A backpack and a pannier can both be excellent for transporting your stuff. Whether you should use a backpack or a pannier for your commute depends on the bike you ride, the distance and type of your commute, and your personal preferences.
What’s better for a commuter in the backpack vs. pannier dilemma?
A backpack is more practical if you have a shorter commute, don’t carry too much stuff, and if the climate is a bit cooler or you don’t mind a sweaty back. A pannier is more practical for longer commutes, carrying lots of stuff, and in warmer weather. A pannier is likely a better choice if you don’t get changed for your commute. Convertible pannier backpacks offer the best of both worlds.
The Arkel Bug from Arkel Bike Bags combines the advantages of a backpack with that of a pannier.
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Between a backpack and a pannier, neither option is superior to the other, but each has its advantages and disadvantages, which can be summarized in a few key points.
Backpack:
Pros:
- No need for a rack, so it can be used on any type of bike
- It’s easier to find a stylish backpack that you will like and that you can carry with you wherever you want to
- Most backpacks have better compartment divisions for different items (laptop, keys, phone, etc)
- No need to attach anything to your bike. Just get on your bike and go.
- Aerodynamically better (although at commuting speeds, you don’t feel this advantage)
Cons:
- Causes sweating because it presses your shirt against your back, thus blocking air ventilation.
- You carry all the weight of your stuff in the backpack, which can lead to discomfort or back pain.
- It’s harder to carry bulky items or a lot of stuff in it.
Pannier:
Pros:
- All the weight rests on the bike, which means that there is no discomfort to your back even if you carry heavy items
- Air can ventilate freely at the back of your shirt so that you will sweat less,
- Some panniers are really large, and you can carry a lot of stuff in them. Also, the average pannier is slightly larger than the average backpack.
Cons:
- Some panniers are awkward to carry once you take them off the bike, although you can get some with straps.
- Panniers change the way your bike handles. The degree of this change depends on how much weight you carry with you.
- In rain and muck, panniers can get dirty given that they are closer to the ground and the wheel.
- Some bikes don’t have mounting points for a rear rack (if you want to attach a rear rack to your bike, which has no mounting points read this article)
Your commute and personal preferences
When deciding how you want to transport your belongings to and from work, it’s a good idea to consider your commuting distance, terrain, and if you ride in work clothes or get changed for the ride.
A backpack makes a lot of sense if you ride 3-4 miles or less on flat paved roads on your road bike. You can’t deny the practicality of a backpack when you arrive at your destination or run some errands on your way home. Since the backpack is attached to you, you don’t need to put it on the rack or take it off.
If you cycle to work 10 miles or longer each way, and you travel on urban roads or in city traffic with a laptop, and a change of clothes, including a change of shoes, then a backpack can quickly become a source of discomfort and even back pain. On the one hand, the backpack’s weight can cause your muscles to ache, and on the other, you build up too much sweat over such a long distance. For such a commute, a pannier makes more sense.
If you have a medium-distance commute between 4 and 10 miles, the best way to decide between a backpack and a pannier is to see the terrain and the speed you will be riding. If you have challenging segments on your commute, such as steep hills or even slight inclines that stretch out long, then a pannier is the better option. If you pedal on relatively flat roads and don’t have much to carry, then a backpack is good.
Another good way to decide between a backpack and a pannier is to see whether you get changed for the commute. If you wear cycling-specific clothes or sports clothes, then you may not mind getting sweaty so much, but if you wear your work clothes for the ride, you probably don’t want to arrive at the office with a drenched t-shirt.
Of course, there are no rules set in stone, and you know yourself better than anyone else. Some people sweat easily, and others are more sweat-proof or just tolerate it better.
The third option: best of both worlds
If you want the best of both worlds, and you’re looking for the perfect balance of comfort, practicality, and ease of use of a backpack and a pannier, you can do it with a backpack or a messenger bag that doubles as a pannier and can be attached to the rack.
With a backpack/pannier you get a truly unique blended experience, and you can transition between a backpack and a pannier within just a few seconds. Some well-designed, stylish options are available, which can be used even as standalone backpacks.
Another way of solving the problem is by attaching a basket to your rack. This way, any backpack that you already own can be carried on the bike without its weight weighing down on your back.
Recently I’ve also found the Mundo Air Pannier, which turns any backpack into a pannier, and it also allows you to carry musical instruments, such as guitars or other large items, on your bike without the need for a permanently mounted basket. I can ride to work with my Slicks backpack without having to worry. I really love it!
Some of the best products in each category
Best convertible pannier backpacks
Arkel Bug
The Arkel Bug from Arkel Bike Bags is one of my backpacks that ticks all boxes. It’s a premium product at a premium price of around 180 dollars, but what you’re getting is the most practical pannier/backpack and a product LITERALLY for life. They will replace your broken or worn backpacks without a time limit or even without proof of purchase. They are probably the best company when it comes to warranty. You can read my full review of the Akel Bug here.
Craft Cadence Pannier Backpack
A newer but very feature-packed convertible pannier backpack is the Craft Cadence Pannier Backpack. You will love that it comes with a detachable laptop sleeve, which can also be used to store other items. It is also a waterproof bag, which means you don’t need to use any additional covers to keep your things dry inside. The conversion happens in a matter of seconds, and it is well-padded, so it doesn’t cause discomfort when you wear it as a backpack. It’s also a very reasonably priced product.
Here are some things I love about this pannier backpack:
- Converts between pannier and backpack in seconds
- Waterproof design without additional covers
- Detachable laptop sleeve
- Dedicated water bottle holder
- Dedicated lock holder
- 25l carry capacity
Best bike commuter backpacks
A-LAB Bicycle & Messenger Backpack. It’s a well-built, roll-top backpack with a minimalist design that hits a good balance between style and functionality. It comes with a neoprene laptop sleeve for laptops up to 15.4”. It has a large main compartment and a front pouch for smaller items. If you are looking for a backpack that’s completely waterproof and withstands any amount of rain, this is a solid choice.
Osprey Packs Radial 26 Daypack. If you’re after a more sporty-looking bike commuting backpack that offers some ventilation to your back, this is the backpack to get from Osprey.
Pannier
Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic QL2.1 Panniers. Ortlieb panniers are among the most durable, indestructible, and waterproof panniers money can buy. Some people have used them in various weather conditions without a single issue for over a decade. They come in a pair, so you can fit a lot of stuff in them without any weight on your shoulders.
Timbuk2 Tandem Pannier. When taken off the bike, this pannier looks like a messenger bag instead of a bike pannier, making it a stylish option if you’re after a pannier. It’s water resistant, and it can hold a lot of stuff. Laptop, clothes, shoes, books… throw anything at it, and it’ll take it.
Type of bike
Your bike must have a rear rack to carry a pannier. Many bikes, such as touring bikes, city bikes, urban commuters, come equipped with a rear rack. If yours doesn’t, it’s pretty easy to find one online.
If your bike doesn’t have eyelets to mount a rear rack on, you can still make it happen by installing a seatpost-mounted rack.
Conclusion
As a rule of thumb, choose a backpack for short and easy rides and a pannier for long and/or harder commutes. If you can’t decide between them, you can always opt for a pannier/backpack or mount a basket on your rack to enjoy the freedom from a backpack while you’re riding and its advantages when you’ve arrived.
Whether you use one or the other, the main thing is that you’re out there doing some exercise.
Happy Riding!
