One bag to rule them all!
April 11, 2019 12:24 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a single bag to replace the 3 bags I currently use.
I'm looking for an expanding backpack-type bag that can serve as:
- a day to day bike commuter bag
- grocery bag that will hold a reasonable amount of groceries to lug home on said bike
- an adventure pack for day trips
- an adventure pack for longer travel (can expand to hold my devices plus a couple of days worth of clothing, and small enough to not have to check baggage on a flight)
Ideally, the bag will have:
- lots of pockets
- a good sized, water bottle holder
- (I don't know if this is even a thing, but would be really cool) The ability to convert between a backpack and courier bag.
Ideally, this would have a lot of pockets, protected space for laptops and devices (though I'd be willing to get a laptop sleep type thing)
- the ability to be cleaned easily
Here's what I'm using now:
- Timbuk2 courier bag: day to day commute when not cycling. Holds very, very little in the way of groceries. I do always keep a couple of cloth bags stowed away, though.
- Thule Subterra 25L backpack: day to day bike commute. It can hold some groceries, but I'd like it to hold more. 25 liters isn't enough. I keep bags in that too, but I try not no cycle with bags in my hands. It has 2 outer pockets, which is not enough pockets.
- An old CamelBak backpack that I use as an adventure bag. It can hold some food, flipflops. a towel and maybe a change of clothes. It has a bunch of pockets.
I'm constantly switching bags, and it's annoying!
Difficulty: Preferably something available in Germany, or with not-bank-breaking shipping to the EU.
Difficulty level: 2: My trip to India is in 3 weeks, so something that can be acquired before then.
Does such a bag exist?
I'm looking for an expanding backpack-type bag that can serve as:
- a day to day bike commuter bag
- grocery bag that will hold a reasonable amount of groceries to lug home on said bike
- an adventure pack for day trips
- an adventure pack for longer travel (can expand to hold my devices plus a couple of days worth of clothing, and small enough to not have to check baggage on a flight)
Ideally, the bag will have:
- lots of pockets
- a good sized, water bottle holder
- (I don't know if this is even a thing, but would be really cool) The ability to convert between a backpack and courier bag.
Ideally, this would have a lot of pockets, protected space for laptops and devices (though I'd be willing to get a laptop sleep type thing)
- the ability to be cleaned easily
Here's what I'm using now:
- Timbuk2 courier bag: day to day commute when not cycling. Holds very, very little in the way of groceries. I do always keep a couple of cloth bags stowed away, though.
- Thule Subterra 25L backpack: day to day bike commute. It can hold some groceries, but I'd like it to hold more. 25 liters isn't enough. I keep bags in that too, but I try not no cycle with bags in my hands. It has 2 outer pockets, which is not enough pockets.
- An old CamelBak backpack that I use as an adventure bag. It can hold some food, flipflops. a towel and maybe a change of clothes. It has a bunch of pockets.
I'm constantly switching bags, and it's annoying!
Difficulty: Preferably something available in Germany, or with not-bank-breaking shipping to the EU.
Difficulty level: 2: My trip to India is in 3 weeks, so something that can be acquired before then.
Does such a bag exist?
I have a Banjo Brothers Commuter Backpack and it does for me exactly what you're describing: It's a rolltop bike commuter bag with a waterproof insert that's removable; it can easily hold a pretty substantial grocery shopping run, and I use it as my carry-on bag when I travel.
It doesn't have lots of pockets - it has one big pocket, and a few outer pockets. I compensate with packing cubes. It does have two water bottle holders - or they can hold bike locks. And, it's very sturdy canvas - I've hosed it out.
posted by entropone at 5:28 AM on April 11, 2019
It doesn't have lots of pockets - it has one big pocket, and a few outer pockets. I compensate with packing cubes. It does have two water bottle holders - or they can hold bike locks. And, it's very sturdy canvas - I've hosed it out.
posted by entropone at 5:28 AM on April 11, 2019
I like the Osprey FlapJill (courier bag OR backpack). I also have a Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote, which is a bit short on pockets but so very versatile that I don’t miss them. It can be used as a backpack or a shoulder tote and I have no idea how I survived without one! I’d guess it’s around 20L, but because it’s soft and you can have the top open, and has stretchy mesh side pockets, you can carry loads in it (groceries, stuff for travel, etc.).
Final suggestion is the Osprey Talon. It’s super lightweight and the lid tamps down so you can use it as an airport carryon, and it looks like an average 25-30L pack (if it’s not crammed super full). Good pockets/organization and nice balance between size/volume (even the 44L doesn’t feel huge at all), and can arguably be used as an everyday bag. (Note: I find there’s often a trade off between size/carrying capacity and weight and usefulness as an everyday bag. I think this bag does that well, though I am a petite woman so some people are happier to carry bigger bags around). It is designed for hiking/camping use, so super durable and also has the Osprey lifetime guarantee.
posted by stillmoving at 6:55 AM on April 11, 2019
Final suggestion is the Osprey Talon. It’s super lightweight and the lid tamps down so you can use it as an airport carryon, and it looks like an average 25-30L pack (if it’s not crammed super full). Good pockets/organization and nice balance between size/volume (even the 44L doesn’t feel huge at all), and can arguably be used as an everyday bag. (Note: I find there’s often a trade off between size/carrying capacity and weight and usefulness as an everyday bag. I think this bag does that well, though I am a petite woman so some people are happier to carry bigger bags around). It is designed for hiking/camping use, so super durable and also has the Osprey lifetime guarantee.
posted by stillmoving at 6:55 AM on April 11, 2019
The Frost River Arrowhead Trail Rolltop Pack, probably in the 15 ECO with the extra room and expandable side pockets, looks like it would work well for you. It is waxed canvas, sturdy, configurable, with an internal laptop sleeve. It looks like on their page there are 5 retailers in Germany that carry it. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
posted by jillithd at 8:16 AM on April 11, 2019
posted by jillithd at 8:16 AM on April 11, 2019
Response by poster: 0bvious - The Peak Design Is a nice looking bag. But after watching several videos, it doesn't look like it would suit my purposes.
stillmoving - Osprey bags are available locally, so I think I'll check out the Talon this weekend!
entropone - The large Commuter looks near perfect as well. At about $90USD, the price is right, too. It looks like they ship to Germany, but shipping is over $50. On top of that, I'd have to pay 17.5% VAT (and probably a trip to the customs office to pick it up, which is a super PITA). So $165. I see it on Amazon.de for €200 range. If I knew anyone visiting Germany from the US, I'd have then get one for me, because it looks great.
jillithd - Nice bag, but I should have mentioned that I don't do leather :)
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 2:07 AM on April 12, 2019
stillmoving - Osprey bags are available locally, so I think I'll check out the Talon this weekend!
entropone - The large Commuter looks near perfect as well. At about $90USD, the price is right, too. It looks like they ship to Germany, but shipping is over $50. On top of that, I'd have to pay 17.5% VAT (and probably a trip to the customs office to pick it up, which is a super PITA). So $165. I see it on Amazon.de for €200 range. If I knew anyone visiting Germany from the US, I'd have then get one for me, because it looks great.
jillithd - Nice bag, but I should have mentioned that I don't do leather :)
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 2:07 AM on April 12, 2019
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posted by 0bvious at 1:07 AM on April 11, 2019 [2 favorites]