A bicycling friend once pointed out to me how ridiculous it was when fellow bicyclists would cough up thousands of dollars for an ultralight engineered bike frame, only to bolt a huge 3-lb $20 Kryptonite lock to the top of the frame.

I feel the same way about commuter bags - why buy a $3000 3-lb ultralight notebook only to carry it in a 5-lb Kenneth Cole leather briefcase?

Recently I spent some time hunting down an ultralight commuter bag. Specifically - an ultralight laptop backpack.

Unless it is really important for you to appear professional and carry a nice leather briefcase, I recommend a backpack. The reason for this is that they can keep your hands free to do stuff like operate ticket machines, browse the magazine stand before your train, and carry an impromptu breakfast or tallboy for the ride home.

With a messenger bag or shoulder-strapped briefcase, you can keep your hands free, but I find myself adjusting it constantly. Because it hangs lower and swings, it puts more strain on my shoulder then a backpack. Finally, it sits on my hip, where it is constantly banging into doors and other people.

A backpack sits high and close to your back - if someone has bumped it, its their fault not yours. You don’t even need to use both shoulder straps most of the time, just keep once cinched up high and you should be fine. However, if you do find yourself on an unexpectedly long-haul day or need to carry some extra stuff, the option to go with both straps is the most comfortable urban hauling option there is.

After searching the web, I found the The Everki Venture Light Laptop Backpack. This was the lightest laptop backpack I could find anywhere - at 14 ounces, its just under a pound, which is unheard of.

It has kind of sporty emblem on the back, but a reviewer said it could be easily removed. It also doesn’t come in black, but it does come in a dark blue.

Upon arrival the Everki seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. It is, indeed, incredibly light, although it is quite roomy and some reviewers report being able to just fit a 17″ notebook inside.

Access and compartments are fairly typical and easy to access. Since it is a nylon pack, it lacks a bit of rigidity, and the straps could be slightly better padded (curiously, the rear of the pack which touches your back is specially padded).

Best of all this bag is only $40, and its currently on sale for $32.

Can’t beat that!

I haven’t had a chance to commute with it yet, but I will update here when I do.