Novara Commuter Backpack

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

Having purchased and used the Novara pack for more than two years, it has served me very well as a city commuter pack. A year round biking commuter and professional engineer, it carries my change of clothes, shoes, tire pump, cell phone, bike lock, deodorant bar, security badge and external strobe light. When raining, its self contained rain poncho is unfurled, covers the entire pack and it acts as my tire stripe protector also. The pack proved its worth in a recent riding incident. With a roll over, it took the brunt of the road rash instead of me. It came out unscaved, as did I. I took a chance on an unknown product. If I would ever need a replacement, I would purchase it again.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I have last year's model of this pack. That version had a few bugs that Novara has mostly addressed. Overall this is a well thought out pack. It is well compartmentalized allowing the user to organize however he or she wishes. The two side elastic pockets work well for food, spare water bottles, spare tubes, etc. There is a top fleece-lined pocket that works well for shades, though I use mine for spare contact lenses and my cell phone.

There is a front organizer pocket w/ dividers for a pda, pens, ID, whatever - 2 main large compartments - a hidden back pocket, supposedly for a U-lock (I've never used it), and a hidden bottom pocket with an included rain fly. Overall, everything works very well.

Comfort wise the pack is great. There is enough ventilation on the back to keep you from getting too overheated. The ventilation and padding works better than most cycling specific packs but not as well as some top-end daypacks for hiking. Still, the pack rides very close to your body and low on your back keeping the center of gravity in a comfortable location for cycling. It also conforms well to the slightly curved back of a cyclist in an aero position, but is comfortable when you are standing straight as well. Better than your typical day-pack IMHO.

There were two big problems w/ the old pack (the one that I have). The first was that the main compartment opened from the bottom of the pack instead of the top. That was pretty stupid and apparently a lot of people commented on that because it has been corrected with this newer version - it now opens from the top.

The second problem was with the way the rain fly attached to the pack. The pack straps interfered w/ the rain fly fit at the top of the pack in such a way that rain inevitably found its way into the pack near the strap attachments. That never bothered me because I never used it in the rain anyway. I don't know if that has been corrected but it is something to check out in the store if that is important to you.

Overall, this is a great, comfortable, well thought out pack for cyclists. I'd buy it all over again if I didn't already have the older version.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I use this pack for everyday use, on and off the bike. I'm a PhD student, with an office at home and school, so I lug my laptop and research around with me everywhere.

It's the best I've found for carrying my laptop, on and off the bike. The computer is well-padded; never sustained damage though I've dropped the pack a couple of times.

I have neck issues, so can't carry a messenger, and need the hip belt. It distributes weight well, and the back padding makes carrying it on the bike as comfortable as it can be.

The only con with the version I have is that the main compartment opened at the bottom (thus 4 stars rather than 5). It means you can't easily access anything stored in there, and when you do access it, all other compartments must be closed, or you will dump them out everywhere. Proved to be PITA, but looks like it's fixed in this new update, and so I'll be purchasing this one when I'm back in the States this summer!

As for weather protection, I find the rain cover works great - and I should know, as I live in North Wales and am constantly in the rain. It could be a little easier to secure to the hook on the top of the bag, but other than that it's fine.

Definitely will purchase again, and am purchasing another for my officemate - so it's definitely a keeper and a big recommendation!

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I commute about 100 miles per week. I have had about 50 backpacks since 2000, and this one is the best one yet. I like:- Roomy interior but small exterior footprint- Appropriate number of internal and external pockets without being a snaretrap of loops, pouches, zippers and clips to catch on everything you walk/ride past- I can fit a day-planner (classic size), shoes, change of clothes, ipod, iphone, sunglasses, camera, keys, wallet, water bottle, and lunch, but it doesn't feel bulky or crammed.- Well placed padding and vent channels have kept me cooler than I expected.- The waist and chest strap hold it in place and distribute the load well but without being in the way, or too complicated. - There is a pouch on the left side waist strap that's perfect for keys or an ipod so you don't have to rifle through your bag when it's time to lock up your bike or unlock the front door at home. Would be good for money, ID card, whatever you need access to without having to remove your bag and dig around.- Haven't used the rain cover yet, but I'm glad it's there.Spencer[@]

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

Great commuter backpack, whether I'm on my bike or out walking. The fit is fabulous, with the waist belt performing it's load handling task well. Though this is not a laptop pack, I can easily stow my 17 inch MacBook Pro, no problem. I especially like the double roomy compartments and use the secondary one to house my windbreaker/rain gear. Side pocket and accessory pocket are also very nice. Makes for a good overnight bag, too.

My only regret is that I didn't have this pack when I went on a two week trek in Scotland this Spring.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I am a daily bike commuter in the city and ride 4+ miles a day. I got this because my Camelbak backpack was too small and wasn't cutting it.

I love this backpack. It is very thoughtfully made and is purpose built for bike commuters. It is very visible and I feel safer when I wear it. It has a compartment for sunglasses, and a compartment for your bike lock. It has a very large main compartment that unzips and opens up just like a suitcase (you can open it out completely flat) complete with a mesh pouch to keep your clothes/jacket flat. Inside the main compartment there are two types of hooks for a water reservoir, two dangling plastic carabiner type hooks, and one fabric loop if your water pouch has a plastic hook on it. In addition to the main compartment, there is another 'medium' compartment that I usually use to put my lunch in (in a flat tupperware) or I can use to store books or other such items. Then there is the small front pouch which has enough room for a paperback book, which also has a zippered pouch inside with a plastic carabiner on a dangling strap about 6" long, which I use to keep my bike lock key on. There are also pen loops and some flat pockets you could use to store a notepad or your wallet or cell phone (a thin one, like an iPhone or blackberry).
The straps are very comfortable and there is a cleverly designed path for your drinking tube to pass between the main compartment and over the top of either shoulder strap. There is an adjustable and elastic chest strap that has a clip which doubles as a whistle. Also there is a waist strap that is well positioned up around your belly button or possibly an inch or two higher, which is a perfect position when you are in riding position. Even when not riding, this waist strap helps support the weight of the pack quite well without being uncomfortable. The waist strap also has a "coin purse" sized pouch with a zipper on the right side which you could use to keep your keys (a small set), a money clip, or possibly a small cell phone - very convenient if you don't have pockets and don't want to have to take off the pack to get something small like your keys or phone!
The pack itself is bright yellow and has a reflective band around the perimeter of the middle sized compartment. The fabric used is quite sturdy, and there are very few "loose" flaps that would catch the wind like you might see on a backpacking pack or a school backpack. In the bottom of the pack there is a small pouch containing a rainfly (!!!) which is very easy to whip out and cover the pack. It does not cover the straps but that should not be a problem. There are also two dangling fabric "hangers" with reflective material on them whose only purpose (as far as I can tell) is to be reflective and catch the eye at night.

There are no real cons to this backpack even though I listed some. I think of those more as 'areas for improvement' in the next iteration of this awesome backpack.

The water tube has a hole where it comes out of the main compartment and exits on top of either shoulder strap. Unfortunately, there is no loop on either strap to keep the water tube from flailing about. I would place this strap about 6-8" down from where the shoulder strap attaches to the main compartment. I plan to get either an elastic strip that I can sew onto one of the straps or a velcro tape or something like that. You can put the tube in between the elastic band and the cloth band on the chest strap, but that puts the mouthpiece a little too uncomfortably out of reach, forcing me to look down too long when I take a drink.

The whistle clip is clever but it is not close enough to your mouth to be practical (for the same reason as the water tube) - I find that I have to look down and use a hand to bring the whistle to my mouth and if I'm trying to get someone's attention I probably don't want to give up part of my steering AND take my eyes off of them. If the whistle were in the middle of the chest strap or on a dongle (so I could either keep it in my mouth or bring it to my mouth with a free hand) I wouldn't have to look down to use it and I would use it way more often. I rarely use the whistle for this reason.

The pocket for the lock is a great idea and for the most part it works great. It is a tad bit small for my lock but if I angle it in just right it is quite OK. I said that it is unsupported because it has an opening on one side of the backpack and the pocket is not held up or sewed to anything on the other side, meaning the pocket is sort of free to move about inside the backpack. You cannot see the lock pocket from any of the other compartments and it is nestled between the main compartment, and your back. It is somewhat uncomfortable when you have your lock in the pocket but not enough to complain or mark that as a con. I mean to say "I can feel the lock". It does not get painful.

The reservoir loop - the one you would hang a "plastic hook" style water reservoir from - is made of a thin (but sturdy) fabric. A couple of times my reservoir has come unhooked from the loop but not frequently. My Camelbak has a round cord loop instead of a flat fabric loop and I think it works much better as it is slightly thicker than the opening on the hook of my water reservoir, so it is much more secure.

All things considered this is an amazing backpack if you are a bike commuter. You can pack clothes, a lunch, and other stuff and probably still have room left over. It is very comfortable and improves your visibility on the road. It has a couple little things where it could be improved but nothing I would call a problem.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

This backpack was great, except for 1 critical design flaw. The shoulder straps connect to the back pack at 2 narrow points. Holes have been designed into the strap where it connects to the body of the backpack to allow for hydration pack tubs to be run through. However, by removing all of this material, the weight/stress gets concentrated at the narrow connection points. I had the pack less than 1 month before the strap ripped off. I did not carry large load (laptop, shoes, and a change of clothes), but the strap still ripped. I returned it to REI. I'd love this pack if they fixed the strap.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I use the bag to commute back and forth to school and work. It holds everything I need! I was able to have my lock, a pair of size 13 steel toe boots, pants, and a shirt in the bag and it was still very manageable. There was even plenty of room left for some smaller stuff. I would definitely recommend this bag (and its attachments!).

Service and delivery comments:

Very fast delivery, perfect condition! REI is my new favorite outdoor store! I just wish there was one near me.

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

This is not your average, generic, daypack design that is so often pawned off to do more than it's capable of . The Novara Commuter backpack was well thought out for its intended use with bike commuting, but, it performs this task so brilliantly that you will find yourself wanting to use it for everything.

I commute to work by bike, and unlike my utility bike with its racks and grocery panniers etc., I want my commuter bike to be fast and stealth. The Novara Backpack makes that possible. No need for even a little under the seat bag.

One thing I really love is the easy access pocket specifically for your U-lock. The heavy U-lock is stored down low on the back and behind protective padding. The bag is incredibly comfortable, keeps its shape with light or heavy loads, and IMHO, is a much better choice than a messenger bag. (Your mileage may vary).

The kicker is that I had an old Camelbak that I wasn't using and the bladder fits perfectly in the Novara. What a bonus to incorporate that into the design!

Comments about Novara Commuter Backpack:

I bought this to replace a Timbuk2 medium laptop messenger bag. Unlike the messenger, this bag stays in one place on my back, has a separation between the bag and by back and has a very accessible pocket for keys.

It is the perfect commuter bag. Even better than similar Kelty and North face bags.

Now for the shortcomings. I'd love to see a key clip in the pocket on the waistbelt. A more hardy fabric on the top pocket would be great as I find that pocket to be a great replacement for a small/medium size saddle bag.