I’m locking for a new backpack for my cycling commute. The Deuter Bike ONE seems to be what I’m looking for, but I want to see if there’s any options. Requirements:
Helmet holder, preferably that protects the surface of the helmetRoom for a 13" laptop, lunchbox and a water bottleBreathable in the back. No good getting to school/work with a sweaty back.Rain cover or waterproofing are preferable, but I can always buy an additional rain cover.Reflective stuff also a bonus
Shoot away.
Apart from a helmet holder, Banjo Brothers is pretty good
.
Biggest factors are going to be style preference and price.
I used the Chrome Bravo for a few years and recently got a Mission Workshop bag as a gift. The one thing I really liked about the Chrome Bravo is that the laptop pocket is in the “front” of the bag, rather than directly against your back. This makes it way more comfortable for longer rides. Not the best ventilation, but it looks great.
I have a
http://www.timbuk2.com/especial-raider-cycling-backpack/423.html
which I am quite happy with. Probably too small for you, I’ve managed to eliminate taking my laptop to/from work which really helps. May not be possible for you but for me getting creative and really paring down what I commute with made it a lot easier. Protect the surface of the helmet? Just get a cheap commuting only helmet.
edit: saw the school mention, so ditching the laptop may not be possible sorry.
The Deuter Bike ONE seems to be what I’m looking for
I love their description of the helmet holder that suggests its most common use is for when you are climbing and take off your helmet. Yeah, I sweat when climbing too and would probably be more comfortable without a helmet, but winding mountainous roads would not be high on my list of places to ride without a helmet. Of course, a few formative crashes many years ago have convinced me that the trainer is the only place to ride without a helmet.
Anyway, that’s beside the point. Have you considered panniers instead of a backpack? I am getting a commuter set up for this spring and am considering going that route for two reasons:
- no matter how good the advertised ventilation, I end up with a sweaty back
- I pretty much always need to carry my laptop. Will often be carrying a change of clothes and will often want to carry my swim bag since my primary pool is near work. The backpack starts getting very big and not super comfy (see sweaty back above). Figuring two panniers (one for work stuff and one for clothes/swim gear) might be more flexible and comfortable.
Thoughts?
I <3 panniers. Ride with a backpack, and see if the sweaty feeling is okay. If it isn’t, you know your going to go with panniers.
I tried a bunch of cycling backpack and found this one the best all-around one for my daily commutes - Moab Jam 24:
http://www.jack-wolfskin.com/moab-jam-24/2002302.html
I think, it should satisfy your criteria. I pulled red version off 6pm for $50 last November…
I love their description of the helmet holder that suggests its most common use is for when you are climbing and take off your helmet. Yeah, I sweat when climbing too and would probably be more comfortable without a helmet, but winding mountainous roads would not be high on my list of places to ride without a helmet. Of course, a few formative crashes many years ago have convinced me that the trainer is the only place to ride without a helmet.
Anyway, that’s beside the point. Have you considered panniers instead of a backpack? I am getting a commuter set up for this spring and am considering going that route for two reasons:
- no matter how good the advertised ventilation, I end up with a sweaty back
- I pretty much always need to carry my laptop. Will often be carrying a change of clothes and will often want to carry my swim bag since my primary pool is near work. The backpack starts getting very big and not super comfy (see sweaty back above). Figuring two panniers (one for work stuff and one for clothes/swim gear) might be more flexible and comfortable.
Thoughts?
I have considered going for panniers. The problem is that I walk around quite a bit with my pack as well, and panniers seem quite cumbersome off the bike. I also like to have several compartments for organizing, which seems to be a rarity in panniers?
I tried a bunch of cycling backpack and found this one the best all-around one for my daily commutes - Moab Jam 24:
http://www.jack-wolfskin.com/moab-jam-24/2002302.html
I think, it should satisfy your criteria. I pulled red version off 6pm for $50 last November…
Thanks, this looks like a better option than the Deuter 
Just a few more comments about Moab Jam 24. It comes with a waterproof cover that can help if you get caught by occasional rain, but will not guarantee complete waterproofing. So I carry a good spare plastic bag where I could put valuable stuff. For long commutes under heavy rain I’ve completely waterproof backpack by Ortlieb.
BTW, I’ve a trick that helps with sweaty back and decrease load on my back (my commute packs are pretty heavy sometime) - keep retention on your waist tight and on your chest loose. It will make a gap between back and pack to increase air flow.