24 replies to this topic

[Tambo]

Hi all. I'm a newby to the world of running, and am still sussing things out in terms of what works for me. Can anyone recommend a good quality running back pack, and where to buy one? I'm based in Sydney, and would prefer to get one from a store rather than make a web purchase. Just something that's big enough to fit spare clothes, wallet, keys.
I'd really appreciate the help. Thanks.
T

[Buds]

Hi Tambo

I run home from the train station (approx 8km). I wear my running shorts under my suit pants so when changing after getting off the train I can change in public. I have been doing this for a year now and I stress the importance of a good backpack. Don't worry about brands the things to look for are;
Padding on the back so your back does not feel the bump of everything in your bag and also something to obsorb the sweat.
A waist strap so your bag stays on your back and doesn't thump against your back (I learnt this the hard way after a few trips to the doctor and xrays on my back because I was having pain in my back). In addition a strap across the chest area.

It al feels very awkward to begin with and takes a bit of adjusting to get the right fit.

One of the benefits I have noticed is that I feel much stronger and when I run on weekends without the backpack it is easy.

Good luck Tambo.

[pi_agent]

Hi Tambo,
I think your best bet would be any Rebel sports store, but if you draw a blank with them, try Steve at Athletic Edge runners shop at Randwick on 9399-3669 and I'm sure he'll be more then happy to look into it for you.

[DFC]

hello tambo

I have experimented with many bags and many different sizes, and the best backpack i have brought is from the brand called SOLOMON, they are designed for adventure racing, which is what I brought it for and also for overnight runs, It has fulfulled these purposes too the tee, lightwieght, tuff and heaps of handy compartments, but what is also awesome is that they have a drawstring on the back of the bag which pulls the bag tight, so even if you only have a pair of socks and a wallet it won't flap around inside the bag, the bag i brought is 30L which can fit heaps (good for overnight runs e.g Katoomba to mittagong) but I think they also sell 15-20l pack which would be ideal for commuting. the packs are expensivse, i paid $160 for mine but it is worth every cent. you can purchase the pack from mountian equipment in kent street sydney or any other good outdoor store. I would also recommend looking at outdoor stores, not sport stores for a decent selection.

[Veeral Patel]

Hi there,

As for running backpacks, i can recommend you two brands, MACPAC or Fairydown. You can try Mountain Equipment stores in Sydney. Both brands make running specific packs, so you cant go wrong.

Veeral

[Mister G]

The Salomon Raid 300 is a great lightweight (650g when empty) 33 cubic litre rucksack which I've used for rogaines, ultras and commuting to and from work. Mountain Equipment in Sydney sells it and had it on special for $99 a week or two back when I was last in the store.

The main problem with those rucksacks is the temptation to carry too much crap, what with all the pockets and compartments- it's easy to weigh yourself down.  Recently I bought an el cheapo Caribee pack (I own far too many bloody packs these days) with minimal extra space- just enough room for work clothes, a second set of exercise clothes for a second run or a gym workout; and a pullover if I really squeeze it in. Makes a lot of difference in posture compared to the bigger pack which might be weight down with books, newspapers, water bottle, food etc...

But on the other hand, I know one of the top Six Foot Track runners this year (sub 4.15) trained pretty exclusively by commuting to and from work with a heavy backpack (he said sometimes it weghed up to 10kg, what with books etc) plus intervals for speed. He missed his best ever time for the race by only a few seconds; and in his PB year he'd done considerably higher mileage and weightlifting. I know myself that backpack running is hard work- not just the weight, but that the pack also restricts normal arm swing and so your legs, heart and lungs have to work harder (my heart rate just takes off when running a hill with a backpack).

In this top runner's case, he probably also benefitted from doing regular 2-a-day workouts (to and from work) which has a great training effect as we all know, but he considered the backpack training did help, as long as he kept doing intervals so as to not lose speed.

Cheers....

[Judster]

I have an excellent backpack from "Katmandu" & they seem to have the largest range, they seem to have shops everywhere.
A very important thing to look out for, make sure the waist strap is VERY comfortable. It needs to be wide (a thin black strap is standard & not what you want), snug, sits on the hips, & padding is preferred. Getting this wrong is a painful experience which cant be fixed - I found out the hard way.

[Jogger]

Over the past couple of years I was doing a weird commute-type thing, and found that my Camelbak HAWG minus the bladder worked really well, enough pockets to keep good stuff cleand and dry (phone, wallet) etc. I had a zip case that I put in a dry shirt & undies neatly folded. Left shoes, trousers etc at work. I was big enough to carry everything I needed, but small enough so I didn't try to squeeze in the whole world.

The advantage was, at the weekends I was set for some totally psycho runs with a great backpack.

The downside is the cost - the HAWG is not far off $300. Clarence St bikeshop usually has some (Sydney) and of course Mountain Designs, Paddy Pallin etc are good to.

[Craze]

Viewed the threads I could find on backpacks, a lot of people carrying books and heavy stuff around going to and from work, I'm after a pack to carry soft running materials only eg.(waterproof jacket, beanie, gloves). Would prefer a backpack rather than a bumbag but most activewear style backpacks seem to be in the vicinity of 20L + which is overkill for myself. Does anybody know of smaller packs (8-10L) which aren't hydration packs. Saw a pack made by blackwolf at rebel which is 12L  GO-GO but it's defined as a "fashion" pack which worries me a bit.

[Jogger]

Shortman,

I have found that the camelbaks are rugged good quality, and great to run with. I agree fashion packs and all those are probably not worth it in the long run. Why not get a camelbak and remove the bladder. They have a massive range now and some of them have only a small carry space which may suit you.

[Steve 'The Footman']

I just saw the ultimate backpack for running from Nike.  Sculpted to the body and fully adjustable.  Not available for six months and the cost is $300.  

Most important thing is to find one that does not bounce with your running action.  Do not buy anything without having a short run with the gear in it that you would usually need.

[ladyjove]

I bought a backpack a month and a bit ago and was so happy with it I bought another of the same today.

It is 14L deuter race X air pack. Note there is also a cycling version which looks a bit bigger.

It is probably overkill for just keys/wallet/phone, but is good if you want to take a change of clothes, small towel, soap, snacks and water. I squeezed a small tripod in when I took it to glasshouse to take photos of the ultra.

I find it very handy and am surprised by the increased opportunities to go for a run when you can carry some gear with you... eg - can now run to a friends place, save on train fare and doesn't take much longer when time spent changing trains is accounted for.

It accomodates a 2L bladder.

I found the pack to be very comfortable and I don't notice it's there when I am running with it. It has a very nice harness on it that keeps the bag off your back and lets the air circulate. It does not bounce or chaffe (for me anyway).

I got it from Mountain Designs for $80 - but i had a discount card and points - i think it is close to $100.

[loves2run]

Judging by these threads, can I assume that it is quite common for people to run home from work?  Do many people run home from Sydney CBD?  Is it more trouble than it's worth, in terms of carrying your work gear, when you're able to run once you get home?  I like the idea of not catching public transport while staying fit at the same time.

[vat]

I work in St Leonards, and run to and from work on Wednesdays only.  I run to St Leonards in the morning from home via the city to make up a mid-week long run, and then directly home in the evening as a recovery run.  I do use a running backpack, but it doesn't hold very much.

Accordingly, I'll bring a spare change of clothes into work on Tuesday, and take it home on Thursday.  I keep a work specific pair of shoes under my desk.

It makes for heavy cycling on Tuesday and Thursday, but that's the best solution I could come up with.

[Mister G]

The imperative is to not carry too much stuff you don't directly need. I've done plenty of commuting on foot- I trim my backpack contents to the basics. Work clothes, gym/second run clothes, jacket if required, newspaper, wallet, phone, keys and not much more. It's easy to toss in extras and encumber yourself with useless weight.

I used to get the bus to work and run home most nights, but it's a bit of a pest if you want to go out after work instead, so these days I run to work which frees up my evenings.

I picked up the new Camelbak HAWG cheaply when I was in the USA and have been using that for the last month or so- no complaints.

[Speedy Suze]

I have a black New Balance back pack that I find to be really good.  It has both a chest and a waist strap and padded straps for the shoulders so it's comfortable and doesn't bounce around.  It's big enough to put work clothes in if I run home but not cumbersome.  I wish I could give you more details regarding the model name, price and place of purchase but it was a gift that I received about a year ago.  I think it may have been less expensive than some of the other backpacks previously mentioned and my guess is that it would have been purchased from Rebel.  I hope this helps.

Speedy Suze

[Fats]

I've been running from work to home nearly every day for the last year or so. I have a Camelbak - highly recommended - one of the larger ones which has enough space for shoes, clothes, wallet, keys and a book.

I am convinced that the extra weight is a great training tool - especially on the hills! You really get a spring in your step when you run without it at the weekend.

I'd say the key thing is to make sure it fits as well as possible, and can be pulled tight to the waist and back. A chest strap is a must, as are compression straps on the side so that nothing is bouncing around. Once you've got used to it and it fits well there should be no problem.

Try to make sure you keep your back straight & upright or I imagine you could run into trouble. I've run up to 30km with mine on and no blisters or other problems.

The water bladder is very useful in the summer months too.

[Wixy]

Hi all,

My first time here but have been following the website for ages....

I have just changed job roles and am now running to work rather than cycling or driving - I have had a succession of backpacks (most VERY ordinary...) and am now about to plunge into either the Aarn Marathon Magic 33 or the Osprey Talon 33.

I have read many great comments about the Aarn and also the Innov-8, but the Osprey Talon has me interested.

Does anyone have one, and if so are they worth time time and hard earned loot - like many people who run I have a fine collection of slightly used shoes, caps, packs, clothing etc, etc..........much to Mrs W's chagrin but she is the Queen of online retailing.....

Paul W  

[3rdGear]

I have been running to/from work with a back pack on and off for about 6 or 7 years - very efficient way to blend commuting and running.  I usually carry work clothes, maybe some work docs and a hard drive, and food (brekky, lunch, snacks).  I keep shoes and toiletries at work.

I find about a 20L pack optimum.  Definitely agree with the comments about having a padded back.  I find compression straps useful to to make sure everything within the bag fits snuggly. Chest straps are useful too but I am not a fan of waist straps - I tend to remove these.  I tend to run with my thumbs through the arms straps to stop the bag moving too much - slows you down on the up hills but makes running without a pack a breeze.

My best (first!) running pack was a Kathmandu one that they sadly don't make any more - it had padded back, compression straps and chest strap.  It lasted almost five years and had to be retired due to old age - I think the zips finally gave out.

Then I tired another Kathmandu one - waste of time.  Cheap and nasty.

Then I moved on to a $130 Salomon from adventure racing friends' recommendations.  I would not recommend it.  It lasted about eight months as the zips gave way, the bottom corner of the back wore out and the elastic strap stopped being elasticky.  I also found it too long and ended up with raw patches on the back of my hip bones whenever I ran more than 30min with it - made getting in the shower at work painful.

I am now on a Black Wolf 25L Classic.  It was $50 from an Army surplus shop and has lasted a year so far.  I have some minor complaints but it is OK.  The chest strap came off but I am managing OK without it so maybe didn't really need it after all.  The main complaint is that the front pocket zip is almost 300 degrees so you go to get your keys out and the whole thing rips open.

Anyway, that is my experience.  I wouldn't pay $300 for a pack that might not end up being great.  Actually for $300 I would expect the back to be able to run alongside me!!

[Alexander]

even though you requested local, these guys in the USA do specific running packs.

http://www.theomm.co...ucts/packs.html

http://www.lafumausa...1-trail-running

Edited by Alexander, 14 November 2010 - 10:48 AM.

[mictim]

I just got an Inov-8 Race Elite 15 from these guys in the UK:

www.likeys.com

Service was really quick, and the price pretty fair, even with postage.  It's very comfortable to run with and is a good size for a commute to work etc.  I'm training for the Cradle Mountain Marathon next year, and I think this'll be my weapon of choice.  There's no specific bladder pocket though, but I find they tend to be a pain in the ar*e when you need to take the bladder out and refill on the run.  Much better to have a shoulder strap bottle holder, which it's got.

I also have a Lowe Alpine 25 litre sac (not sure exactly what it's called) which is very comfortable to run with - used it on a couple of TNF100s, long fell races in the UK etc, but I don't think they make it any more.

[JCbeachrunner]

I found this company on youtube, "LatLock Packs"... it looked like it had a pretty smart idea with a strap that went under your lat to keep from bouncing so I spent the $80 to buy it!

It is by far the first pack I have ever run with that you don't get people yelling out "Forest!" (Forest Gump) when I run to class.

Check it out

[Easy Tiger]

Can anyone offer advice on cleaning bladder/tube for a Camelbak. Bought one 2 years ago for some unknown reason which I used once and sat in the garage ever since, now a friend wants it but there is mould in the tube, can it be salvaged?

[aDrain]

I think Anacomda stores have bladder cleaning apparatus. Probably other 'adventure' type stores too.

[jimsty]

Judster, on 23 March 2003 - 08:56 AM, said:

I have an excellent backpack from "Katmandu" & they seem to have the largest range, they seem to have shops everywhere.

Mine is the same brand, great quality and last really well. Their bags have all of the compartments and pockets that you'll need as well as being as big as you need. Another bonus is they always have sales on, so you can always get a great bag for a great price, think I got my $200 bag for half price. Comfort and fit is important, so try lots on and shop around for the best deal.