Currently I bike commute to work, which is only 2.7 miles. My schedule is changing, and will align so that I could get a ride to work in the morning, but not in the evening. Right now I’m on a run focus, still very untrained-my runs are 25-30 minutes. So running home would work out really well. Super casual workplace; I can wear running shoes. But not running clothes. But with one pair of shoes, I figure that the biggest&most awkward logistical issue is taken care of.
A bag for transport though-Are there any (good) backpacks designed for run commuting or something similar? Any tips? Tricks? I’ll only be carrying a pair of clothes, and one packet of tupperware. Bottle of water(probably empty). Phone. Maybe headphones and/or a book. Going to work, they’ll be some fruit thrown in as well.
Basically I don’t want to be get burnt buying crappy equipment-I spent a chunk of money on different bags before I got things figured out on my old 15 mile bike commute. I’m trying to avoid that here. Something that I can keep on comfortably if I decide to keep running longer than 2.7 miles would be preferable.
I have used this pack and an older salomon pack for commuting via running. The ultimate direction pack is very good or at least it’s worked well for me.
I haven’t done a run commute in 15 years so I’m sure there are better backpacks around now, but one thing you need is a strap at the bottom of the arm straps that clips around the front - like the pack above. The one thing I remember having a problem with was the pack bouncing up and down while I was running. You need a pack that holds everything in tight.
Personally, I’d be looking for ways to not need the backpack at all. Running with one stinks compared to not running with one no matter how good of a pack, especially when you start throwing books, fruit, etc in it. Even more so during the summer.
Why not throw a few shirts/shorts/pairs of pants/fruit in a bag and leave them at work? Replace as necessary. If you ride in and run home, how are you getting your bike home?
+1 on the Ultimate Direction Fastpack and any of the Salomon Trail Running packs. If you fire up the google machine and look for Adventure Racing packs, you’ll come across a nice selection a packs that range from 5L to 20L capacity from additional brands like Nathan, Montane, Deuter, and Gregory. The REI Flash Pack is also a nice option. It does have minimal structure to it (so it flops around a bit), but it is super light and affords enough room for a change of clothes, shoes, and some food.
I run commute with an older Gregory Z Pack. It is similar to the current Gregory Tempo or Salomon Agile. It is nice because it has a bladder integrated into the pack and expands to accommodate just about anything I need and can also be cinched down to keep gear from bouncing around too much.
Any chance you can just leave your stuff in your desk and bike commute in once/week with an empty enough pack to bring your stuff back home? I don’t bring anything with me when I bike commute, as I leave clothes at the office and drive in with extra lunches to leave in a fridge and have clothes in my office for the days I’ve commuted in. A pack is far easier on a bike than running, but I still like to avoid using one if possible.
Currently I bike commute to work, which is only 2.7 miles. My schedule is changing, and will align so that I could get a ride to work in the morning, but not in the evening. Right now I’m on a run focus, still very untrained-my runs are 25-30 minutes. So running home would work out really well. Super casual workplace; I can wear running shoes. But not running clothes. But with one pair of shoes, I figure that the biggest&most awkward logistical issue is taken care of.
A bag for transport though-Are there any (good) backpacks designed for run commuting or something similar? Any tips? Tricks? I’ll only be carrying a pair of clothes, and one packet of tupperware. Bottle of water(probably empty). Phone. Maybe headphones and/or a book. Going to work, they’ll be some fruit thrown in as well.
Basically I don’t want to be get burnt buying crappy equipment-I spent a chunk of money on different bags before I got things figured out on my old 15 mile bike commute. I’m trying to avoid that here. Something that I can keep on comfortably if I decide to keep running longer than 2.7 miles would be preferable.
Currently I bike commute to work, which is only 2.7 miles. My schedule is changing, and will align so that I could get a ride to work in the morning, but not in the evening. Right now I’m on a run focus, still very untrained-my runs are 25-30 minutes. So running home would work out really well. Super casual workplace; I can wear running shoes. But not running clothes. But with one pair of shoes, I figure that the biggest&most awkward logistical issue is taken care of.
A bag for transport though-Are there any (good) backpacks designed for run commuting or something similar? Any tips? Tricks? I’ll only be carrying a pair of clothes, and one packet of tupperware. Bottle of water(probably empty). Phone. Maybe headphones and/or a book. Going to work, they’ll be some fruit thrown in as well.
Basically I don’t want to be get burnt buying crappy equipment-I spent a chunk of money on different bags before I got things figured out on my old 15 mile bike commute. I’m trying to avoid that here. Something that I can keep on comfortably if I decide to keep running longer than 2.7 miles would be preferable.
Any advice is appreciated.
No advice, just bad ass that you are thinking about running back and forth to work.
I’ve got an REI Lookout 40. It’s big enough for laptop, clothes, towel, books, lunch; has great suspension that hugs the back and hips nicely with zero bouncing or shifting; has exceptional back ventilation; has a water bladder pocket. I wear it bike commuting, day hiking, and have done some trail running with it. It’s very well built. It’s not necessarily marketed for running but I would have no hesitation doing what you’re talking about. The big recommendation I have for any commuting pack is that you get a big one. You don’t have to fill it but it sucks if you have a small one and cannot take what you need - a change of clothes and lunch is a lot of bulk.
I run commute a couple times per week. While I understand why people say to plan ahead and take clothes on your other days, practically it isn’t really sustainable long term as you need to be a super planner for that, and we are human and often just forget stuff during our imperfect moments. Therefore, I gave up on the super planning, and just tried to find a good running backpack.
First, I tried out the Camelback Charge LR, but found the horizontal blatter bounced around too much, and while it could hold just my clothes, it wasn’t big enough if I also needed to carry a towel too. So, I bought a slightly bigger pack, the Camelback Mule NV (http://www.camelbak.com/en/Canada/Sports-Recreation/Packs/MULE-NV.aspx) and have been very happy with it. I just leave a pair of shoes always at work, so similar to you I never have to carry them. The key to a good bag is the expandability, and this one is very good as its very compressible so can accommodate days when i need to either carry a bit more or a bit less.
You’ll probably need to buy a “bike” backpack, as the pure “run” backpacks aren’t really designed big enough for carrying an extra set of clothes. And of course, fit is really key too, if there is a strap that is too loose and bounces around, or a strap that rub’s the wrong way on a particular part, then you will hate the bag. It’s pretty important to try them on with some load in there and jump around with it to test, or else buy from a store with a generous return policy such as REI.
Personally, I’d be looking for ways to not need the backpack at all. Running with one stinks compared to not running with one no matter how good of a pack, especially when you start throwing books, fruit, etc in it. Even more so during the summer.
Why not throw a few shirts/shorts/pairs of pants/fruit in a bag and leave them at work? Replace as necessary. If you ride in and run home, how are you getting your bike home?
I don’t know why I mentioned the fruit; it’ll be gone by the time I run home.
I’ll only be running one leg(work->home). If I bike in, I’ll bike out. “Why not go for a run after you bike home, it’s not a long bike ride”. Reasonable question. I don’t want to carry a 30lb bike up 4 flights of stairs to my apartment, and then go run afterwards.
Sadly, can’t leave anything at work. Which is why I’m looking for backpack recommendations. I hated cycling with a backpack, so panniers/trunk racks. But no option for that with running, which is the other reason I’m looking for advice here.
I run commute a couple times per week. While I understand why people say to plan ahead and take clothes on your other days, practically it isn’t really sustainable long term as you need to be a super planner for that, and we are human and often just forget stuff during our imperfect moments. Therefore, I gave up on the super planning, and just tried to find a good running backpack.
First, I tried out the Camelback Charge LR, but found the horizontal blatter bounced around too much, and while it could hold just my clothes, it wasn’t big enough if I also needed to carry a towel too. So, I bought a slightly bigger pack, the Camelback Mule NV (http://www.camelbak.com/...n/Packs/MULE-NV.aspx) and have been very happy with it. I just leave a pair of shoes always at work, so similar to you I never have to carry them. The key to a good bag is the expandability, and this one is very good as its very compressible so can accommodate days when i need to either carry a bit more or a bit less.
You’ll probably need to buy a “bike” backpack, as the pure “run” backpacks aren’t really designed big enough for carrying an extra set of clothes. And of course, fit is really key too, if there is a strap that is too loose and bounces around, or a strap that rub’s the wrong way on a particular part, then you will hate the bag. It’s pretty important to try them on with some load in there and jump around with it to test, or else buy from a store with a generous return policy such as REI.
This is good stuff to think about, thanks. The Camelbak Charge-did it have enough space for clothes+food, or just clothes? The bike comment seems like it might be good advice. For the Camelbak Mule, are you taking out the hydration bladder, and using it solely for stuff, or is there room for stuff and the water?
One other tip, get a compact microfiber towel. They are the size of a paperback book, suck up a bunch of water, and dry fast… wayyyy better for commuting than cotton towels.
I run commute twice a week, the other days I bike in.
Personally I try to take as little as possible with me when I run. I have a set of work shoes, belts & ties that never leave the office and pick up shower get etc on lunch if I’m getting low.
Monday I’ll ride in with things for the week. Towel, Trowsers (pants for you Americans) x 2 and pick up snacks for the week. Plus my clothes for that day.
Tuesday I’ll take in a shirt and one for Wednesday too (find folding them with a magazine helps) then ride home the long way in the evening.
Wednesday run (10k) in and all I’ll have I’m my bag is bits for lunchand swim stuff for my lunch swim Then run home with an empty bag
Thursday repeat of Tuesday
Friday longer run (20k) in with just lunch in my bag again and swim stuff and then I’ll get the bus home and ferry all my kit back with me.
Tips! Have a spare set of socks & boxers at work. You will forget at some point!!
Leave as much as you can at work. I have shoes, trainers, belt, wash kit.
Have something at work to eat and drink when you get in.
Wrap things in plastic bags. If it rains you don’t want your clothes getting wet and you don’t want your lunch exploding either (had a bad experience with a banana…)
I run commute one way all week. I use the Osprey Manta 20. That should easily be able to fit everything you need to bring. I will also commute in the rain so the rain cover is nice as it keeps everything pretty dry. If you plan on commuting in the rain pack your clothes in a trash bag, open side down, to make sure your clothes say dry. We have a locker room and shower at my work so I leave all the necessary toiletries at work and switch out the towel on a weekly basis.
A tip that I have found is that bringing Tupperware is a PITA, it is oddly shaped and food will bounce around if it is not packed completely full. I normally have a salad and some rice for lunch which I bring in gallon and quart ziplock bags respectively. I had salad dressing, a plate and utensils that I am able to leave at work so it works out really well. Another not on food is do not bring soft fruits - peaches, nectarines, etc - as they will get smashed during the run.
I’ve done a run commute of that length occasionally for nearly a dozen years on days that I don’t commute by bike. One of the cheap drawstring bags has always worked fine for me and I’m carrying about the same amount of stuff as you. I cross the drawstrings across the chest so the bag doesn’t bounce much. If it’s raining, put your clothes in a waterproof bag inside the drawstring bag. I leave my dress shoes at work, so I’m not carrying any shoes in the bag. I don’t really think you need an expensive hi tech bag for this. Enjoy!
use a jog stroller. on the plus side people will think a) you have a kid in there, so they’ll give you kudos, or maybe chicks will think you’re a single dad… or b) they’ll think you’re homeless and might throw you some change.
you’re welcome.
Leave some clothes at work. Leave some food at work too.
Carrying all that work stuff when commuting on a bike is no big deal. Even when going fast and trying to take advantage of the bike miles for your training. But with running not so much.
I prefer to use a waist pack with a longer strap rigged to loop over my shoulders a bit like lightweight backpack straps just for a bit of stability. I find having the bulk/weight lower down is more comfortable.
Luckily we have lockers, showers & a towel service laid on so I don’t need to carry much - phones, wallet & a merino wool dress rolled up usually does it. Shoes etc in the locker.
Run commuting rocks - very efficient use of time:-)
