Best cycling backpacks 2026 — carry your kit comfortably and securely on daily commutes and weekend adventures

The Oxford Aqua Evo 22L Backpack delivers exactly what it promises to – keeping your belongings secure, protected from the elements, and comfortable to carry. It’s really well made and really useful for shop runs and commutes.

Inside, the backpack features a laptop sleeve, a couple of smaller fabric pockets and a zipped mesh one, and outside there’s an 18cm-deep pocket with a waterproof zip (17cm opening), which is pretty handy if you don’t want to unroll the whole thing.

The shoulder straps are well padded (and mesh-backed for ventilation), and you get webbing chest and waist straps which are easily adjustable for a comfy, secure fit, as are the buckles for securing the opening.

Apidura’s Packable 13L backpack is an excellent cycle-specific backpack that squashes down to almost nothing when not in use, measuring 7 x 8 x 9cm.

It’s made from tough, waterproof rip-stop polyester and packs in a surprising number of technical features, including adjustable straps, elasticated mesh pockets for water bottles, and reflective detailing for added visibility on the bike. Most impressive, though, is that all the seams are tape-sealed for full waterproofing – a real achievement at this size, weight, and price.

Also, it’s worth noting that Apidura offers a lifetime materials and workmanship warranty, and will help with repairs where needed.

The Osprey Metron 24 has a 24L total capacity, as the name suggests, with a grand total of 14 storage compartments and pockets, plus two compartments that hold covers.

It’s about as feature-rich as they come, one of the great features being the helmet holder, and it offers brilliant practicality in a neat design.

You can get a smaller 18L messenger or 22L roll-top version if you know you’ll need less capacity, but the 24L tested here might turn out to be the sweetspot for most.

The Chrome Industries Hawes 26L Pack is super stylish, working well on and off the bike, and is backed up with great quality too. The fabric is extremely water resistant, so you can feel confident about keeping valuables in there in the rain. 

With its 26L volume, the Hawes is large enough for commuting or trips to the gym, and easily big enough as an overnight bag with both cycling kit and regular clothes. It’s got plenty of compartments to keep your items separated, as well as a dedicated laptop sleeve and D-lock compartment.

The Proviz Reflect 360 Backpack is an excellent way of boosting your visibility when riding at night. During the day the backpack is a subtle grey, but when a car’s headlights fall on it, the entire bag reflects back the light.

As a backpack, the Reflect 360 fulfils its task well. It’s spacious with a 30 litre capacity which is more than enough for a change of clothes, sandwiches and any other stuff you need to transport. There’s a laptop sleeve too and the fabric has good waterproofing keeping your belongings dry in all but the very heaviest of downpours.

We’ve also reviewed the Proviz Reflective Rolltop Backpack (£69.99), which offers similar reflective benefits with a rolltop design for added versatility. 

If you’re the sort of person who likes to have a specific place for things when you’re commuting or travelling then the Mous Optimal Lid is for you. There’s a whopping 18 pockets to accommodate everything from an Airtag tracker through to laptop and water bottles.

For a more general business use-case with some bike commuting thrown in, then the Mous performs really well. If you can live without the UltraTex fabric, the version of this bag made from ballistic nylon is currently available for £179.99.

Altura’s Heritage 12L Backpack is part of their traditionally styled Heritage range and this canvas bag certainly looks the part. It’s made from a 97% cotton, 3% polyester, with a water-repellent wax finish that can (mostly) handle pretty heavy rain.

Inside is a padded sleeve designed for up to 15in laptops, plus a couple of mesh pockets, a zipped organiser pocket, and a keyring. The padded straps are adjustable, and the chest strap is removable too. The 12-litre main body closes with a zip and then rolls up for protection from rain.

Tester Lara said, “I found this size spot on for a day’s commute – it takes a compact change of clothes, shoes, a laptop and the inevitable bits and bobs… the quite narrow shaping and thick fabric keep the contents all safe and secure, too.”

Rapha says its Pro Team Lightweight backpack is designed for time-crunched cyclists committed to training pre- and post-work.

It has a 10L capacity, which is smaller than most but is just about enough for workday essentials – shoes and spare clothes, for example, along with a 14in laptop (which is the largest you could comfortably fit).

Reviewer Jamie found that anything inside the bag stayed dry during light showers. ‘Proper’ prolonged rainfall will eventually find its way through, so this isn’t going to be a year-round commuting option, but for damp days it’s more than enough.

The Apidura City Backpack is a lightweight, fully waterproof bag designed for urban commuting. The City’s simplicity is one of its most appealing features with welded construction keeping your belongings dry in any weather.

The 20-litre capacity easily fits office essentials, and even a little extra for a weekend trip. The main compartment is a simple rectangular pouch with a flap closure, measuring 50 cm high (extendable to 56 cm) and 30 cm wide. Inside, a suspended laptop sleeve includes a small zipped pocket, while an easy-access side pocket holds keys or other small items.

The Chrome Industries Yalta 4.0 backpack has a long and narrow design, including a roll-top closure, front zippered pocket and side zippered access to the main compartment.

The Yalta 4.0 is typical Chrome – built like a brick outhouse with lots of recycled materials, good looks and with a lot of neat design touches. The bag’s capacity is 35-litres, making it capable of carrying plenty of stuff, with a multitude of internal pockets to organise your things.

Most importantly for cycling is you’re getting a high level of comfort and a backpack that remains stable while you ride.