Cycle to work - laptop bag / panniers

[LittleFriendSusan]

I've been cycling to work for the last year or so. It's only a couple of miles or so each way - 15-20 minutes. I have a Liv Alight which is good enough for now - my only issue is getting my stuff to and from work.

I need to carry:

• 15.6" laptop, mouse & A4 notepad, sometimes A4 prints depending what needs doing
• lunch bag - take fruit & yoghurt for breakfast + tub of salad or similar and some fruit so this is quite bulky
• change of clothes & sometimes shoes / sandals
• contigo coffee cup
• 2 x phones
• small make up bag
• Ideally a lock so I can call into the shops on the way home if need be
• probably other things i've forgotten!

No shower or lockers at work. I usually wfh Mon & Fri & cycle into the office Tue - Thu. I wear gym stuff to cycle in and wash with baby wipes & change at work as I get a bit sweaty...

I have been using a rucksack style handbag for lunch & clothes & then my work laptop bag (with shoulder strap). But it's far from ideal - uncomfortable & the strap digs in to my shoulder. This week I took DP's hiking type backpack which was slightly more comfortable but a very tight squeeze & much more outdoorsy-looking than I would like! It also gave me more of a sweaty back!

I was reluctant to buy anything until I knew I'd stick with it but feel now is the time to get this sorted - I think probably some sort of panniers / basket / decent laptop backpack combination. Ideally something smartish for the work bag. No idea where to start & what would comfortably fit the laptop. No option for a smaller one - it's work-issued & fairly new.

All suggestions welcome!

DH used to cycle to work everyday. Route varied between 12 and 60km! He used Ortlieb Office Bag

www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/office-bag-high-visibility+F70971

I see they now have other options if that's too expensive.

Insert for existing pannier, www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/f3906

Commuter bag www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/commuter-bag-two-urban+F70664

The advantage of Ortlieb bags is that they are properly waterproof.

Do you definitely need to change your whole outfit when you arrive?
Friend had 2 x heaving Ortlieb bags to carry similar amounts to you.
I can manage with just one pannier but I don't do whole outfit changes.
Nice shoes can live at office, btw.

I used to use a North Face Borealis backpack for going a similar distance - I could just fit a 17 inch laptop in if I was clever, it was such a relief to go down to a 15 inch one! With clever packing I could get all those things in, my bike lock lived in the front pocket of the high vis waterproof cover I put over it. It would be heavy though and definitely not safe from sweaty back

I do this!

I have one of these bags Torborn pannier bag I put a laptop in a sleeve, make up bag, pencil case, notebook and contigo in the main compartment. Keys and phone etc go in the front pocket. Then I keep my lunch and water bottle in a basket in the front and have a leather satchel from Etsy on the other side. I don’t get changed at work but keep a small towel, waterproof jacket and puncture repair kit in the satchel. You could keep your clothes there. Keep lock in the basket with my lunch then if I need to go into a shop or something I just unclip the laptop bag and take it with me leaving everything else. Sometimes feel like a pack horse leaving in the morning but it’s so much less stressful than worrying about traffic and parking.

I have fantastic paniers from Aldi that I use for work. Very cheap too - the only problem is that they only have them at odd times.

My commuter bike came with a bracket/holder thingy fitted on the frame for the D-lock. Means I never forget my lock and it's one less bulky item to carry.

Thanks all - some food for thought there!

Change of clothes is pretty much unavoidable as I tend to wear skirts / dresses at work and not really practical to cycle in (+ the sweat issue!). I could leave a pair of shoes at work I guess which would be one less thing to think about.

Ortlieb pretty pricey but keep hearing them recommended so not ruled them out entirely. I don't mind the look of that Tourbn one on Amazon though. Also been watching a few on Ebay / Vinted - think I just need to bite the bullet! I saw a lovely satchel that fits to pannier rack but it was £150 second hand so maybe not...