Simply put, bike bags allow you to do more and be safer. With so many options when it comes to size, purpose, and fit, bike bags allow you to carry everything you need on your bike. Have bike, will travel. Not sold? Let us convince you!
Why you need a bike bag
More snacks, more tools, more layers for varying weather conditions...did we mention more snacks? Bike bags allow you to be out on your bike longer, and go to more adventurous places. Have you avoided a long mountain pass because you were unsure about refueling or encountering rain? Would you like to bike-commute to work but don’t know how to carry your laptop? Bike bags allow you to pack the things you need, no matter where you’re going. Unless you’re racing or going for a QOM, there’s no reason not to add a bag!
How we selected our picks
We picked cycling-specific bags with features like one-handed zipping that are especially crucial for bike travel. We picked a variety of sizes and capacities, and paid special attention to durability and ease of use. When it comes to bikepacking and commuting, we know that waterproof materials are especially important, so we chose products that keep your goods fully sealed from the elements.
Handlebar bags
Arundel Handlebar Czar
With 2 liters of storage, this handlebar bag is secured with Velcro straps and durable rubber twist-tie around cables. It also comes with an optional shock cord for extra stability. It has a front netting pocket for easy-to-grab snacks or tools, and a one-handed zipper operation.
Sturdy Bag Designs Minne Bar Bag
This 1.5 liter handlebar bag is perfect for a daily commute or all-day adventure. When you're not riding, you can take this bag off your bike handlebars and clip on the included shoulder strap to keep your valuables with you. The handlebar bags also come in 3 liter and 4.5 liter capacity, for those days that you need to pack it all!
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack
The perfect handlebar pack for all of your bike-packing adventures. This 15L pack can hold all of your camping supplies and then some. It has adjustable hook-and-loop straps to accommodate any handlebars. Buckles further secure it. The roll-up closure prevents moisture from getting in, and the whole bag is waterproof. It’s also reflective for high visibility on the road.
Oveja Negra Lunchbox
With 3 liters of storage, you can pack a big lunch. These bags feature Vecro® One-Wrap® handlebar positioning points, exterior gear loops for added carrying capacity, and locking buckles. They can also be easily taken off the bike and worn as a backpack.
Seat, top tube, and frame bags
Evoc Saddle Bag
Evoc offers a few different seat bags. The Seat Pack BOA is dropper-post compatible and comes in 3 volumes: 1L, 2L, and 3L. The Seat Bag Tour is large enough for tools and a spare mountain bike tube. And the Seat Bag is ideal for a road bike tube and tools. All of these bags are reflective, durable, and water repellent.
Rockbros Phone Front Frame Bag
This pack mounts on the top tube and has room for a small pump, tools, snacks, wallet, keys, etc. It also features a pouch for a smartphone, so that you can navigate as you ride. The bike phone bag has a high sensitive TPU film window. The bag is secured with velcro straps, and it stays put even on rocky roads.
Blackburn Outpost Seat Pack & Dry Bag
Great for overnight or weekend trips, but also works well for commuting or long day trips. With a volume of 11L, this bag only weighs in at 475 grams. The outer “harness” carries the inner bag, which can be removed quickly and easily without having to detach the harness from the bike. It also has loops that allows a rider to attach even more gear to the outside of the bag.
Topeak Aero Expanding Wedge
This aerodynamic seat bag has a capacity to hold tubes, tools and other repair items. Mounts with their Quick Release Buckle system to fit all railed saddles. Four sizes available to fit any rider’s needs.
Ortlieb Frame Pack
If you prefer a pack that mounts to the frame (top tube/head tube/seat tube), or if you’re planning a major trip and want even more room than the Ortlieb handlebar pack offers, check out this frame bag. With 6 litres of room, you can add a few more meals, camping tools, and maybe even a book to get lost in at the end of your biking adventures. The waterproof nylon fabric and waterproof zipper ensure that your things will remain absolutely dry even in the most inclement weather.
Hydration packs and backpacks
Osprey Men's Raptor 10 Hydration Pack
The Raptor 10 is specifically designed with a challenging, adventurous ride in mind. Room for layering up when weather rolls in, and all kinds of tools and essentials that will keep you rolling. This pack features winged shoulder straps that contour to the shape you’re in when you reach for your handlebars — this pack will feel secure even when the trail gets technical. Their AirScape suspension evenly distributes your load and the mesh-covered foam back panel leaves you well ventilated. An included 2.5-liter reservoir slides into its own dedicated compartment for fill-up simplicity, and another devoted space at the base of the pack houses a Tool Roll for your mini-pump, tire lever, hex keys, and more.
Osprey Raptor 14L
This bike specific backpack was built for long adventure rides. It includes a hydration pack, and the Airscape back panel prevents back sweat. The Airscape suspension centers the weight of the pack to boost comfort, and the hipbelt and sternum straps help secure everything from shifting. The pack also has all kinds of pockets for optimal storage of all kinds of essentials.
Timbuk2 Division Laptop Backpack
This is a great bag for everyday commuting to the office. The pack has a large padded pocket for laptop / iPad protection. The main compartment can hold books, a jacket, and other essentials. A key-keeper and water bottle pocket keep things organize. With extras like reflective accents and a ventilated back panel, it's great for commuting or any around-town errands.
Brooks Pickwick Daypack
If you’re going for something more stylish than sporty, Brooks Pickwick is your bag. This backpack is great for city riding and commuting. It’s made from durable tanned leather that ages well. The bag has an expandable capacity and can hold a 13” or 15” laptop. It also has a lateral back pocket for small accessories, and a chest strap to make sure the bag stays secure.
Patagonia Black Hole 25L
This burly daypack with 25L capacity is great for hauling all kinds of daily essentials. It’s made with 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing. The stretch-woven pockets hold a wide range of water-bottle shapes and sizes. The backpack features an easy-access main compartment with a padded sleeve that holds most 15" laptops.
Racks, panniers, and more
Thule Pack N' Pedal Bag
This trunk bag features a waterproof, roll-top design to keep everything dry. There are translucent pockets that allow safety lights to be visible at all times. The roll-top closure also doubles as a carrying handle. And for the ultimate packing set-up, the trunk bag can be paired with the Thule Pack n' Pedal Tour Rack, and it fits perfectly between 2 Thule panniers or any standard bike rack.
Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic
These fully waterproof panniers have roll-top closures to seal out water. With 40L capacity (20 liters each) can carry food, extra layers, camping essentials, school supplies, just about anything you can imagine. They have inner pockets, large reflectors, carrying straps, and fit any rack up to 16mm in tube diameter. They come as a pair.
Topeak E-xplorer Trunk Bag
This simple, one-compartment trunk bag is built especially for ebikes. It’s an eBike specific spare battery carrier made of expanded polypropylene providing excellent impact absorption, water resistance, high strength and thermal insulation. The grip straps secure your spare battery, and it’s compatible with Topeak’s MTX QuickTrack® 2.0 system. There’s also enough room to carry snacks, water, and gear for your eMTB adventures.
Conclusion
Whether you’re commuting to work in the city or bikepacking though the mountains, the right bag allows you to take what you need, explore more, and feel safer. From handlebar bags to commuter bags to heavy-duty panniers, there’s something out there for everyone. These days bags are made to be lightweight and easy-to-access, so they’ll get you where you need to go with what you need to make the trek more enjoyable.
We meticulously (and independently) pick every product, and if you purchase through our links we may earn a commission.