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There was a lot of resistance in me at first when I thought about Ortlieb's bikepacking bags. Yes, they are supposed to be waterproof and Ortlieb, as experts in bike bags, have certainly thought about a lot of details. But what always bothered me was the colour orange. Orange just doesn't suit me. Thanks to a project, I ended up with a set of these bikepacking bags. And lo and behold, the 11-litre version of the "Arschrakete" has quickly become my absolute favourite bag - who would have thought it? In the meantime, I have tested and tried countless other bikepacking bagsbut the Ortlieb bag is and remains my personal number 1.
What is your current favourite test product?
The Ortlieb saddle bag Seat-Pack 11 litres. Admittedly, the bag is my private one and not a test product.
Why do you like it so much?
It's definitely not the orange one. I like the size of the bag and the large opening. But what makes it my favourite bag is that I can pack it even when it's mounted on the bike - provided I don't have to overload it completely. Many other bags don't hold their shape and then it's important that the luggage is stuffed tightly at the top, i.e. close to the seat post. Otherwise the bag will hang down and quickly drag on the tyre. This is different with the Ortlieb saddle bag.
What else can it do?
It is 100 per cent waterproof, at least so far. Large reflectors on the back ensure good visibility. After thousands of kilometres, countless bikepacking tours and other uses, it is broken at one point. I will soon be sending it to Ortlieb for repair.
What did you experience with it? Where did you test it?
I ran my first ultra race with this bag in 2021. I took part in the premiere of the Seven Serpents. It went from Ljubljana via the Croatian islands of Krk and Cres to Trieste. I had to cover a good 800 kilometres and 15,000 metres in altitude and I reached the finish line faster than I would have thought possible. I surprised countless people, but above all myself. At the Bright Midnight in Norway this year, the Ortlieb arse rocket was able to prove its waterproofness. Of course, there have been many rainy tours before, but this one was different. 1000 kilometres, 14,000 metres in altitude and lots and lots of rain.
How much does it cost and where can I get it?
The Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11 litres is available, for example, from Alltricks or Mountain friends and it costs 155 euros (RRP). If 11 litres is not enough, the bag is also available in a larger version. However, you should definitely use the Seat-Pack Support Strap.
What would be a good alternative?
A good alternative ... Bikepacking bags are now almost a dime a dozen. I've tested many models, but the latest bags from Apidura are not yet part of my experience. The Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack is available in 9, 14 and 17 litre versions. And what stopped me from buying this bag? Right, once again the colour: grey-yellow. I wanted my bag to be black and reflective. But in the end, it's the function and not the look that counts.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
