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Packing gear on your back is a comfortable, ergonomic option for hauling around the necessities. Backpacks meet this highly functional need for students, teachers, backpackers, bike commuters, tourists, and nearly everyone in between. The versatile nature of a backpack makes it the ideal choice for someone with a multi-faceted lifestyle and many things to carry. You can easily transition between activities like riding, walking to work, or hiking all while carrying everything you need for each situation. No other style bag can quite meet the same level of convenience as a backpack with the many different styles, sizes and uses available. This guide will help to answer some of your questions about benefits and versatility of bike backpacks that are designed with the cyclist in mind.
Bike backpacks are not just used for cycling, but encompass the gamut of all physical activities. The idea is to be able to move around as much as you want, and still maintain good fit and high functionality, while carrying a bunch of stuff. Bicycling is a sport that involves a wide range of motion, not to mention that most cyclists have a set destination in mind to enjoy hiking, kayaking, or other outdoor sports. Bike backpacks have all of the benefits of a regular backpack, but are amped up with detailed comfort features and helpful organizational capacity. These details are what separate the good bags from the great bags.
All of the bike backpacks we sell are designed to fit well and utilize weight distribution in the most efficient manner for your body. To maintain the model of a good fit, there are multiple adjustment straps to fit the person carrying the bag: from the very tall to the very small. The most important part of the bag are the bones or internal structure of the bag. With the use of a lightweight wire frame, or reinforced foam backing plate, your gear sits evenly across your back and shoulders so you can carry more without strain or discomfort. Vented padding at impact points also adds to your daily comfort of a no-rub ride, while laterally adjustable waist straps and vertically adjustable sternum straps secure the bag snugly for a custom fit. Okay, the bag fits great, but what about those convenience features you were talking about?
Of course, I wouldn't want to leave out important items like integrated hydration reservoirs which make it easy to sip on your water while riding, helmet holders that pack your helmet out of the way while hiking, or ditty pockets and carabiner loops which offer quick access to important items, just to mention a few. Add fit to functionality, and you've got yourself a bike backpack.
Just like all bags, certain inherent factors of the bag should be taken into consideration. The most common is the notorious sweaty-back phenomenon. Biking backpacks, like those from
Vaude, resolve this problem by including a rigid frame which pushes the actual backpack off your back for full, flow through air venting. Other backpacks include mesh cooling vents on the back and shoulders to maximize air flow at contact points. Increasing the weight on your back can also increase your center of gravity which can potentially lead to instability. Compression straps help to secure the items in your pack, for minimal movement on your back. To carry weight at a lower center of gravity, check out bike panniers, which are mounted to bike racks. For the best of both worlds, there are the
Ortlieb Vario and
Vaude Cycle 30 conversion panniers, which easily transform from pannier to backpack. Depending on the size and fit of a backpack, your helmet might come into contact with your pack when you turn your head while riding, which can lower your visibility. Adjustable shoulder straps and sternum straps can help to create a great fit both on and off the bike, even considering the additional space necessary for a helmet.
Bike backpacks are most common among commuters, since it's an easy transition from riding to other activities. Bike backpacks can also be useful for touring, but they are most effective on day rides or mountain bike tours, where a limited amount of gear is preferred to maintain maneuverability. Side compression straps secure your gear so you can bounce around over multiple baby heads, but your load stays in one place. For the urban cyclist, it is often difficult to choose between bike backpacks, bike messenger bags, or bike panniers for riding around town. The choice often comes down to personal preference and style choices. Opt for the bike backpack if you are looking for one bag that enjoys as many hobbies as you do.
