Crossover pannier/backpack?

[northlandiguana]

I'm planning a tour next summer starting in the Pacific Northwest and heading east through the mountains. I'm going to be in some areas where I'll want to park the bike for a few days and pack in on foot, so I need some sort of pannier system that can double as a backpack suitable for a couple nights in the backcountry. I've been doing some shopping online, and came across a few items. I really like the look of Ortleib panniers, which they have a fairly inexpensive day pack converter I can buy for, but my concern with those is the lack of waist belt and whether I could attach a tent/sleeping bag to the outside. I also looked at Nashbar's Action Pack n Pannier, which has a waist strap, but the website says it's only 640 cubic inches (though the pictures make it look bigger), which I would have a real concern about being big enough. Brule Mountain Gear's Backcountry Panpack looks like exactly what I'm after, but at $319 not including the padded straps, I think it's a bit out of my price range. Anybody have any personal experience or recommendations?

[staehpj1]

If I were to do that, I think I would probably just use my regular panniers and strap the (empty) backpack in top of the rear rack.

That said I am more inclined to forgo the backpack and just do either very short hikes or at most day hikes when on tour.  On my most recent tour we did spend a week in Yosemite (much of it hiking), but returned to Camp 4 every night.

[Peaceandcycle]

Hey I'm also on a bind for "luggage" I really dont know what to get..
I found a couple of websites that offer pannier and backpacks?
Which one is more practical?
http://www.rei.com/category/40005609
and this one
http://www.twenga.com/price-panniers-cycling.html
I really don't know what to get..  I hope someone can help me out...
Thanks again

have a great day:)

[John Nelson]

Peaceandcycle, what do you plan to do with it? Every product is fit for some purpose, so it just depends on your purpose.

[Peaceandcycle]

well carrying lunches, water, maps, and maybe a small tent and a small sleeping bag.. my friends an I want to go on a trip and camp under the stars... and I really dont feel like dragging everything so maybe theres something on the market that is all in one

[Pat Lamb]

well carrying lunches, water, maps, and maybe a small tent and a small sleeping bag.

Up to "tent and sleeping bag" I was going to suggest a cheap book bag or messenger bag; not much padding, a few ounces, and stash it in a pannier.

When you toss in a tent and bag, that obviously won't be big enough, and you're looking at a real backpack.  I like the idea of strapping a backpack onto a rack, except the pack will weigh a pound (or three) instead of 1/4 to 1/2 a pound.  I'm afraid that throws you into the "figure out what YOU want to do and what compromises YOU are willing to make" category, as nobody else can do that for you.

[cyclocamping]

I did several 3-day hiking trips while on a bike trip using one of my pannier and the Ortlieb Carrying System for Panniers. It is not as good a true hiking backpack but it is a much lighter option and it has a waist belt as well as a chest one and the shoulder straps are actually very comfortable. I use a strap to attach my tent to it, and I use the closure sytem of the panniers to attach a sleeping bag or a jacket. It worked out well for me.

[Olhiker2]

 You might try looking at <http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks.shtml> for one of the lightest backpacks availiable that you can just roll or fold it up to the size of a water bottle and stick it in a Pannier. Their backpacks are the real deal and carry loads of 20 to 30 lbs. but the packs only weigh 7 to 13 oz. I have an older "Z1" that is made out of Sil nylon and I am very comfortable taking it on treks carrying 19 lbs.
Best,
Carl in San Diego