There are many reasons why I advocate running to work. Not only is it the perfect way to kill dead time in the mornings, but it also saves you from having to get up even earlier to fit in your session before leaving the house. Not to mention, there’s nothing worse than being sardined in a stuffy bus or train. Plus — speaking from experience — nothing leaves you feeling as sanctimonious as ticking off your miles before 9am. (Smug, me? Never.)
The issue is, if you’re lugging your laptop, wash kit and a spare change of clothes into the office, its paramount that you wear a well-fitting running backpack in order to distribute the weight evenly and avoid injury (a hydration pack will likely be too small). My top tip? Plan ahead and bring most things you need into the office the day before, leaving your laptop there overnight, too.
That being said, not everyone has access to a locker or a safe storage space in their workplace. In this case, you’re going to need a running backpack that can handle the load. I’ve been using the best hydration packs and vests for training for over a year now, and it’s absolutely changed my run commuting game. Here’s why.
| Dimensions | W27cm x H39cm x D13m (W11in x H15in x D5in) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 15-18 litres |
First up, the Athlete's roll-top design means you can pack loads in it. On days I haven't been so organised, I've managed to squeeze a pair of trainers, pair of trousers, top, underwear, wash bag and hairbrush into the main compartment. In the winter, it's large enough to store a coat or jacket (although you may have to sacrifice some items or leave them at work the day before). There’s also a separate compartment for your laptop and other technology – my MacBook Air 13” glides in, but it’s big enough to fit a laptop up to 16”.
There's also a large pocket on either side of the bag, designed so that you can either unzip it to use as a water bottle holder (see below) or to securely store valuables like keys and a credit card. The bag's YKK zippers are high quality and have never become stuck.
The detachable waist belt also has a pocket on either side — this is just about large enough to hold my iPhone 15 (not the Pro version) on the run, but the zip doesn't quite close completely. The phone fits in snuggly, though, so it's never fallen out.
As well as the waist belt, the Athlete Backpack has a strap across the sternum. It's placed high enough so that even women can wear it comfortably without it digging into your breasts. And once you’re strapped in, it doesn’t budge — at all. We're talking zero bounce.
While it’s heavy, it's also surprisingly comfy, thanks to the padded back mesh panel. It’s also water repellent – I've taken it on several drizzly run commutes and everything in my bag has remained completely dry. (Plus, you can always pop your stuff in a bag for life for added security.)
A small gripe? While both the black and blue colours are sleek and stylish, it’s not the easiest to be seen on the road, so perhaps a reflective panel on the back wouldn’t have gone amiss in the design process.
Shop (Pre-order, shipping in May
Stolt Alpha Backpack
| Dimensions | W28cm x H46cm x D15cm (W11in x H18in x D6in) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 20 litres, expands to 25 litres with the expandable pocket |
Stolt also offers another style of run commuter bag which I've tested. The Alpha differs slightly from the roll-top Athlete Backpack in that it converts into a business bag in seconds with hideaway straps. But, it can still store a laptop up to 16”, shoes and a change of clothes in its expandable compartments.
Even though the Alpha Backpack is slightly longer in terms of height and depth than the Athlete Backpack — and holds up to 7 litres more — I find it harder to store bulky items like shoes and coats because of the design. So, if you're someone who struggles to pack light, the Athlete Backpack will probably be better suited.
