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Phil (ascentale)ascentale
Jun 12, 2026, 11:24 PM
@cptbutton asks
I wear a generic backpack while riding, which means in warm weather my back is soaking wet at the end because there is no air circulation under the backpack.
I have a vague idea that there are backpacks with some kind of mesh standoff that lets air through and avoids this problem.
Q4. Do such backpacks actually exist? If so, what are they called? Any recommendations in the US market?
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
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Replies

Phil (ascentale)ascentale
Jun 13, 2026, 12:31 AM
@cptbutton @bikenite A4. I've definitely seen more backpacking-lite styled backpacks that have a taught mesh frame and suspension, with the actual backpack a half inch or so off of your back.
Like others, I switched to panniers after experiencing a bit too much back pain + back sweat on a ride.
#BikeNite
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gene xgenex
Jun 12, 2026, 11:25 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4: I've seen some backpacks with mesh and offset of the bag portion to keep it off your back but haven't used any of those so interested in other peoples answers here. I usually have to bring cameras and as such get camera backpacks which definitely don't do this :) #BikeNite
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Captain Buttoncptbutton@dice.camp
Jun 12, 2026, 11:42 PM
@genex @ascentale @bikenite
Check out some other answers from two days ago here:
https://dice.camp/@cptbutton/116729407141207814
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loptalopta@mastodon.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:29 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4) Panniers ftw? #BikeNite
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Lennyf09fa681@digitalcourage.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:29 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite Apparently they're called mesh back backpacks, at least that's what deuter calls them: https://www.deuter.com/us-en/backpacks/mesh-back-backpacks
To be clear, that mesh is stiffened, so it doesn't sag onto the backpack.
My partner has one of these and is happy with it. I haven't tried it myself and always prefer not to have a backpack because it creates additional weight on my arms and those are already my weak points for aching during longer journeys.
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Captain Buttoncptbutton@dice.camp
Jun 12, 2026, 11:32 PM
@ascentale @bikenite
Biking on a paved trail for exercise up to four hours a day, breaks every hour or two.
Pack used for A) Water B) carrying errand-related stuff c) Misc stuff.
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rsmelarsmela@hostux.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:36 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
The two brands I have are Deuter and Osprey.
They have a mesh held taught by a metal frame that reliably keeps the pack two to three inches away from my back.
Sometimes they work like air scoops pulling noticeable air flow down across my back. It's really nice
I've been using these packs for 20 years. My smaller Deuter pack has mesh straps which is also nice
The packs also have rain covers in exchange except exterior pocket at the bottom.
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rsmelarsmela@hostux.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:44 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
Darned autocorrupt!
I meant "exterior pockets"
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ohesooheso@ieji.de
Jun 12, 2026, 11:39 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
A4. I have one, a deuter cross air 20 EXP. It has a plastic (I'm assuming) concave backbone to provide shape, and a mesh panel between the shoulders and waist belt. Together they let air flow when you're riding.
It's very effective, and it does not restrict my movement on the bike at all. I use it mostly to carry my change of clothes and bentoh when I'm commuting, but I have used it on longer rides in the past; e.g., Shimanami Kaido.
#BikeNite
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ajft [SEC=yferc ooxie]ajft@aus.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:39 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite #BikeNite A4 Deuter make some good small backpacks for cycling, we've got two in this house for commuting. I've no idea of their availability in the US
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adamriceadamrice@c.im
Jun 12, 2026, 11:41 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite I have used any number of backpacks and hydration packs that are designed to improve airflow over the back. I still wind up with a sweaty back.
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AI6YR Benai6yr@m.ai6yr.org
Jun 12, 2026, 11:50 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite #BikeNite A4. Yes, these exist, they are geared towards backpacking, however, and are generally a bit more heavy and large. I am unsure if they offer these in daypacks, but Osprey has their proprietary "AirScape and Airspeed" breathable back panels on their backpacking backpacks. Not cheap, but definitely what you are asking for.
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W6KMEW6KME@mastodon.radio
Jun 12, 2026, 11:53 PM
@ai6yr @ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite My day pack is an Osprey with whatever they call their cool back, and I love it. But it makes a small pack look very big.
Oddly, I'm amazed by the number of complete strangers who will mock you on the trail for having what they think is a big pack. Often pretty rudely.
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Darth Oslerautolycos@beige.party
Jun 13, 2026, 1:19 AM
@W6KME @ai6yr @ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite old external frame backpacks *in theory* would be great
My Vietnam era Alice Large with frame is amazing, but on a bicycle cannot coexist with a helmet
I have carried a field dressed white tail in it. It's awkward and heavier than my combat medic load out, but that thing is a tremendous pack-- for HEAVY loads, slow movement, and with large limitations
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nshrubsNshrubs@mstdn.social
Jun 12, 2026, 11:57 PM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite Both of my Gregory hiking packs have mesh & air space on the back. https://www.gregory.com/packs/day-packs/
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Wandering Hermitwanderinghermit@mindly.social
Jun 13, 2026, 12:02 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
A4) I have two Osprey Exos packs with mesh backs, one 38L and one 58L. I like them very much.
#Bikenite
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dr2chasedr2chase@ohai.social
Jun 13, 2026, 12:06 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4 #BikeNite Mine is called a "cargo bike". Seriously, that was what got me started, backpacks were awful, panniers always seemed too fiddly, expensive, undersized and (then, at least as far as I knew) lacking in waterproof, screw it, I will just get an xtracycle and carry all my crap and groceries too and a dry sack if I need that.
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viqviq@hackerspace.pl
Jun 13, 2026, 12:22 AM
@dr2chase @ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4: I have Ortlieb 35L (each!) paniers, *I* didn't really experience downpour with them, but people do praise them, including them not letting water inside. But, yeah, even such large bags pale with capacity and convenience of a cargo bike.
#BikeNite
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Marty CormackMartyCormack@urbanists.social
Jun 13, 2026, 12:13 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
#BikeNite A4:
I used to have that problem and I solved it by getting a rack on the bike and using panniers instead.
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AI6YR Benai6yr@m.ai6yr.org
Jun 13, 2026, 12:15 AM
@MartyCormack @ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite I got panniers, as well, so now I ride around with panniers AND a backpack 🤪
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Frank Bennett 🇯🇵fgbjr@indieweb.social
Jun 13, 2026, 12:27 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4: I wear a backpack in the winter sometimes almost as an extra layer of clothing. In the summer, shopping and travel gear goes into panniers, but on long summer rides I do wear a Salomon running vest with a couple of chest-mounted water bottles. The backpack pocket doesn't hold much, I usually put a pair of sandals in there.
#bikeNite
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TheAntLadytheantlady@flipping.rocks
Jun 13, 2026, 12:27 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
A4. Like other commenters, I eventually purchased a "shopper" pannier from Arkel that my backpack fit into so that it was no longer on my back getting all sweaty. A bonus of that setup was if I ever needed to carry extra stuff, I could pull out the backpack and wear it for that particular occasion. Now I have a pannier that's also a backpack (Bedford backpack pannier by Po Campo). Totally worth it for me.
#BikeNite
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Mx. Eddie Rsilvermoon82@wandering.shop
Jun 13, 2026, 1:15 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite
A4.
Yes! I use a Swiss Army brand backpack with padded and mesh sections in the back. Good airflow, for biking or whatever else, I use it for hiking as well. It also has a USB cord and battery pack pocket, so I can plug in my phone while I travel.
#BikeNite
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Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐gcvsa@mstdn.plus
Jun 13, 2026, 2:13 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite #BikeNite A4. As other commenters have noted, Osprey comes immediately to mind, and they are well regarded in the industry.
I would suggest that backpack carry is the worst of all possible options on a bicycle, since it puts your center of gravity higher. There is a reason racks, baskets, and panniers exist.
If you are really into backpacks, look into a backpack that can be carried on a rack while riding.
https://us.ortlieb.com/products/vario
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daihard (he/him)daihard@sharkey.world
Jun 13, 2026, 2:27 AM
@gcvsa@mstdn.plus @ascentale@sfba.social @cptbutton@dice.camp @bikenite@fedigroups.social
I would suggest that backpack carry is the worst of all possible options on a bicycle
I agree. The only scenarios for me to use my backpack are (1) when I travel on my road bike, which has no racks or baskets, and (2) when the two panniers aren't big enough for the stuff I need to carry on my bike.
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daihard (he/him)daihard@sharkey.world
Jun 13, 2026, 2:24 AM
@ascentale@sfba.social @cptbutton@dice.camp @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4: Yes, such backpacks exist. Mine—Deuter Bike I 14—is one of them. It has a mesh back for ventilation, in addition to bike-specific features such as a helmet hook and helmet cover. This model has been discontinued, but Deuter still carries a variety of backpacks designed for cycling.

#BikeNite #BikeTooter #MastoBikes
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eddedd@freeradical.zone
Jun 13, 2026, 2:47 AM
@ascentale @cptbutton @bikenite A4. I suppose they might, but I've never found those mesh backs to do much of anything. If you don't wnat a sweaty back, get a pannier or a backpack-pannier that can hang on a rear rack. Personally I have Banjo Brothers' backpack pannier [1].
Moving air will help with your back, but there's still a big insulator sitting on your back at the end of the day and a handful of air channels won't solve that.
[1] https://banjobrothers.com/collections/backpack-panniers-banjobrothers/products/backpack-pannier-banjo-brothers
#BikeNite
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