Mountain biking is an exciting adventure to get close to nature, speeding along the winding mountain paths, feeling the embrace of the wind and enjoying the unique scenery. But a perfect mountain bike ride requires not only a high-performance mountain bike but also a suitable backpack. But when faced with a wide variety of mountain biking backpacks, how exactly should one choose? Don’t worry. Next, I’ll introduce it to you in detail.
The importance of mountain bike backpacks
When mountain biking, you need to carry various essential items, such as water, food, maintenance tools, spare clothes, etc. A good backpack can help you store these items properly, keep them in their proper places and make them easy to access. Moreover, during the cycling process, a suitable backpack can fit your body well, without disturbing your cycling due to shaking. It can also reduce the burden on your shoulders and back, making your cycling more comfortable and safe. If the backpack is not chosen well, it will not only be uncomfortable to carry but also may affect the riding experience and even bring safety hazards.
The key factors to be considered when making a selection
Capacity size
The capacity depends on the duration of your ride and the amount of items you carry. If it’s just for short-distance mountain biking, a backpack of 2 to 5 liters is enough. It can hold a bottle of water, some snacks and simple maintenance tools. This small-capacity backpack is very suitable for daily mountain cycling in the surrounding areas for one or two hours. If the cycling time is long, such as cycling for a whole day, or you need to carry more items, like spare clothes, first aid kits, etc., then a backpack with a capacity of 8 to 15 liters or even larger is needed. For example, when participating in mountain biking races, the race course is long and various situations may be encountered. A large-capacity backpack can meet the need to carry more equipment.
Carrying system
Fit: The carrying system of the backpack should be able to closely fit the curve of your back. The shoulder straps should be adjustable to suit people with different shoulder widths, and they should not slip off or cause shoulder pain when cycling. The belt is also crucial. It can distribute the weight of the backpack to the hips and reduce the pressure on the shoulders. For instance, the belts of some backpacks are ergonomically designed to fit the hips, effectively enhancing the comfort of carrying them. Moreover, the part of the backpack that comes into contact with the body should have a certain curvature to fit the back and reduce shaking.
Ventilation: When mountain biking, the body sweats a lot. If the backpack has poor ventilation, the back will be hot and damp, which is very uncomfortable. A good backpack will adopt special ventilation designs on the back, such as having ventilation slots and breathable mesh surfaces. The ventilation slot allows air to circulate between the backpack and the back, taking away heat and moisture. The breathable mesh surface can increase the air contact area and improve the ventilation effect. For instance, some backpacks use a large area of breathable mesh fabric on their backs, which can keep the back relatively dry even after long rides.
Waterproof performance
When cycling outdoors, the weather is unpredictable. Sudden rain is a common occurrence. Therefore, the waterproof performance of the backpack is of vital importance. High-quality mountain biking backpacks are made of waterproof fabrics, such as some that use waterproof nylon or fabrics with waterproof coatings. Moreover, the seams of the backpack will also be treated for waterproofing to prevent rainwater from seeping in through the seams. Some backpacks are also equipped with rain covers. When it rains heavily, putting the rain cover over the backpack can provide more comprehensive waterproof protection. For instance, during a mountain bike ride, it suddenly started raining heavily. Fortunately, the backpack had a rain cover, so the items inside didn’t get wet.
Storage design
Reasonable zoning: Reasonable zoning enables you to quickly find the items you need. Generally speaking, a backpack should have a dedicated water bag compartment for holding water bags. The location of the water bag compartment should be convenient for you to drink water while cycling, for example, near the top of the back of the backpack, so that you can easily drink water through a straw. There should also be a main warehouse for storing larger items such as clothes and food. There are small pockets for holding small items such as mobile phones, keys and tools. For example, some backpacks have a small pocket on the side specifically for holding a mobile phone, with a transparent lid. When cycling, you can operate the mobile phone and check the map without opening the backpack.
Easy access: Some small details can make it more convenient to access items. For example, there are quick-access pockets. When cycling, you can quickly reach the items inside without having to stop to unbutton or zip many buttons or zippers. Some backpacks have small pockets on the shoulder straps, which are convenient for holding energy gels, small snacks, etc. When cycling, you can easily reach them to replenish your energy. Some backpacks adopt a flap design. When the flap is opened, the items inside are clearly visible, making it convenient and quick to take them out.
Safety
Reflective design: When cycling in low-light conditions, the reflective design of the backpack can enhance your visibility and ensure safety. Many backpacks will add reflective strips or reflective labels to the shoulder straps, waist belts, bag bodies and other parts. When there is light shining, these reflective parts will reflect the light, making it easier for other road users to notice you. For example, when cycling in the evening or at night, the reflective strips on the backpack can enable distant vehicles to spot you in advance and avoid collisions.
Stability: During cycling, the backpack should remain stable and not sway left and right. This requires the backpack to have a reasonable fixing design. Besides the shoulder straps and waist belts, some backpacks also have chest straps to further fix the backpack and reduce shaking. Moreover, the center of gravity of the backpack should be designed reasonably and close to the body. In this way, when riding on bumpy roads, the backpack can also fit tightly against the back and will not affect your riding balance.
Common types of mountain bike backpacks
Water bag backpack
Feature: The water bag backpack is a very popular type in mountain biking. Its most distinctive feature is the built-in water bag compartment, which makes it convenient to carry water bags and allows you to replenish water at any time during cycling. The capacity of the water bag is generally around 1 to 3 liters, which can meet the drinking water needs of cycling for different durations. Water bag backpacks usually have additional storage space where some small items can be placed. Moreover, the straw design of the water bag is very user-friendly. It is usually fixed by a shoulder strap or chest strap, allowing you to drink water easily without stopping while cycling.
Applicable scenarios: It is highly suitable for long-term mountain biking, especially in hot weather, ensuring that you can always drink water and prevent dehydration. For example, if you go on a full day of mountain crossing cycling, a water bag backpack can continuously provide you with water, keeping you in good cycling condition. When cycling in some mountainous areas without water supply, a large-capacity water bag backpack is even more indispensable.
Multifunctional backpack
Features: The multi-functional backpack has abundant storage space, with multiple pockets and compartments of different sizes. In addition to holding water bags, it can also categorize and store various items such as clothes, tools, food, first aid kits, etc. Its carrying system is usually also quite excellent, emphasizing fit and ventilation. Some multi-functional backpacks also come with an external hanging system, allowing for the attaching of items such as helmets and tripods, making them convenient to carry.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for all types of mountain biking, whether it’s short-distance leisure biking or long-distance adventure biking. When participating in mountain biking activities and needing to carry a lot of equipment, the multi-functional backpack can play its powerful storage function and keep all the items in good order. Moreover, it has strong versatility and can be used as an ordinary backpack even in non-cycling situations.
Lightweight backpack
Features: The lightweight backpack is mainly characterized by its lightness. It is made of lightweight materials and has a relatively light overall weight, generally ranging from several hundred grams to one kilogram. Although it is light in weight, it also has basic storage functions and can hold some essential items, such as water, food, and simple tools. Its design is simple, without overly complex structures and decorations to reduce weight.
Applicable scenarios: For mountain bikers who pursue speed and flexibility, lightweight backpacks are a good choice. For example, when doing mountain downhill cycling, the lightweight backpack won’t add too much burden to you, allowing you to control the bicycle more freely. In short-distance mountain biking, if you don’t want to carry too many things, a lightweight backpack can meet your need to carry a small amount of essential items without causing a sense of burden.
Conclusion
When choosing a mountain bike backpack, factors such as capacity, carrying system, water resistance, storage design and safety should be comprehensively considered. Choose the appropriate type of backpack based on your cycling habits, duration and route. A good backpack can safeguard your mountain bike journey and allow you to fully enjoy the pleasure of cycling. Hope everyone can choose the mountain bike backpack they like and start an exciting cycling adventure!
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