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What rucksack size for commuting

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  • September 10, 2017 at 7:43 pm #27618
    Canyon48

    I’m soon to be starting a 15 mile commute (each way) to uni and I need a rucksack to carry a few things.

    I need to be able to carry a pair of trousers, a top, underwear, pen, paper (plus an a4 sized book), calculator, charger, wallets, keys, phone and lunchbox (big enough for sandwich banana apple and orange).

    10 litres is too small, but I’m thinking 22 (like the Osprey Talon) is too big.

    I think the Deuter Race X could be a good one at 12litres, or would the Deuter Race EXP (12 litres but expandable to add another 3) be better?

    I’m able to leave a towel, toiletries, shoes, lock and a few other things at uni – any opinions on what size bag I might need?

    Cheers!

     

     

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Viewing 9 replies - 31 through 39 (of 39 total)
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  • September 11, 2017 at 8:46 am #901955
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    Canyon48

    Thanks for all the replies

    Thanks for all the replies 🙂

    Definitely thinking of something between 15 and 20L now, just need one with compression straps…

    Think I need to go to the local bike shops again :p

    September 11, 2017 at 8:27 am #901953
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    LastBoyScout

    Limiting factor for me is

    Limiting factor for me is being able to get a laptop in.

    I used to use a Lowe Alpine Pax 15, but was a very tight fit and I could barely zip it up.

    These days, I use a Berghaus Remote 25, which is perfect – only niggle is the base fabric could do with being a bit beefier for being put on the floor. Laptop is in a padded neoprene sleeve and have an Aldi hi-viz cover over the top, which is fine for a light shower. If it looks like proper rain, I put everything inside plastic bags.

    My advice is to go for something slightly bigger than you need, but with compression straps to take up the slack.

    September 11, 2017 at 7:58 am #901951
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    Simon E

    I use a Deuter Speedlite 15

    I use a Deuter Speedlite 15 (15 L), I liked that it was light and had a low profile. It’s very comfy but it’s not waterproof, in fact it’s pretty poor at resisting any moisture so I wouldn’t recommend it for commuting. I probably should have gone for the Alpkit that Paul7189 linked to. Thanks for that.

    I’d recommend a 20L bag so you have a bit of spare capacity for the days when you need to carry additional items or do some shopping on the way home. My kids both use cheap 20L rucksacks from Millets which do the job well.

    September 11, 2017 at 7:57 am #901949
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    hawkinspeter

    I recommend the ProViz 360

    I recommend the ProViz 360 rucksack: https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-cycling-backpack.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NjNBRDKARIsAFn3NMp0MowU-yU3f_0UQE6ngI4kFnkYyvTUrDiwrNhoH-8QGoqLXRxPROcaAhdcEALw_wcB#fo_c=1091&fo_k=b13809a845ce2c0459cddbdaed4aefcf&fo_s=gplauk

    I typically have a change of clothes, waterproof trousers, an iPad, a lunchbox and usually some shopping as well.

    September 11, 2017 at 7:15 am #901947
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    bertisfantastic

    https://www.ortlieb.com/en

    https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Cor%2013/

    September 11, 2017 at 6:41 am #901945
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    Canyon48
    brooksby wrote:
    Are you sure that you want to be able to carry only that specific stuff and nothing else at all, ever?

    Do you ever buy a book or something, or other shopping? Nothing worse than finding you’ve no way to carry something home…

    If you know that everything you really definitely absolutely need as a minimum load will fit in a 12 litre pack, then I’d suggest getting the 22 litre pack you mention (just in case).

    Just my tuppenn’orth   ðŸ˜‰

    PS: make sure you buy something properly waterproof!

    Yeah, definitely no shopping, I’ll probably have some small-ish books but that’s it – certainly making me consider a slightly larger rucksack. I intend to drive in once a week anyway don’t fancy cycling across the city and out to the countryside after a 7pm lecture in winter…

    Mungecrundle wrote:
    Everything else goes in a 12l small backpack, but then I’m not transporting A4 files and schoolbooks. Personally I wouldn’t pay a huge premium for waterproofness. In my experience nothing made of fabric remains waterproof for very long and there are always circumstances where you have to put damp stuff into the bag. Get a waterproof bag to put inside your bag as it were.

    I use a dry bag inside my existing rucksack that I used to use for commuting plus a high viz rain cover over the top, kept everything dry!

    September 11, 2017 at 6:02 am #901943
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    Mungecrundle

    My underpants are transported
    My underpants are transported by a special hazmat disposal company.

    Everything else goes in a 12l small backpack, but then I’m not transporting A4 files and schoolbooks. Personally I wouldn’t pay a huge premium for waterproofness. In my experience nothing made of fabric remains waterproof for very long and there are always circumstances where you have to put damp stuff into the bag. Get a waterproof bag to put inside your bag as it were.

    September 11, 2017 at 5:27 am #901941
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    brooksby

    Are you sure that you want to

    Are you sure that you want to be able to carry only that specific stuff and nothing else at all, ever?

    Do you ever buy a book or something, or other shopping? Nothing worse than finding you’ve no way to carry something home…

    If you know that everything you really definitely absolutely need as a minimum load will fit in a 12 litre pack, then I’d suggest getting the 22 litre pack you mention (just in case).

    Just my tuppenn’orth   ðŸ˜‰

    PS: make sure you buy something properly waterproof!

    September 10, 2017 at 11:25 pm #901939
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    Paul7189

    Cant help with sizing but i

    Cant help with sizing but i would say go for something like the Alpkit Gourdon.

    They are out of stock at the moment but should be back in soon.

    They are basically a roll top dry bag so the weather will not break through to your belongings and they are super lightweight. 

    Gourdon 20L

    Bargain also!

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