Novara Commuter Backpack

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I've been riding with this pack for several months through the fall and winter seasons on a 13 mile round-trip commute. I can fit a full change of clothes in it, including shoes, even squeezing in a towel if I want (it gets tight at that point, though). I'm 5'6" and the pack feels comfortable even though it looks huge on me when full. Sometimes, I weigh it down with a laptop or half-gallon of milk and some other groceries. I feel the extra weight, but my shoulders don't get angry at me and the pack won't jostle all around.

The rain shield is nice, but I wish it had come with another loop of cord to thread through the lower loops on it. I added my own cord to tighten it down on a partially empty pack. I sprayed the rain shield with a water seal and after riding through a downpour, I shake it and hang it and it's dry very quickly. The part of the pack that's against your back will still get wet when there's a lot of rain. Plus, after you've put the pack on, you will want to reach back and pull the rain cover up over the top corners to protect the top pocket. I learned that after my wallet in the top pocket got wet when there was enough rain to soak through that 1/4" to 1/2" bare spot created when the shoulder straps push the cover back a little.

When it's sunny, you can detach the rain cover from the pack and re-use its pocket for something else you want to get access to without taking the pack off.

My 4"x9" U-Lock fits in the lock pocket, along with a flexible cable and I never feel it against my back unlike other reviewers. If you have U-Lock bigger than 9", it might not fit, though. I add my booties to the lock pocket as well. It's nice to have a storage place for items that get dirty that doesn't mingle with your clean clothes.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I really like the design and construction of the pack but it's just too small for commuting. I don't wear my work clothes on the bike so that means I have to carry a full set of work clothes. I also have to carry a laptop. No room left for my shoes, let alone spare tube, patch kit and pump.

I have an REI Lookout pack that I'll have to use for commuting because it's about 50% larger.

I may end up returning the Novara Commuter pack. Like I said, I think it's a nice pack. It's just too small for my needs.

My bottom line recommendation is based on the fact that I think it's a good pack if you don't need to carry much.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I am both a student and a professional so I had to have a pack that was roomy enough to hold a couple books but would also protect my computer AND was built for cyclists. I have been using this pack now every day for over two months now and have had no problems.

Compartment Space:
You certainly can't fit everything that you might cram into your average student backpack. But it comfortably fits my jacket (all-weather, kinda bulky) plus either two large books or a computer and a large book or two computers small 15" laptop and 17" laptop.

Fit:
I'm 5'10" 180lbs and the weight distribution of the pack is great. It sits snugly on my shoulders, breathes well. If the pack isn't completely stuffed, I hardly notice it. It is a huge upgrade from a previous cheapo pack that dug into my shoulders with even a moderate amount of weight.

Misc:
I bought the optional computer insert for the pack. It provides great cushion but unfortunately it only fits my tiny ThinkPad x60. It doesn't even come close to fitting my 17". Since that was an optional component, I'm not counting it towards the overall score on the bag.

The u-lock compartment as others have noted is probably the only complaint I have about the pack. Putting the compartment right against my back isn't exactly smart design, especially for something as weird shaped as a U-lock. In addition the most padding in pack is at the back of the pack and so that is where I choose to put my computer. The last thing I want is a heavy bulky object banging against my laptop. The U-lock pouch is also kinda small. I have an Onguard Bulldog Mini and even if I wanted to, it takes some stuffing to get it in that pouch. It's a medium length U-lock, some of your longer U-locks would not come close to fitting in that pouch.

Since I can't take a .5 off my rating for the U-lock pouch problems, I'm going to leave it at five because overall I love this backpack. Most of the compartments are very easy to get to and just make sense in general. The cell-phone pouch on the waistband is great because if traffic noise is loud, I can still feel it vibrate. I haven't used the rain cover yet, but it was one of the deciding factors for me. I ride rain or shine, so it has to be able to take adverse weather conditions. The cover easily pulls out and covers the pack.

The color is nice and bright, with reflective piping, an added bonus because I frequently ride at night.

Overall, I highly recommend this bag.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

This pack solves a lot of problems commuters might have with packs that haven't been made specifically for bike commuting. There is a strap to mount a blinky rear light, a pouch at the top to stow the battery for your helmet-mount headlight, and two roomy, stretchy mesh side pockets big enough for a large sunglass case, water bottles, etc. You can reach these pockets without removing the pack. Sternum and waist belts and easily adjustable shoulder straps keep the pack stable even during standing climbs. Three main compartments make organizing and finding your gear easy. The outer compartment has inner pockets to retain cell phones, blackberries, pens and the like, and is accessible enough that you can remove the pack and find your ringing cell phone before it goes into voicemail. There's also a key strap. The middle pocket provides a spot for lunches, letters that you want to drop in the mail, or a 8 1/2 X 11 folder for papers, etc. While neither of these compartments expand much, the cavernous main compartment expands a lot; it's much, much bigger than it looks. I fit a bag of a dozen very large, very lumpy bagles in it once. Usually the compartment just holds my work clothes, and is wide and tall enough to stow folded dress shirts and trousers without much wrinkling. Oh, almost forgot the fourth compartment, which is a separate pocket for your u-lock so you can retrieve it without opening any of the main compartments. The pocket keeps heavy u-locks from getting your clothes dirty or bashing your PB&J.

The only downside is that the back padding may be a bit thin, sometimes allowing me to feel the u-lock in the lock pocket; the lock pocket is a tight fit, which keeps the lock from bouncing around but may not accomodate larger u-locks. The pack might need one more small zipped inside compartment for multi-tools, etc., but that's debatable. The rain cover, stowed behind a zipper at the bottom of the pack, is a great addition, though the loop mount on the cover for the rear blinky light is marginal.

I've been using this pack almost every day since May 2007 with little sign of wear, although the reflective piping looks has lost some of its coating. The pack seems pretty light-weight, so I will be interested to see its long-term durability. But even if it wears out in a year -- and I really doubt it will -- I'd buy another.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

This is a fantastic bag and has totally fulfilled if not exceeded my expectations of a commuter backpack. The weight rides a little higher on your back then a traditional backpack and the waist strap helps to keep it centered on your lower back. Lots of pockets for all the things you will need to bring with you on any bike trip. My only complaint is they stopped making the laptop pod which can be suspended inside the bag. Other laptop sleeves will work but novara had a great feature of suspending your laptop on bungies inside the bag... wish I had bought the pod sooner.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

Overall, seems like a good pack.
However, as a 5'2" cyclist, it is impossible to make this pack comfortable. It is either hitting my helmet or sitting on my tailbone, or generally both at the same time. It also is generally heavier than the contents I want to carry inside it.
The rain fly is waterproof enough, but covers all reflective details when they are needed the most.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

This is a great bag for commuting. I ride to work about 16 miles each way and the bag is very comfortable. The only downside I can think of is that it could be bigger or have expandable capability. It can be difficult fitting work attire, breakfast, lunch and all the gear for the ride - but if you plan right, it works very well.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I commute 15 miles each way 3+ times per week and have been using this pack since December 2007. I have used messenger bags, daypacks, specialized cycle packs and this is the best so far. It is big enough, but no too big. Holds everything you need including lunch and clothes. The thing is really comfortable, the zippers seem sturdy and the design is well thought out. Since I live in San Diego, I have not used the rain cover or the u-lock pocket so I can't comment on those.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I have been using this pack for about 4 months now, commuting by bike 3 or 4 times a week. One of the straps is starting to pull out of its seam, where it attaches at the top of the pack. Other than that, it has been a perfect pack for commuting. Just enough room for lunch, clothes, tools, and a few other small things. Also a great carry-on for two day work trips. The built in rain fly is a nice feature, but since the seams face forward while you are riding, it is only a matter of time before everything gets wet, so don't rely souly on it to keep things dry.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I've been using the pack for about 5wks and like it for bike commuting and general use. My commute is about 12 mi and the pack is comfortable. The pack fits nice even though I'm 6-2.

I like all the features of the pack, especially the straps, MP3/Sunglasses pocket, and rain cover!

When I bought this I looked at the Pearl Izumi pack and other general day packs: liked this for features and price.

Wish list changes - reflector tabs on the pack and not just on the rain cover + little more expansion space in main compartment and-or outside bungie cord + whistle on the shoulder not on the chest strap (can't grab when riding w/ 2-hands)