{"id":98377,"date":"2024-10-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/?page_id=98377"},"modified":"2024-10-10T09:00:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T13:00:44","slug":"saddlebags","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/index\/saddlebags\/","title":{"rendered":"Saddlebags for Bikepacking &#038; Top Opening Handlebar Bags"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Originally published Aug 2021, Updated October 2024<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re big fans of modern bikepacking-style seatpacks. They don\u2019t require any mounting hardware\u2014such as a <a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/index\/rear-bike-racks-bikepacking\/\">rear bike rack<\/a> or support\u2014keeping them light and allowing them to be fitted to almost any bike. Given their limited capacity, they also help cap a general tendency amongst most of us to bring too much stuff on our trips. Holster-style designs are quick to access, many seatpacks are waterproof, and they&#8217;re stable when properly packed. Certain models are dropper-friendly, too.<\/p>\n<div class=\"toc\">\n<h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Overview<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">List of Saddlebags &#038; Top-loaders<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">Attaching a Saddlebag to the Handlebars<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Saddlebag Attachment Systems<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Minimal Racks and Saddlebag Supports<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">A DIY Saddlebag<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Saddlebags vs. Seat Packs (and Handlebar Rolls)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>This said, there&#8217;s still a firm place for traditional-style saddlebags, particularly if your adventures involve dirt road explorations rather than technical singletrack, or you\u2019re navigating a route that\u2019s not full of hike-a-bikes &#8211; saddlebags are wide and they make pushing a bike somewhat awkward. Unlike their cylindrical counterparts, saddlebag are easy to access, offering mid-ride access to all your belongings. And given their general proportions, saddlebags are much simpler to pack than most modern bikepacking gear, which often demands strategic loading to get the best out of it. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumblist-2col\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32.jpg\" class=\"media-img\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32-960x640.jpg\" alt=\"BXB Goldback Saddlebag Review, waxed canvas\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-53334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/BXB-Goldback-Saddlebag-review_32-2000x1333.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2.jpg\" class=\"media-img\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2-960x640.jpg\" alt=\"Fabio Chest Saddlebag Bikepacking\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-45128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Fabio-Chest-Saddlebag-2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"thumblist-3col\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1.jpg\" class=\"media-img\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1-960x640.jpg\" alt=\"Saddlebags\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-45101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/jones-plus-carradice-saddlebag-1.jpg 1480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35.jpg\" class=\"media-img\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-960x640.jpg\" alt=\"Virginia&#039;s Why Cycles Wayward\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-77936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/VAs-Why-Cycles-Wayward_35-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3.jpg\" class=\"media-img\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-960x640.jpg\" alt=\"Jess Guatney, Tumbleweed Prospector\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-74234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-2000x1334.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Jess-Guatney-Tumbleweed-Prospector-Readers-Rig-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, saddlebags make great handlebar bags. In fact, some of the newer models are even purpose-built for front-of-the-bike duties. A few of us here even prefer to use a modern seat pack on the back and a more olde-style top-opener on the handdlebars, providing the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of detailing, many saddlebags feature useful and surprisingly capacious side pockets, some of which can be cinched inwards, and out of the way, when not needed. These are great for snacks, gloves, sunglasses, and other lightweight items. Most saddlebags have dowels to help provide structure, and some even have built-in fiberglass, metal, or carbon fiber struts. Daisy chains and D-rings allow additional gear to be lashed on\u2014such as a closed foam roll mat or a waterproof jacket\u2014and they also provide attachment points for lights. Different width bags are available if you&#8217;re running drop handlebars and there&#8217;s now a range of depths too, for riders who have limited space between their handlebars and front tire. <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad\"><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"s1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>List of Saddlebags and Top-loaders<\/h2>\n<p>For this gear index, we&#8217;ve amassed all the bags we could find that fit this genre, many of which have been rigorously tested. In addition to saddlebags, we\u2019ve included a couple of front-mounted rolltop bags to the mix. Like traditional saddlebags, they\u2019re also accessed from the top rather than the sides or back (as with modern seatbacks and handlebar bags). Similarly, this can make day-to-day packing and living on the bike less of a Tetris-like challenge. <\/p>\n<p>In this Gear Index, we\u2019ve included key information to help you pick the right bag, including the type, volume, minimum dimensions (Width x Depth x Height), weight, and price. As usual, the ones we&#8217;ve tested are marked with a hexagonal \u201cT\u201d icon and are listed first. Scroll down to the bottom for more info on saddle attachment systems that are used to run the bag in the rear, as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/bikepacking.com\/index\/rear-bike-racks-bikepacking\/\">minimal rear racks<\/a> and supports that are great for those with limited clearance above the front or rear tire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Originally published Aug 2021, Updated October 2024 We\u2019re big fans of modern bikepacking-style seatpacks. They don\u2019t require any mounting hardware\u2014such as a rear bike rack or support\u2014keeping them light and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":103544,"parent":51217,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"post-list.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[178,60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98377","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bikepacking-bags","category-gear"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Saddlebags for Bikepacking &amp; Top Opening Handlebar Bags - BIKEPACKING.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Saddlebags and top-opening handlebar bags are more popular than ever. 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