I am lucky enough to be able to commute by bike, but unlucky enough to live in a place that rains persistently.  I cant be bothered with a liner or cover for cycling in to work, but am thinking about a waterproof daysack instead. Any suggetsions.....................

I have looked at the alpkit ones, would prob have gone for the pooter pod if it was still avilable (anyone got one??  how is it??), will maybe go for one of their others.  I have also seen vaude, but they are a bit pricey, haglofs do a token crappy looking watait thing, and there is one on backpacking light, although pictures dont show the back and its non too cheap either.  Any suggestions of others, or comments on any of the mentioned if you own. 

I want something reasonably stable and comfortable, preferably with some inner pocket for smaller items.

hi mate

dont get a vaude aracanda , i have one and there crap . have beared it for the last month waiting for a response from vaude customers services . now its going back . the wire frame sits under the edge of the pading so it jabs you in the ass/ lower back every step you take . on top of this the neck of the bag is so small its a nightmare to pack the thing

you could try one of these http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/paragonpack.html with a dry bag of your size .

im looking at the arcteryx naos range at the mo , a mate has one and they are great

best of luck

Mike, that might be just the ticket.  Sean, was thinking of the gourdon ones. was hoping someone had some first hand experience.

I checked out ortileibs web site, some good looking sacks on there, then found one for sale in the uk at £139 for 25L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Not a chance!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Ortlieb-Ortlieb-Flight-backpack-Black-22Ltr-13960.htm

Hi,

I've been using a 'Stealthy Gourdon' for a couple of months now and am quite impressed.

Fine for running and commuting and the price (£17.50) always brings a smile to my face.

Keeps things dry and has just a couple of extra features (shockcord and mesh pockets) over the standard Gourdon. 

If you're cycling why not let the bike take the load?  It's much more comfortable cycling with a pannier or rack-pack than a rucksack.  If your bike doesn't have a rack and you don't want one then there are various seat-post mounted bags to choose from, or bar bags for smaller loads.

First choice in waterproof cycle luggage is Ortlieb: very well made and very easy to mount and dismount from the bike.  But plenty of alternatives.   If you've got a rack you could just bungee any dry bag on to it for a bargain solution.

Using rucksacks for cycle commuting seems a peculiarly British thing...  go where there's a real cycling culture and comfort seems to count for something and luggage goes on the bike rather than the rider. 

Pete. 

Is this any good?

pasty_muncher wrote (see)

Yeah, I have been meaning to get a rack for some time, but always seams better things to spend my money on.  I probably ought to finally get one.  Are ortileibs cycle stuff as expensive as their backpacks then??

I have the small Alpkit Gourdon, the one with the side pockets and bungy chord. (not the pooterpod). It works very well as a small sack and I use it all the time. A length of bungy chord attaches it to the rack on my bike. As it has no internal pockets I use a couple of small stuffsacks to organise things in it. I deliberately got a bright colour to be visible when road cycling.

Also there is  this one, tho for much more money than the Alpkit.

Ditto to what Peter Cinch said about putting your stuff on a rack rather than on your back. But it all depends how heavy it is an how long your journey is of course.

PM, Ortleib's panniers are as expensive as their other stuff... but still value for money IMHO!  But you can get waterproof Alturas for quite a bit less and their stuff is usually pretty good.

Pete. 

Thanks all.

 Minor rant - I cant understand how online retailers expect you to buy a sack without even seeing its back, why dont they put more pictures on.  In fact more generally, a lot of stuff is not available at ones local retailer, on-line is the only option bar driving the length and bredth of the country for many outdoor products, and the on-line guys normally give you one crappy little picture!  Even teh manufacturers dont give you a whole lot more.