Backpack recommendations?

[mark.ai]

Any recommendations for bum bag type for a petite size 8 female - certainly isn’t for me more the other half

I have various waist packs I use for hiking - not tried them cycling yet though. It really depends how much you want to carry in one and how you want to carry water (I always prefer a bottle myself). The brands I can recommend are:

Salomon - good for small ones (intended for running) - women UK link
Mammut - Lithium waistpack or Tasch (in various sizes, flexible shoulderbag that also fits on your own belt) - Mammut UK
Mountainsmith - great for larger waistpacks up to 15L or so! - Mountainsmith USA but can buy on Amazon

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

I think fanny packs are ideal for this. No sweaty back and you can fit in the essentials, low down, for those small rides.

I've only experience of one, no reason to change. It works.

Dakine hot laps. £30
Dakine Hot Laps 2L Bike Waist Bag | Dakine

 

[jonathan horticulturist]

I currently use an Osprey Escapist 32 as my main big pack.

I’m in the market for a battery specific pack as well, though.

 

[Kangr]

Have you tried looking at the specialist biking camera bags. I tried a dlsr camera in my fox hydration pack. the camera fitted fine but it made a uncomfortable mound in the bag that hurt my back.

 

[steve_sordy]

I've had a MULE backpack for about 8 years, maybe as long as 9. Obviously it gets covered in mud, soaked in sweat and generally bashed about. It is impervious to brambles and passing branches, not even barbed wire seems to snag it. It gets used as a back protector on frequent occasions. When it gets too disreputable it goes in the machine wash at 40deC and comes out looking like new. I had been riding underneath a fallen tree for a while, ducking low to clear it. Obviously it was still in the process of falling and the last time out I snagged the pack on one of the branch stumps. I snagged so hard I was jammed down on the suspension and I could only get out from under by dropping my saddle. The pack was badly torn on both sides and I thought it was a goner. But some hand stitching and it lives again. It refuses to die!

MULES are value for money even if you pay rrp!

Other brands may be as good, but I haven't had the chance to test them. When the time comes, why gamble, I'll take another MULE.

 

[leverleg]

I've got the dakine drafter 10 litre. its great no complaints at all.

more than happy with it... plenty of room for all my gubbins and a jacket. Took a spare bosch battery for the first time today and it wasn't as heavy and uncomfortable as i imagined. I didnt take a bladder with the battery though.

I like the way it keeps the pack away from your back so not too hot or uncomfortable.

 

[markmillen]

evoc trial great bag

 

[Hydracatch]

My opinion may vary, but backpacks should not be purchased by price point. It needs to fit comfortably for your body. There is usually a reason that brands like Osprey get so many reviews and are often used by world backpackers. These are not huge camping backpacks, but 40 litre travel packs. Just down the list is a thread about the Fairview. Ignore the first number of comments and get closer to the bottom where the original poster explains what the post was supposed to be about. She describes how well it fits and how to pack it. I added a link to a review with more extensive 'dissection' of the bag.
Otherwise, look at Sarah Murdoch's blog and her recommendation of a lightweight inexpensive pack she has used for Asia travel. There is no hip belt, however, and that can make or break it for some people. I have something similar that I trialed on a trip close to home. It was slightly over 7 kg, and I felt the weight on my shoulders and upper back for several days. If I had been able to carry the weight on my hips, it might have been better.

 

[55plusmxinsanity]

These packs don’t move or bounce while riding. Just take out the hydration bladder and there is plenty of room.

 

[HORSPWR]

These packs don’t move or bounce while riding. Just take out the hydration bladder and there is plenty of room.

View attachment 18389

USWE have the best range of hydration/backpacks to suit anyone, great fit and don't move around.
USWE Airborne-9 Hydration Pack

 

[MitchF]

Shimano R12, small, lots of pockets, waterproof, washes

 

[Mattwilko92]

The Btwin ones from Decathlon are worth a punt for ~£20

 

[YouYoung]

Hiya,

Looking for a smallish charger backpack for riding that can fit a camera and a couple of other small bits in. Needs to be fairly water resistant and able to be chucked into the wash now and then.

Anyone got anything that they’d recommend?

Cheers
Rob.

Timbuk2 is my favorite backpack for cycling trips. It's compact, spacious and very lightweight, and it can neatly place smaller travel bags inside. I also use it to ride a bicycle, which can meet almost all my needs. The only thing I hope is that the design is not too slim even if it is half empty.

 

[Beatn1K]

Is there a backpack that combines hydration as well as a battery compartment...?
cheers

 

[knut7]

Is there a backpack that combines hydration as well as a battery compartment...?
cheers

This one does

 

[Beatn1K]

This one does

Oh well done...
I looked at that in a number of ways..None mention the bladder, or I just missed it..!
cheers.

 

[GrahamPaul]

This one does

Thanks @knut7 , great review. You say the battery compartment is good for a battery of "around 40cm". The 625Wh Bosch Powertube is 42cm. Is this still within your "around 40" estimate?

 

[knut7]

Thanks @knut7 , great review. You say the battery compartment is good for a battery of "around 40cm". The 625Wh Bosch Powertube is 42cm. Is this still within your "around 40" estimate?

It just so happens I was able to check that! And yes, it seems it will work. But the top strap/lid isn't long enough, as you can see in the 2nd photo. There is a strap at the middle that should help a lot keeping the battery in place. I guess one can easily find a patch of velcro to extend the "lid". There is enough room for the battery in the backpack so it won't be pressing against the zipper.

It's a bit strange EVOC didn't see this coming though, and made the lid an inch or two longer.

 

[Nicho]

It just so happens I was able to check that! And yes, it seems it will work. But the top strap/lid isn't long enough, as you can see in the 2nd photo. There is a strap at the middle that should help a lot keeping the battery in place. I guess one can easily find a patch of velcro to extend the "lid". There is enough room for the battery in the backpack so it won't be pressing against the zipper.

It's a bit strange EVOC didn't see this coming though, and made the lid an inch or two longer.

View attachment 25275
View attachment 25276 View attachment 25277 View attachment 25278

I got the 2020 version before Christmas and it fits my Giant battery which is 455mm with its cover, and the flap still closes.

I tried to add a link to the Amazon UK site to illustrate this, but for some reason I cannot get the link to show in this posting!

I thought the only difference on the 2020 version was the new colours, but if you look at the picture of this bag on the Amazon UK site showing the battery pocket closed it looks like they have extended the flap since last year's model.

However, the small print on the instruction leaflet states that the maximum length of battery which is allowed in the pack is 380mm.

I suspect that they have forgotten to update this from the previous model, as my battery fits in with the flap closed and it still seems to fit within the back protector.

 

[Beatn1K]

Just some observations - I use a Kreiga aquapak when I ride MX and have thoughts...
I surprised they dont separate the compartments water/battery more effectively. It s not hard to with waterproofing materials today..That said, Ive never burst a bladder and I have been known to throw myself at the scenery at speed..! Kreiga gear is proper tough however....I wonder if this is ?

It would be better ( wouldn't it? ) if the drinking tube were to exit the pack at the top...effectively coming over your shoulder and pinned to the shoulder strap as opposed to trying to hold itself upright from below ( and failing no doubt, ) instead of flopping around and being irritating!

Only one battery ? Yeah probably...Ill get a sherpa if I need more...lol

 

[knut7]

It would be better ( wouldn't it? ) if the drinking tube were to exit the pack at the top...effectively coming over your shoulder and pinned to the shoulder strap as opposed to trying to hold itself upright from below ( and failing no doubt, ) instead of flopping around and being irritating!

Only one battery ? Yeah probably...Ill get a sherpa if I need more...lol

Yeah, on the non ebike specific EVOC backpacks the hose does exit at the top, towards your back. But the battery needs to sit snuggly strapped to the back of the sack, it would slide around if the battery compartment was attached to the front of the backpack. And you wouldn't want the bladder squeezed between the backplate and the battery of course. So it seems EVOC had to compromise and move the bladder. And then it's probably better to have the hose exiting at the bottom, to make it easier opening the backpack and taking stuff in and out. And by separating them this way, there is quite a bit of space and a few layers of fabric between the bladder and the battery. This should help in case of water leakage.

 

[bartoPL]

I recommend National Geographic NGTB1 backpack for Specialized Turbo Levo/Kenevo 2016-2018 batteries. The battery fits into contact.

The backpack is too small for a 2019 battery.

 

[EMTBehave]

A few days ago I received the EVOC FL E-Ride backpack and today will be my first time using it, though without a spare battery inside.

For testing purposes this morning I tried out the water bladder and battery storage together. I am 178cm tall and of a slim and athletic build.

1. Battery:

I put my main and currently only battery, a Bosch Powertube 625, into the bag and wore it for quarter of an hour to feel the weight. First of all, it fits like a glove, absolutely perfectly, it's like the bag was made for this battery. The flap goes over snugly and it stays in place and perfectly balanced. If you have a Bosch battery, this is the bag for you. You can certainly feel the weight, but the bag is very adjustable and the weight seems evenly distributed. The battery feels very stable. I guess I will need to wait until I buy a spare battery and go for a long ride to really test it.

2. Water bladder:

2. I bought a 2L Decathlon water bladder (SPORT TRAIL MTB WATER BAG ADULT - 2L Hydration Bladder ) and installed into the bag. It also fits perfectly and I think I have routed the tube properly on the bag but maybe this can be improved a bit. Either way the tube length is perfect for me and has plenty of reach to my mouth without being too floppy or short. I think you could further improve how it sits on the bag simply by using elastic bands on the straps.

3. Bike Lock:

For the moment I have put the Abus U-lock in the same compartment as the back protector, flat against it. I am not sure if this is a good idea for areas where I really think I may fall on my back, but for normal riding I think it's fine and means no space in the main compartment is used.

4. Space left for other stuff:

Main compartment:

So, with the battery and water bladder installed there are two main areas of space either side of the battery which will be big enough for waterproofs or a light change of clothes and some toiletries and snacks. If you are traveling light and aren't a total princess that you can surely do a weekend trip/tour with this bag.

Other compartments:

It also has a:

• helmet web on the front that, believe it or not, due to the strap adjustability actually easily fits a standard helmet with everything in installed. Awesome;
• front compartment that you can fit a few things in such as power bank etc;
• side pocket for a display that you can use for that or anything else small;
• webbing-esque pouch for a water bottle or umbrella or whatever;
• bumbag-style pouch on the waist strap that I will use for keys;
• other little zips and pockets for bits and bobs;

Preliminary verdict:

Wow. It's rare I am genuinely impressed with a bag I buy, but I would say that this bag upon initial impressions seems actually worth the high price they charge for it. The quality of the workmanship seems extremely high and there is a lot of thought that has gone into the design, with so many convenient bits of storage that at the moment I can't think of anything I am missing.

When I have used it for a while and done some more/longer rides then I will update the review . In the meantime, if you have any questions fire away.

 

[EMTBehave]

Hi guys just another short update with regards to the EVOC backpack I reviewed above. This thing is basically glued to my back every time I go out riding. It is one of the best pieces of bag-based engineering I have ever bought and I love it dearly. It has plenty of space for a day trip, the water bladder comptability has been great and it is so comfortable to wear and the fatigue and discomfort after a long ride is minimal (I don't carry a spare battery in it as-yet).

When it got dirty I put it in the washing machine on a gentle wool wash and it came out good as new. This bag really has been worth every penny so far.

 

[deksawyer]

I've been using a Kelty Riot 15 for the past year and it's on my back every ride.

It's light, comfy, has ample space for what I need to carry (and a spare Bosch powertube battery fits easily). The main "flap" on the back is useful for stuffing a jacket or mid layer into if it gets too warm.

Nice phone pocket almost hidden on the side, 2 small internal pockets, and a separate compartment for a water bladder (Osprey 2.0.L fits perfectly).

It also has nice light straps for your shoulders as well as chest/waist straps and some nice padding on the back to aid airflow.

Can be had on Amazon now and again for about £30 but I've noticed prices fluctuate all the time.

Oh, and it washes well too.

 

[RedThunder]

Lidl (Crivit) just done a really good bag. Swear by it

 

[StuE]

I bought one of these for long rides on the ebike

Produkte · Ergon Bike

Ergonomic products for cyclists.

www.ergonbike.com

I wouldn't carry a battery in a backpack without a back protector, only downside is that with the battery in the bag you can only use a 1.5L bladder

 

[Jamm13dodger]

Can anyone recommend one i can also fit a 13” laptop in on a workday?

 

[jabberwocky]

Recently looked for a pack that could carry a spare for my Decoy. Ended up grabbing the Evoc FL trail e-ride, though with some apprehension because it was hard to figure out exactly what it would fit for a battery.

First, a Decoy 540whr battery. The bottom plate is 18 1/4" long:

In the pack. The flap closes fine:

Haven't ridden with it yet, but its comfortable enough in the shop with the battery and a 3l bladder in it.

 

[RedThunder]

I also use one of these...

The one and only, Veschmeshok!

Russian Veschmeshok

Made famous by the Russian troops during World War 2:

surplusmania.weebly.com

https://surplusmania.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/6/5/26654605/2148835_orig.jpg