Panniers vs. Backpack for commute

[7rider]

I ride about 3 - 3.5 miles to work, which isn't much, but I live in San Francisco, so there are hills, and I deal with fairly heavy traffic many days, so that short ride can feel longer.

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Will 20 pounds in panniers be easier to deal with than 20 pounds on my back?

Thank you!

If you intend to use your back (and your neck) in the future....I'd say, yeah - 20 pounds on the pannier would be a whole lot better than on the back. That's a lot of weight. The Arkel commuter bag has a laptop sleeve, and can carry a boatload of other stuff along with it. Clicks on and off a rack wicked easy, and you can cover the hooks and - viola - an incognito pannier disguised cleverly as a carry all tote.