Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

What rucksack size for commuting

by Canyon48
Sun, Sep 10, 2017 20:43
39

I'm soon to be starting a 15 mile commute (each way) to uni and I need a rucksack to carry a few things.

I need to be able to carry a pair of trousers, a top, underwear, pen, paper (plus an a4 sized book), calculator, charger, wallets, keys, phone and lunchbox (big enough for sandwich banana apple and orange).

10 litres is too small, but I'm thinking 22 (like the Osprey Talon) is too big.

I think the Deuter Race X could be a good one at 12litres, or would the Deuter Race EXP (12 litres but expandable to add another 3) be better?

I'm able to leave a towel, toiletries, shoes, lock and a few other things at uni - any opinions on what size bag I might need?

Cheers!

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

39 comments

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 7 years ago
0 likes

I recommend the ProViz 360 rucksack: https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-cycling-backpack.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NjNBRDKARIsAFn3NMp0MowU-yU3f_0UQE6ngI4kFnkYyvTUrDiwrNhoH-8QGoqLXRxPROcaAhdcEALw_wcB#fo_c=1091&fo_k=b13809a845ce2c0459cddbdaed4aefcf&fo_s=gplauk

I typically have a change of clothes, waterproof trousers, an iPad, a lunchbox and usually some shopping as well.

Avatar
bertisfantastic | 7 years ago
0 likes

https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Cor%2013/

Avatar
Canyon48 | 7 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

Are you sure that you want to be able to carry only that specific stuff and nothing else at all, ever?

Do you ever buy a book or something, or other shopping? Nothing worse than finding you've no way to carry something home...

If you know that everything you really definitely absolutely need as a minimum load will fit in a 12 litre pack, then I'd suggest getting the 22 litre pack you mention (just in case).

Just my tuppenn'orth    3

PS: make sure you buy something properly waterproof!

Yeah, definitely no shopping, I'll probably have some small-ish books but that's it - certainly making me consider a slightly larger rucksack. I intend to drive in once a week anyway don't fancy cycling across the city and out to the countryside after a 7pm lecture in winter...

Mungecrundle wrote:

Everything else goes in a 12l small backpack, but then I'm not transporting A4 files and schoolbooks. Personally I wouldn't pay a huge premium for waterproofness. In my experience nothing made of fabric remains waterproof for very long and there are always circumstances where you have to put damp stuff into the bag. Get a waterproof bag to put inside your bag as it were.

I use a dry bag inside my existing rucksack that I used to use for commuting plus a high viz rain cover over the top, kept everything dry!

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
5 likes

My underpants are transported by a special hazmat disposal company.

Everything else goes in a 12l small backpack, but then I'm not transporting A4 files and schoolbooks. Personally I wouldn't pay a huge premium for waterproofness. In my experience nothing made of fabric remains waterproof for very long and there are always circumstances where you have to put damp stuff into the bag. Get a waterproof bag to put inside your bag as it were.

Avatar
CygnusX1 replied to Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
0 likes

Mungecrundle wrote:

My underpants are transported by a special hazmat disposal company.

The comments on this site always have something to make me chortle on a monday morning!

Sounds like the OP needs a properly waterproof bag like these from OverBoard:

http://www.over-board.co.uk/backpacks/waterproof-backpacks.html

I've the 20L pro-sports model and never seen a drop of water on the inside, but its too bog for my daily commute.  Or perhaps, you might want to consider roll-top panniers:

http://www.over-board.co.uk/dry-bags/waterproof-bike-panniers.html

(Other brands - e.g. Ortlieb - are available)

Like Mungerundle, I roll my clothes into a lightweight dry bag and stick them in a small (non-waterproof) backpack. Outside the drybag the pack contains a minipump, lightweight waterproof etc.

The drybag keeps my clothes clean and dry even if I pull everything out to fix a puncture at the side of the road in a torrential downpour. They are also useful for keeping wet stuff inside your bag from soaking everything else.    

My drybags from LifeVenture and Exped both work well:

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Exped_8L_Bright_Fold_Drybag/?SelectedItem=715029

 

Avatar
brooksby | 7 years ago
0 likes

Are you sure that you want to be able to carry only that specific stuff and nothing else at all, ever?

Do you ever buy a book or something, or other shopping? Nothing worse than finding you've no way to carry something home...

If you know that everything you really definitely absolutely need as a minimum load will fit in a 12 litre pack, then I'd suggest getting the 22 litre pack you mention (just in case).

Just my tuppenn'orth    3

PS: make sure you buy something properly waterproof!

Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to brooksby | 7 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

Are you sure that you want to be able to carry only that specific stuff and nothing else at all, ever?

Do you ever buy a book or something, or other shopping? Nothing worse than finding you've no way to carry something home...

If you know that everything you really definitely absolutely need as a minimum load will fit in a 12 litre pack, then I'd suggest getting the 22 litre pack you mention (just in case).

Just my tuppenn'orth    3

PS: make sure you buy something properly waterproof!

i get round this problem by putting my stuff inside a musette or dry bag with a shoulder strap, and putting that in a saddle bag, currently a Carradice Audax, which is quite small. When I pick up some shopping on the way home it goes into the saddlebag, and the musette/dry bag goes over my shoulder for the last bit of the journey. 

Avatar
Paul7189 | 7 years ago
2 likes

Cant help with sizing but i would say go for something like the Alpkit Gourdon.

They are out of stock at the moment but should be back in soon.

They are basically a roll top dry bag so the weather will not break through to your belongings and they are super lightweight. 

https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20

Bargain also!

Avatar
Simboid replied to Paul7189 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Paul7189 wrote:

Cant help with sizing but i would say go for something like the Alpkit Gourdon.

They are out of stock at the moment but should be back in soon.

They are basically a roll top dry bag so the weather will not break through to your belongings and they are super lightweight. 

https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20

Bargain also!

 

Seconded.

I have the old Gourdon 20 in fluo yellow and it's superior to anything at twice the price. It's very durable, extremely light and totally waterproof and the elasticated cording across it keeps the volume down if you've not much in. The mesh pockets are reachable and the straps are comfortable. It's worth waiting until they come back in stock.

Don't really see the point of a drybag if you can have a wearable drybag instead. You'll still have a waterlogged, heavy, expensive Deuter to deal with even if the contents are dry.

Pages

Latest Comments