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Posted by Bill S on February 14, 2008 at 12:33:44 pm EST
In reply to Looking for large, strong (and inexpensive?) daypack posted by FredFlintstone on February 13, 2008 at 7:50:57 pm EST

Having commuted to school and work on bike until I retired a few years ago, plus toured in Europe and the US, my opinion and experience is that backpacks on bike are a pain. You might consider getting a good, solid rack and panniers or one of the folding baskets that go on rear racks. Rear racks work better than front racks. Loads on racks, especially when mounted low on the sides in panniers or the side baskets, require a lot less effort and are a lot better balanced. You can find such things in good bike shops, or contact Hostelling International (used to be called American Youth Hostels in the US - search the net for their current website).

Like you, most of my grocery shopping is on bike. I used to use a bike trailer to carry the groceries, but we sold that when Young Son started riding his own bike (it was a Cannondale trailer - often wish I still had it, since it is much the easier way to carry loads).

If you really insist on a backpack, Cascade Designs Seal Line division has a line of waterproof commuting packs. I tested one a couple years ago. It worked very well, except for being a backpack instead of a rack-mounted setup. http://www.seallinegear.com/urban.asp?Action=UrbanBackpack&Category=Urban
They are a bit more expensive, but quite rugged, and they are waterproof, so you get rain and snow protection much better than regular packs. I also have a Eureka waterproof pack, but I think it is available only in Europe (I got mine from Sierra Trading Post). Like the Seal Line Urban Pack, it is a plastic coated, heavy duty pack, but with the usual array of pockets that most backpacking packs come with these days.

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