New backpack time

gabriel959

My beloved Rapha backpack has a broken zipper coil and Rapha don't want to fix it (it is in their terms and conditions) so I need a new one. I am going to see if I can replace the zipper coil but I can't see being successful. I am a bit disappointed as it has only lasted 3 and a half years of use. I would have expected this to last 5 years at least, but there you go. I do love the design, the features, pockets so would probably buy another one at £70 or so I paid for it, but they are not to be found on their website anymore.

What are people using these days?

I have seen these:

https://www.evanscycles.com/ortlieb-vel ... k-00120638
https://www.evanscycles.com/osprey-esca ... e-EV221735
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-waterproof-rucksack-25l/

Any other recommendations?

No more than £70 really, I am skint these days so the cheaper the better (I am leaning towards the Wiggle one).

Thanks!

cougie

Take it to someone who does clothes repairs ?

hopkinb

Overboard waterproof backpacks. Give them a google. You can definitely pick one up for less than 50 quid.

I've had mine for 5 years. I only use twice per week, monday morning and friday evening, but it has lasted very well.

shirley_basso

What's a zipper coil?

I use a deuter bike one 20.

What do you need to carry specifically?

timmyotool

Deuter race exp air for preventing back sweats, loads of clever features, but it's only 17L so may be too small.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-race-exp-air-rucksack/

Very good value, can personally recommend.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-slice-30l-rucksack/

Personally I'm not a fan of the roll tops because finding anything is a nightmare but those Overboard ones seem very popular.

elbowloh

I have one of these and have used it for the pasty year or so and it's been faultless so far, for less than £40.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lomo-Dry-Bag-D ... 1164&psc=1

essex-commuter

Osprey Escapist 25 for me. Been using it for 2 years now, 4 or 5 days per week. Still looks and operates like it was new.

They do larger and smaller depending on your carrying needs. I think I paid 65 quid.

smokey_bacon

I use one of these https://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-race-x-rucksack/ which Ive found great. Much better than the Ortleib one that ive also got.

frogonabike

I also have the Osprey, I thought it felt a bit light and flimsy but it has held up well for a couple of years now. I chose it for the hip and chest pockets for phone, keys and work pass to speed up departure/arrival times. It's pretty comfy and the external mesh pockets are handy for smelly/wet gear and extra water bottles.

Only very minor annoyance is the whistle on the chest strap just catches the wind and makes an annoying noise - good luck un-hearing that to anyone who hadn't noticed it yet

pangolin

I use a berghaus freeflow 20 from ~5 years ago, still going well. Can't comment on the new one's quality but it looks alright. £45 at the mo from Millets.

https://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/255 ... ml/537769/

essex-commuter

frogonabike wrote:

I also have the Osprey, I thought it felt a bit light and flimsy but it has held up well for a couple of years now. I chose it for the hip and chest pockets for phone, keys and work pass to speed up departure/arrival times. It's pretty comfy and the external mesh pockets are handy for smelly/wet gear and extra water bottles.

Only very minor annoyance is the whistle on the chest strap just catches the wind and makes an annoying noise - good luck un-hearing that to anyone who hadn't noticed it yet

Thanks, I haven't heard it. Will be an interesting ride home!

I do find the hip pockets too far back, i can't reach them when the pack is on my back. My work pass lives in the chest pocket, I think it may have been designed with a phone in mind, but it's too small in general for that. I like the pocket at the top, my phone lives in (in a neoprene case), my keys, and my bone induction headphones when I 'm not wearing them.

Inside I use to dry bags, one for tools, the other for all my general gear, wallet etc.

The rain cover is more than sufficient.

anonymousblackfg

I used to use an Osprey, bombproof. Then I converted to a frame bag and haven't looked back.

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... bags/Ripio

Takes all usual commuting gubbins and my laptop at a squeeze, no sweaty back or lumbering pannier and have my old rucksack and some of those typically free drawstring bags for when I need bring in/take home extra stuff.

mtb-idle

I use an older version of this Karrimor messenger bag. It's a slightly different design now but most importantly mine has a waist strap (which isn't listed in the features for this model) to prevent the bag moving around on my back.

It's been in use through sun, rain and snow for about ten years and is showing it's age but is still in use.

I've been considering replacing it with a Castelli bag as I'm a brand whore but once again I don't think this features a waist strap

porlyworly

I have two Deuter bags (one cycling specific, one generic) and they've both been fantastic. Both taken years of punishment and show no (none cosmetic) signs of giving up

gabriel959

Thanks all, I still haven't repaired it or bought a replacement, I do like the look of the Lomo bag, it is cheaper than

I need to carry a Macbook Pro 15" (the new ones), my lunch, a waterproof jacket, a tool bag, my phone, wallet, some spare lights in the winter and regularly a change of clothes and any parcels I might need to take home.

Only want rucksacks/backpacks, no frame bags or messenger backs, although I do appreciate the suggestions

secretsam

Anything with the word "Deuter" on it

asprilla

I've got a Deuter Air Race or something. I never use it.

If I'm carrying stuff I don't want the bag to contribute a significant part of the total weight and I find the Deuter stuff to be heavy and over built.

Most days I use a Decathlon Arpenaz 10. It will just about fit my work HP laptop, underwear and a shirt in the main section and then keys, wallet, phone, tube and tool in the small pocket. It cost £2.49. I have 3 or 4 of them as they also make great day sacks for travelling and hand luggage for the kids. Only downside is that they aren't waterproof.

If it's very wet or I need to carry more then I take my Alpkit Gourdon 20. Twice the size, completely waterproof and includes compression straps to make it as small as possible. Weighs nothing. I see they are now £32, but they were around £15-£20 when I bought mine. I've got two as I use them with the kids for paddle boarding.

25l and 30l versions are also available. Has a couple of external mesh pockets for tools and stuff, but the inside is a single section so keys, wallet and stuff work they way to the bottom of the bag.

If I'm really shifting stuff then I have an Ortlieb Velocity. Again, it's waterproof and it has a little detachable internal pocket for keys, wallet, etc. The only issue I have with it is that it sits quite high on my back so it both catches a lot of air, and it can restrict your field of vision over your shoulder. Other than that it's a great bag. I've had mine for 10 years and it's still in great nick.

Long_Time_Lurker

Another big fan of osprey backpacks here.
I think their straps etc are the comfiest of all of the packs I've owned - and the air vent down the back makes it one of the best ventilated on hot days.
The material doesn't look as tough as others, but I use mine mountain-biking and have spent many rides, climbing out of ditches/thistles/woodland and it is still going strong (albeit the mud-stained).
The only downside is that it isn't waterproof so I had to buy a separate rain-cover for it.

essex-commuter

Long Time Lurker wrote:

Another big fan of osprey backpacks here.
I think their straps etc are the comfiest of all of the packs I've owned - and the air vent down the back makes it one of the best ventilated on hot days.
The material doesn't look as tough as others, but I use mine mountain-biking and have spent many rides, climbing out of ditches/thistles/woodland and it is still going strong (albeit the mud-stained).
The only downside is that it isn't waterproof so I had to buy a separate rain-cover for it.

Not sure if it's across all models but have you not got a rain cover hidden in a small zipped pocket right down at the bottom of the pack?

essex-commuter

essex-commuter wrote:

Long Time Lurker wrote:

Another big fan of osprey backpacks here.
I think their straps etc are the comfiest of all of the packs I've owned - and the air vent down the back makes it one of the best ventilated on hot days.
The material doesn't look as tough as others, but I use mine mountain-biking and have spent many rides, climbing out of ditches/thistles/woodland and it is still going strong (albeit the mud-stained).
The only downside is that it isn't waterproof so I had to buy a separate rain-cover for it.

Not sure if it's across all models but have you not got a rain cover hidden in a small zipped pocket right down at the bottom of the pack?

Really hoping you come back with an OMG comment

k1875

I've just taken delivery of one of these and tested it on the way in this morning. Very pleased all in all, especially as i am a bit "Dan B" about orange.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/folsom ... om&start=0

asprilla

k1875 wrote:

I've just taken delivery of one of these and tested it on the way in this morning. Very pleased all in all, especially as i am a bit "Dan B" about orange.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/folsom ... om&start=0

It's nice, but it weighs more than my laptop.

k1875

Asprilla wrote:

k1875 wrote:

I've just taken delivery of one of these and tested it on the way in this morning. Very pleased all in all, especially as i am a bit "Dan B" about orange.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/folsom ... om&start=0

It's nice, but it weighs more than my laptop.

Yes, the published weight did raise an eyebrow. I haven't weighed it, but i don't think it feels like it weighs just shy of a kilo. In any case, the contents and ahem, me, render 1 kilo pretty irrelevant.