The Greatest Bike Saddle Baggage of 2024

Why You Ought to Belief Us

With a critical affinity for using bikes of all types, the workforce at Bikerumor is all the time looking for the perfect methods to hold the necessities with us on all of our rides. Whereas on-bike storage is consistently evolving, the standard saddle bag remains to be one among our favourite methods to make sure that we now have our trip necessities on the prepared on our rides. We love the set-it-and-forget-it side of saddle baggage, the place our instruments and flat restore objects are ready patiently till we’d like them. We additionally know that having so many choices to select from could make it more durable than you may look forward to finding precisely what you want.

For our bike saddle baggage purchaser’s information, we rounded up a collection of 11 totally different fashions to check and evaluate facet by facet. Evaluation creator, Jim Graham, examined all the baggage on this assessment to see how they carry out out on the street or path, and the way they evaluate to one another. Jim is an avid outdoorsman who lives in southern New Hampshire the place he splits his time between biking, path working, and training a Nordic ski workforce within the winter months. Whereas he enjoys all kinds of using, lately, he’s taken a shine to gravel using and loves going out exploring the wealth of nation roads and rail trails accessible from his house, in addition to taking part in some long-distance biking occasions. He additionally likes to be ready on his rides, and he’s been utilizing saddle baggage for many years to maintain his important gear on the bike to cope with flat tires and different mechanical points. Jim is having fun with semi-retirement, which provides him much more time to get out and trip and check gear. Along with this assessment, Jim has contributed to Bikerumor’s guides of the perfect gravel biking tires and our favourite bike multi-tools.

After researching the perfect saddle baggage in the marketplace, we gathered a various collection of 11 fashions for testing and comparability. After a detailed inspection of every bag’s supplies, building, and structure, we packed each up, mounted it to our check bike, and headed out for quite a few check rides to see how they carried out in the true world. Within the course of, we analyzed the benefit of attachment, space for storing, stability, ease of opening, closing, and eradicating objects, and particular options like group pockets, reflective parts, tail gentle clips, and water resistance. After putting in, eradicating, and loading/unloading every saddle bag numerous instances, we zeroed in on our favorites and people who excel in particular methods in comparison with the remaining.

Shopping for Recommendation: Easy methods to Select a Bike Saddle Bag

With so many manufacturers, fashions, and sizes in the marketplace, it’s straightforward to get misplaced evaluating specs and particulars whenever you’re looking for a saddle bag. And you must marvel: Are all these choices actually needed, and even value worrying about?

The reality is that almost all saddle baggage will work effectively sufficient throughout the large vary of biking types and match the overwhelming majority of bike saddles and bicycles. And they’ll maintain an important necessities that each bicycle owner ought to deliver on each trip. Relying in your using fashion, what you select to hold in a saddle bag, attachment fashion choice, and want for water resistance, it is best to be capable to slender down the alternatives to search out seat pack that completely fits your wants.

What Sort of Using Are You Doing?

What you carry with you, and subsequently, how a lot storage you want might fluctuate relying on whether or not you’re using street, gravel, or mountain bikes. Listed below are some tips for matching a bag to the kind of using you’re doing, based mostly on our expertise, however keep in mind that this may occasionally fluctuate relying on what you wish to deliver with you on a trip and the way a lot of it you wish to put in a saddle bag.

Street

For street biking, we’re sometimes minimalists. Give us a small, light-weight bag with simply sufficient room for a easy multi-tool, tire levers, a spare tube, a tire patch or two, and a automobile key. Most small saddle baggage may even match a CO2 inflator and cartridge or two, but it surely’s not a deal breaker for us if we have to mount a mini pump to our body. Since street tubes are typically fairly small, all this may sometimes squeeze into small-capacity saddle baggage just like the Silca Mattone Seat Pack (0.4-liter), Blackburn Grid MTB (0.4-liter), or the Lezyne M-Caddy QR (0.5-liter).

Mountain

Though using saddle baggage is a bit much less frequent on trendy mountain bikes than it was once, many riders nonetheless select them as their most popular technique for including some on-bike storage. Using trails could be more durable in your bike, and also you’re extra more likely to be farther away from anyplace the place you will get assist, so that you’ll wish to pack gear that covers a wider vary of repairs and changes. The fundamentals embody a sturdy, full-featured multi-tool, spare tube (or two), tire levers, a CO2 inflator, and a few CO2 cartridges. (Inflators make it a lot simpler and sooner to fill a large-volume mountain bike tire than a mini pump.) It’s additionally sensible to hold a fast hyperlink to repair a damaged chain, tubeless tire plugs, a spare derailleur hanger, maybe additional tire sealant, and a small first support package. A little bit of duct tape can’t harm both!

Since mountain bike tubes are a lot bigger than street or gravel tubes, you want slightly more room in a saddle bag to suit them. Among the bigger and mid-sized baggage we examined, just like the Blackburn Grid (medium), Ortlieb Micro Two, ToPeak Wedge DryBag, and the EVOC Seat Pack Boa are able to becoming a barely bigger load, and the latter three of these declare to be waterproof as effectively.

It is very important point out, nevertheless, that on trendy full-suspension mountain bikes with dropper posts, rear tire clearance could be a problem. You’ll wish to test and guarantee that a saddle bag received’t battle along with your rear tire when the rear suspension is compressed and that it really works along with your dropper publish (when you’ve got one). Because of this and others, many mountain bikers will choose to hold their gear in a high quality hip pack or hydration backpack.

Gravel

For gravel using, we like a saddle bag that’s someplace in between. We discover that mid-ride stops for repairs and adjustment are typically much less frequent and critical than in mountain biking. However, gravel rides often require extra frequent pitstops than street rides. Because of this, we like a mid-sized bag that’s not as cumbersome or heavy as one we’d use for mountain biking, however which may even carry slightly extra gear than we might on the street, particularly a grasp chain hyperlink and a spare tube or two. Relying on what you place in your saddle bag, a number of the small capability choices may work effectively, however one thing with a medium capability, just like the ToPeak Aero Wedge (0.66-liter, measurement small), makes it slightly simpler to squeeze in barely bigger gravel tubes and/or additional CO2 cartridges.

Bikepacking

In a single day or multi-day adventures require vital quantities of space for storing to hold issues like sleeping baggage, jackets, cooking gear, and many others. Fortunately, there’s a rising variety of manufacturers placing out wonderful saddle, body, and handlebar baggage made particularly to satisfy the calls for of contemporary bikepackers. Whereas the merchandise examined and reviewed listed below are typically extra acceptable for on a regular basis rides that don’t contain tenting, a number of of the fashions we examined are available in bigger sizes which may converse to the bikepacking viewers. The EVOC Seat Pack Boa is an effective instance. The 1-liter measurement we examined is the smallest of the three choices, with 2-liter and 3-liter sizes provided for individuals who want extra storage. In any other case, manufacturers like ToPeak, Blackburn, Ortlieb, Restrap, and plenty of others produce a variety of bikepacking-specific baggage to swimsuit these with higher storage wants.

Attachment Model

Lately, saddle baggage sometimes include both a strap mount system (hook and loop straps or Boa) or a quick-release attachment. Some baggage are even provided in each so you’ll be able to select whichever you like. Usually talking, this comes down to private choice.

Fast-Launch

Fast-release attachments are sturdy and safe as a result of they bolt onto a saddle with a sturdy bracket. In addition they droop the bag barely away from the saddle rails which reduces the possibilities of the contents rattling towards them or the fabric rubbing and inflicting abrasion. A fast-release tab makes eradicating your saddle bag quick and simple, which is a pleasant function if that you must go away your bike in a spot the place your bag is likely to be the goal of thieves. The downsides are that quick-release baggage weigh a tiny bit greater than these with hook-and-loop straps, they don’t match some saddles with extensively spaced seat rails, and a few aren’t advisable to be used with fancy carbon rails. The Lezyne M-Caddy QR, Topeak Aero Wedge (QuickClick), Ortlieb Micro Bag Two, and ToPeak Wedge DryBag all use some kind of quick-release system.

Strap Mount

Hook-and-loop closures are extremely and simply adjustable and might match just about any bike seat with rails. In addition they permit a saddle bag to be cinched up tight towards the saddle, a function we like as a result of it retains the bag tucked up out of the best way. The draw back is that hook-and-loop straps typically aren’t as sturdy as quick-release clips, and the grip can grow to be worn and fewer efficient over time. In our expertise, hook-and-loop straps are lots sturdy and might final for years, but it surely pays to examine them often and keep away from cramming your saddle bag with heavy objects that may stress the bag over time.

A couple of baggage use a Boa strap to connect them to the bike. The 2 fashions we examined with this method are the Mattone Seat Pack and the Seat Roll Asymmetrico, each made by Silca. In each instances, a large strap wraps across the pack and seat rails the place it’s joined and tightened with a Boa dial and skinny wire. We’ve discovered such a attachment to work comparatively effectively, particularly on the Mattone. The EVOC Seat Pack Boa additionally makes use of a Boa, however on this case, it secures the pack across the seatpost.

Measurement Choices

Some saddle baggage are available in a single measurement, whereas others can be found in a number of measurement choices to cowl various storage wants. For instance, the ToPeak Aero Wedge fashions we examined are available in 4 sizes, additional small (0.4 liters), small (0.66 liters), medium (0.98 – 1.31 liters), and enormous (1.48 – 1.97 liters). This measurement vary gives choices for everybody from the sunshine packers to the “every thing however the kitchen sink” crowd. Equally, the ToPeak Wedge DryBag, Blackburn Grid, Ortlieb Micro Bag, and EVOC Seat Pack Boa additionally are available in a number of sizes.

Different manufacturers merely make different fashions of various sizes. For instance, the Silca makes the Mattone (0.4 liters) and the Mattone Grande (0.74 liters). Lezyne makes a wide range of saddle baggage of their Caddy lineup with various sizes, attachments, and designs to select from, plus they provide various kits, just like the M-Caddy – Tubeless Package, that features a saddle bag, multi-tool, tubeless restore instruments, and CO2 canisters.

Water Resistance

A saddle bag’s place below the tail of your bike saddle implies that it’s immediately within the line of fireside from spray coming off the rear tire whether or not you’re using moist pavement or gravel, or splashing via streams and dust puddles on a mountain bike. Most saddle baggage are created from nylon or one thing comparable with some claiming to be waterproof and others claiming to be fully waterproof. For individuals who trip in moist situations steadily, water resistance could also be an essential issue to think about, whereas for others, it could not matter a lot in any respect.

The waterproof choices sometimes have a DWR (sturdy water-repellant) end and a waterproof zipper. They’ll often shrug off gentle quantities of moisture, however with a correct soaking, it’s nonetheless possible that the contents will get a bit damp inside. In case your bag’s contents get moist, it’s often a good suggestion to allow them to dry out between rides so your multi-tool doesn’t begin to rust.

Saddle baggage claiming to be waterproof are typically made with a cloth that’s been coated to repel water and have sealed seams to stop water ingress. They could have waterproof zippers, however drybag-style roll tops are one other frequent method of sealing up the opening. The three waterproof fashions we examined are the ToPeak Wedge DryBag, the Ortlieb Micro Bag Two, and the EVOC Seat Pack Boa.

A number of Bikes?

Relying on how a lot you trip, what number of bikes you’ve, what you deliver with you on totally different bikes, and your price range, it is smart for a lot of riders to make use of only one saddle bag that will get switched between a street, gravel, or mountain bike. This will prevent a couple of bucks, and it really works simply nice – till it doesn’t. Inevitably, you may overlook to swap out the street tube for a gravel tube (or another snafu) and end up with the flawed tube to your bike. Equally, when you’ve got only one multi-tool, which you employ each to work in your bikes at house and to take with you on rides, there may very well be instances whenever you overlook to place it again within the saddle bag. It’s aggravating and embarrassing to chop a trip quick since you left a easy however extremely essential multi-tool at house.

It prices a bit extra initially, however we’ve discovered that the final word answer is to have a devoted saddle bag for every of our bikes. Inside every of these are the suitable instruments and spares, they usually all the time keep on that specific bike. For the house store, we now have separate instruments, too. In any other case, it’s simply too tempting to take a multi-tool or spare tube out of a saddle bag and suppose, “I’ll put it again later” and overlook. The upfront price of a number of saddle baggage and gear kits might deter many riders however it will possibly save the frustration of making an attempt to trace down the suitable saddle bag and instruments earlier than each trip or, worse, forgetting them altogether.

Sturdiness

There’s nice information relating to sturdiness. The standard of design, supplies, and building in all the luggage we examined felt rock stable, and they’re extremely advisable in lots of consumer evaluations. Moreover, many baggage include lifetime warranties towards producers’ defects. 

Nonetheless, saddle baggage are manufactured from nylon or different materials they usually put on over time – particularly when you don’t tighten them up towards your seat or body. Free baggage are inclined to rub, which might trigger abrasion that finally weakens the fabric, and may contribute to annoying rattling noises over bumpy terrain. However when you tighten these baggage up snugly, they need to rub much less and last more, whereas sitting extra quietly and securely below your seat for years of hassle-free biking.

Worth

Once you’re spending hundreds of {dollars} on the bike of your goals, it is smart to buy round for a saddle bag that may suit your bike good, carry and arrange all of your necessities, and final for hundreds of hassle-free miles and a few years. It’s a small funding for such a helpful, sturdy piece of substances that ensures you’ve your instruments whenever you want them.

The most costly saddle bag in our information is $110, whereas the least prices lower than $20. And, all of them held up effectively sufficient via nasty situations, though some are far more waterproof than others. We’ve owned saddlebags which have lasted 10 years, which is an incredible bang for the buck, and the development high quality and practical designs of the most recent baggage are even higher. As talked about above, ensuring your saddle bag is connected correctly will assist not solely to maintain it quieter over tough surfaces but additionally forestall abrasion and prolong its lifespan.

Saddle baggage have a comparatively straightforward job, and even the least costly choices we examined will get the job carried out with less complicated designs, supplies, and constructions. Usually talking, as the value goes up, it’s as a consequence of using extra superior supplies, constructions, waterproof zippers, and options like Boa straps or quick-release programs. Measurement may additionally play a task because it takes extra materials to supply a bigger bag than a smaller one. So, for instance, if waterproofness is excessive in your listing of priorities, you’ll be able to count on to pay a bit extra to get it. Nonetheless, even the costliest choices we examined ought to final for a few years of regular use which helps to offset the preliminary sticker shock.

Continuously Requested Questions