The Backpack Thread

..your thread for all things backpack & rucksack 🙂

Great thread!
Best backpacks of all time:

Ortlieb, 24l, Black - everyday, simple, perfect

Karrimor Hot series, 30l+, nice colours - carry "the big shop" home in one go

HMG 2400 Southwest, 50l, white/black - go hiking

Other good backpacks:

Anything from Decathlon
Anything used daily for more than 5 years
Anything with no branding

Shit backpacks:

Anything with a laptop pocket
Anything that looks like it was made for soldiers
Anything made by a company that used to make it in Sheffield/Yorkshire/etc but now doesn't

I am looking to get a new "vented" backpack of some sort - something that doesn't give me a super sweaty back, basically.
I'm curious to know which models work well for you in this regard, and in general.

Have been browsing for a while and it seems there are basically two kinds of vented backpacks, ones with a curved back and some sort of stretched mesh, and ones that are not curved but basically flat against your back, but with "channels" to allow air to flow through.

I think the former are generally not very stable (only really pressing against shoulders and upper bum area), and you pretty much have to use hip and chest straps to keep them from moving around too much, something I do not enjoy during hot weather frankly, or maybe that was just the model I had (a very old Jack Wolfskin one). They're also weird to put big / straight stuff in due to the curved anatomy, I remember it's also shit to dig out stuff that's in the bottom of the bag.
They do vent great though 🙂
The latter are more stable but less "airy", I had a (bike-specific) Deuter one similar to the one pictured below, it was pretty decent but gotta say I think they are pretty ugly, design-wise.

I am looking for something that holds like 25-35L.
It should work on the bike but also for everything else, basically.
I really do not get on with rolltop-designs, definitely want something with a zipper on top.
Ideally something without-, or with a detachable hip-belt.

What do you guys use / what can you recommend?

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Does the meshy stuff in the Patagonia models vent well?
They say it does but I can't really imagine it working well 🤷

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Evoc are god tier riding backpacks as far as I'm concerned.

Best backpacks of all time:

Ortlieb, 24l

Weird way to spell Osprey Talon 33
https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/osprey-talon-33-review/

Tbf the backpacks I use daily are a really cheap Decathlon jobby and a discontinued Crumpler Light Delight Backpack
https://dslrbag.co.uk/crumpler-light-delight-foldable-backpack/

For longer outings carrying big loads (camera and wildlife watching gear) I use a Lowepro Rover AW II Backpack which is good but being big means I have a tendency to fill the space and land up carrying more than I need

Been looking for ages for a crag-hopper commute replacement.
Surprisingly something that is loud and not seam sealed floatation stuff like ortlieb is hard to come by. 20 litre chest and waste straps waterproof .
Doughnut look ok but a bit big.

nah, the colours are naff, and if you need a waistbelt for 33 litres you are doing something wrong

Evoc

What's their water resistance like?

This is obviously an incredibly subjective thread. Because whereas platypus says a HMG bag is good, I think they're shite.

@salad-cunt the only backpacks that will give any kind of true ventilation are ones with trampoline backs like the Deuter. The Patagonia bag isn't going to vent at all.

Wearing a backpack - or any kind of bag - on a bike is inherently sweaty and uncomfortable. Get bike luggage and a packable backpack if you really need a backpack. Put contents of bike luggage into packable backpack. You are not going to be able to prevent yourself from getting a sweaty back if you wear a backpack on a bike.

not going to be able to prevent yourself from getting a sweaty back if you wear a backpack on a bike

Wear it on the front like an exchange student from the before times?

I had to do this recently when robadob spotted people trying to steal bags in Soho.

Wear it on the front like an exchange student from the before times?

..or wear it as low as your bum, like a teenager from the 90's 🙂

Wearing a backpack - or any kind of bag - on a bike is inherently sweaty and uncomfortable. Get bike luggage and a packable backpack if you really need a backpack.

Yea, absolutely - I'm not thinking about carrying vast amounts of stuff in a backpack while riding a bike the whole day, it's more like little shopping tours etc.

I just need a "summer" backpack I think, one of those air "channeled" ones will probably be just fine, venting-wise.
The one I have right now (Lowe Alpine Ascent Superlight) just gives me a super sweaty back in 10mins (while rest of the body isn't sweaty at all) as it's just a flat sheet of plastic-like material agains my back - I want something better than that 🙂

That being said I have had a few Lowe backpacks and they are super tough, I love them.

I’ve had a few good ones from Osprey for riding (edit: Syncro and Pixel to be clear) but as others have said even the best trampoline harness stuff isn’t going to stop you getting sweaty on a bike. By all means go for the max venting you can but you won’t stay dry forever. The Syncro I had was pretty good mind you.

Key comfort feature for me is spacing of the straps by the neck for cycling. Some can be too close together and it’s pretty uncomfortable for longer periods when you’ve got your head up.

Ortlieb pannier plus Ortlieb carrying system?

https://www.ortlieb.com/en_us/carrying-system-bike-pannier

Best backpacks of all time:

Ortlieb, 24l, Black - everyday, simple, perfect

Is that the Velocity?

I have the larger Messenger and it's so good.

Only issue I have is that while the velcro closure looks adjustable it really isn't, its all or nothing. I should really make some sort of extender strap for it.

Best shopping rucksack Sea to
Summit ultrasil day pack. https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ultra-sil-day-pack/ keep one in your pocket and fill it with shopping

Best day pack for rambling any one of these
https://trakke.co.uk/collections/waxed-canvas-backpacks

Best day to day cycle commuting rucksack is a millican smith roll top
https://www.homeofmillican.com/smith-the-roll-pack-18l/13831061.html

Best long distance hiking and mountaineering has to be the original Karrimor Jaguar s75. Still easily found used and cheap. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Karimoor-Jaguar-s75-Rucksack-/385061222472?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

I'm currently using this Montane for Munros, really like it.

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/trailblazer-44-litre-rucksack/

I have an older version of a patagonia altvia and it's served me very well as a daily user. If the new version is as good as the old one I rate it.

Ortlieb pannier plus Ortlieb carrying system?

looks pretty cool, I want a "normal" backpack though 🙂

I like this one from the Trakke site posted ^

https://trakke.co.uk/collections/waxed-canvas-backpacks/products/og-backpack-waxed-canvas

Might not fit OP requirements though

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These look pretty good
https://bearmade.co.uk/?goal=0_5ade170d1e-ea4af4e63b-532097897&mc_cid=ea4af4e63b&mc_eid=a3a50bec5f