Bikepacking Bags: The Big 3 + Tips for Choosing the right set-up

Bikepacking bags are a big decision when it comes to choosing the right gear for your set-up. You want to find the balance between carrying all the essentials (plus maybe some luxury items) and not weighing down your bike too much so that you can only manage to pedal a few miles a day.

I’ll preface this post by saying that there is no one right way to pack your bike or carry your gear. It’s also important to point out that different trips are going to require different bikepacking bag setups. For example, if I’m heading out on a two-night mostly singletrack adventure I’ll choose different bags than if I were to head out on a two-week gravel ride.

This post is meant to give a broad overview of what types of bikepacking bags are available and when you might use them, and provide a few tips on how best to pack your bike for bikepacking.

Let’s dive in!

The Big Three

There are a lot of different options when it comes to bikepacking bags, but most set-ups will have the big three:

1. Frame bag
2. Handlebar roll/bag
3. Seat post bag

Below I’ll run through each bag, what they’re best used for, and my top picks for each.

1. Frame Bag

Frame bags a designed to fit within the frame triangle of a bike. The problem is, there are very few bikes that have the same frame measurements. This means you need to measure your frame triangle carefully before buying a frame bag.

Better yet, you can order a custom-made frame bag that is specifically cut for your bike. They are more expensive, but you’ll be getting a product that actually fits your bike.

If you plan on bikepacking with a full-suspension bike, a custom frame bag may be the only way you can go in order to fit around the rear shock.

2. Handlebar Roll/Bag

I feel like the bikepacking world is still trying to figure out the best way to attach a bag to the handlebars.

Currently, there are two options:

1. A fixed roll that stays on your bike throughout your ride
2. A handlebar harness that allows you to remove a dry bag for easier access to your gear.

I’ve used both, and I definitely lean toward the harness because it’s more versatile, but the roll is a great option, too, and can be more secure.

Fixed rolls

Fixed handlebar rolls are meant to stay attached to your bike throughout your bikepacking trip. They’re usually a bit tricky to strap on initially, but once you have them attached they shouldn’t bounce around or come loose.

Gear can be loaded and unloaded into the bag on either end and then compressed by rolling down the ends and snapping the clips together.

Choose a fixed handlebar roll if:

• You want a bag that is securely attached to your bike at all times, reducing as much bounce and movement as possible
• You don’t need to bring your gear into your tent, hotel, or out of the rain
• You won’t be using public transportation (which usually requires you to remove your handlebar bag)

Handlebar harnesses

Handlebar harnesses are designed to work with a removable dry bag that can be loaded and unloaded into the harness.

The harness stays on the bike throughout your entire trip, but you’re free to remove the dry bag whenever you want.

Choose a handlebar harness if:

• You want to be able to remove your dry bag from your bike
• You want to be able to choose different size dry bags depending on how much gear you need to carry for each trip
• You need to work around mountain bike cables (fixed handlebar rolls will work with mountain bike cables, but they’re typically a lot more fiddling you need)

3. Seat Post Bags

Seat post bags for bikepacking have come a long way over the last few years and now there are a number of options to choose from.

Like the handlebar bags, you have two options when it comes to saddlebags:

1. A fixed bag that stays attached to your seat post
2. A harness with a removable dry bag

If I had to choose between a harness-style and a fixed bag, again, I prefer the harness. Being able to remove your bag from your bike makes camping and packing up a lot faster and easier.

On the flip side, fixed bags can typically hold more gear and you can really compress them down tight so it doesn’t sag or jostle around.

In the future, I do think that most brands will be moving toward the harness system for saddle bags.

Additional Bikepacking Bags

The frame bag, handlebar roll, and seat post bag are the biggest ticket items when it comes to bikepacking bags, but there are lots more options for carrying gear.

Panniers + Rack

Panniers are a good option if you need to carry a lot of extra gear, but I don’t recommend using them if you don’t need absolutely to, especially if you’re planning on doing singletrack-heavy bikepacking.

Large panniers can get in the way of pedaling or hike-a-biking and they can make your bike ridiculously heavy if you’re not careful with what you fill them with. They will also bounce around a lot on rocks and roots no matter how secure you try to make them.

That being said, sometimes you need to carry a lot of extra water or gear, and in that case, having panniers on front and/or rear racks can be helpful.

For a rack, check out Old Man Mountain Racks, which are designed to work on pretty much any bike regardless of braze-ons and dropouts. I’m also really curious about this Aeroe system, which looks pretty rad.

Here are a few panniers to check out for bikepacking:

• Ortlieb Gravel Panniers
• REI Link Panniers
• Rockgeist Microwave Panniers
• Revelate Designs Nano Panniers

Cockpit & top tube bags

Cockpit and top tube bags are great for small items like a multi-tool, snacks, sunscreen, and other items that you need frequent and easy access to.

There are a ton of different options out there. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Rogue Panda Alamo Bags
• Revelate Designs MagTank Top Tube Bag
• Oveja Negra Top Tube Bags
• REI Junction Top Tube Bag
• Revelate Designs Feedbag

A Backpack

I actually prefer to wear a backpack on short 1-2 night trips, especially if it’s singletrack heavy. You’ll find that mountain bikes just don’t handle the same when loaded with gear, so if you want optimal fun on downhills during your trip, a backpack is the way to go.

Bikepacking bag companies

Now that you have a good idea of the different types of bikepacking bags available, I encourage you to go do your own research into brands, styles, and products. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.

Here is a list of bikepacking bag & gear companies to get you started:

• Rogue Panda | Flagstaff, Arizona
• Revelate Designs | Anchorage, Alaska
• Apidura | United Kingdom
• Oveja Negra | Salida, Colorado.
• Ortlieb | Germany
• Blackburn Design | California
• REI Bikepacking Collection | Seattle, Washington
• Rockgeist | Woodfin, North Carolina
• Jpaks LLC | Denver, Colorado
• Topeak | Taiwan
• Brooks England | United Kingdom
• Old Man Mountain Racks | Bend, Oregon
• Aeroe | New Zealand