Lomo Hi-Viz Dry Bag
The Lomo Hi-Viz Dry Bag fits all of these requirements. It’s capacious, offering 30 litres of cargo space, and it is durable and bright, as it’s made of high-visibility yellow PVC decked out with fluorescent stripes. Chest and waist straps keep it snug against your back and its roll-down top and welded seams will keep your belongings dry in even the heaviest downpour. Best of all, it sells for only £44.99 (€51.76) at Amazon.uk, where 394 users have rated it 4.5 out of 5.
Altura Thunderstorm City 30 Backpack
Like the Lomo, the Altura Thunderstorm City 30 Backpack is waterproof, robust and offers a 30-litre capacity. It also has attachment points for lights (in addition to its decent reflective strips) and a handle that makes it easy to carry around when it’s off your back. It also has a padded laptop sleeve, an inner zipped pocket for your valuables and a key loop, so that the important items are always handy because with 30 litres of capacity you will be digging around for some smaller items in the large main compartment. One problem: if the bag does not contain a sufficient amount of cargo, the roll-up top won’t hold its fold, even if you set the clip to its tightest setting. And the price is nice, €73.18 at Amazon.de., that’s down 20% from its original selling price.
Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo Backpack
If money is no object and you plan to do a lot of commuting and carry lots of stuff to the office and back in all kinds of weather, then you should check out the Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo Backpack. It is 100% waterproof with a double-welded waterproof insert and an abrasion-resistant nylon shell. It has a rolltop, a metal buckle closure system and a 22-litre capacity but with a tough, secure outer cargo net augmented by two side pockets good for storing water bottles, as well as four adjustable clips to hold items in place. This enables you to store shoes or your helmet in the netting and gives you room for more of your non-cycling stuff inside. There is also an inner sleeve that holds laptops up to 15 inches in size. The bag is on the heavy side but for that, you get a backpack that will last you for many years. It better last, because it ain’t cheap: €199.90 at Amazon.de.
Osprey Radial 26
If you want a backpack loaded with features to make the business of packing, sorting and unpacking easy as pie, then have a look at the Osprey Radial 26. It offers a trademarked ventilated suspended mesh back system that helps keep you cool while riding and an integrated kickstand to keep it upright on the ground or other surfaces, which makes packing and unpacking much easier. It has a zippered expansion system that allows you to increase its cargo capacity from 26 to 34 litres, a bike helmet attachment that allows you to store the helmet on the outside and a rear light attachment. Still not enough? There is also a padded laptop sleeve and a built-in high-visibility rain cover for those nasty downpours. The price? £150.00 (€171.50) direct from the manufacturer, which is pretty good considering what you are getting for your money.
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack
Finally, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack is a fully waterproof, 21-litre rolltop bag made of robust nylon that comes with back padding with ventilation grooves and a reinforced bottom to prevent damage when it is on the ground. It also offers lock loops to store your helmet or other carriables, a padded laptop sleeve and several inner pockets to keep the main compartment from being totally chaotic. The removable waist and chest straps make it easy to get the right fit. Best of all, the price is a mere £115.00 (€131.50) at tredz.
