All Wet

It was gross and wet last night. Really gross and really wet.

And I am a stone cold fool! I rode all about in the gross and wet.
With my backpack.
Which contained my laptop.

ACK! Like I said: I am a stone cold fool!

When I got home, I delicately unearthed my laptop from my backpack. Needless to say, I feared the worst. But, by some minor miracle, my laptop was a-ok: bone dry and booted fine.

It would appear that my backpack--the dubiously named Hacker Daypack by Timbuk2--is that most marvelous of modern marvels: a truly waterproof bag.

And yet, when I rooted about the bag to grab some nighttime reading material, I found that my book was soaked. In fact, everything else in the bag was soaked.

WTF!?!

I won't bore you with a full review of the Hacker. It's not a bad bag: the laptop stayed dry because it's under a genuinely waterproof flap (it was also nestled in a corduroy pocket...which just can't be waterproof). But it's not a great bike commuter bag by any stretch. It's too small for real big loads. And it didn't come with a sternum strap, which just baffles me.

SO...what IS the ideal bike commuting bag for a smaller gent who likes a two strapped backpack?

I will say this: I tried the mini Ortlieb backpack and HATED it. Yes, it's a teutonic waterproof wonder with all sorts of shiny cool. But it was basically a cumbersome sack that did not fit my 5"4 frame. Damn tall Krauts!

I will also say this: I have a really sweet looking ReLoad Midpack. But beautiful as it is, the bag is NOT waterproof. And a really cruddy sternum strap. To their credit, the good folks at ReLoad have recognized these flaws and unleashed a new and seemingly VASTLY improved Midpack.

Anyone tried the new Midpack?

Anyone got a better Timbuk Bag?

Anyone got a waterproof, laptop lugging, two-strap, comfy, ergonomociallyummy-but-not-clunky bag they'd recommend?

Not that I have the wads of cash to buy it, but if I go sallying about in the rain again, I want ALL my crap to be dry.