"sunderland" wrote in message
oups.com...
It may be hard to find one pack that fits all of your uses.

For cycling use, I'd get a cycling specific pack. It will work fine off
the bike - but the cycling ones are designed to fit correctly and stay
put when you're riding. (In the riding position, you're leaned over, so
the pack ends up more on top of your back; if it doesn't fit right, it
will roll off to one side).

Packs like the Ventoux are HUGE. I don't think you want to commute or
ride any sort of distance with that. The HAWG or MULE are about as big
as I'd go for all-around use.


Thanks. It occured to me that cycling packs fit better when riding. I assume
that explains the triangular profile, vs. the more boxy hiking packs. I've
cycled with regular (i.e. non-hydrating) packs, with sternum and waist belt,
and it wasn't comfortable, and didn't feel very safe. Given my dual
cycling/hiking needs, it's clear I need a cycling pack. In fact, I'm
guessing that cycling packs might even work better for hiking in certain
situations, such as steep trails and scrambling over scree.

As for size, I realize that there's no one-in-one pack that will suit all of
my needs ideally. I'll probably need a second pack at some point, most
likely a small pack like the MULE for road cycling where I'd only need to
pack in some food and perhaps a shell or light jacket.

But right now I'm more interested in something that I can do serious day
hikes with, and commute 5-15 miles each way with laptop, some books, and a
change of clothes and shoes. I've tried out all of these packs in stores and
there's no way that the MULE would work for this, and even the HAWG seemed
borderline. That's why I'm looking at the Venteux and TransAlp (which is the
one I'm leaning towards right now).

But I guess my biggest question was whether to get a cycling or hiking pack,
regardless of size, and you've helped me settle that.

--
Kovie
zen