Rucksack
Pacific Outdoor Equipment Rejkyavik Backpack
Pacific Outdoor Equipment's Rejkyavik waterproof backpack should satisfy short-haul traffic jammers and cross country mountain bikers wanting to lug stuff around while keeping their machines frisky and uncluttered whether weaving through the urban sprawl or flicking through the singletrack.
Chrome Krakow Backpack
San Francisco's Chrome has been making ultra-tough messenger bags for donkeys' years but only recently have they been making commuter-focused bags, and the Krakow is the smallest of their rucksack-like laptop carriers.
On first impressions, it's sleek, smart and very robust. The straps are comfy, and adjusted by industrial-style camlock grippers. All very flash: it makes you feel like you're off exploring, even if you're only riding along the Brompton Road to the office.
Proviz Hi Visibility Rucksack
Subtle changes have turned the latest version of the Pro-Viz hi Visibility Rucksack into an extremely capable bag cum safety aid for commuting, utility riding and less extreme mountain biking. To be fair the original version was pretty good but better internal organisation now includes a dedicated laptop pouch, wallet and phone pockets leaving more room for a change of clothes and other, everyday essentials which adds to the useability.
Deuter Giga backpack
I like Deuter bags. Their dedicated cycling bags - especially the small ones - do everything I want of them, and are reasonably good-looking too. So I was expecting good things when this parcel arrived. I pulled the pack out and, well, was a bit disappointed. It's understated and unassuming, sure, but looks are not the Deuter Giga's strong point. It looks, to be frank, like the sort of backpack my dad would wear.
Still. Backpacks go on the back, they're not to be looked at. And for everything else, the Deuter is a very useful and accomplished pack.
Proviz Electroluminescent Rucksack
Hailing from the mean streets of South London, Pro Viz’s cycling rucksack is certainly an eye-catching package for the short haul winter commuter looking to haul lap-tops, camera equipment and other sensitive equipment you wouldn’t leave to chance in a pannier. Alternatively, super-efficient packers could even cram a change of clothes, an A4 document folder and some other stationary inside the well- organised compartments.
Revolution Stow Expert rucksack
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op's range of Stow rucksacks have been around for a few years now and are much loved by the two wheeled community. This Stow Expert is the biggest of the family, with a capacity of 25 litres and an extra 5 litres available at the tug of a zip. It shares the excellent Aeroflex frame system with its little brothers and that guarantees a less sweaty back than your bog standard backpack, plus you don't get poked in the back by awkward loads.
Ogio Metro rucksack
Ogio don't sell specifically this as a bike bag – it's promoted for mixed use – and to be honest it shows. Although it's well made it doesn't have those little touches which make a bag ideal for use on two wheels. On upright machines and short hops it's fine, but if your ride is longer or your position lower then you're better off looking elsewhere. On the plus side, it will swallow masses of kit.
Banjo Brothers Commuter Backpack (medium)
The Banjo Brother’s Commuter Back Pack might be just the thing if you don’t like messenger bags, or find panniers inconvenient. A two layer belt and braces waterproof design consisting of a “ballistic” nylon outer designed to resist the day to day rough n’ tumble while a nylon liner catches the contents and avoids the bin liner ritual. The subtle satin black livery looks classy sans bike while reflective striping and obligatory Led tab are nice safety features.