Disclaimer: We may receive a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Best Best Cycling Backpacks Reviewed

Cycling remains a popular alternative mode of commuting for those who want to ditch the inactivity characteristic of car rides.

Kits have become a dominant aspect of riding bicycles, and many cyclists are stocking up on some essential gear for their travels for several good reasons.

Manufacturers design cycling gear to fit well when you’re leaning over your handlebars.

For instance, cycling jackets and shirts are typically longer to cover your lower back, and the best cycling backpacks have waterproof technology and provide an even balance and weight distribution.

They’re also shaped with bends at the knee and waist, so you can still paddle freely. Your gear is essential while traveling due to frequent movement. As such, legwear is usually made from Lycra with built-in stretch to make cycling easier and comfortable.

Since cycling is a rigorous activity, sweating is an undesirable but inevitable occurrence while paddling away. Therefore, many cycling gears are made from fabrics that allow water to move away from your skin surface and evaporate, keeping you dry and comfortable while traveling.

Finally, the padding present in cycling shorts provides an extra layer of shock absorption, reducing the impact of road shocks on your bum. This feature is particularly beneficial on long rides as it prevents chafing.

Additionally, biking backpacks come in handy on a cycler’s travels. However, using a sub-par one means less storage space for your essentials and more discomfort.

You also face an increased likelihood of your belongings getting wet if you’re caught in an unexpected rainstorm while on the road, which is terrible if you’re carrying electronics.

The best bike packs can store your essentials with ease, have dependable waterproofing to keep your stuff safe and dry. They’re also comfortable to wear, making your cycling journeys more pleasant and memorable.

There are several quality cycling backpacks you can choose from, but here are a few worth considering:

Check Out Our Favorite Cycling Backpack

Top Cycling Backpack Comparison Chart

Best Cycling Backpack

1. Timbuk2 Clark Pack Cycling Backpack

The Timbuk2 Clark Pack is a stylish and functional bicycle backpack with all of the essential details for a great cycling experience.

It has a Cordura Nylon outer and a reflective panel to keep you visible and safe during night-time rides. It also comes with an expansion roll-top that guarantees more carrying capacity while shielding your essentials from the elements.

Additionally, it has an internal laptop sleeve quick access laptop zipper, allowing you to transport your PC easily.

The Clark Pack has dual side pockets that are great for storing your water bottles while on the go so you can stay hydrated. These side pockets have reinforced drainage holes that ensure that any accumulated liquid drains quickly, making it a waterproof commuter backpack.

Its front pockets are designed with the user in mind, as there’s a flap pocket with a key keeper. Additionally, it has a tricot-lined pocket for all your electronics and a hidden vista loop for attaching your bike light during night-time riding.

The Timbuk2 Clark Pack Cycling Backpack’s users praise this bag’s comfort, with many citing how easy it is to ride safely and steadily despite packing heavy. Also, it’s feature-rich, with many pockets for keeping all your stuff organized.

The Clark Pack is huge enough to be your overnight bag for your work trips, functional enough for daily use, and professional enough to take with you to the office every day. What’s more, it has a lifetime warranty, so Timbuk2 will repair any defect in your bag’s materials or workmanship for the product’s lifetime.

2. Osprey Radial Bike Commuter Cycling Backpack

Dedicated commuters who need to get their gear, hop on their bike, and cycle to the office with a comfortable-to-carry and protected load will love the Osprey Radial.

It has a front panel stretch mesh and a front organization pocket to store small items in. The Osprey Radial is a great bike commuter backpack with excellent back support, giving you maximum ventilation while protecting your back from any huge loads you may be carrying in the pack.

It also has a bottle holder that can house different-sized bottles, although it’s at a diagonal instead of a vertical angle, so it takes a little getting used to. Additionally, the Osprey Radial has a special, scratch-free pocket for sunglasses or eyeglasses. It also packs biking-specific features like an integrated rain cover and a Lidlock helmet carry to secure your helmet to the bag. There’s also a loop for attaching your blinky light.

This versatile backpack has a dirty bag section that allows you to bring extra shoes and clothes along and an integrated kickstand to keep the pack accessible and upright when you set it down. Also, it has an integrated, high-visibility, removable rain cover that keeps your commuter bike bag and gear dry while riding.

The Osprey Radial is highly popular for its flexibility. It can meet a wide range of cyclists’ ever-changing needs ranging from bringing an extra change of clothes to packing a random gift for a colleague. Furthermore, it’s made from high-quality material and should last a lifetime.

3. Two Wheel Gear Pannier Cycling Backpack

The Two Wheel Gear Backpack is a top-rated convertible backpack and pannier perfect for touring, bike packing, and commuting.

It can withstand harsh weather conditions because it’s made from waterproof-coated polyester and has several commuter-focused features. Some of these include a fluorescent rain cover, a clip for your blinky lights, and a modular attachment system for your helmet.

The Two Wheel Gear Pannier Cycling Backpack allows you maximum convenience while riding since you can attach it to your bike rack to avoid excessive sweating. It enables you to convert from pannier to backpack in seconds, so you can have your bag ready when on foot.

This backpack has great features to help you stay organized, like a quick-access pocket for your sunglasses or phone, U-Lock storage, 15.6-inch laptop sleeve, pen holders, and internal mesh zip pockets. It also has a key leash and two bottle holders for your hydration needs while cycling.

Users cite the ability to use this bag as both a backpack and a pannier as one of the central features that make this waterproof cycle backpack worth considering.

Additionally, it makes long-distance riding with other gear more comfortable. It’s also highly durable and is perfect for commuting, cycling to work, traveling, outdoor activities, campus, and regular urban use.

4. Ridge The Commuter Cycling Backpack

The Commuter Cycling backpack is a weatherproof backpack made to streamline the traditional ones, eliminating bulk, reducing waste, and creating an ideal bag for your everyday needs.

It’s an adventure-proof, durable, and lightweight pack that can accompany cyclists wherever they go. This biking gear has an innovative double zipper design that grants you access to the main pocket from the front like your regular suitcase or the top like your average backpack.

The Commuter Cycling Backpack also has an anti-theft design with highly durable zippers that ensures that all your valuables are protected.

This cycling backpack’s special, shock-resistant laptop compartment ensures that your laptop is protected no matter where you’re going. What’s more, it has an interior pocket that houses your Ridge Power Bank and external USB ports.

Consequently, you can conveniently charge all your essential electronic devices on the move. It also has a zipper-secured expandable area that allows you to unzip and keep your bottle in the expandable holder.

Cyclists love the Ridge Commuter Cycling Backpack for its many different interior pockets that keep several items in place. Also, it’s roomy, with enough space for food, clothes, and shoes.

Its waterproof features also come in handy during rain or snow, ensuring that your essentials are safe and dry. Finally, it’s perfect for traveling, everyday use, and several other purposes.

5. Riderbag Reflective Cycling Backpack

Riders have designed the Riderbag Reflective Cycling Backpack with cyclists’ safety as the top priority in mind.

It’s a high-visibility backpack that’s reflective and lightweight, making it the perfect option for cyclists seeking security, comfort, and space in a bag.

The Riderbag is a waterproof commuter backpack since it’s made of lightweight and water-resistant fabric that’s easy to clean, keeping your belongings dry while riding.

This backpack also comes with great padding, a helmet net, a survival keychain with a compass, bottle opener, whistle, and more. The Riderbag is also roomy and makes organization simple, as it has multiple compartments to house everything you need.

It can fit your water bottles in either of the two stretch mesh side pockets, can comfortably accommodate your 16-inch laptop, and carry your soccer or basketball in its helmet net.

This durable commuter bike bag has excellent versatility that makes it a must-have for various use cases. It can be your mountain bike backpack when you need it to be, sharing in your hiking and climbing adventures. Additionally, you can take your Riderbag along on your biking, skateboarding, and traveling trips.

The Riderbag Reflective Cycling Backpack checks all the boxes for cyclists, and many users praise its practicality regarding visibility and storage. Since road safety is a significant concern for cyclers countrywide, this high-visibility backpack is the perfect solution that guarantees that you’re seen when riding without sacrificing overall functionality.

Top Cycling Backpack Features To Consider

With so many practical options to select from, choosing the right backpack for your needs can prove challenging. However, whatever bag you choose must tick some non-negotiable boxes that will ultimately make it an excellent choice.

Comfort

Comfort is vital, so backpacks designed with cyclists’ comfort in mind should be your go-to options to enjoy features that make your rides pleasant. Therefore, select bags whose harnesses and straps are comfortable when loaded with the weight you typically carry.

Chest Strap

A bag designed with cyclists in mind should also ensure that any weight in your backpack doesn’t put uneven pressure on your back while you’re hunched over cycling. Therefore, it should have a chest strap to share the load from your shoulders to your sternum.

Ventilation

Additionally, suppose you often ride in hot and humid conditions. In that case, a bike commuter backpack designed to guarantee ventilation for your back is your best bet to minimize sweating and discomfort while paddling away. Solid padding and strapping to carry your helmet are other excellent comfort characteristics for great bike packs.

Size

A good commuter bike pack should also have enough space to house what you carry, so keep this in mind. If you need to move around with a ton of stuff, a roomy bag is an excellent choice. However, you can get away with something smaller if you carry average-sized loads. Your bag should also have features to protect your belongings. For example, a bicycle backpack that stores your laptops, extra clothing, and lunch should have a padded sleeve to ensure your device’s safety while having enough room to fit your other belongings.

Waterproof

A medium-sized waterproof biking bag with a large enough main compartment is perfect for keeping clothes from wrinkling and getting wet on your rainy-day trips.

A bag like this is handy if you live in a wet climate since waterproofing is an essential feature you’d want if you reside in such an area. Reflective details, a hydration system, pockets, and chest or hip straps are other crucial features of a quality cycling backpack.

A great backpack is beneficial because it allows you to carry your vital belongings around while cycling. Going to work or traveling by bicycle usually demands bringing along essentials like your electronics, water, some food, and a change of clothes. A quality waterproof computer backpack ensures that you have enough room to keep all these items without feeling too uncomfortable on the road.

Safety

Additionally, using a quality backpack always ensures that you arrive at your destination safe and sound. Firstly, a bag with reflective features will keep you visible on the road at night, reducing your likelihood of being hit by a vehicle.

Also, snow and rainfall are common elements every outdoor adventurer will have to deal with at some point. A quality cycling backpack ensures that you arrive at your destination with dry belongings if you have to cycle through rain and snow. Therefore, you can always count on such a bag to keep your clothes and electronic devices safe, whether rain or shine.