Backpack recommendations?

mark.ai

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Jul 10, 2018
828
593
Windermere
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
 

Kangr

Member
Patreon
Sep 14, 2018
449
370
Stoke on Trent
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

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
8,361
8,587
Lincolnshire, UK
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

Member
Sep 16, 2018
36
52
britain
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.
 

Hydracatch

New Member
Sep 10, 2019
4
2
USA, Chicago
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

E*POWAH Elite
Aug 18, 2019
283
254
Apple Valley, California
These packs don’t move or bounce while riding. Just take out the hydration bladder and there is plenty of room.

B3313B7E-AF80-47BA-858D-826BD49AD40F.jpeg
 

YouYoung

New Member
Oct 8, 2019
3
0
Illinois
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

Active member
Jan 25, 2020
118
46
UK
Is there a backpack that combines hydration as well as a battery compartment...?
cheers
 

knut7

Administrator
Author
Subscriber
Apr 10, 2018
659
1,205
Norway
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.

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Nicho

Captain Caption
Subscriber
Jan 4, 2020
996
1,761
Furness, South Cumbria.
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

Active member
Jan 25, 2020
118
46
UK
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

Administrator
Author
Subscriber
Apr 10, 2018
659
1,205
Norway
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

Member
Jan 22, 2020
15
7
Poland
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.
plecak.jpg
 

EMTBehave

Active member
Apr 7, 2019
131
173
CH
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. :)

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EMTBehave

Active member
Apr 7, 2019
131
173
CH
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

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Jan 11, 2020
371
431
Fife, Scotland
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.

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StuE

E*POWAH Master
Patreon
Jun 4, 2018
282
298
Leeds
I bought one of these for long rides on the ebike
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
 

jabberwocky

Member
Sep 9, 2019
14
16
Leesburg, VA
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:
v6aGJK8.jpg


In the pack. The flap closes fine:
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Haven't ridden with it yet, but its comfortable enough in the shop with the battery and a 3l bladder in it.
 

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