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Staff, Courtesy of Ortlieb
With sky-high gas prices and some Covid-related travel restrictions still lingering, more people are gravitating toward bikepacking and touring as a sustainable, self-sufficient, low-cost way to find adventure. And as more brands get on board to fuel the trend, using your bicycle as a means to get away is becoming more accessible to everyone. Whether you’re credit-card touring (eating in restaurants, staying in motels), overnight camping, or even just heading out for the day, you’ll need the right bag or bags to carry your gear. But with so many types of bikepacking bags to choose from, it can be challenging knowing which one is right for the job. Here, I recommend bikepacking bags for every scenario.
The Best Bikepacking Bags
The Expert: As a professional gear tester for more than 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see some amazing places. I’ve written for and contributed to various publications, including Backpacker, Men’s Health, Gear Junkie, 5280, and Elevation Outdoors. I’ve been bikepacking for over a decade and still aspire to traverse some of the country’s signature treks. My specialty is one-night missions from my home base in the National Forests surrounding Nederland, Colorado, and other multi-day bikepacking trips around Colorado. I delight in providing the context and experience that will help you make great gear choices—and have more fun outdoors. Find me on Instagram @definitelywild.
What to Consider When Buying a Bikepacking Bag
Types of Bags
The idea of a bikepacking bag is that it attaches to your bike—whether by fixed attachment points or straps with buckles or Velcro—thus eliminating the need to wear a heavy backpack, which can weigh on your back and shoulders and cause discomfort and fatigue over time.
Bikepacking bags are designed to attach to just about every part of your bicycle—from your handlebar to your frame to your seat—and each serves a unique purpose, whether it’s to keep small necessities within reach or larger gear out of the way.
Handlebar packs sit front and center for easy access and security so you’re able to keep an eye on your valuables. Top tube packs fit the same bill but are generally smaller and more accessible mid-ride. Fork packs mount onto either side of your bike’s fork legs within your line of sight but far enough out of the way to clear your pedals. Frame packs offer the sleekest option, tucked into the negative space between your top and down tubes. In this category, you’ll find half-frame bags, which leave room for water bottle cages and work with just about any frame, and full-frame bags, which can be challenging to use on some bikes, as their triangular shape can be limiting in some frame configurations.
Seat packs hold the workhorse title since they’re able to carry the biggest loads without interrupting your range of motion, but these demand some extra attention to minimize tail “waggage.”
Short and sweet trips may come down to only one or two storage packs, in which case you’re free to pick your preferred placements from the lineup of options. But extended backpacking adventures call for a solid packing strategy, combining multiple bags in a variety of placements to make room for it all and spread out the load.
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Materials
Gone are the days of canvas panniers and unsightly plastic buckets that were common back in the day (yes, people literally bolted empty kitty litter buckets to their bike rack and fork!). Sturdy, weather- and waterproof fabrics are key for protecting your goods, especially those in close proximity to gears and pedals—which can kick up water and grit from the road—while remaining lightweight. Nylon and polyester are common construction materials, with additions like polyurethane coatings for increased water resistance and ripstop weaves for added durability.
Capacity
Once you’ve determined which type of bag or bags will best suit your needs, you often, depending on the manufacturer, can then choose the size of the bag. Some, like the Topeak Backloader Seat Bag and Revelate Designs Ripio Bike Frame Bag, are available in a range of sizes, from small to extra large (indicated by capacity in liters).
How We Selected These Bikepacking Bags
Based on my experience as a cyclist who has done both single- and multiday bike trips, I chose the best bikepacking bags for every type of cycling adventure, from fast and light day trips to overnight treks. When evaluating these bikepacking bags, I considered the value of each bag on its own as well as when paired with another bag to create a larger storage and travel system. My recommendations prioritize organization, accessibility, durability, sleek design, and ease of use. To make your shopping experience even more fulfilling, I chose bags from reputable brands in the bikepacking space and that are in stock and can be purchased now.
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