I have a nearly worn-out Lowe Contour All Sport 30 pack that has served well for 10+ years but is about shot. I’m looking for recommendations for a good replacement. Something more waterproof (I live in Seattle) and with better compression straps that what I have now would be ideal.
Need 25-30L capacity.
Must be comfortable for both running and cycling.
Suggestions??
I like my Deuter.
http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=acLite20&sub=hiking&tert=acLite
Deuter makes an awesome pack from a comfort standpoint, with their “air” system
If you remember the old Trek X-frame backpacks, this is a similar design. There’s a light mesh frame that sits on your back, with the actual pack lifted off your back. This allows airflow in between your back and the pack, reducing the “soaked shirt syndrome” that often accompany’s riding with a pack. Most Deuter packs have a raincover built in that slips overtop of the bag to ward off light rain.
If you need heavy duty water protection, your best bet is Ortlieb. http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=3 They’re pricey, but they aren’t the “(un)official commuting bag of the Pacific Northwest” for nothing!
http://www.taigaworks.ca/packs/index.html
I have the Explorer. Took off the top piece. Lots of room for my laptop, clothes, etc. Cinches down nicely when not full. Stays put on your back when moving around and is easy to shoulder check around.
The best solution to waterproof, IMHO, is to put everything inside two large garbage bags inside the pack.
REI Novara Commuter- all the bells and whistles of a daypack but with cycling in mind.
Looking at your original question, all the packs mentioned above are good for bike commuting (i LOVE my Deuter)… but I dont know any commuter-size pack that could be used for running… you did say for biking and running?? but i wouldnt even run with a camelbak.
I think the key problem with a running pack is his requirement of 25-30L capacity…
I run with my pack on - but only 1/2 mile each way to the gym where I shower after dropping off my bike at the office.
The pack I have is comfy enough…so much so that I’ve often thought that I could actually “run for real” with it on - but it’s only a 20 liter. On my 5’5" frame, that’s already pushing it. YMMV…
I don’t run with it filled at 30L, but want the capacity for when I bike, as I do often carry more–laptop computer, change of clothes/shoes, lunch. It adds up.
Thus my comment about compression straps so I can snug it down when I have less in the pack during runs.
The run commute is about 5 mi.
“…but i wouldnt even run with a camelbak.”
Well, with my family and work time constraints, if I don’t run commute, I don’t run.
I would think about having 2 packs - a larger one for cycling where you can carry a LOT of stuff if you need to, and a very small one for running that just contains the bare essentials.
I have a 12L Deuter that is probably about as big as one would want to run with.
The air frame (not shown) does a really good job, letting air circulate so that I don’t arrive with a soaked shirt. It can take a laptop, but not much else is “unexpanded mode”, and expands out to ~14L if I remember correctly.
I just recently started bike commuting again. I was using the ironman pack, but found it didn’t have enough space. So I switched to my old hunting day pack, much like this one (but in flame orange):
It’s got a soft exterior that was called “silent stalker” at the time. Anyway, I’ve noticed that I get a little more space on the road, as well as more pack capacity…