rucksacks for running/cycling commute

[PumpkinGordino]

so i have just accepted an offer of a new job, which rather marvellously is within running/cycling distance of home

so whilst i'm all keen and full of good intentions, i'm just wondering whether anyone has any recommendations for decent rucksacks that would be suitable for both cycling and running home from work. ideally it wouldn't be too expensive. i could stretch to £50 but if the perfect one is more than that i have a birthday coming up so could top it up with birthday money

ideal requirements:

• waterproof
• comfortable and adjustable
• not too large, but able to contain work clothes including shoes on the way home, and exercise stuff including shoes on the way there.
• also would need to hold keys, phone, purse, diary and other miscellaneous shit i manage to accumulate (hopefully would manage to keep this to a minimum) - possibly also A4-sized work stuff? hopefully not laptop (fingers crossed). preferably enough pockets and dividers such that i'm not having to pull everything out of the bag to get in the front door because my keys have dropped to the bottom
• not too heavy
• what other things do i need to consider?

i realise this is a bit non-specific, especially as i'm not sure how litre capacity translates into size when you're talking about smaller rucksacks

(i have thought about panniers, but it's quite a distance from the bike park to the office at new work, so rucksack would be easier)

I use an Omm Ultra 15 which is plenty big enough for a change of clothes and has handy pockets for phones, energy gels, car keys etc.

I wouldn't buy one online though. Go to a decent running shop and try a few out by running up and down with them on. I had my heart set on one that's supposedly 'specially designed for women' but when I tried it on it just didn't sit right.

that;s a good point. i won't know if it's comfortable or not without trying on

i have rather narrow shoulders, which can make rucksacks annoying

My DP cycles to work every day and went through loads of backpacks until he found the perfect one. We got him the Berghaus Remote II 25 day pack from Go Outdoors (sorry can't link as I'm on the app) for just under £50 and it's great. Space for everything you've said inside, and there's a few separate pockets for keys, phone etc. and a mesh bit inside to fit documents/laptop with little pockets attached too. I've used it a few times when we have been out walking too and it's very comfortable.

I was just coming on to say look at the OMM range. I have a Berghaus rucksack for walking but OMM are much lighter and better fitted for sport. I used a small one (?7l) to go into work which fitted a change of clothes and other essentials if I packed it carefully :-)

I can't recommend the Omm highly enough for running. You need something really light and adjustable, with straps across your torso at the chest and waist to keep everything from sloshing around on your back. the Omm also has elastics you can use to compact the pack so if it's not stuffed full it doesn't rattle around.

It does help if you have somewhere at work where you can stash a towel and your work footwear though as carrying a full change of clothes plus shoes can get heavy really quickly.

thank you, these tips are so useful

good suggestion re leaving stuff at work. i would probably only run one way (work to home), so a towel may not be necessary. depends how sweaty i get cycling, which may be a lot!

another question - i guess i can add reflector stuff afterwards can't i? ideally i'd like there to be plenty of reflective stuff, but probably better to get the fit right and i can add that stuff afterwards if needed?

I have got a workplay bag. Lots of sections etc. have a look at the website.

I've got a great fluorescent and reflective cover which makes my bog standard daypack waterproof and high viz. Or accessorise with flashy light or reflective stickers from a bike shop.

Panniers do come with carrying straps, but a rucksack will give you the option to run or cycle.

How far is it?

Deuter are fab and if you hunt around a bit online you can get some good discounts.