Bikepacking continues to attract more and more adventurers to its ranks. It’s a ton of fun. And, it is a great way to access remote areas too distant for a weekend hike. We like to think of it as the next logical step any backpacker should take when seeking a bit more adventure. And all you need it a bike, a sense of adventure and the best bikepacking bags you can buy.
We’re not alone in that assertion. In fact, most new bikepackers are also backpackers. Which comes as great news to those of us living with a tight budget. Aside from a bike you don’t need a lot of extra gear to migrate from backpacking to bikepacking. Most of your lightweight camping gear works great for two wheeled adventures. You will however need to leave your trusty Osprey or Arcteryx pack at home. They’re just too bulky and top heavy for safely traversing singletrack on a bike.
To keep things safe and organized you’ll need another solution. You need bikepacking bags. They take the weight off your back, spread the load, and keep your center of gravity low.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite bikepacking bags for the adventurous traveller on the go. Because we know how important your trusty gear is to a weekend in the backcountry.
Best frame bag for Bikepacking Beginners
The Tangle bag by Revelate Designs is a high quality bag that stores larger items without getting in the way of pedaling across epic landscapes. It comes in a stream-lined rectangular shape and attaches easily to the top tube of your bicycle by several Velcro straps. Filling the otherwise unusable space between your bicycle bars, this frame bag is a great way to store heavier items such as food, tools or cycle gear particularly for longer rides – while keeping leg chafing at bay. Made out of stretchy waterproof fabric, the bag keeps almost anything Mother Nature throws your way on the outside. It performs wonderfully if you need to keep things dry during a downpour – and the type of fabric conveniently doesn’t absorb water or dirt as you coast through puddles after the storm.
The Tangle Bag comes with a handy zip-up pocket on the side for keeping your smaller items separated. While the bag can fit a 100 ounce water bladder, we recommend filling it with slightly less so you that you leave room to store tools and other items in the outside pockets. In fact, we typically transport most of our water on our back and in bottles secured by stout cage mounts.
When setting up this frame bag, make sure you secure it in a spot that’s easy to reach for easy access to water and food as well as high enough that it won’t slip down and get caught in your wheel while you’re cycling. For those who like to ride with their cell phones and GPS close to hand, cables can also be run through the top of the bag. It’s also a great place to store a battery for a handlebar mounted light. One downside of the Tangle Bag is that depending on the size of your bike, you may have to switch out your water bottle for one that is slightly smaller (such as a 500ml) as the bag takes up a fair amount of space.
You’ll definitely want a top tube bag
We’re fans of Revelate Designs, especially if you’re just starting out. Their Gas Tank bikepacking bag is a surprisingly high volume top tube bag. It’s perfect for cyclists who need extra storage space for easy-to-reach items… like snacks. The top tube bag attaches above your bike’s top tube with Velcro and has a handy zip open side which can be easily accessed mid-cycle with just one hand or opened up completely when you’re not on the move. The Gas Tank is also fully foam padded on the inside and offers inner organisers for smaller items.
The trusty seat pack… Part fender, part backpack
The Blackburn Outpost Seatpack is a great alternative to a rucksack. It features adjustable a mounting system that can be mounted or removed in seconds. With an 11 litre capacity, it’s perfect for overnight trips or long day rides. It gives you plenty of room to store gear without interfering with the stability of your bicycle. Use it to store items like a coat or sleeping bag. And, as a bonus it does a great job of deflecting water kicked up by your rear tire.
The seat pack bag mounts to just about any bike and can be used with just about any standard dry bag and stuffing bag – but be aware that it is not recommended for carbon seat posts. And don’t make the mistake of using a dropper seatpost while your bag is attached. We assume that would make for an embarrassing “oh yeah, I forgot there was a seat bag back there moment…or two… maybe three.” Hypothetically speaking, of course.
With a waterproof welded stuff bag, you can store all essentials in a safe, dry place under the saddle of your bike where it won’t get in the way . This high volume seat pack can fit a lot more than you may think with space for a two-man tent (sans poles) as well as clothes. And even with a full load, you can rest assured that the stability of the bike won’t be compromised. .
Handlebar roll
The Blackburn Outpost Bikepacking Handlebar Roll Bag is the perfect choice for overnight rides with extra-large capacity for storage. It is made up of two separate pieces. A convenient handlebar harness and a dry bag. It is simple to remove and fits easily on most bike handlebars. The harness is secured with a plastic clamp around the handlebar with two bolts while a second support band holds the bag up from underneath. It’s about as secure as it gets, particularly for a fabric bag – and it does not require retightening mid-cycle.
With an 11.5 litre capacity and a waterproof covering, you can fit just about anything in this bag, from clothes to sleeping bags and tents and it’s extremely easy to compress. It also comes with tie downs so you can secure additional gear to the bag. As a holster-style bag, it’s much easier to access than a regular seat bag. Please note that this bag is not recommended for use on carbon handlebars..
The Anything Cage
Salsa’s Anything Cage is the ultimate hold-all for cyclists. Made from impact-resistant nylon material, this lightweight carrier is similar to a bicycle rack. They’re great for transporting bulky items such as sleeping bags, shelters and large water bottles, supporting nearly seven pounds. This easy to attach contraption utilises your bike’s existing brazeons for a secure mounting platform and includes two Nylon straps for extra stability. Buy on Amazon.
What bikepacking bags have you tried and tested? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!