I am aiming on getting up to Dartmoor overnight on my bike a few times in the near future and want a pack I can use for it. I'm looking for a smallish pack (say 30-40L) that will allow a sleeping bag and tent attached to the outside of it. I am not having much luck at the moment, only being able to find 30-40L packs without or 60-80L ones with the attachments.

 The bag will probably also be used as a large walking daysack when needed too.

 Does anyone have any suggestions as to bags that would fit?

Thanks.

If you're going on  abike then let the frame take the strain, and use panniers.  Much, much, much more comfortable than carrying stuff on your back, unless you like putting excess strain on your wrists...

You'll need a rack if you've not got one. Plenty to choose from if the bike is rigid or hardtail, Bor Yueh's are cheap andperfectly adequate.  For a daysack to use from the bike base camp, just squeeze in a lightweight (we take a Kimmlite (now OMM) with us when we're cycle touring, takes up very little space when it isn't full).

Pete. 

I agree

I have an OMM 35L sack and its tough, lightweight, collapsible (for storage) and incredibly comfy foir cycling with (no internal frame)

and yes, get some panniers. Thats what i used to use when I went cycle camping. Or alternatively, just get the pannier support fram and bungee cord the tent etc to the top of that 

I never thought of panniers.

To be honest though I don't have the money to spend on those as well and the amount I will be cycling with (probably no more than 10KG) I don't think they are completely necessary. What I am aiming to do on my bike is photograph Dartmoor at dusk/night so aside from the photography gear (inc tripod) I will really only have a tent and sleeping bag, some food and a set of waterproofs/extra clothes. I will also be walking with the same stuff occasionally as well.

The Crag attack looks a possibility, can anyone confirm it can attach a sleeping bag to the back (without flapping around at the bottom) and can attach a tent/tripod to it as well?

If you've not got a rack you can bungee stuff then it'll be about £15 for a decent one rated to 25 Kg.  Cheaper than a rucksack, and more fun to ride with.  Or you can at least put your pit and/or tent on it.

 Pete.

Do the Osprey packs have any attachments for sleeping bags/tents on the outside though? I had a quick look at them and from what I saw they didn't have any. Tent wise I could probably stick that in the pack but I need something that will hold a sleeping bag on the outside (diameter approx. 16cm lenght 30-40cm) and a tripod (about tent size).

 If they do I would go for one straight away.

I have a Kimmlite, and I'd definitely recommend it for light loads and external attachments.  It has all sors of straps, toggles and boingy things.  Bob was selling the Kimms cheap (presumably to make way for the very similar OMMs that replaced them)  so I got one, and it's turned out to be really versatile, not to mention really light. 

Bob's 35l OMM Jirishanca

Hi Amp34,

I work for Osprey and noticed you've expressed an interest in our packs. I'd reccommend both the Talon 44 and Atmos 35 as packs from our current range that sound as if they would suit your needs. Both are light-weight and feature external sleeping bag straps. These straps are removeable on the Atmos and fixed on the Talon. Both packs are well sized for light-weight over-night trips on the hill.

If you let me know where abouts you are situated we can inform you of your nearest stockist so you can go and see / try on the products for yourself.

Hi Monkey48,

With reference to your question concerning the Atmos 50, I would think it should swallow your synthetic bag without too many problems (depending upon the extent to which you compress it of course). We have an Atmos 50 here in our office which is currently stuffed with a compressible bag measuring approx. 45/22/28cm, a similar size to that of a well compressed synthetic sleeping bag. The curvature of the Atmos 50's 'Airspeed' back system has its apex more towards the centre of the back, so it doesn't actually affect the volume too much at the bottom of the pack. The Aether 60 (Aether = Mens, Ariel = Womens) is a potential alternative, as it has a lower volume 'Airscape' back system which still encourages high levels of ventilation but has a more linear profile inside the pack.

 If you have difficulty fitting your sleeping bag into the bottom of your pack, we recommend you first push it down to the bottom of the pack in a 'lengthways' direction before then turning it to sit 'widthways' into the bottom of the pack. Hope this is of some help.

The Berhaus Arete 35 litre is good value for money at around £40.

 It weighs around 1kg and it looks like you can attach stuff to it no problem. I've just bought the 45 litre version and am happy with it. 

Cheers guys. I've got one on order at my local Cotwsold's as they didn't have any long back length versions in last weekend so I'll be galavanting over there on sunday and the proof will be in the pudding I guess. To be honest I fancied the Atmos for its ventilation properties and I realize it's not as bombproof as the rest of the range (bar the Talon) but the number of people that seem to rave about the Atmos are numerous.

Which brings me to asking STEVE I a question (or any other Aether owners), how much of a sweaty back do you get with the Aether? I ask because the £120 or so for a pack that would be second choice for me and is as unventilated as most other packs would give me second thoughts when it comes to parting with my money. The Berghaus Freeflow doesn't seem up to the job IMHO so it'll be back to the drawing board for me on the 50(ish)L bag hunt

Monkey48,

I don't get much of a sweaty back at all with the Aether. The Airscape back consists of small foam bumps or knobs covered with tight mesh.