11 Best High Visibility Backpacks for Commuting, Motorcycle and Jobsites
High visibility backpacks are a safety staple for everything from motorcycle riding, commuter cycling and job sites. Hi vis backpack features such as bright colors, reflective striping and blinking lights can make all the difference between not being seen and staying safe.
Here we list some of the best high visibility backpacks available right now. These backpacks not only increase visibility but they also include must-have features like quality construction, thoughtful everyday carry design and proper fit for activities like commuting and motorcycle riding.
Best High Visibility Backpacks
Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility Daypack
Ortlieb offers a high visibility backpack for both commuters and daily carry with the Velocity High Visibility Daypack. This backpack is made out of reflective woven fabric that gives you full 360° visibility from every direction including the shoulder straps. Other great features include an ergonomic construction, padded laptop sleeve and a removable organizer for smaller items.
The Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility Daypack is available both a neon yellow or in a full black reflexing fabric for a more low-key look.
Mission Workshop Speedwell
The Mission Workshop Speedwell is an American made backpack centered around performance and comfort. The X-Pac textile construction provides a rugged yet lightweight exterior while the honey comb back panel and shoulder straps provide great airflow while keeping you comfortable in all conditions. Lightweight, weatherproof and packed with enough pockets to keep you organized - the Mission Workshop Speedwell might just be the high visibility backpack you’re looking for.
2W High Visibility Backpack
2W offers an affordable hi vis backpack that is packed with features. A great option for everything from job sites to commuting, the bag features a large expandable mesh storage compartment that allows you to carry everything from helmets to sports equipment. There is even a wet/dry storage compartment to keep dirty apparel separate from the rest of your stuff.
SealIne Urban Dry Daypack
Made with a completely waterproof construction, the Sealine Urban Dry Daypack is perfect for motorcycle riders and urban commuters who need a backpack to keep their item safe no matter how bad the weather gets. Sealine offers the Urban Dry Daypack in a variety of colors including in a bright hi vis yellow which adds to the other visibility features such as reflective accents and an attachment point for an additional bike light.
As a daily driver, the Urban includes a padded laptop sleeve, mesh zipper pocket with a key lanyard and a narrower overall profile for more compact carry.
Ortlieb Light Pack Two
Ultra lightweight and ultra visible, the Ortlieb Light Pack Two is a completely waterproof high visibility backpack that can be used for outdoor activities, commuting or even travel thanks to its compressible design.
A neat feature of the Ortlieb Light Pack Two is that the shoulder straps, chest strap and hip belt are all completely detachable to give you full control of your carry. The 25-liter main compartment is great for daytrips while the two side pockets give you quick access to a water bottle, sunglasses or snacks. When it comes to hi vis backpacks, the Light Pack Two is perfect for those who want a minimalist pack that keeps it simple.
Shugon Hi-Vis Backpack
If you are looking for a high visibility backpack on a budget, then the Shugon Hi-Vis Backpack is worth a closer look. This backpack includes a large main compartment with internal separators to keep you stuff organized. Plus the main compartment extends outward for easy storage of bulky items like a helmet, basketball or job equipment. Perfect for worksites and commuting alike, the Shugon Hi-Vis Backpack is available in super bright colors with reflective striping on all sides for added safety.
Icon Squad4 Hi Vis Backpack
The ICON Squad4 is a hi vis backpack made with motorcycle riders in mind. The backpack features a 23 liter capacity - which is perfect for daily carry without the added bulk of larger backpacks. The ICON Squad4 also provides an adjustable sternum strap and waist belt for added security and peace of mind when riding.
Along with being made of a hi vis yellow textile with reflective webbing, ICON includes a hi vis rain cover that turns into a helmet carrying system for hands-free carry when off your bike.
Ogio KTM No Drag Motorcycle Backpack
The Ogio No Drag is one of the best motorcycle backpacks on the market with some great riding features that are worth a closer look. The backpack features bright orange coloring along the body and shoulder straps for visibility and you can also purchase a high visibility waterproof rain cover for those gloomy riding days.
As a motorcycle backpack the Ogio No Drag has it all; a streamlined aerodynamic design, adjustable riding-specific shoulder straps and a roomy main compartment with tons of pockets and compartments for organized carry.
RIDERBAG Reflektor35 Hi Vis Backpack
The RIDERBAG Reflektor35 is a high visibility backpack that means business. Made with motorcycle riders and cyclists in mind, the Reflektor35 offers some neat features centered around safety and comfort such as large zipper pulls that are easy to use with gloves, an integrated emergency whistle and a helmet net that can be attached to the backpack as needed. When it comes to hi vis motorcycle or commuter backpacks few are this packed with features!
The RIDERBAG Reflektor35 backpack comes in a few hi vis colors or in jet black for a sleeker look. Each backpack has full reflective side and front panels for maximum visibility in low light.
Helly Hansen Loke Backpack
The Helly Hansen Loke Backpack is a bright hi vis backpack that is versatile enough for school, outdoor activities or commuting thanks to its light weight and durable construction that was made for life on the move. Not only does the Helly Hansen Loke feature bright colors that are sure to stand out but it also includes reflective printing for extra visibility in low light.
Black Diamond Magnum 16 Pack
Originally designed with hikes and peak bagging in mind, the Black Diamond Magnum 16 is also the perfect biking and commuting hi vis backpack for those who need a bright and visible bag for daily carry. Each Mangum 16 backpack features a slot for adding a bike light, a backpack panel designed to promote airflow and a removable hip belt. Made of hardwearing nylon ripstop and only weighing 1lb, the Black Diamond Magnum 16 is makes a great versatile backpack you can take just about anywhere.
What to look for in a high visibility backpack
Whether you are looking for a high visibility motorcycle backpack or a daily commuter backpack - all hi visibility backpacks share a few different features in common. Here is what to look out for.
Proviz REFLECT360 Backpack with reflective fabric
Reflective Materials
Reflective materials on hi vis backpacks span from reflective fabrics to special reflective prints. Many brands offer backpacks with reflective piping and printed logos for added visibility in low light while still maintaining a low key daily carry look during the day.
Other brands like Oterlieb and Proviz Sports offer backpacks made out of reflective fabric so that the entire backpack can illuminate in low light, creating a safer high visibility product that is perfect for bicyclists, urban commuters and school children alike.
Hi vis colors on a motorcycle rider
Hi Vis Colors
High visibility backpack colors can range from basic bright colors to more noticeable fluorescent colors such has hi-vis yellow, orange or pink. Although a true hi-vis backpack will prominently feature fluorescent colors, these colors may be overboard for a work commuter or college student only looking for a little bit of added safety during their commute.
Before purchasing a new backpack you must decide on how bright you need your backpack to be. Is this backpack needed to fulfill safety requirements on a jobsite? Then you may want to stick with a backpack made of hi vis fluorescent colors. Do you just need something bright and noticeable for hikes and biking? Then brightly colored fabrics may be the way to go.
Light Attachments
Another alternative to brightly colors hi visibility backpacks is to go with a backpack that can support light attachments. This allows you to have a low key backpack during the day and a safe way to commute in low light environment. Backpacks with light attachments are a great option for students, work commuters and cyclists who find themselves in low light environments often.
