What's worse: arriving at work with a soaking wet bag or having to leave your lunch at home because you can't cram it into your backpack? The answer, of course, is "both of them are awful" and the best way to alleviate the above problems is to invest in a good quality cycling backpack.
By "good quality" we mean a few things: large enough to fit all of the essentials inside (see, lunch above), waterproof enough to keep your laptop happy and vibrant enough to pre-warn any tired drivers who may not be paying quite as much attention as they should be.
The best cycling backpacks allow you to simply throw your bag on your back and peddle away without a second thought. In order to do that, you'll need a quick overview of all of the best cycling backpacks out there as well as some handy guidance as to exactly which one is best for your needs. Luckily, we've got all of the above sorted for you.
The most important feature of a cycling backpack? A sturdy fabric. Look for a thick, durable fabric with a waterproof (or at least, water-resistant) coating. As a rule of thumb, the higher the number next to the material, the more durable the fabric. Size isn't everything but if you're adding multiple stops to your daily cycle, you'll want enough room for a change of clothes and your other essentials. And, lastly, look for a bag with multiple pockets if you’re not someone with the patience to take every single thing out each time you’re looking for one particular item.
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Oxford Aqua Backpack
Oxford’s vibrant orange backpack ensures no one will miss you as you whiz around buses and cars. Fusing the ideal midpoint between style and functionality, this 12 litre backpack is the Mary Poppins’ bag of the cycling world and fits an awful lot into a relatively small space.
Tough and durable and covered with a waterproof seal, it doesn’t matter how much the elements challenge you mid-commute, as your belongings will be safe and dry within. Its high reflective details add a supplementary safety element to this already foolhardy bag.
If that wasn’t enough, its front and sides come with supportive panelling, so you’ll finish your journey just as comfortably as when you started it.
Buy now £64.99, Amazon
Burnt Orange | “Hackney” 2.0 Backpack | Medium
You guessed it, Kind Bag’s mission is to be kind to the planet. The brand seeks to empower the population to live a more sustainable life, without sacrificing style. The Hackney backpack is a new and improved, second-generation design fabricated with 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, water-resistant fabric. It’s also totally vegan.
The bag features a super versatile, roll-top closure – which is perfect for cyclists and hikers – long side pockets for your water bottle and extra padding to protect your back. We particularly love the elastic hook inside to keep your house keys nice and secure. With a variety of spacious inner and outer compartments, the Kind Bag will fit most 13” laptops in a padded pocket. You won’t catch this brand out, even the zipper is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.
Since the brand’s naissance in 2019, Kind Bag has already rescued over 4.5 million plastic bottles from going to landfill or the ocean. Plus, 1 per cent of all the brand’s sales are donated to charity and 1 per cent to the planet. Kind Bag has really got it all, and looks good doing it.
Buy now £65.00, Kind Bag
Overboard Classic Waterproof Backpack
The clue's in the name when it comes to this impressive backpack: you'll struggle to find one out there that tackles rain quite so effortlessly. The Classic Backpack makes good use of a newly developed Pinch & Fold sealing system, which means your belongings aren't just safe from a bit of rain, but they're also submersible to depths of up to 1m/3ft for up to 30 mins. So, if you happen to fall in the Thames a lot during your cycle home, maybe invest in this bag.
Constructed from double-laminated reinforced PVC tarpaulin, this heavy-duty bag doesn't hold back when it comes to doing its job. A large internal zip pocket, extra-large side pockets and a removable padded hip belt with quick-access pockets keep everything in easy-to-access spots.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
Osprey Transporter Flap Backpack
It’s hard to beat Osprey if you’re after a household brand that never fails. Designed for all kinds of travelling - but perfectly fitting all the requirements for a cycling backpack - the Transporter Flap Backpack comes in a sleek, maroon or dark teal colour with (almost) bottomless space inside.
Built for explorers, travellers and outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll easily fit a laptop, change of clothes or stack of documents in here. Its spacer mesh-covered foam back panel protects any breakable items from immediate damage, while its 400D Nylon TPU double-coated fabric is durable and water-resistant. There’s even an LED light attachment and emergency whistle.
Buy now £110.00, Osprey
Nordace Siena – Smart Backpack
Nordace’s smart backpack is the overly sensible friend who packs literally everything and brings a few extra essentials along for good measure. Incorporating all of the best features necessary for a cycling backpack - space large enough for a laptop, protective, thick covering and organisational pockets - it makes life just that bit easier with a few extra features, too.
Its Anti-Theft Pocket and USB Charging Port are things you may not previously have utilised on your day-to-day commute, but when you’ve cracked the code of charging your phone on the way to work, you’ll never look back. Its structured silhouette and ergonomic shoulder straps ensure this backpack is just as easy to wear as it looks.
Buy now £94.00, Amazon
Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0
Lululemon’s Everyday Backpack was designed to accompany you on the move. Though it’s not an official cycling-specific backpack, its bright colour options (including the pictured hot pink) add a little extra safety when you’re on the roads and its water-repellent fabric keeps everything inside nice and dry.
Its large number of individual compartments and pockets helps you to stay organised - something you’ll appreciate, when you’ve filled this bag to its very brim. It’s also larger than most, with room to comfortably hold a 16” laptop as well as gym clothes, lunch and possibly even the kitchen sink.
Buy now £88.00, Flannels
Le Col Commuter Backpack
Le Col designs bags for those who are serious about their accessories. The Commuter Backpack is no exception: a sturdy, durable, high-tech creation that you’ll bring along for one drive to work and never leave behind ever again. Jet black in colour and made for life on the go, this backpack is best suited to cyclists and is fully waterproof, thanks to its welded PU Laminated 600D Poly body fabric.
A proper backpack is essential if you’re travelling around a lot and Le Col’s design gives you plenty of storage for your tech as well as your change of clothes.
Buy now £120.00, Le Col
Johnny Urban Robin Roll Top Backpack
Add a splash of colour to your cycling gear with Johnny Urban's Robin Roll Top Backpack. Pastel pink in colour and perfectly proportioned in size, it's a world away from the heavy-duty black and neon cycling backpacks but still retains all the necessary features.
Created from a fabric that started its life as a recycled PET bottle, this rolltop backpack is water-repellent and doubly prepared for bad weather thanks to its TPE coating on the back of the outer fabric. Inside, there's a spacious main compartment, a padded laptop compartment and a small zip pocket. And, on the outside, you'll find two more pockets for any last- minute essentials.
Buy now £44.95, John Lewis
Lomo 30L Waterproof Hi Viz Cycling Dry Bag Rucksack
If you're one to shy away from attention, Lomo's Hi Viz backpack probably isn't for you. But if you're cycling down fast, traffic-heavy routes, this essential backpack ensures you're always centre stage. Its fluorescent shade shines brightly with retro reflective panels and its strong, waterproof PVC keeps you noticeable even when a storm hits.
It's so bright, it even looks a little like you're glowing from a distance. Promising to keep your gear dry cycling in the heaviest of downpours, this dry bag doesn't require a cover: it has one in-built. Padded shoulder straps, a waist belt and a chest strap bring this bag to the top of the pile for safety and security.
Buy now £44.75, Amazon
Kovered Eden - Vinyl Backpack
Eco-friendly and ethically sourced, Kovered's Eden backpack is the missing piece in the puzzle for perfecting your eco-friendly commute. Made from tough vinyl, it's one of the most durable backpacks on the market and can take all kinds of damage without giving up a fight.
While this backpack works great for commuting, with its thick shoulder straps and multiple compartments, it's also brilliant for more generalised travelling. Stick your water bottle in its external pocket, slide your suitcase under its trolley-compatible sleeve and you're good to go.
Buy now £55.00, Kovered
Bellroy Lite Daypack
Not a fan of carrying a heavy load on your back? Look no further than Bellroy's Lite Daypack. As the name suggests, it's basically a feather on your back, made from a durable ripstop that's three times lighter than the brand's other (already light) fabric and is made from 100 per cent recycled PET plastic bottles.
Throw this backpack on in the morning with your essentials and, when you've emptied it out, it can be folded or rolled up and packed away. Despite its smaller size, it packs a lot into its small space, with an internal document sleeve, multiple accessory attachment loops, a raised sunglasses pocket with a water-resistant zip and even an integrated bike light loop.
Buy now £95.00, Bellroy
Ucon Acrobatics Lotus Jasper Rolltop backpack 15.6″
Berlin-based Ucon Acrobatics is all about minimalism, incorporating innovative designs into sleek backpacks that are perfect for any stylish cyclist. The Lotus Jasper Rolltop backpack comes in a large range of muted tones in a slim style.
One of the best backpacks for anyone looking to shop more sustainably, all of Ucon Acrobatics’ products are vegan, made from recycled materials and are made in a pollutant-reduced production cycle. This water-repellent backpack comes with a padded interior laptop sleeve and features one slip pocket on the front. It sits firmly against your body with its understated charm.
Buy now £93.00, Wardow
Fjallraven Re-Kånken
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of – or at least seen – the iconic Swedish Kånken backpack by Fjallraven. Loved by adults and school kids alike, the Kånken is a true all-rounder that comes in a variety of styles, known for its ability to evenly distribute the weight of its contents across both shoulders so that it feels like you’re barely carrying anything.
This special edition Kånken is made entirely from polyester recycled from eleven plastic bottles. Very precise. Utilising the novel SpinDye technology, Fjallraven has drastically reduced the amount of water, energy and chemicals used throughout the production process. Like the Kind Bag, it’s also ready to be recycled again in the very distant future.
For the eco-conscious lot who are always on the move, the Re-Kånken comes with a removable seat pad that is stored in the inside back pocket, which also works to add some extra protection between your back and the contents of the bag.
Buy now £90.00, Amazon
Verdict
We love a soft pink or a dark teal. But we also love being able to cycle around without the fear of not being spotted by an unsuspecting driver. This means our top cycling backpack has to be the Oxford Aqua Backpack. Instantly recognisable, sufficiently waterproof and designed to fit a lot in: it’s our favourite backpack out of an impressive bunch.
