Please pick my petite professional pannier/pack!
October 19, 2017 7:17 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a combination backpack/pannier that acts and looks like a normal commuter backpack to take to work but I'm having trouble sorting through the options. Can you recommend one?
I’m a very, very casual bike commuter, and I’m looking for something that can be used as my work bag on days I bike and on the days I don’t. Right now I’m putting my normal work backpack into this pannier bag on the days I bike, and that’s working ok (definitely better than actually wearing the backpack, bcuz back sweat), but it seems like an unnecessary step. The ikea bag isn’t great for a full-time work bag because it lacks enough internal organization to keep my work stuff set and it’s not a very comfortable shape to wear on non-bike days.
Here’s what I want:
-should have the interior organization features of a normal backpack – padded laptop sleeve, ideally a few different pockets for pens and odds and ends, etc. Stuff should be easy to access in general.
-quick switch from backpack mode to pannier mode – I don’t want to have to hook and unhook six different things every time I take it off the bike. For example, I really like the way this bag works (actually I like pretty much everything about that bag), but it looks to be long-discontinued.
-should be able to hook onto a normal rear rack. I think some have features that help them attach to specific brands of bike racks better? I don't think my rack is any of those brands. I'm ok mounting something new to the rack, though, if it helps.
-not too aggressive-looking. I don’t know how to describe that exactly except that I’m a professional woman more likely to be biking in a cardigan than a full kit and the things that scream GRRR!!! or SPORT!!! aren’t really appealing. Functional sporty details like reflective parts are welcome, though. If this doesn't make any sense, ignore it :).
I don’t particularly care about:
-full waterproofing. It should be able to make it through a drizzle but it’s ok if it can’t handle a deluge. Having a rain cover or something available would be nice, I guess, but not a dealbreaker. To that end, I think I’d prefer something closed with zippers than roll-tops.
-uber-comfortable backpack features. Unpadded straps are fine. I’m not going hiking with it.
-other ways of carrying it. I'm not interested in messenger bag features, for example.
-high capacity. As long as it fits a medium-size laptop, charger, a few papers, a small bag of bike tools, a u-lock (inside or outside), and some small misc snacks/toiletries/electronics/junk I'm good. I realize that sounds like a lot but I've never run into a commuter backpack that seems too small. No need to gracefully stow a helmet or shoes or a bunch of clothes or other large items.
It’d be great to stay at the budget end of the spectrum, but right now I’m just trying to sort through what’s out there so I’d welcome whatever suggestions anyone has!
I’m a very, very casual bike commuter, and I’m looking for something that can be used as my work bag on days I bike and on the days I don’t. Right now I’m putting my normal work backpack into this pannier bag on the days I bike, and that’s working ok (definitely better than actually wearing the backpack, bcuz back sweat), but it seems like an unnecessary step. The ikea bag isn’t great for a full-time work bag because it lacks enough internal organization to keep my work stuff set and it’s not a very comfortable shape to wear on non-bike days.
Here’s what I want:
-should have the interior organization features of a normal backpack – padded laptop sleeve, ideally a few different pockets for pens and odds and ends, etc. Stuff should be easy to access in general.
-quick switch from backpack mode to pannier mode – I don’t want to have to hook and unhook six different things every time I take it off the bike. For example, I really like the way this bag works (actually I like pretty much everything about that bag), but it looks to be long-discontinued.
-should be able to hook onto a normal rear rack. I think some have features that help them attach to specific brands of bike racks better? I don't think my rack is any of those brands. I'm ok mounting something new to the rack, though, if it helps.
-not too aggressive-looking. I don’t know how to describe that exactly except that I’m a professional woman more likely to be biking in a cardigan than a full kit and the things that scream GRRR!!! or SPORT!!! aren’t really appealing. Functional sporty details like reflective parts are welcome, though. If this doesn't make any sense, ignore it :).
I don’t particularly care about:
-full waterproofing. It should be able to make it through a drizzle but it’s ok if it can’t handle a deluge. Having a rain cover or something available would be nice, I guess, but not a dealbreaker. To that end, I think I’d prefer something closed with zippers than roll-tops.
-uber-comfortable backpack features. Unpadded straps are fine. I’m not going hiking with it.
-other ways of carrying it. I'm not interested in messenger bag features, for example.
-high capacity. As long as it fits a medium-size laptop, charger, a few papers, a small bag of bike tools, a u-lock (inside or outside), and some small misc snacks/toiletries/electronics/junk I'm good. I realize that sounds like a lot but I've never run into a commuter backpack that seems too small. No need to gracefully stow a helmet or shoes or a bunch of clothes or other large items.
It’d be great to stay at the budget end of the spectrum, but right now I’m just trying to sort through what’s out there so I’d welcome whatever suggestions anyone has!
Response by poster: I'm pretty married to having it on a rack (I'm totally open to the option of a front rack! I thought it was more difficult to carry weight on the front, though?) in one way or another - when I've worn a pack (admittedly just my regular commuter backpack, which doesn't have anything special in the way of ventilation or padding) the, ah, back sweat situation is gross. Also I'm not that strong and my backpack tends to be on the heavy side so it's just more comfortable on my shoulders and back.
posted by mosst at 7:47 AM on October 19, 2017
posted by mosst at 7:47 AM on October 19, 2017
I'm just going to vote in favor of continuing to put your bag in a pannier. It's what I mostly do and I think it's usually the best option. My panniers get filthy, and I don't want that dirt on my regular bag that I wear up against my clothes. Also most pannier hardware has a tendency to snag on stuff.
Leave the pannier on the bike, maybe with a thin cable lock attaching it to your rack if you are concerned that it will get stolen (or just zip tie it on). Some people also use a milk crate or basket on the rack for this purpose. A grocery-bag style pannier is ideal for this - keeps the dirt off but there's no fussing around with zippers or straps.
That Linus Sac is adorable, but I shudder to think what a canvas bag (even treated canvas!) would look like after a couple of rides on my bike.
posted by mskyle at 7:48 AM on October 19, 2017
Leave the pannier on the bike, maybe with a thin cable lock attaching it to your rack if you are concerned that it will get stolen (or just zip tie it on). Some people also use a milk crate or basket on the rack for this purpose. A grocery-bag style pannier is ideal for this - keeps the dirt off but there's no fussing around with zippers or straps.
That Linus Sac is adorable, but I shudder to think what a canvas bag (even treated canvas!) would look like after a couple of rides on my bike.
posted by mskyle at 7:48 AM on October 19, 2017
Perhaps not helpful, but I'll mention that I bike commute and for a long time kept my satchel in a Wald basket mounted over the front wheel. It was great in so many ways--my bag was always right there, yet not on my body! Plus plenty of space to hold my jacket, my lunch, etc. The downsides to this setup were many, too: the Wald basket in particular is pretty heavy, and because of my particular bike setup it was a little awkward to walk with (but perfectly comfy to ride).
The key for carrying weight on the front of your bike is that it'll always feel more stable if it's positioned directly above or even behind the axle, not in front of it. The lower the weight is the better it feels, and mine was a bit too high. In the end I took it off because it was also somewhat heavy, but I liked the setup and will probably replace it with a smaller front rack, like the Simworks Potluck rack, which is pretty spendy if you're not an insufferable hipster like apparently I am (but those horizontal rails allow you to mount panniers to it, which means I can use it for touring, which is justification enough--but probably not in your case because typically it's good to balance weight on both sides of the wheel on the front (on the back it doesn't make a speck of difference)).
posted by tapir-whorf at 8:57 AM on October 19, 2017
The key for carrying weight on the front of your bike is that it'll always feel more stable if it's positioned directly above or even behind the axle, not in front of it. The lower the weight is the better it feels, and mine was a bit too high. In the end I took it off because it was also somewhat heavy, but I liked the setup and will probably replace it with a smaller front rack, like the Simworks Potluck rack, which is pretty spendy if you're not an insufferable hipster like apparently I am (but those horizontal rails allow you to mount panniers to it, which means I can use it for touring, which is justification enough--but probably not in your case because typically it's good to balance weight on both sides of the wheel on the front (on the back it doesn't make a speck of difference)).
posted by tapir-whorf at 8:57 AM on October 19, 2017
I'll mention that I did a ton of research on backpack panniers a few years ago--probably this was 2015--and couldn't find anything that met my persnickety requirements of utility and aesthetics, as well as legit everyday use for days I wasn't on a bike. There's a lot of new designs going to market via small bag makers and Kickstarters, but the two goals (of backpack, and of pannier) are fundamentally pretty opposed to one another in terms of structural needs, which is why all the designs are somewhat ugly or cattywampus. The specialized mounting hardware (which I think Ortlieb and a Chrome Industries bag both have) is an attempt to circumvent those problems, but obviously it's an investment in and of itself. If I were going to buy something today, I'd probably buy the Blackburn Wayside, which is cute and pretty affordable at $80.
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:07 AM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:07 AM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've got a messenger back, which vertically, not horizontally, holds my laptop. I.E. it's taller than wider. I keep a clipboard in the very back of it, and just strap this to my rack, and throw an extra bungie cord around it, and instant pannier for cheap! On the other pannier side I have a similar bag, except that have my bike lock, and any/all tools. On the top of the rack will goa duffle with changes of clothes, towel and lunch.
Which is to say that the only part of my bike commuting setup that's official bike gear is the rack itself. I will note that I think I probably lose about 2-4 minutes of time in getting loaded and unloaded because thing's aren't perfectly designed, but this is just me guessing; I've never had actual pannier bags.
posted by nobeagle at 9:12 AM on October 19, 2017
Which is to say that the only part of my bike commuting setup that's official bike gear is the rack itself. I will note that I think I probably lose about 2-4 minutes of time in getting loaded and unloaded because thing's aren't perfectly designed, but this is just me guessing; I've never had actual pannier bags.
posted by nobeagle at 9:12 AM on October 19, 2017
Best answer: I actually just bought a North St backpack (not a convertible pannier). One of my friends has been using the convertible backpack pannier for years and he absolutely loves it and insisted I looked at his bag before buying a bag from them. The conversion to pannier from just wearing is very similar to the Altura Morph you link to. I've seen him do it it several times and it doesn't seem to take him much time. I considered getting one, but my bike situation isn't pannier friendly.
posted by kendrak at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2017
posted by kendrak at 9:19 AM on October 19, 2017
Best answer: Here is the backpack-pannier combo that looks most promising for your needs, from Arkel. The design does seem on the super-sporty side, so this other model might be better. The only reason I haven't tried this yet is that I prefer to try a backpack in person before buying, and none of my local stores carry it.
It feels like I have tried almost every carry solution for bike commuting and have not found the holy grail of great backpack/great pannier in one. Let us know if you find it! The best thing I've found is slipping an Osprey Daylite into an Ortlieb Back Roller.
Other solutions that I tried and found lacking:
Front rack with a basket, bungeeing my backpack to that
Having the weight that high in front messed with the bike's handling in a way that I couldn't get used to.
Milk crate zip-tied to rear rack, putting my backpack inside that
Did not like having the weight that high. Bike felt unstable to me.
Low rider front rack with panniers
Doesn't really fit your backpack needs but I will say that having the weight low in front felt the least intrusive to the bike's handling.
Converting Ortlieb Back Roller to a Backpack with special converter
Made for an absolutely terrible backpack carry experience.
Carrying a bike-specific backpack on my back
Osprey Radial bike commuter backpack has a nice internal frame that creates a space between your back and the pack, reducing sweat. This solution was actually pretty good.
posted by oxisos at 9:35 AM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
It feels like I have tried almost every carry solution for bike commuting and have not found the holy grail of great backpack/great pannier in one. Let us know if you find it! The best thing I've found is slipping an Osprey Daylite into an Ortlieb Back Roller.
Other solutions that I tried and found lacking:
Front rack with a basket, bungeeing my backpack to that
Having the weight that high in front messed with the bike's handling in a way that I couldn't get used to.
Milk crate zip-tied to rear rack, putting my backpack inside that
Did not like having the weight that high. Bike felt unstable to me.
Low rider front rack with panniers
Doesn't really fit your backpack needs but I will say that having the weight low in front felt the least intrusive to the bike's handling.
Converting Ortlieb Back Roller to a Backpack with special converter
Made for an absolutely terrible backpack carry experience.
Carrying a bike-specific backpack on my back
Osprey Radial bike commuter backpack has a nice internal frame that creates a space between your back and the pack, reducing sweat. This solution was actually pretty good.
posted by oxisos at 9:35 AM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Hey folks,
Thanks for all the suggestions - I'd welcome more, but I'm ashamed to say that I might be the annoying kind of asker who went and answered my own question after all. I'll add for posterity/future readers that I did more research on the Altura Morph I linked in the post (confusingly, there are two slightly different models/generations with the same-ish name and similar form factor: this and this). It looks like even though both models are seemingly out of production, they do pop up on eBay - especially eBay.co.uk - regularly. My hope is that the nifty flip-around cover would 1. help mitigate that dirt issue that mskyle mentioned (although between fenders and being a part-time/fair-ish-weather rider, I haven't noticed my panniers getting too dirty yet...fingers crossed?) and 2. keep the pannier hooks from getting in the way when wearing it as a backpack and 3. makes transitioning between states a whole lot easier than some of the more involved ones (honestly, I can't even be bothered to zip away the straps on my current pannier before I bike - I just leave 'em dangling - so I may be lazier than is reasonable or safe.)
The other part of the reason why I don't like my current backpack-in-pannier setup is that it means carrying around additional stuff - wrangling both a pack and a pannier and taking things in and out still seems so much fiddlier than using a backpack I could simply hook and go. I do park my bike in a fairly high-theft area so any solution that involves leaving tempting things attached with minimal security is probably not ideal, as convenient as that would be.
posted by mosst at 12:38 PM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thanks for all the suggestions - I'd welcome more, but I'm ashamed to say that I might be the annoying kind of asker who went and answered my own question after all. I'll add for posterity/future readers that I did more research on the Altura Morph I linked in the post (confusingly, there are two slightly different models/generations with the same-ish name and similar form factor: this and this). It looks like even though both models are seemingly out of production, they do pop up on eBay - especially eBay.co.uk - regularly. My hope is that the nifty flip-around cover would 1. help mitigate that dirt issue that mskyle mentioned (although between fenders and being a part-time/fair-ish-weather rider, I haven't noticed my panniers getting too dirty yet...fingers crossed?) and 2. keep the pannier hooks from getting in the way when wearing it as a backpack and 3. makes transitioning between states a whole lot easier than some of the more involved ones (honestly, I can't even be bothered to zip away the straps on my current pannier before I bike - I just leave 'em dangling - so I may be lazier than is reasonable or safe.)
The other part of the reason why I don't like my current backpack-in-pannier setup is that it means carrying around additional stuff - wrangling both a pack and a pannier and taking things in and out still seems so much fiddlier than using a backpack I could simply hook and go. I do park my bike in a fairly high-theft area so any solution that involves leaving tempting things attached with minimal security is probably not ideal, as convenient as that would be.
posted by mosst at 12:38 PM on October 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
« Older Essay by daughter about immigrant father getting... | Questions on the theory of constructed emotions Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
I like panniers as much as the next cyclist, but the exact problem you're describing is what lead me to switch to a front rack. I have a soma Porteur rack with the little fence, and it's really great. I just end up strapping my preferred backpack to that, problem solved. The rack itself is pretty attractive, and well built.
posted by furnace.heart at 7:33 AM on October 19, 2017