
REVIEW
How to Carry Things on your Bike: The Velocio Riding Pack
So far, I've written two pieces about how to carry things on your bike. If you missed them, one involved semi-bougie bike bags, while the other discussed a full-on no-holds-barred electric cargo bike. While I like both of those options in different scenarios, the point of this series is to help convert the occasional car trip to a bike. Both of the previous options require spending money (and in the Globe Haul's case, it's a lot of money) and buying things you may be unfamiliar with, or have limited use for at the moment.
But I'm willing to wager pretty much everyone reading this already has all the pieces of the puzzle they need to get started on some trips around town. You've got a bike, right? Do you also have a backpack?
Congratulations! You can now do some of your errands on a bike, for $0 of capital outlay.

Our resident young'n, Matt Cusanelli, demonstrates riding with a similar backpack from Ortlieb. Based on what kids think is cool these days, it's probably full of Friends t-shirts, and a "vintage" pair of JNCOs. Photo: Deniz Merdano
If you're too deep in enduro-land for a backpack and only own a fanny-pack (they're so 2019...), there's certainly a plethora to choose from in every shape, size, and color you could desire. For the sake of needing a subject - and because they sent one for review - we're going to use Velocio's creatively named Riding Pack. For CA$220, you get a 25-35 liter expandable roll-top bag that's reasonably water resistant - available from Velocio or your local bike shop.

A modern backpack surrounded by vintage wallpaper. The Riding Pack works well for riding, but looks modern enough to maybe be cool. But I'm long past the age of being an arbiter of cool.

Here it is in more outdoorsy surrounds. While the Riding Pack's zippers are waterproof, and the roll-top is great, you probably shouldn't go swimming in it. Thus far, it's kept everything dry.
While the Riding Pack's fit is based around a riding position (a shock, I know), I'm not using it while mountain biking. You certainly could, but the amount of rides I went on in all of 2024 that required 25+ liters of backpack storage was exactly zero. But I do go on a lot of rides around town where expandable storage is a real feature - whether carting clothes to and from the office, picking up groceries, or hopping the train to down the Coast, I've had the Riding Pack for a while now and used it for all of these things and more.

The back (or is it front?!). The straps and webbing are minimal and comfortable, even when packed with an weekend's full of gear with a 40lb four year old perched on top.

The roll-top design opens wide for all your things, and means the volume is adjustable from 25 to 35 liters of listed capacity.

The chest straps are adjustable, and you could dangle other things off this molle or the strips on the back, should you feel so inclined.

The laptop compartment is very large, has extra waterproofing, and appropriate padding. I'd probably rather see it inside the pack itself, but there's pros and cons to each.
The Velocio Riding Pack - along with many modern packs - eschews some of the dividers, pockets and dedicated storage compartments I'm used to (the only interior divider is a small slip-pocket for valuables), but it's clean minimalist design means it's lightweight and quite snag-free. While I can't guarantee it'll last decades (my guess is the stretchy pockets will wear out first, but there's certainly no signs of that thus-far), the fabric and construction give me no red flags. And while I wouldn't leave it sitting in a puddle I trust it with my electronics riding in the rain, it's been adequately water-resistant. The roll-top closure may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's no arguing the enormous opening makes shoving things in the pack easy and no fear of it failing.
I've enjoyed using it so far.

If you have a kid, you know to never leave home without snacks. The one outside pocket on the Riding Pack is easily accessible while wearing the pack if you pop one arm out and swing it around.

The stretchy mesh pockets on the side will hold 26oz waterbottles if you're so inclined, or whatever else you want to chuck in there. I like how hard it would be for things to fall out.
If you're going to start carrying things around on your bike, there's a strong chance you already have a pack you can use. And that's the best one to start with, because you can go do it right now.
If you're looking for an upgrade, the Velocio Riding Pack has currently replaced my long-suffering Mission Workshop Khyte messenger bag for a lot of tasks, and the only thing I really miss is a convenient place for my U-lock.
While I've promoted various complex carrying concepts here on NSMB, there's also something to be said for the simplicity and convenience of a backpack. It's a grab-and-go aid on around-town missions you're already familiar with. It's always on your person for security, easy to throw your groceries in and save some plastic (or paper), and overall they're an incredibly versatile piece of kit, and with appropriate sympathy and care a good one should last decades. So far, this feels like a good one.

Comments
Matt Cusanelli
3 weeks, 2 days ago
Gosh. Cooper. It was a Friend's sweatshirt. Jeez.
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Cooper Quinn
3 weeks, 2 days ago
Just promise me you won't get JNCOs.
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Cr4w
3 weeks, 2 days ago
I've been using an Osprey Tropos for those kinds of missions. It's really good for a couple of reasons: it's got a fairly rigid structure that fits me well and keeps its shape no matter what you're carrying. It carries well when it isn't full and can compress down nicely. Great ventilation. Its structure allows it to balance sitting on its butt really nicely when it's not on your back. Good pocket segmentation without going crazy. It's not tall enough that it bumps the back of your helmet when riding.
A possible con is that the ergonomic shape means the main compartment isn't rectangular.
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Cooper Quinn
3 weeks, 2 days ago
The Velocio is the same - the main pocket is slightly teardrop shaped. but it's fine. I don't buy things in a lot of giant boxes.
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Cr4w
3 weeks, 2 days ago
It was a bit of an issue trying to carry a laptop but everything else has been fine.
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Cooper Quinn
3 weeks, 1 day ago
This pack will easily fit my laptop, which is thin, but large.
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RNAYEL
3 weeks, 2 days ago
Good write up. I'm more in favour of frame mounted bags to keep body temp and sweat in the manageable zone. I sweat at the thought of sweating, so if there's something on my back, I'm likely sweating into it.
For family rides with the kids, my trusty (and now over 10 year old) Hauser has been great. I also manage to strap pads for three kids and an adult to it for the climb up when we're on a mountain bike adventure.
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Jotegir
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Coop, I'm in the lucky position where it's a 3km paved, separated bike path ride up to work, and then 5km+ of singletrack down to home at the end of the day. I've been looking to upgrade my dual-purpose riding backpack (I currently use a SMITH one which is pretty good but not good enough), to carry lunch, sometimes tools, sometimes clothes, and occasionally a laptop. Despite not having a waist strap, the Smith has hung on because of its waterproofing and excellent laptop sleeve - think this thing can hold up? I note you say you haven't used it for MTB purposes, but I would.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
F*ck, I wish that was my commute! That sounds amazing.
I wouldn't have any qualms about using this for commute-shredding. But fit is always key for me offroad, so YMMV. I'd think you could get it to a nice happy place of not bobbing around. The laptop pocket sounds like an upgrade. The light color might not do super well in mud, though?
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Jotegir
2 weeks, 4 days ago
I'm in Kamloops - no mud. Thanks, I'll consider it!
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 3 days ago
It also matches the color of your dirt anyway!
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Haberdasher
2 weeks, 3 days ago
Great review - I had my eye on a Hauser or Speedwell to replace my ancient Mission Sanction pack but the prices after converting to CDN are a tough swallow. I was interested to see Velocio enter the segment. I have some of their kit and it fits great, nice design… and the materials wear out fast. Sounds like the bag may be similar, but good enough to give a try.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 2 days ago
I've been really enjoying the winter kit (https://nsmb.com/articles/velocio-winter-kit/),,) but as this is it's first season I can't speak to real longevity yet. But so far it all seems to be holding up well.
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