quite liking the look of the SealLine Urban:

http://cascadedesigns.com/sealline/urba ... ck/product

Perhaps I'll give it a go.

I have a Fiber Flare attached to the compression webbing on my Alpkit.

bails87

My Fibreflare goes between two of the rubber loops that the bungee cord goes through.