Bikepacking bags: Bike bags for gravel bikes and road bikes put to the test
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Everything on the bikepacking tour
A change of clothes, the most important documents, money, smartphone and sat nav including charging cable, some tools and important spare parts - that's all you need to move from your home to your road bike and be largely independent on the road for a few days. If you have a sleeping bag and a small tent, you can even spend the night outside and do without accommodation. However, even if you're of a modest disposition, the amount of household items you need for the journey far exceeds the capacity of a rucksack. So it's good if you can store as much luggage as possible on your bike and literally keep the weight off your back.
Bikepacking bags
For some years now, bags that can be attached to the frame, saddle and handlebars with straps and Velcro fasteners and also fit on bikes that are not actually designed for transporting luggage have been proving their worth. Under the buzzword "bikepacking", they are now available from a number of suppliers, and the variety of bag shapes and attachment options is almost limitless. We decided to test a set of saddle, frame, top tube and handlebar bags because they are usually easy to mount on gravel bikes and road bikes and the volume is sufficient for a multi-day trip. Experienced specialists (Revelate, Restrap, Apidura) compete against major accessory brands such as Birzman, Lezyne and Topeak. We were also excited to see the new bags from the Middle Franconian manufacturer Ortlieb and the Hamburg-based manufacturer Burgfyr. The minimalist set from Evoc is a little out of the ordinary, but we found it interesting due to its innovative fastening system.
Wardrobe
The saddle bag has the most difficult job in the ensemble. It can hold up to 17 litres of spare clothing and, depending on the size, light civilian clothing including shoes for going out - the tied-up package then weighs up to ten kilograms and has to be firmly lashed to the saddle rails and seat post so that it doesn't swing when riding in the saddle and doesn't come loose on bumpy roads. Not all manufacturers manage this well; with some it takes at least some time until the bag is really securely docked. In everyday use, an easy-to-remove inner bag or a quick-release fastener saves time and nerves, as the contents can be quickly removed from the bike or the container does not have to be lashed down every time. Always carrying your luggage to the bike and packing it there is not a sensible option. The bikepacking specialists Restrap and Revelate are setting standards with innovative quick-release fasteners, loading and unloading is a breeze and the bags are always securely fastened. We also liked the Topeak bag with a conveniently fitting inner bag and the Evoc with Boa fastener, which is relatively quick to fit and holds perfectly, but is extremely small. The Apidura and Ortlieb bags can also be lashed down securely, but they don't have an inner bag. In our opinion, a compression valve is important so that you can press excess air out of the bag and reduce the volume of the contents. Good features include holders for a rear light, reflective strips and an elasticated band on the top so that you can store shoes outside the bag, for example, or a waistcoat or rain jacket that you want to have within easy reach.
The material of the Birzman and Lezyne bags is not equipped for a rainy day. Most other bags can withstand even heavy showers; with Apidura, Ortlieb and Revelate you can even ride through an entire rainy day without having to pull wet clothes out of the bag in the evening. The roll-top closures are splash-proof as long as the bags are not stuffed to the last centimetre and you can actually roll the closure - you should therefore deduct one to two litres from the manufacturer's specifications.
Toolbox
The long frame bag is favourable for road bikes because it can hold two water bottles. It can hold a tarpaulin or a slim tent if its opening is large enough. The position is otherwise well suited for stowing heavy items: Tools, pump, spare parts, batteries. It is important that the bag fits the frame size, then it can be tightened well and does not rock. The Birzman and Lezyne models are only available in one size, both are short and the straps are already too short from frame size M; the Evoc and Ortlieb bags, on the other hand, are too long for smaller frames. If the size fits, all the bags sit well and can carry a lot of weight. The zips can be a weak point, and a fault with them is particularly annoying when travelling. Restrap, Revelate and Ortlieb are very solid. If there are pull stops on the top tube of the frame, adjustable fastening straps are important. Practical details of good bags also include an outlet for charging cables, access from both sides, an air pump holder and compartments for small items or cards.
Safe
Because it is easily accessible and in view, the top tube bag has room for the important things. It should not be too small, as documents, money, phone, camera and light battery may be competing for the limited space. An easy-to-use fastener and a large opening allow quick access. Once again, Revelate stands out with its clever quick-release fastener. However, a lot of wind can blow a few raindrops under the hood. Topeak integrates a rain cover; Apidura, Revelate and Evoc allow cables to slip out into the open.
Bed base
Light and soft items are well stored in the bag in front of the handlebars: sleeping bag, insulated or hammock, towel. We also trust Ortlieb, Restrap and Revelate with heavier loads because their bags can be mounted really firmly. Handlebars and shift brake levers limit the width, so the diameter is more significant for the size than the volume. Because side access is restricted, quick-release fasteners are important, as is the ability to compress the bags and their contents. Additional small bags can be strapped in front of the handlebar rollers from Ortlieb, Revelate and Apidura. This is included with Restrap and is attached with a clever magnetic quick-release fastener.
Bikepacking bags test results
APIDURA Expedition
Bikepacking specialist from London with a wide range, the set lies between a more robust and a lightweight "Race" version. Relatively thin, rubber-like material, yet robust. Well-equipped and easy and secure to attach. Loading the rubberised bags could be easier. Relatively expensive, but comes with a lifetime guarantee and repair service.
- Saddle Pack
- Frame Pack
- Top Tube Pack
- Handlebar Pack
>> Overall grade: 1.7
BIRZMAN Packman Travel
Inexpensive set with fresh colours. Unfortunately, the robust-looking fabric lets a lot of water through. The fastenings of all the bags have weaknesses; the straps on the top tube and seat post are too long for slim tubes, while those for tightening the frame bag are too short. The large top tube bag offers a lot of volume, but has little support.
- Saddle Pack
- Frame Pack Planet
- Top Tube Pack
- Handlebar Pack
>> Overall grade: 2.9
BURGFYR bikepacking bags
Handmade set from Hamburg. Sustainable approach with easily replaceable zips. The details are unconventional, quality and function without weaknesses. The frame bag is also made to measure. Unfortunately no handlebar rollers available, which is why the stem bag was tested in this case.
- Bug Out Bag
- Cube
- Slotbag Roadbike Edition
- Postbag
>> Overall grade: 1.6
EVOC Bike Packing
Apart from the frame bag, the Evoc set is extremely small; it is only suitable for a multi-day tour to a limited extent. The relatively stiff material is waterproof, only the roll and zip fasteners let some water through in heavy rain. The Boa fastenings on the saddle and handlebar bag work perfectly. Textiles get caught on the Velcro fasteners when packing.
>> Overall grade: 1.9
LEZYNE Caddy
Quite reasonably priced bags, but only recommended to a limited extent. The saddle bag can only be sensibly attached to oversized uprights, the handlebar roller is difficult to load. The overall quality of workmanship is rather mediocre and the material is not rainproof.
>> Overall grade: 2.8
ORTLIEB Bikepacking
The Ortlieb set impresses with its extremely solid workmanship and maximum protection against moisture. Heavy material, strong zips and fittings, some of which are made of metal, promise a long life even with intensive use. Only the loading of the bags could be easier.
- Seat-Pack
- Frame-Pack Toptube
- Cockpit pack
- Handlebar pack
>> Overall grade: 1.7
RESTRAP Carry Everything
Stylish, functional set with great attention to detail, handmade in Leeds. Bags that can be removed in a flash, impeccable grip even off-road, extensive equipment and solid workmanship make it a recommendation for enthusiasts. Highlights: the magnetic fastening of the saddle bag and the magnetically attached document pocket on the handlebar roller.
>> Overall grade: 1.4
RELEVATE Designs
High-end set, well thought out down to the last detail, extremely robust and perfectly finished. The perfectly functioning "Spinelock" saddle holder and the quick-release fastener on the top tube bag are unrivalled. Handmade; extremely expensive, but also extremely high quality and innovative. Lifetime guarantee and repair service.
- Sweetroll
- Mag-Tank
- Tangle Frame Bag
- Spinelock
>> Overall score: 1.2 (TESTSIEGER)
Topeak bikepacking bags
The second cheapest set in the test after Lezyne, but it offers a lot of function for the money. All bikepacking bags are easy to attach; the saddle bag with inner bag works well even in the largest version. The outer material is not completely waterproof, but the contents of the saddle bag and handlebar bag remain dry even in heavy rain thanks to the inner bag or rain cover. Available in black or olive colour.
>> Overall grade: 1.7
Conclusion on the bikepacking bags tested
The best bag sets are made by Restrap and Revelate, we can also recommend Ortlieb and Apidura for tough use, but they require more time and effort to fit. Quality has its price: the recommended four-piece sets cost between 360 and 580 euros. Topeak offers the best value for money, while the equally inexpensive sets from Birzman and Lezyne show some weaknesses in regular use.
How TOUR tests bikepacking bags
For the overall score of the sets, we have weighted the individual scores of the bags differently. The saddle bag has the largest share due to the most sophisticated design, and accounts for 50 per cent of the overall score. The frame bag and handlebar bag each account for 20 per cent, and the small top tube bag 10 per cent of the final score.
Mounting bikepacking bags (mounting & hold = 30 per cent)
All bags were assembled, packed as full and heavy as possible and ridden on a 20 kilometre off-road course with climbs and descents as well as a four kilometre long, very rough cobbled road. The effort required for the initial assembly (10 per cent) and how well the bag holds up during off-road riding (20 per cent of the partial score) are assessed. For the saddlebags and handlebar rollers, we also assessed how much they rocked when pedalling or on uneven ground.
Loading/unloading (30 per cent)
The most important criteria for the assessment are quick access to the contents and whether the large bags can be removed and reattached quickly. Deductions are also given to pack sacks that are difficult to stuff, e.g. if the inside is rubberised, Velcro fasteners and stiffeners interfere or they are difficult to compress.
Equipment (10 per cent)
Extras such as additional fastening options, inside pockets, cable outlets or reflective material are rewarded.
Processing (10 per cent)
Evaluates the appearance of the materials used, the quality of the straps and fasteners and the clean finish of the seams.
Tightness (20 per cent)
The bags were each exposed to heavy splashing water for ten minutes and checked for water ingress.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
