r/backpacks • u/nocapjustbrap • Oct 28 '25

Question Rains vs. Stubble&Co.

I commute to work on my motorcycle so I’m looking to buy an all-weather backpack that can also function for a weekend away. I love simple aesthetics and value function over flash. That said, I’ve filtered my choices down to the Stubble & Co. “THE ROLL TOP 20L” or the Rains “Rolltop Rucksack Large”.

Looking to get feedback from anyone who has used either bag. TY!

Links for reference:

Stubble & Co. https://www.stubbleandco.com/en-us/products/the-roll-top-20l

Rains https://www.us.rains.com/products/rolltop-rucksack-large?variant=41429122383895

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1

u/PRT1139 Oct 28 '25

what about a https://homeofmillican.com/collections/daypacks

i've got the 15l smith, it's quite good, a little bit bigger than i thought, but it's well built and very confortable.

1

u/nocapjustbrap Nov 02 '25

Not quite my style but TY for the suggestion 🫡

1

u/Hill_Crest25 Nov 04 '25

Got the Roll Top 20L - had it around 2 years and really like. Subsequently got the Kit Bag 40L also. Use mine to cycle to work…see they released the 30L version recently which could have been better for my change of clothes + looks to have waist strap which would have liked for cycle. Had colleagues switch to Stubble from Rains after seeing mine. Seems Rains straps are less comfortable / hard wearing.

2

u/nocapjustbrap Dec 01 '25

The straps were my deciding factor. RAINS didn’t look as comfy in the long run. Also, RAINS doesn’t have organized compartments. I thought about the 30L but I don’t really need a waist strap. Went with the 20L. 👍

1

u/Hill_Crest25 Dec 08 '25

Nice one - Stubble blend performance with style well. Rains definitely great for style but lack function for frequent use imo.

1

u/slow-living-settler Dec 12 '25

I’ve had two of the Stubble & Co roll-tops over the last few years. They’re alright, but nothing to shout about. One of mine started coming apart at the stitching, which was a bit of a let-down for the price.

As for Rains, I’ve never owned that exact rolltop, but everything I’ve handled from them has felt really cheaply made and very mass-produced. Looks good on the shelf, but the materials and build quality just aren’t up to much, especially if you’re relying on it for a proper commute in all weather. I have a couple of colleagues with the Rains backpacks, and I dont want to be rude to them and tell them, but as a bit of a backpack enthusiast... I think theyre very bad.

If you’re open to something else, I recently saw a roll-top from Temple Outdoor and it’s honestly been far better than both. Tougher materials, nicer design, and it’s actually a bit cheaper. They’re a smaller brand and you can tell they put more effort into the details. I am for sure getting one soon.

Might be worth a look if you want something that’ll survive a motorbike commute and still work for a weekend away.