Cycling backpacks

Ultralichte MTB-rugzak

A small, ultralight backpack sold for MTB, cycling and hiking. The title gives no volume.

What you get

Ultralight build
For MTB, cycling and hiking
Small pack

Why a cycling backpack?

An ordinary school backpack swings about and pulls on your shoulders as soon as you lean forward. A cycling backpack has shorter, wider straps, a chest strap and often a hip belt that holds it against your body. It moves with you.

You sweat more across your back on a bike than when walking, because you are bent over and the pack blocks airflow. That is why many models have a back panel with channels or an air gap. It helps, but your back never stays fully dry, especially in summer.

The right size depends on what you do. For a ride of a few hours, roughly 2 to 10 litres is enough, often with a water bladder of about 1.5 to 3 litres. A day on the mountain bike needs roughly 10 to 20 litres for clothes, tools and food. For commuting with a laptop and a change of clothes you quickly reach 20 to 30 litres.

A backpack is not always the best choice. Heavy loads, such as a long trip or daily shopping, do better in panniers on a rack, because then the bike carries the weight. A backpack suits people who carry little and want to head out quickly.

The types of cycling backpack

Volume usually decides what a backpack is for. Here are the common types.

Type	Volume	Used for	Drawback
Hydration pack	About 2 to 10 L plus 1.5 to 3 L water	Rides of a few hours	Bladder needs cleaning and drying
Day pack for MTB	About 10 to 20 L	Day trip with clothes and tools	Hot back on long climbs
Commuter pack	About 20 to 30 L	Laptop, clothes, lunch	Heavy on shoulders and back
Minimal vest or hip pack	About 1 to 5 L	Short rides, bottles and snacks	Little room for extra clothes

Volumes are rough guides and differ between brands.

Choose it if

You want one small pack for riding and walking.
You want as little weight on your back as possible.
You ride for a few hours or a full day and carry little.
You want water close at hand without taking a bottle from the frame.

Choose something else if

For a full day with lots of kit, look for a model with a stated volume.
You ride long distances daily with a lot of luggage. Panniers on a rack spare your back.
You have back or shoulder problems. Then you are better off not carrying weight.

How to use a cycling backpack

Adjust the shoulder straps
Tighten the shoulder straps until the pack sits against your back without pinching your shoulders. The bottom rests around your lower back.
Close chest and hip straps
The chest strap keeps the shoulder straps in place. The hip belt takes load off your shoulders and keeps the pack still while you ride.
Pack sensibly
Put the heaviest items close to your back at shoulder height. Keep snacks and a rain jacket on top so you can reach them without stopping.
Fill the bladder
Fill the bladder, press out the air and slide it into the sleeve against your back. Route the tube over your shoulder so you can reach the bite valve with one hand.
Clean after use
Rinse the bladder after each ride and hang it open to dry. That keeps it free of mould and taste.

Good to know

Volume, back ventilation and waterproofing are not stated.
Check for a hydration bladder sleeve.
Keep the weight reasonable. More than roughly 5 to 8 kg on your back soon gets tiring, especially on long rides.
Pick a pack with reflective strips or a mount for a rear light if you ride at dusk.
Check that the pack does not reach above your helmet or saddle. A pack that is too tall bumps your helmet when you look over your shoulder.
Dry the pack after a wet ride. A rain cover is handy, but it does not replace dry bags for your electronics.

What you get

Why a cycling backpack?

The types of cycling backpack

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to use a cycling backpack

Adjust the shoulder straps

Close chest and hip straps

Pack sensibly

Fill the bladder

Clean after use

Good to know

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