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The bikepacking range from Jack Wolfskin consists of a saddle bag, a frame bag, a top tube bag and a handlebar bag, which can also be worn as a hip bag. The manufacturer states that the bikepacking bags are made from "recycled materials". Elsewhere it says "Recyceled Components" - recycled components. The main material and inner lining of the Top Tube Bag, for example, are completely recycled.
Bikepacking bags are attached directly to the bike. A pannier rack is not necessary. Are you still unsure which type of luggage transport is right for you? MYBIKE author Jörg Spaniol has looked into this question and made a comparison. In 2020, TOUR tested various bikepacking bags.
The saddle bag - Jack Wolfskin Seat Bag
The external compartment for tent poles is probably unique for a bikepacking bag. A maximum of ten litres of equipment can be stowed in the bag, and an elastic strap secures additional luggage to the bag. Jack Wolfskin claims that it is waterproof thanks to seam tape sealing and a roll-top fastener. It has withstood short rain showers and a journey of over an hour on wet roads without the contents getting wet. Our test has not yet been able to show how it performs in prolonged wet conditions. In general, however, it is advisable to pack equipment that should not get wet, such as a sleeping bag, in a double waterproof bag - regardless of how waterproof the bikepacking bags are.
Large reflective prints and an attachment option for an LED rear light ensure visibility.
The large buckles, which have to be threaded through over the seat stays, make it difficult to mount the bag on the bike. Once fitted, the bag sits securely and also fits well on small bikes. The straps, which can be used to close the roll-top fastener and vary depending on the amount of luggage, can be rolled up and held together with a Velcro fastener. This gives the bag a tidy appearance and the straps do not hang down.
A little digression: People with small bikes often have the problem that the saddlebag is so big that there is hardly any space between the tyre and the bag. As a result, the bag quickly drags on the rear wheel if it is not optimally packed or when travelling over bumpy gravel paths.
The Seat Pack from Jack Wolfskin is slim both at the bottom and at the sides. The distance between the tyre and the bag is large enough even on the S-frame of the 1.60 metre tester and the inside of her thigh does not hit the side of the bag when pedalling. This can happen with wider bags and can be annoying. The riding experience with the bag is good, no swinging of the bag was noticed. On the contrary: during the ride we almost forgot that a bag was mounted on the bike.
Conclusion and details:
The price-performance ratio of this bag is excellent.
Plus: Large reflective prints; also suitable for small bikes and small frames with low seat post extension
Minus: Large buckles are not always easy to thread between the saddle and saddle rails.
- Weight: 400 grams (manufacturer's specification)
- Dimensions: 18 x 20 x 46 centimetres
- Volume: 10 litres
- Price: 89,95 Euro >> at Jack Wolfskin available
Frame bag - Takeoff bag
The frame bag could be accommodated in the tester's small steel frame. This is better than some of the competition. There is also room for a small water bottle in the frame triangle. There are zips with a handy zip on both sides of the bag. Practical: the zip can be opened from front to back on one side and from back to front on the other. If you need to reach an item that is at the very back, you don't have to open the whole bag and perhaps even mess it up.
The bag material is relatively soft, so you can quickly touch the bag with your knees when pedalling. To keep the bag as slim as possible, it is ideal to pack the utensils to be stowed in the frame bag as narrowly as possible. Small pockets in the frame bag have proven their worth, which sort the packed items according to their intended use. If this is taken into account, the bag works well. Before buying, you should measure whether the bag fits into the frame triangle. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide a template for this.
Conclusion and details
Many details of the frame bag are well thought out, but a firmer material would offer more comfort.
Plus: can also fit into small frames (measure beforehand!), large reflective prints; bag can be opened from the front and back
Minus: soft material, so you quickly bump your knees
- Weight: 140 grams (manufacturer's specification)
- Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 43 centimetres
- Volume: 3.5 litres
- Price: 59,95 Euro >> at Available on Amazon
Top tube bag - Top Tube Bag
The top of the Top Tube Bag from Jack Wolfskin has a compartment for your smartphone. The device can be easily operated through the transparent cover. One negative aspect that stood out was the extremely long Velcro straps for attaching the bag to the frame. The front one in particular is clearly too long, even for frames with large tube circumferences. It is not possible to cut the straps, as the Velcro fastener and upper material are sewn together. The seam would be cut. In addition, several test subjects hit the bag with their knees every time they turned the pedals. The author removed the bag after 200 metres and stowed it in her rucksack. The problem occurred on several gravel bikes with different frame sizes and different people. It may work better on bikes with a wider top tube.
A new, revised bikepacking range will be launched in spring 2023. The new top tube bag looks slimmer.
Conclusion and details:
The bag still needs some work. The editorial team is excited to see what the bag shown at Eurobike 2022 can do.
Plus: Mobile phone display visible and operable
Minus: The bag is too wide, all of the test subjects from the editorial team bumped their knees and took the bag off after a few hundred metres or a few kilometres.
- Weight: 150 grammes
- Dimensions: 7 x 21 x 7 centimetres
- Volume: 0.8 litre
- Price: 39,95 Euro >> at Jack Wolfskin available
Handlebar bag and hip bag in one - Handlebar Bag 2in1
This bikepacking bag can be used both as a handlebar bag and as a belt bag. As a handlebar bag, it can be quickly attached to the bike. Despite the GPS device and front light above the bag, the zip is always accessible. We've seen it differently before. Unfortunately, it is not possible to quickly switch between handlebar bag and hip bag due to the foam blocks. However, it's definitely enough for quickly taking the bag to a café during a break. As a hip bag, the bag was very comfortable and offers plenty of storage space for valuables, snacks and more. The bag should not be used on sensitive bib shorts, it is better to wear more robust touring or mountain bike shorts. The strap rubbed on the tester's bib shorts and left irreversible marks after just a few kilometres.
Conclusion and details:
The bag sits well on the bike when it is fully packed. Half empty, the material is too soft to leave enough space between the front tyre and the bag on a small frame. This is not a problem on larger bikes. As a hip bag, the bag is comfortable to carry and offers plenty of storage space.
Plus: works well as a hip bag and as a handlebar bag; plenty of space
Minus: no quick change from hip bag to handlebar bag and vice versa possible
- Weight: 170 grammes
- Dimensions: 16 x 27 x 12 centimetres
- Volume: 4 litres
- Price: 69,95 Euro >> available at Amazon
The bikepacking bags from Jack Wolfskin
Now that all the bags have been analysed individually, it's time for an overall assessment of Jack Wolfskin's bikepacking bags. Many details of the bags are well thought out, but elsewhere, such as the long strap on the top tube bag, the question arises as to whether the bag was tested in practice before it went into production. The saddle bag was convincing, the material of the frame bag is a little too soft, so that it has to be packed very accurately, but it also fits into smaller frames. The handlebar bag works well, but its dual function could be improved. Unfortunately, the top tube bag fell through and the editorial team is looking forward to the new bag, which will be launched in 2023.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
