Best New Commuting Products
This is about joy in doing, saving, being – and arriving safely. Active Junky’s gathered some obvious brand choices along with road-worthy newcomers to roll in with solid options that work on and off the bike.
Blackburn Wayside Backpack Pannier: Convert your commutes
Bike commuters know that ditching backpacks for panniers is the easiest ticket to sweat-free backs and more comfortable commutes. But then you arrive at work only to hand-carry an awkward pannier around all day. Not only is it uncomfortable, you look goofy. Even beyond converting from pannier to stylish backpack in minutes, 19L Wayside does so without sacrificing the functionality of either. The expandable volume is ample, and two front pockets allow easy separation between bike tools and what you need for work. Don’t be fooled by the simple design. The waxed canvas exterior has proven burley enough to keep our tester’s goods dry and secure even through some of the wettest spring commutes.
Tester Comments: There’s nothing here that’s not totally practical. I’m more concerned about standing out (in an attention-seeking way) so Wayside fits my more workman-like aesthetic. Killer value, too, with nominal weight of about 2lbs.
Best For: Short to extended commutes where secure storage and off-bike carrying are paramount
North St. Bags Scout 11 Duffel: Onward to glory
Active Junky’s on a campaign to see this brand get its due. Waterproof and made in Portland, there’s no stopping North St. Bag’s 6L commuting companion from arriving ready to work. Or prepared to play with a quick-clip, swiveled shoulder strap that’s among the sturdiest, least-likely-to-slip-once-adjusted we’ve reviewed in five years. This 1000 denier Cordura model moves to the front of the line thanks to an interior, zipped pocket replete with a lanyard. One actually long enough to pull out and use without disconnecting keys. Spring $20 for the Handlebar Kit and the 11” long, 6.5” diameter Scout’s X-Pac sailcloth interior leads the charge through windy intersections and car-splashed lanes.
Tester Comments: Here’s where I break down and refuse to ride with generic goods on my lovingly-selected, optical orange single-speed bike Budgets are too precious to use disposable products and Scout definitely has legacy written all over the durable, overbuilt seaming and webbing.
Best For: Commuting, casual and adventure travel when paired with the Khaki/Tan Scout 14 Duffel (15L) as an in-transit and day-tripping carry all
Check out the North St. Bags Scout 11 Duffle >
Showers Pass Men’s Track Pants: Made to move
Ride like a fury when the traffic lights are telepathically turning green ahead of you? Pop up ten floors of stairs simply because you’re able? Stroll into a pub darts league like you’re ready to do some damage? This is the one, capable of far more than simply commuting as the panelized construction travels easily between activities. Active Junky values the reflective touches that don’t subordinate Track Pants’ off-bike authority. Waistband comfort never gets sloppy nor do two zipped hip pockets ever pooch out. Athletic while miles away from compression wear, this pant is in the “didn’t know I needed it until I wore it” category. If your work environment is more formal, make this model your commuting coveralls or simply quick-change upon arrival.
Tester Comments: Don’t know how many times the extended 13” ankle zippers kept me moving without clumsy removal of footwear. Inner scuff guards on the ankles helped against chain suck (although the tailoring likely is enough). Extended rides, even on my performance road bike, confirmed that movement rules with this one.
Best For: Life on and off the bike (don’t make us be more specific because there’s no reason with Showers Pass)
Native Eyewear Crestone: Elevated expectations
Instead of passable eyewear or race-inspired, cateye-like styles, Active Junky picked this one. Named for a town and surrounding mountains in Colorado, Crestone is among the smoothest fitting models on the market – while staying put during traffic-dodging sprints. Compatible with a wide range of road and urban helmet configurations, the glasses sport Native Eyewear’s’ “M L” fit profile for plenty of peripheral vision on average to slightly larger faces. The Obsidian colorway, paired with Dark Gray N3 polarized lens technology, strikes the balance between uncluttered design and personal style. Pushing away up to four times more infrared light than normal polarized options, testers reaped visual clarity even as lighting conditions varied during the day.
Tester Comments: Weird but the hinges are a big deal to me, taking Crestone on and off frequently between rides, work and errands. Frames are lighter than expected from the brand’s Rhyno-Tuff technology. Surprisingly effective in diffused light and shadows common to urban commuting routes. Without question, worth the few extra dollars.
Best For: Commuting as well as scrambling at higher elevations with perilous radiation levels (largely through reflection off the snow)
WeatherFlow WEATHERmeter: Prevailing wins
If you’re going to plow into an ocean of traffic, setting a course for a safe port despite the raging road, why not ride with a navigator’s awareness of the weather? Active Junky values the consistency and accuracy of this under $80 tool that reveals a wealth of actionable data. What’s more, the ability to share basic outdoor (and even indoor) weather conditions is delightful. Where else can comprehensive, real-time temp, humidity and pressure measurements get supplemented with a world of wind calculations. Crosswind and headwind come to the helmet-enclosed mind, as do speeds and their connection to wind chill (and heat index along with “feels like” temperature). Testers are done hoping a nearby reporting station is close enough to reflect actual conditions right here and now. Trust that secure mounting operations turn Bluetooth connectivity into on-phone or independent placement.
Tester Comments: Get the basics or geek out depending upon which display option you choose. Or, like we did, toggle back and forth to learn more about how conditions are changing. Sorry, but this one is more fun than you’d expect and is great at deciding who buys the expresso after a round or two of “Guess the temperature” or “What about the humidity.”
Best For: Commuting, outdoor pursuits ranging from hiking to boating
Swiftwick Pursuit Seven Mid Calf: Non-stop progress
If you don’t love the brand’s tagline, “do what moves you,” you’ve come to the wrong place – and stumbled upon a sock that far exceeds the daily demands of texting. Commuters ready to ride forth, either clipping in or astride platform pedals, will make the most of this Made in the USA model featuring 67% merino in tandem with 29% nylon and 4% Spandex. Fighting moisture build-up along with odors, the foot-friendly shape stands against bacteria as it avoids blister-causing hot spots. Enough compression lends itself to extended energy during the day. Despite a sense of armored protection in rain and snow, Pursuit chases down enough business style to seal the deal. Active Junky continues to follow a brand that sews up innovative designs based upon solid technology.
Tester Comments: Enough plush without disintegrating under pressure. That’s what Pursuit’s about. The idea of fresher feet is, to me anyway, a new idea. Can’t wait to travel with these internationally (likely only need two pair to cover it all).
Best For: Weekday commuting, seamless transition to business and social settings
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