How we tested them

CAPACITY We put together a package of typical contents to assess the carrying capacity of each rucksack. This consisted of a pair of trainers, jeans, a hoodie, two T-shirts, two sets of underwear, a spare pair of base layers, a 13in laptop and a wash kit. We packed the kit into each to see how easily each rucksack accommodated our gear.

EASE OF USE We looked at how easy it was to load each bag with the standard contents package we developed, as well as how easy it was to put each on and adjust the chest and shoulder straps while wearing a riding jacket.

FEATURES An assessment of each rucksack’s features, such as a dedicated and padded laptop sleeve, a helmet holder (useful for when you’re off the bike) or separate ‘wet’ sections that could keep your wash kit away from dry clothes or electronics. Also whether a waterproof cover was included.

We loaded each bag and went for a ride over a selection of rural, urban and faster dual carriageways to see how they were in use. We looked at the chest and waist straps, whether the base interfered with the bike’s seat or the top caught on the helmet.

STABILITY We looked at how stable each rucksack was during use, both fully filled (to each bag’s actual capacity) and partly filled, with whatever compression system was available. Where none was available, stability was assessed as is.

We fitted rain covers to the bags (if supplied) then doused all the bags with water for a set period of time. We looked at whether water penetrated the rain cover or into the rucksack itself. This was designed to assess shower-resistance rather than outright waterproofing, as some did not claim to be waterproof.