Best backpacks for cycling 2025: robust and durable rucksacks for commuting

One of the most flexible and convenient ways of carrying luggage is with a backpack designed for cycling.

a professional businessman commutes to work on his electric battery powered ebike wearing casual business clothing and a helmet and backpack along a bike lane through the car traffic filled streets of San Diego, California, USA
No mounts are required, carry your belongings on any bike, anytime.
(Image credit: Getty Images / Sterling Lorence Photo)

When commuting by bicycle, one of the most flexible and convenient ways of carrying luggage is with one of the best backpacks for cycling. Backpacks designed for cycling offer better ventilation and a secure fit that doesn't impede your helmet or riding.

Of course, the best pannier bags and bikepacking bags offer a similar solution and are fantastic for carrying heavier and more awkward loads. However, cycling backpacks are so simple that you can easily swap between multiple bikes without worrying about hardware or fixings.

All the backpacks tested for this guide offer between 20 and 30 litres of storage capacity. Bags around this size offer a good middle ground that balances weight with storage capacity. These backpacks mostly include organizers for laptops, waist and chest straps, waterproofing, and a place for a bottle. There are excellent bags that sit outside these sizes, but we have found them to have too many compromises.

In this guide, we have seven backpacks that the Cycling Weekly team has tested and that we think are well suited to cycling. These include bags from brands specialising in luggage, like our best overall Camelback Mule Commute 22l, as well as some lesser-known options like the Rapha Travel Backpack, which brings style and visibility to what is usually a very utilitarian category.

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her first daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

Michelle is on maternity leave from April 2025 until spring 2026.

With contributions from