The features of a cycling backpack can make an ordinary pack an extraordinary pack. It’s always important to check out the pockets of a backpack. Having one big main compartment is great and spacious, but doesn’t usually provide much organization. Think about where you will store your toolkit, your keys, phone, towels, and snacks.

Most cycling packs are also hydration packs, meaning they have a system with a water bladder, hose, and nozzle that allows you to drink without stopping and removing your pack. For this reason, one of the most important considerations you want to take into account when picking your bag is how much water you want access to while you ride.

If you are less concerned with weight and plan to ride for a few hours every time you go out, a larger hydration bladder is a good idea. A 2-liter hydration pack is the most common size and can be found in many styles of backpacks. The size provides ample water for mellow all-day rides or intense few-hour rides. If you are going to be frequently biking all day under intense conditions it is a good idea to get a 3-liter hydration bladder. Strong heat and sun, elevation gain, and sustained cardio all qualify as intense conditions. Full or multi-day rides are also scenarios where an extra liter of water may mean the difference between staying hydrated or not, which in part determines whether or not you finish your day. When biking, an intense cardio sport, it is incredibly important to drink enough water.

Once you have clarified the type of cycling that you need your backpack for, the next step is to figure out how much stuff you will actually need to pack in that bag. This depends first and foremost on the length of the ride. If you generally don’t plan to do more than two or three hours of biking at a time, a small hydration pack may be all that you need. This is true even if you will primarily be doing trail riding. Once you get into longer rides of four hours or more than you will need to start carrying much more with you.

Another consideration when thinking about what you will need to bring with you is the climate in which you will be cycling. If you plan to primarily ride in a humid environment you will need to bring less water with you than if you are going to be biking in the desert or at a high altitude. Likewise, some areas have temperature fluctuations and weather patterns that need to be accounted for in terms of extra clothing. For example, in the desert, it may be in the 90s during the day, while at night the temperature drops into the 40s. In other parts of the country, such as the Rockies, thunderstorms come from seemingly nowhere during the summer. If you are biking in a climate such as this you will need to bring many extra layers, meaning you will need a bag that can accommodate this.

When deciding what you need to bring it is also important to think about how many miles you will be going, and how far away from other people these miles will take you. This is different from time on the trail since if you are only going to be riding for three hours but are going deep into the woods you will still need to bring survival gear that could save your life if something goes wrong. Equipment to fix your bike, food, and extra layers (if you are riding in a variable climate) is suddenly necessary. If this is the kind of biking that you will primarily be doing then a medium to large pack that can accommodate the necessary gear is what you should buy.

Finally, there is the personal aspect of what you want to bring with you. Each of us has our individual preferences, and these should be taken into account when picking a cycling pack as well. Even if you don’t necessarily need to bring extra gear, if you like having a sweatshirt or a snack with you at all times, you will want to make sure you buy a pack that can accommodate this. Remember that when it comes to getting into the outdoors it is always better to be more prepared.

Overall comfort is an incredibly important criterion to consider. If your backpack is rubbing you the wrong way or causing you to overheat, you're not going to want to use it. When determining the comfort of a cycling backpack, check out the shoulder straps, back panel, and overall fit. Some backpacks feature waist or chest straps to help even out the weight distribution and offer more stability.

Like most other products, there are a few brands that produce backpacks whose quality is unquestionably a step above the rest. For backpacks this brand is Osprey. Although their biking backpacks are expensive, buying from Osprey brings with it a guarantee of quality that cannot be matched. Their internal frame technology literally lifts these packs off your back, making them the most comfortable backpacks around. They are also incredibly thought out, taking into account every detail that the person who that pack is aimed toward would think about. These are backpacks that you can trust.

Other tried and true brands that appear on our list are Dakine and Deuter. Both of these brands market their gear to outdoor enthusiasts. A knowledge of what is required to be comfortable in the outdoors is necessary when designing gear people want to use while doing these activities. These two brands have this knowledge.

When looking for a cycling backpack price is not the only factor that should determine which cycling backpack you go with. When looking at the price, you should compare that to the features of the cycling backpack as if you are looking at a cheaper backpack it may not come with the features you will need while cycling. Also keep in mind that if you are looking for a cycling backpack that is higher in price, this does not necessarily mean that it is the best backpack for you or your cycling needs. Review the backpacks and make an educated decision.