Let’s first analyze the features of a good cycling backpack from the broader aspects:
Outdoor Cycling Backpack
1. Carrying System: The backpack's carrying system consists of a backpanel, shoulder straps, chest strap, and waist belt. The backpanel supports the entire backpack. A good carrying system distributes the backpack’s weight evenly. The shoulder straps, waist pad, and chest strap play important roles in stabilization and should be adjustable. Fine-tuning according to individual body shapes ensures better support and reduces friction. Additionally, the inner side of the shoulder straps and waist belt that contacts the skin should be soft and elastic, effectively transforming vertical friction into elastic vibration. The chest strap not only needs to be length-adjustable but should also feature a sliding mechanism for its attachment points, allowing easy adjustment to a personally comfortable position.
2. Fabric. Most cycling backpacks use PU-coated nylon fabrics (for example: PU-coated 450D polyester, 210D nylon), which offer waterproofing, anti-abrasion, durability, and tear resistance. The durability of a backpack is primarily determined by its fabric, and I’m sure no one wants their backpack to rip halfway through a trip.
3. Ventilation and Breathable Sweat-Wicking Design. When cycling, the backpack is worn tightly against your back. Without ventilation, the sticky sweat trapped against your back can be extremely uncomfortable. Many backpacks include a grid resin panel to separate your back from the bag. VAUDE cycling backpacks, for instance, use 3D breathable mesh on the inner sides of the shoulder straps and waist pad, allowing airflow and effectively keeping contact areas dry.
4. Rationality of the Storage System. Backpacks usually consist of a main compartment, side pockets, and additional pouches. Cycling backpacks are generally smaller, typically not exceeding 30L, and commonly range from 10L, 14L, 18L, 20L, to 25L. Therefore, the design of various compartments allows for better organization of items, efficient use of capacity, and—more importantly—easy access.
Now let’s look at the smaller design details to see if the backpack is well-made:
1. Helmet Retention Net Pocket: This net pocket is used to hold your helmet. During rides, you might enter wooded areas or low-clearance spaces where wearing a helmet makes it hard to judge height. Moreover, after prolonged activity, your head may sweat, and you can simply hang the helmet on the net pocket attached to the backpack.
2. Water Bladder System. A dedicated water bladder compartment inside the backpack helps secure the bladder and prevents it from moving around during bumpy rides. The water bladder outlet allows for easy drinking while cycling. The shoulder straps feature two water tube clips, which can be adjusted to the left or right based on user preference, preventing the tube from flapping around in the wind.
Rain Cover and Sleeping Bag Compartment: A rain cover is essential for protecting the backpack and its contents from getting wet in the rain. The sleeping bag compartment not only makes it convenient to store a sleeping bag but also allows quick access to items through the zipper connecting it to the main compartment—even if you’re not carrying a sleeping bag.
3. High-Quality Straps and Buckles: Premium straps are smooth-surfaced, soft yet firm, with an appropriate level of friction and high load-bearing capacity—up to over 200 kilograms of tensile strength. Quality buckles are sturdy, flexible, and operate smoothly. A good buckle clicks securely into place with an audible “click,” whereas inferior ones may feel hesitant, less secure, and prone to coming loose.
4. When purchasing, pay attention to whether the backpack includes these key features. Choose the brand, model, and capacity based on your travel duration, distance, and the items you plan to carry. Among well-reviewed cycling backpacks, mid- to high-end brands include Germany’s VAUDE. VAUDE backpacks are praised by cyclists for their exquisite craftsmanship and user-friendly designs. Models such as 10091 (25+5L), 10089 (20+5L), and 10087 (14+3L) have received particularly positive feedback. As a result, some domestic manufacturers have copied or imitated VAUDE products. Lower-end brands include DOITE, which offers budget-friendly options. The 68 and 69 series are decent choices for cost-conscious cyclists. However, the workmanship, materials, and functionality of DOITE backpacks still need improvement. After all, you get what you pay for—it’s unrealistic to expect a DOITE backpack costing one or two hundred yuan to match the quality of a VAUDE backpack priced at three or four hundred yuan.