Which backpack for your velotaf?

Tepee 45

109,00 €

Smartbag 40

99,00 €

Smartbag 25

89,00 €

Plume 20

79,00 €

So you’ve decided to leave the car behind and start cycling? As well as getting some healthy exercise every day, you’ll certainly save time on your commute to work. Then there’s the question of transporting your belongings to work. It’s rare to get to work without needing to take something with you. A notebook, notepad, files, pens and your telephone are all items that are commonly carried to the office. But if you add a laptop or even a change of clothes (for sport or simply to change into when you arrive), you’ll soon realise that you need a backpack suitable for cycling.

Why choose a velotaf backpack?

There are solutions other than the backpack for velotaf, such as a shoulder bag, for example, or panniers. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages.

The shoulder bag

The shoulder bag is very practical because it’s easy to use. You store your belongings in it, and they remain accessible even when you’re on the bike. However, this type of bag generally contains only one or two main pockets on the inside, with a few storage compartments on the outside. This makes it difficult to sort your belongings properly. Carrying a laptop isn’t very practical either. Carried on its side, this bag is likely to throw you off balance during your journey, causing backache at best and an accident at worst.

The bags

Panniers are very practical. They generally have a large storage capacity, and some are compartmentalised. However, they often require a modification to the bike so that they can be fitted, which is not always possible. If they are overloaded, they increase the effort needed to move around and therefore fatigue, and can also throw the bike off balance. Adding panniers to a bike also increases its width, which can be problematic when you need to get around in heavy traffic.

The rucksack

Provided it is adapted to your body shape, a rucksack has the advantage of distributing the weight more evenly and not taking up more space on the bike. It doesn’t require any modification to the bike, so you can take it with you whatever model you use.

How do I choose the right cycle backpack?

A bag adapted to your body shape and needs

A cycle backpack is only practical if it fits. Too big and you risk overloading it. It won’t be comfortable and you could even risk injury. If you’re small or only have a few things to carry, there’s no need to buy a large-capacity model. The Karkoa Smartbag 25 or Nomad 25 are ideal for smaller people. With their 25-litre capacity and numerous compartments, you’ll be able to store both your office essentials and clothes to change into when you arrive. If you’re looking for more space, the 40-litre Smartbag 40 is just what you’re looking for.

For added comfort, it’s important that the velotaf backpack is fitted with reinforced, padded shoulder straps and back protection.

Numerous compartments

Whatever the bag’s capacity, you can only really store your belongings if it has lots of compartments. Who wants to keep files or a phone in the same place as a change of shoes?

Numerous compartments will help you get organised. One for files, a reinforced one for a laptop, a pocket for pens… these are all essential compartments. When you travel by velotaf, it’s often difficult to wear the clothes you normally wear to work. Suits, suits or even jeans are not really suitable for cycling, let alone shoes. So you’ll need cycling-specific clothing, preferably reinforced to protect you in the event of a fall and highly visible so that other road users can spot you easily, even at night. Specific compartments are an undeniable plus for storing your clothes and shoes. If they’re waterproof, that’s even better, especially if you’re sweating or caught in the rain.

Secure external pockets (easily accessible only by you) will allow you to store your keys or mobile phone, for example, while always having them to hand, without having to leave your rucksack behind.

Effective protection

Carrying your belongings in a velotaf backpack is good. Carrying them safely is even better. The compartments of the rucksack should be reinforced, or even lightly padded to hold a laptop or tablet. This way, even in the event of a fall or rough handling, all the objects in the bag will be protected.

The other common risk when cycling is rain. Who hasn’t been caught out by a downpour while cycling? If you’re equipped to deal with the elements, that’s great. But what about the contents of your rucksack? To keep the rain out of the bag, it should at least be made from a water-repellent fabric. But in the event of heavy rain, that won’t be enough. A rain cover is then essential. Karkoa’s Rain Cover will protect your bag and its contents from the elements, rain or snow, but also from dust. Easy to use, made from polyurethane-treated fabric, its heat-bonded seams will prevent rain from seeping in.

Our other cycling backpack guides: