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Best bikepacking bags - Handlebar, frame, saddle and top tube bags to carry your gear

The best bikepacking bags to carry you through a multi-day trip whether it’s around the corner or across the continent

What you need to know about choosing the best bikepacking bags

When it comes to the best bikepacking bags, we are truly in a golden age. Early innovators went out in the world and did things on a bike other people didn't think was possible. They led the way and they inspired people. Those early innovators used what they had to and did whatever it took to ride their bikes in the way they wanted to., but as time went on, they looked for better and better tools.

One of the first tools that started to change was the bike itself. At one time, multi-day cycling tended to mean panniers and a touring bike, with bikes packed heavily and moving slowly, sticking mostly to paved routes. As roads have gotten busier and gravel bikes have gotten better, there’s been a shift to the best gravel bikes for multi-day adventures by bike. 

The shift in bikes necessitated a shift in packing strategy to go with it. Taking a page from the ultra-light backpacking segment, bikepackers have gone as light and small as possible. In the early days that meant custom bags sewn for those blazing new trails. These days, the pieces you need to get out on your bike exist and you don't need to know how to sew. 

We’ve tested dozens of bikepacking bags for ease of use, durability, compatibility, size and more, and we've put together a list, organised by company, of some of the best bikepacking bags available to help you through whatever adventures you’ve got planned. 

Best bikepacking bags available today

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Restrap Carry Everything

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

What started out as a one-man operation from a bedroom in Yorkshire, has since expanded into a brand which offers some of the best bikepacking bags available. There are options that cover everything from a daily urban commute all the way up to a multi-day race then they break the offerings up into collections based on the intended use. There is Adventure Race, Expedition, City, and the all-around Carry Everything line that we spent time with. 

We started with the Bar Bag in size small because at 14 litres, it's already voluminous. There are foam spacers to keep proper spacing with the handlebar and a holster system that holds a dry bag inside. For the frame bag, the standard Restrap option uses rubberised strapping to help it stay put and they are waterproof. There are three sizes to help fit your frame and your needs and the medium and large feature an extra pocket for better organisation. There's a cable slot so you can feed a charging cable inside as well. 

At the back of the bike the 14-litre, down to as small as 8-litres, saddlebag is another holster design. The outer piece attaches to the seatpost and through the seat rails for a secure connection to the bike. Unique to Restrap there's a foam spacer to help with spacing behind the seatpost and there's a magnetic buckle that secures the drybag into the holster. 

For accessories, Restrap has more options than most. The rear top tube bag is a really smart way to utilise space that a lot of systems leave empty. Then for the front top tube bag, there are plenty of options but one of them is a bolt on option that is rarer than you might expect given all the choices for gravel bikes with mounting points in that spot. 

Apidura Racing Series

Apidura breaks its bag range into different options to meet different requirements of bikepackers.  The Backcountry series is for off-road adventures and offers a more rugged finish for better durability. For ultra-distance and audaxers, the Race series and Expedition range use many of the same features but the race series is the most focused and streamlined. The race series is where we've had the most experience and with that in mind, that's what we are sharing on this list. It also makes sense because that's what Apidura has a reputation for. Keep in mind though, there's not a lot of room in any of these pieces. 

Apidura has been a significant player in the rise of bikepacking, from sponsoring events like the Transcontinental Race to supporting some of the biggest names in endurance riding like Sofiane Sehili and Jenny Graham who make huge demands of their equipment. They are also often the partner company when a brand with less experience wants to offer a larger range. 

All of the choices in the racing series use a totally waterproof material that's developed specifically for Apidura. They also all feature reflective details to help you stay seen when riding through the night. At the front of the bike is a 2.5-litre bar bag that's a lot closer to something you'd expect to see in a city collection than a bikepacking collection. The idea is to keep it easy to access and out of the way. It hinges away from the bike, so you can reach it while riding, and the closure is a simple spot of velcro. 

The 4L frame bag is, again, small and focused. The angle makes it so it's possible to still use water bottles on smaller frames and the connection to the bike is a collection of five straps. The straps along the top tube have two locations for the front and back so you can fit a top tube bag also. There's a zipper on either side that's both waterproof and hidden under a flap. There's no additional organisation inside the bags but each one leads to a different compartment. 

For the saddlebag, there are five-litre or seven-litre options, but neither is that big. The five-litre has proven, in our experience, to be the perfect size to carry enough gloves to handle seven hours of riding in heavy rain. It's the same waterproof material as all the other pieces, so no need for a separate dry bag, and it rolls closed just like a dry bag. Once closed, the rear face has reflective details and there's mounting points for a light. 

For top tube bags, Apidura offers both a long and short option as well as a strap-on or bolt-on. The smaller one-litre option uses a magnetic closure that's a joy when you have been riding for so long you can't think straight. It won't accidentally open but it's easy to pull open and it keeps things dry. There's a port for cables and it holds its shape even when empty. 

Topeak Loader

Topeak is better known for its tool ranges but it also has a range of bikepacking products. What it offers is an excellent entry point into bikepacking. It's not super specialised or expensive and it's easy to purchase from a variety of places.

For the frame bag, Topeak has gone with the harness system just like a lot of brands but they actually have something unique. While most of the time spacers are blocks of foam, Topeak uses rubberised stacking pieces. The system is a little more fiddly to figure out initially but with three provided for each side, you can decide how much space you need. 

For the Midloader frame bag, there are different options to fit your frame size but none of them feature the type of shape-holding angles you find on the Apidura solution. You'll want to size conservatively if you are also using water bottles. The connection to the top tube is three velcro straps that are very soft and protective. At the front and rear there's a strap with a buckle. They do a great job keeping everything from moving but you'll want to take care that the buckle doesn't scratch your frame. You'll also want to keep in mind that while a light sprinkle won't soak in, this is not a waterproof bag. 

Topeak's Toploader top tube bag has a lot of adjustability and organisation options. The bottom has five different places you can move the two straps between so you can find something that will work with whatever frame bag might be below it. On the inside there's thick padding and a moveable divider. It's a lot like the inside of a camera bag but it's not waterproof. If you need to keep the contents dry, you'll want to pull out the rain cover hidden in the side. 

The last piece we spent time with is the 15 litre Backloader. Like the Frontloader this is a holster system. What's unique about it is that the design works either with an included dry bag, or without. If you know for sure it's going to be dry you could leave the dry bag at home and fill up the internal storage as well as use the straps on top. If it looks like it might rain then Topeak includes a dry bag with an air release you can pack full and stuff inside. It means a little more complexity to the system but it gives you choice in how you use it.

Brooks Scape

If you've had any experience with the classic leather saddles Brooks built its reputation from, it'll be no surprise that the Scape lineup is similarly high in quality. These bikepacking options are incredibly well made and high-performance. They've served us well getting through long, rainy, miles and with that experience we put together a different selection than some of the other brands. 

At the front, the Scape Handlebar Roll is yet another holster and dry bag solution. The dry bag from Brooks isn't just a bag though. Instead, there are two compartments that are accessible depending on which side you open it. It works really well for a dry side and a wet side. Closing the bag into the system is a great introduction to the beautiful clasp and loop system that makes it fast when you are on the road or trail. 

Instead of then suggesting a frame bag, we've decided to take advantage of the modularity that Brooks offers and suggest the Handlebar Pouch instead. Frame bags can be a challenge to fit with water bottles and while the Scape option is excellent, you can get the same 3L as the smaller frame bag but it will attach to the front of the Handlebar Roll. It's still waterproof and if you want to use it on its own, that works also. 

Then, instead of the Brooks top tube bag option, which isn't available in a bolt-on choice, grab the Scape Saddle Pocket Bag. At 0.7L you only sacrifice 0.2L but you can strap the Pocket Bag in multiple locations on the other bags. There's even room for a couple if you want more than one option for small pieces. Just like everything else, it's waterproof. 

At the back, Brooks only offers one size of the Scape Seat Bag. It's a holster system that straps around the seatpost with velcro and then connects under the saddle rails. It won't move around and if you pack carefully there's enough room for overnight gear. The dry bag rolls up and has an air vent so it's easy to pack. Once packed the buckle and loop system is once again a joy to use. There's a spot to mount a light in the back as well.

Ortlieb QR System

It's difficult to know if this system should get accolades for being fast to remove or just being different. There are three pieces to highlight here and they are all completely unique in different ways. 

The Ortlieb Handlebar Pack QR uses a mounting system that is maybe not faster than a traditional handle roll system but it definitely will not rotate or come loose. Instead of velcro wrapping around the handlebar, there's a pair of cords that snake over, and under, the bars and stem from opposite directions. Tighten them up and they lock in place so they'll never come loose while riding. It also has the advantage of not being a dry bag and holster system but still being completely waterproof. 

The frame bag we included is not actually part of the QR system but it is also completely unique. Rather than being a zippered fast-access storage location Ortlieb uses a roll-top closure and keeps the whole bag completely waterproof as well as vertically narrow. First, the bag gets attached to the top tube with velcro straps like normal. Then the top gets rolled down and tucked alongside the top tube. When it's time to open it up, there is a rubber strap that connects to a catch. Opening and closing the bag doesn't remove it from the frame. It's still not going to fit every frame but if it does, there's a little more chance of it existing alongside your bottles. 

The last piece we had a chance to spend time with is the Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR. This one is actually a bit closer to a quick release system. There's a collar that attaches to the seatpost and acts as a stop to the base of the bag. Once that's installed, the connection to the seat rails also uses hard plastic and requires a bit of upward pressure to release. Let go of the pieces and they lock the back to the seat rails with gravity. There's an extra bit of velcro to steady the bag against the seatpost and everything is set. When it's time to release it, just push up on the seat rail connections and remove the velcro. There's no separate dry bag so the self-contained bag stays together once removed. The whole system is ideal for unloading your bike for exploration once you've set up camp. 

Blackburn Outpost Elite

Blackburn Designs is a company that makes rugged products usable on both mountain bikes and drop-bar bikes. If you've got a dropper post and suspension with a desire to head for the truly rugged locations, this series of products is what you want to look at. 

Upfront, the Handlebar Roll and dry bag combo start out with a basic silhouette that's not so different from stuff like the Brooks Scape series bag. If you ride on rough enough trails though you'll notice that the straps on that bag will loosen over time. To combat this, Blackburn uses a hard mount system that allows you to dial in the angle and won't move or come loose. It takes longer to set this up but once it's on the bike you can just remove the dry bag the same way other holster systems work. 

For the next piece, Blackburn offers a hydration bladder compatible full frame bag. It's totally waterproof and available in four sizes to fit whatever frame you've got. The zippers lack flaps over them but they are waterproof without the hassle and there's a small zippered compartment on the non-drive side as well as two zippers to the main compartment on the drive side. The main compartment is only one large space but there's a removable false shelf to help divide it. 

At the rear of the bike is another piece designed for rugged trips. The Outpost Elite Seatpack and dry bag is a lot like the front bag. It mimics the look and style of other holster solutions but it's got extra mounting features that allow it to work with a dropper post. Instead of attaching at the seatpost for stability, there's a rigid metal wing system that keeps the bag stable with only an attachment to the saddle rails. If you aren't using a dropper post you can still use a strap on the post for stability but there's no need. The 6.95-litre bag also does a good job of staying up and out of the way of the rear wheel because of the way the straps for the holster attach farther towards the rear of the bike. 

Bontrager Adventure line

The Bontrager Adventure Bags do have an eye on working with the latest model of the Trek Checkpoint but they work beyond that bike. They actually have some features that might make them perfect for anyone with a smaller frame. 

At the front, the Adventure Handlebar Bag is on the smaller side at nine-litres and uses a roll-top closure but only on one side. If you need to fit a bit more there is some space to strap items like a jacket to the front. The real trick of it though is a zippered front pocket designed for a hydration bladder. It's not included, so you can use what works, but it's designed around the 1.5L Osprey Hydraulics LT Hydration Pack Lumbar Reservoir. In general, putting a bunch of weight in the bar bag isn't ideal but for those with a small frame, this might make things a whole lot easier. 

At the centre of the bike, the Bontrager Adventure Boss Frame Bag is also unique. This is the piece that has a size designed around the latest Trek Checkpoint gravel bike. If you have that bike, then there are mounting points that will make sure it doesn't move. Even if you've got another bike though, the six different sizes mean there should be a size that works even for small frames. 

The last piece in the Adventure Bag lineup is the Bontrager Adventure Saddle Bag. Like the rest of the bags in this collection, it's not fully waterproof. It does have a roll-top closure though and like all bags with a roll-top, that makes it hard to get into quickly. To ease that pain, Bontrager put zippers on the sides. We wish more brands took this approach.

What types of bags are there?

We covered a range of different bags and different packing strategies but in general, bikepacking bags fall into three categories. These three are your starting point in most situations then there's some accessories you can as needed. 

Handlebar bags range from a couple of litres for a few essentials to enough space to swallow a tent. They come in the form of either a single piece bag that straps directly to the handlebars or a harness that will cradle a drybag.

Frame bags attach within the frame triangle using velcro or webbing straps. Half-frame bags take up the upper section of the frame either stretching all the way from the headtube to the seatpost or stopping part way along the top tube. With these bags you still need to carry water bottles but smaller frames will struggle. Side entry bottle cages will help but you might also want to just switch to a full frame bag. With a full frame bag you'll need to carry water in a bladder but you'll have the full space of the frame triangle to work out a packing that works best for you. 

Saddle packs are similar to handlebar bags in that they come in one piece or holster styles. Anchoring points use the saddle rails and seatpost to secure and stabilise the bag against sway and drooping. They pack down, and stay dry, with roll top closures. The bags are a great place to store the bulk of your gear as there's very little downside to carrying luggage in this spot. 

What bike limitations do I need to consider?

One of the big appeals to bikepacking bags is the fact they can be easily attached to any bike without the need for special mounting hardware. However, you'll need to consider the dimensions of your bike. Not all bags will work with all bikes and this is especially true for smaller riders where clearances are more compact.

Frame bags often come in different sizes and should give measurements to gauge the size you need. For handlebar bags, the clearance between the handlebar and front wheel and space between drop bars is the limiting factors. Saddle packs are more compatible across bike sizes although small frames such as 50cm and below may struggle with rear-wheel clearance. If you run a dropper post on your gravel bike, you will need to choose a seat pack designed specifically to work with dropper posts so that you don’t damage the posts stanchion.

Do I need frame protection?

When you load down a bag and subject it to the dirt and grime of a bikepacking trip, things rub. It could be just a small scratch, or two. If that's the case it's probably not that big of a deal and it will come down to your level of comfort with scratches. Some people will see those as reminders of the best adventures while others will feel it in their soul every time they look at their once perfect bike. Wherever you fall in that range of experiences things will work out. Sometimes it's worse though.

In some instances, the rubbing of a frame bag could mean expensive repairs. It can be startling how fast a misplaced strap can damage a frame. If your bike is aluminium, or titanium, you can end up with an impressively polished spot but if your frame is carbon things could be worse. It's possible to rub right through the frame wall of a carbon bike. With a steel frame you won't rub through the wall but rust can be an issue.

Instead of worrying about it, apply frame protection. The best time to do this is when the bike is brand new. You need it clean and it's unlikely a bikepacking bike will ever be as clean as it is new. Grab a role of helicopter tape and apply liberally. Think well beyond just where the straps fall.

What’s the best packing strategy?

A loaded-up bike is heavy and it handles differently. There's nothing you can do to fundamentally change that but there are important strategies for mitigating the effect. At the heart of it the idea is to keep weight low and central.

The three primary storage bags in a bikepacking setup are the frame pack, the handlebar pack, and the seatpost pack. The handlebar bag is a long thin bag that does well with bulky, but lightweight items. If you are using a drop bar bike the space between the handlebar drops is narrow so that will dictate shorter items.

The seatpost pack is another location where you want lightweight but bulky items. If you have longer items that won't fit between the bars then this is the place to put them. just remember that the farther something gets from the seatpost the more it will sway and move. Try to keep the weight as close in as possible.

For heavy items you want them in your frame bag. It's the most centrally located and the lowest to the ground but there isn't much space. Your legs and the frame create a boundary in every direction so this is your place for compact and heavy. Depending on your bike's setup, you might also consider a downtube mounted bag for heavy items.

What about food and water?

Water in particular can be tricky to find a good spot for. It's heavy, it's bulky, and there is a temptation to try and tuck it away. You might think it's easy to stop and pull it out for a drink but avoid the temptation.

It is true that it's easy to stop and locate food and water but that's not how people sometimes work. Riding is hard and once you get into the rhythm you might surprise yourself by your reluctance to stop. This is especially true when riding with other people or in a race situation. As time goes on you feel worse and worse and it then becomes hard to recover after the eventual stop.

Instead, avoid the whole situation and make it easy. Make sure you have food and water available while riding. Eat and drink before you feel hungry or thirsty and do it often. Keep your energy up instead of trying to recover from a dip. Keep this strategy in mind while packing and do what you need to make things easier than you think necessary.

How did we test the best bikepacking bags?

Testing for the best bikepacking bags begins with the unboxing. We immediately try to figure out the bags, the straps and various mounting brackets to get a sense of how intuitive they are to use. Then we check the instructions and see what - if anything - we missed.

Next up, we fit the bags to our bike - in this case, the Niner MCR full-suspension gravel bike - to get even more of an idea of how easy they are to use. 

Then we do a trial run of packing up a selection of bikepacking gear . We use the same kit list for each bag, and this allows us to compare the available space within, and how the capacity compares to the capacity claimed by the brand. 

The final test is the real-world use, and we tested these bags by taking them on a mix of the most epic adventures we could think of. We also tested bags doing things a little less epic. Sometimes you need a set of bags to take you across a continent and sometimes you need a bag to take you on a mellow weekend. We did the hard work of adventuring on our bikes and we are proud to bring you the best options we found.  

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Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx

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The Best Hard- and Softshell Cases For Traveling With Your Bike

Whether you want a light and stealthy case to avoid fees or a tough, hard-side case to protect your ride, you'll find it here.

Whether you’re planning to travel across the country or across the globe, a sturdy bike travel case or bag is a worthy investment. Your bike will be better protected—and you’ll have more peace of mind—than it will if you stuff it into a cardboard box and hope for the best. Here’s what you need to know.

B&W International Bike Box II

Compact and tough plastic case and four smooth rolling wheels.

Orucase Airport Ninja

Requires more bike assembly, but less likely to incur a fee.

travel Bike Travel Bag Pro

Securely holds modern 29er trail bikes with minimal disassembly.

SCI-CON AeroComfort 3.0 TSA

This case lets you leave the pedals, bar, and seatpost in place.

Thule RoundTrip Transition

ABS plastic shell protects the bike inside. Comes with a repair stand.

Hardshell versus Softshell

Hardshell cases provide the highest level of protection against impacts, but they also weigh more, which can lead to even higher luggage fees. Hard cases also don’t break down, so they take up more room in a hotel room or rental car when not in use.

Softshell cases have come a long way in recent years, and some offer nearly the same level of protection as hard-shell models. Softshell cases are usually lighter than hard-shell cases, and fold or roll down for easier storage.

Hard-shell cases usually rely on a rigid, outer shell—made from a type of plastic—for their protection. Most softshell cases are constructed from durable nylon and rely on padding to protect your bike.

Some softshell cases have a rigid internal frame that provides structure and protects the bike from crushing forces. There are also hybrid cases, which have a fabric exterior lined with foam and plastic sheets.

Both types of cases often include additional padding for the frame, as well as straps to hold the frame and wheels in place.

Size and Weight

Pay attention to the size and weight of a bike case, particularly as it relates to the weight of the bike you plan to transport. Most airlines have a 50-pound weight limit before incurring an overweight fee. You need to factor in the weight of the case, the bike, and other items you’re considering throwing in there before selecting a case.

Hard-shell cases are more protective, but weigh more, leaving less for packing materials, bike, and gear. Softshell cases are lighter, which means you can pack a heavier bike without exceeding the limit but may offer less protection for your gear. The weight difference can be extreme: Thule’s Roundtrip Transition is made of ABS plastic and extremely rugged but weighs 38 pounds, while Orucase’s soft-sided Sub62 weighs just 13 pounds.

Most airlines have a dimensional limit of 62 linear inches—calculated by adding together the total length, width, and height of the bag. If an item of luggage is larger, it can incur an oversize-bag fee. Orucase’s Sub62 is smaller than 62 linear inches, so it should avoid an oversize fee, while Thule’s armored RoundTrip Transition measures over 106 linear inches and is almost certain to cost you extra.

Packing Tips and Tricks

Before choosing a case, have an idea of how much bike disassembly/assembly you’re comfortable with.

Cases like Scicon’s AeroComfort require very little wrenching to pack and unpack a bike but are larger and likely to incur a bike or oversize fee. A smaller and lighter case like Orucase’s Sub62 is much less likely to incur an oversize or overweight charge, but packing the bike into this case requires removal of both wheels, the bar and stem, rear derailleur, pedals, seatpost, and fork.

If you want to use additional padding to protect your bike during transit, consider using your cycling apparel, since it has to make the trip with you anyway. You can also use pipe insulation, which is inexpensive and can be purchased at your local home-supply store. Always be sure you also have all the tools you need to get your bike back up and running at your destination.

How We Picked

Every case on this list has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We also consulted product managers and designers, athletes, and used our own travel experience with these cases to determine the best options. We evaluated them on performance, price, protection, weight, size, and how much bike disassembly is required to come up with a list of cases to serve the needs of anyone traveling with bikes.

Here are nine of our favorite bike travel bags and cases you can buy right now.

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Orucase airport ninja.

Looking to sneak your road bike through security and escape extra baggage fees? If so, this Orucase travel case is the ticket. The ultra-compact bike backpack fits most road frames and breakaway-style travel bikes. Though it’s soft-sided, the Orucase bag uses integrated plastic panels with energy-absorbing foam to armor it against impacts.

Least Wrenching

Scicon aerocomfort 3.0 triathlon, scicon aerocomfort 3.0 triathlon.

Scicon’s AeroComfort 3.0 TSA blends the low weight of a soft-sided bike bag with a rigid frame to protect your prized ride from surly baggage handlers. This travel bag is designed specifically for drop-bar bikes and requires minimal disassembly. The wheels stow in dedicated pockets on the sides and, best of all, there’s no need to remove the handlebar. The adjustable chassis holds your frame in place by the axles—either quick-release or 12mm thru-axles. The four-wheeled design makes it easy to maneuver through crowded airports, and the compact design keeps it within many airlines’ standard luggage dimensions, which may help you skip oversize baggage fees.

B&W BIKE BOX II

B&w bike box ii.

B&W’s International Bike Box II is a simple, effective, and affordable hard-shell case. The clamshell design is easy to use, and the interlocking halves fasten with six buckles to keep everything secure. This budget-minded case includes wheel bags and multiple layers of foam to protect the frame from the wheels. Two fixed wheels and a pair of rotating castors make the International Bike Box II as easy to maneuver as a shopping cart.

DAKINE BIKE ROLLER BAG

Dakine bike roller bag.

Dakine’s Bike Roller Bag has enough space to fit 29ers, downhill bikes, and even 29er downhill bikes. Unlike many other soft-sided bags, the Bike Roller Bag has wheel sleeves inside the main compartment, which reduces the number of external zippers that could fail. Heavy-duty internal and external padding safeguards the frame, fork, and wheels from overzealous airport workers.

Cardboard Box

Bikeflights bike box, bikeflights bike box small.

A cardboard box is a light, inexpensive, and—provided the bike is packed properly—surprisingly safe way to ship a bike. Most brand new bikes—even high-end and custom bikes—are shipped in cardboard boxes. Bike breakdown and packing difficulty is average to high. A cardboard box has no puncture or impact protection, and can fall apart if it gets too wet. The BikeFlights Bike Box comes in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large.

Best For Mountain Bikes

Evoc bike travel bag pro, evoc bike travel bag pro.

EVOC’s bike bags are some of the most popular soft-sided options for road and mountain bikes—it even makes versions for BMX and fat bikes. The Bike Travel Bag Pro is a premium version of the company’s Bike Travel Bag. It includes an integrated aluminum chassis to hold frames securely in place by their axles. EVOC added six centimeters to the length of the bag to keep pace with the longer, lower, slacker trend in mountain biking. Another nod to modern mountain bikes are wheel pockets that can swallow 29-inch wheels wrapped in 2.6-inch tires. When not in use, the Bike Travel Bag Pro folds down small enough to fit under a bed.

THULE ROUNDTRIP TRANSITION

Thule’s RoundTrip Transition fits most road and mountain bikes within its tough, ABS plastic shell. Nylon wheel bags prevent frame and wheel rub during transport. The two-piece, hard shell cradles the frame in a lightweight aluminum stand that doubles as a work stand, making reassembly and maintenance a breeze once you arrive at your destination.

Fits Two Wheelsets

Biknd helium v4, biknd helium v4.

The Helium V4 is a drop bar-centric bike bag with a twist. Unlike most other bike bags, it can carry two wheelsets, which makes it an excellent option for cyclists traveling with both race-day and training wheels. Both sides fold flat for unfettered access for quick packing and removal. The feature that really sets the Helium V4 apart is the inflatable panels on the sides of the bag that add protection without heft. These inflatable bladders keep the weight to just 19.8 pounds, which is half of its heavyweight competitors.

Best for Large Bikes

Pro bike travel case mega, pro bike travel case mega.

Traveling with extra-large road bikes or 29er trail bikes poses problems for some cases, but not for Pro’s Bike Travel Case Mega. As the name suggests, this soft-sided bag is designed to swallow large and long frames easily. The alloy base holds the frame by the axles, while padded wheel pockets and foam bumpers keep your bike protected. Integrated pockets allow riders to stash pedals, tools, a mini-pump, and other ride essentials.

Unique Protective Feature

Douchebags savage bike bag, douchebags savage.

Once you get over the name, there’s a lot to like about this bike bag. The Db Savage is a soft-sided travel bag with a race car-inspired roll cage. This internal framework bolsters stiffness and provides an additional level of protection against damage. The Savage works with all road and mountain frames. It features external pockets for wheels and internal organizers for pedals and tools.

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Best bike bags and boxes for cycling travel 2024

Protect your bike and reduce stress when you travel with one of these best bike bags and boxes

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The quick list

• 1. Best overall
• 2. Easy to use
• 3. Best value
• 4. Most portable
• 5. Most versatile
• 6. Most robust

How we test

Best bike bags and boxes 2024

The list in brief ↴ 1. Best overall 2. Easy to use 3 . Best value 4. Most portable 5. Most versatile 6. Most robust

Advice How we test

Riding new roads and exploring different places bathed in warm sunshine is one of the great joys of cycling, but getting you and your bike there safely can be the most stressful part of a cycling holiday . Some riders choose to hire a bike whilst on holiday, but for others, part of the attraction is the opportunity to ride their familiar bike up famous climbs or through beautiful landscapes - no one wants a week of cycling spoiled by an ill-fitting bike or uncomfortable saddle.

If you decide to fly with your own bike, then you have the choice of using a hard box or a soft bag, each with pros and cons which we will investigate below. If you choose to drive to your destination instead, however, you can read our guides to the best bike racks for cars  and the  best caravan and motorhome bike racks .

Best overall

The AeroComfort's soft exterior houses a metal structure to which you fasten your frame so it's held securely. There is very little disassembly required and as the bag is pretty light there is plenty of potential to pack extra kit inside and still be within your airline's limits.

Read more below

Best for ease of use

As the Evoc Bike Bag is soft, it's light and easy to store when not in use. There is plenty of padding provided to protect your bike when it's in the bag, and the large side opening makes it simple to put the bike in place.

Best value 

Very light and compact, LifeLine's EVA Bike Pod also offers excellent value for money. Its semi-rigid design offers more protection than a soft bag but they are still quite flexible and as it only has two wheels it can be a little awkward to manoeuvre around an airport.

Most portable

Another light option, the Orucase B2 even includes rucksack-style straps which are handy if you have packed very light. There is a fair bit of disassembly required though and it can feel a bit lopsided when wheeling it around.

Best with integrated stand

Thule's RoundTrip Pro XT bike bag uses an internal frame that can also double as a workstand whilst on holiday, which is very handy. It's more of a reinforced bag than a hard case though and as such is quite pricey.

Most robust

One of the heavier boxes available, the VeloVault2 provides very reassuring protection for your bike. Its quality construction and overall sturdiness will ensure that your lightweight carbon frame should emerge unscathed, but there might not be much weight allowance left once this gets on the scales.

Best bike bags and boxes for cycling travel: Our picks

Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag

1. Scicon AeroComfort 3.0 Road Bike Travel Bag

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The AeroComfort 3.0 from Scicon is a firm favorite among the Cycling Weekly tech team. We've flown test bikes all over the world, and we like to use this carry case because it makes travelling by bike easy, hassle-free and incredibly quick. It takes just 15 minutes to pack the bike away, and even less time to put it back together.

How so? The outside is a soft, fabric bag, but inside you'll find a metal structure. You simply remove the wheels, loop your chain over a specially designed T-bar and use your quick releases to stand the bike on the metal frame, so it's immovable inside and thus a lot more secure. It couldn't be easier.

There's no need to remove anything aside from the wheels, the handlebars stay straight and don't need twisting. This does make the front end quite bulky, but we found that the protection is good, with a thick soft fabric, designated pockets for wheels, helmets and shoes, and most importantly the rear derailleur is kept off the ground. 

Read more: Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Road Bike Travel Bag full review

Evoc bike travel bag

2. Evoc Bike Travel Bike Bag

Whilst hard cases give the ultimate reassurance that your bike is well protected, they also take up a lot of room when out of use, and, they're heavy - limiting your ability to pack kit alongside your bike and stay within airline limits.

Enter soft cases, and this Evoc bike bag is an excellent option. Yes, it offers less protection - but the Cycling Weekly team has used it to transport press bikes on plenty of occasions (NB, we once even used a cardboard box for a personal bike, the theory is that baggage handlers will be more careful!).

This Evoc Bike bag excels in terms of ease of use, too. The side opening makes getting the bike in a cinch, and the handy Velcro makes getting the parts in the right place a piece of cake. The newer model reviewed here now has a reinforced front zip, meaning it should last longer.

Read more: Evoc bike travel bike bag full review

LifeLine EVA Bike Pod

3. LifeLine EVA Bike Pod

Although it's a reasonably compact bike box, the LifeLine Bike Pod will take a smaller-sized bike without too much disassembly. It rolls on two rear wheels, with two front feet to stand on. Quick-release wheels, although not wheels with thru-axles, can be secured to the outside of the case.

Our tester found that the LifeLine Bike Pod is relatively easy to move around, although since you have to lift the front end and the carrying handle doesn't let you wrap your hand through it, longer carries can be tiring. 

The sides of the bag are quite flexible, so it would be advisable to wrap wheels and frame well inside to prevent crushing. We were also concerned about how robust the feet would be and how well the zip would stand repeated use, but overall, the LifeLine Bike Pod is a relatively inexpensive option for the less frequent flyer.

Read more: LifeLine EVA Bike Pod full review

Orucase B2 Bike Travel Case

4. Orucase B2 Bike Travel Case

We've taken the B2 bike case on several domestic and international flights and were left impressed. It sports many welcomed features, including backpack straps and a rollable chassis. Combined with its compact, space-saving size it makes for a sleek, highly portable and trustworthy bag that we think is a great option if space is limited or you'll be traveling on serval modes of transport during your trip.

We did find that it's not the easiest to pack, and required some disassembling of your bike - so you'll need to be confident of putting your bike back together once you've arrived. It's also far from cheap, but in our opinion, it's likely a worthy investment given the ease of portability and the posibbility to save on extra fees due to its smaller size.

Read more: Orucase B2 Bike Travel Case full review

Most versatile

Thule Round Trip Pro XT bike bag

5. Thule RoundTrip Pro XT Bike Bag

The Thule RoundTrip Pro XT falls into the not-quite-a-bike-bag category. It's a softshell but has some structural implants that should keep your bike safe through the worst of it.

However, the bag does have some weak areas and for the price you pay this doesn't induce confidence. But, maybe we're being picky. This is a solid purchase, undoubtedly, and we always add extra bubble wrap around our frames, whatever we're packing them into.

The base, which holds the bike static in the case, can have three legs added, transforming it into a workstand for when you get to your destination - which is a rather 'nice to have' too.

Read more: Thule RoundTrip Pro XT review

Blue Velovault2 bike box

6. VeloVault2 bike box

We really liked the VeloVault2 bike box when we had it in for test. It's big and robust, which is what many cyclists need to achieve peace of mind when flying with a bike.

However, weighing in at 12.5kg means it should sneak under most airline weight controls. The company has sweated the small stuff, too: the clasps are quality, it's easy to close and it rolls well.

VeloVault2 bike box has a new carrying handle, longer wheelbase, improved strut design and it is roof box ready. Oh, and it's now bright blue... other colours are available if that's not to your liking.

Read more: VeloVault2 full review

How do I pack a bike into a bike bag or box?

Packing the bike into the bag or box sometimes takes quite a bit more effort than expected. The process may differ slightly depending on the specific box or bag, but the general process goes something like:

- Remove the pedals - Partially deflate tires and remove the wheels - Remove the seatpost and saddle - Remove the handlebar from the stem or remove the handlebar and stem together from the steerer - Undo rear derailleur (but leave it on the chain) - Secure the frame and components in the box via the manufacturer-approved method - Pack the tools required to rebuild the bike!

There are a few more mechanical adjustments you might make, and if you’re handy with a spanner they shouldn't cause too much grief. For example, you might have to remove the chainset. This will keep it protected en route but it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll have to reassemble it when you arrive on your hols, so if you're no spanner wizard it might be best to avoid this. It may also mean packing extra tools, which means extra weight to carry around.

Best bike bags vs best bike boxes: which is better?

You might think this is an easy question: it's surely a box, right? However, that's probably before you’ve taken weight into consideration.

A lighter weight bike bag influences two things: how comfortable it is to carry and lug about but also how much of your baggage allowance it eats into - and how much the baggage supplement might be.

The trade off is in the level of protection: a hard flight case like box is going to take the knocks better than a soft bag. That said, soft bike bags will usually protect your bike from the worst of it and they also tend to be cheaper than bike boxes.

There is an in between option. The best bike bags tend to have some more structural inserts inside but retain more of a bag's lightweight nature. Other bike bags can have nifty, in-built storage techniques. For example, some have built-in dropouts that allow you to stand your frame upright and hold it tight.

Do I need to add extra padding to my bike bag?

Regardless of how tough your bag or box might be, you’ll definitely want to pad the important parts inside it. We’d recommend bubble wrap and foam piping. If you’re lucky, your local bike shop might have excess from all the bikes they get sent in. Don't forget to put it around the frame in places where other items in the box might rub against it.

Riding in the mountains

A good bike box or bag has to tread the line between providing the best protection for your bike and yet still being light, easy to carry and simple to pack. These boxes have been used to carry various bikes on multiple flights, being packed and unpacked several times each. They all protected the bikes from any transport damage and none were particularly difficult or awkward to pack but each has its advantages and disadvantages that may clinch the deal for you.

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Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.

'Knocking people just because they're not winning, or they're not beating this phenomenal guy… Give over,' says Welshman

By Tom Davidson Published 7 May 24

All the action from the fourth stage of the Italian Grand Tour

By Tom Thewlis Last updated 7 May 24

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Results have arrived, trek mountain bike buyer’s guide - best trek mountain bikes (supercaliber, procaliber & more).

Whether you have World Cup XC aspirations or dream of epic downhills, Trek has a mountain bike for you. Here's the skinny on Supercaliber, Fuel, Fuel EX, Slash, and many other models.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Feb 25, 2022

Posted in: Guides

Trek’s wide range of mountain bikes covers everything from ultra-lightweight XC hardtails to downhill and enduro trail slashers. But how do you know which Trek mountain bike is right for you?

This overview is your guide to all things Trek MTB. In addition to covering every model in the current Trek mountain bike catalog, we’ll decode Trek naming conventions and delve into Trek’s innovations in rear-shock technology.

[button] Shop Trek MTB [/button]

Trek XC bikes

Trek procaliber.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front

The Procaliber is Trek’s carbon XC hardtail and its lightest mountain bike. It’s a pure cross-country race bike optimized for fast courses where maximum pedaling efficiency is essential for climbing and acceleration. It features a rear IsoSpeed decoupler that provides extra compliance over rough roots and rocks.

Who it’s for: XC riders who want the lightest, most efficient bike, or who ride less-technical terrain.

Trek X-Caliber

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” for S) Suspension travel: 100mm front

The X-Caliber is Trek’s entry-level, aluminum XC hardtail. The lightweight aluminum frame provides lots of performance on fast courses without breaking the bank. It’s a great option for newer riders looking to get into XC racing.

Who it’s for: XC riders and racers looking for a budget hardtail.

[button] Shop Trek XC bikes [/button]

Trek Supercaliber

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front / 60mm rear

The Supercaliber is Trek’s lightest, most efficient, full-suspension XC bike. During development, Trek kept the Supercaliber under wraps (they literally hid the rear suspension during races) while Trek’s factory race team tested it at World Cups. The Supercaliber uses a unique IsoStrut suspension system with a frame-integrated shock. This provides 60mm of suspension travel, just enough to take the edge off bumps and harsh impacts while keeping the weight, stiffness, and efficiency close to the Procaliber hardtail. The Supercaliber is designed to be the perfect compromise between a hardtail and a 100mm full-suspension bike.

Who it’s for: XC riders looking for the lightest, most efficient full-suspension race bike available.

Trek Top Fuel

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 120mm front / 115mm rear

The Top Fuel is Trek’s full-suspension marathon XC bike. The previous generation Top Fuel was a pure XC race bike with 100mm of travel front and rear. In 2020, the travel was been increased to make it more capable on descents. The Top Fuel could be considered Trek’s “downcountry” bike, a cross-country bike that balances downhill performance and pedaling efficiency. It will hold its own in fast XC races, but it’s versatile enough for trail riders who enjoy big rides on technical terrain.

Who it’s for: Marathon XC racers and riders looking for a “downcountry” bike.

Trek trail bikes

Trek Fuel EX

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” available for XS and S) Suspension travel: 140mm front / 130mm rear

The Fuel EX is Trek’s most popular mountain bike model, and for good reason. The latest generation of this all-rounder has been refined with more suspension travel and modern geometry to make it equally capable uphill and downhill. It’s designed to suit the majority of riders and the widest range of terrain. If you’re looking for a quiver killer bike that will feel comfortable, capable, and efficient enough for all types of riding, the Fuel EX is a top choice.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for one bike to handle everything from XC to technical downhill trails.

Trek Roscoe

Wheel Size: 27.5” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front (100mm on XS)

The Roscoe is Trek’s basic aluminum trail hardtail with 27.5” plus tires for traction and comfort. The robust aluminum frame and affordable component builds make it a great choice for newer riders building their confidence and skills on the trail.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a fun, inexpensive, easy to maintain hardtail trail bike.

Trek Stache and Full Stache

Wheel Size: 29” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front / 130mm front and rear

Discontinued in 2021, the Stache and Full Stache were Trek’s 29-plus hardtail and full-suspension models, respectively. These extra-large wheels and tires enhance rollover, traction, and comfort. These models are loved by bikepackers who need to carry large amounts of gear and desire extra comfort for backcountry riding and multi-day journeys.

Who it’s for: Trail riders and bikepackers looking for a mountain bike that maximizes traction and comfort.

Trek Farley

Wheel Size: 27.5” Fat Suspension travel: 100mm front or Rigid

The Farley is Trek’s fat bike specializing in terrain like snow and sand which require the additional “float” and traction of 4-5” wide fat tires. The newest generation of Farley uses 27.5” diameter fat tires instead of traditional 26” fat tires. Trek is a believer that using a larger diameter tire offers better performance in all conditions.

Who it’s for: Riders riding snow and sand.

Trek enduro bikes

Trek Remedy

Wheel Size: 27.5” Suspension travel: 160mm front / 150mm rear

The Remedy is Trek’s playful 27.5” trail bike. Older Remedy models were available with 29” wheels, but with the latest generation, Trek has committed to making the Remedy its sole 27.5” full-suspension bike. An ample amount of suspension travel allows the Remedy to tackle tough and steep downhill terrain while smaller 27.5” wheels make it feel easier to maneuver and throw around. It will suit riders who jump and jib their way down trails and who prioritize style and fun over all-out speed.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a capable and playful bike.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 170mm front / 160mm rear

The Slash is Trek’s 29er enduro race bike. It provides the most suspension travel and slackest geometry short of Trek’s Session downhill bike. Available only with 29” wheels, it smooths out the gnarliest terrain and maximizes downhill speed. The Slash is used by Trek’s factory Enduro World Series race team and will suit riders looking for a competitive enduro race bike, or a bike that will enhance their confidence on steep and technical downhill trails.

Who it’s for: Enduro racers and riders looking for the most downhill capable bike that can still be pedaled uphill.

Trek MTB range

Trek has a huge selection of mountain bike models, and within every model, there is a wide range of builds to choose from. The hierarchy within models is described using letters and numbers that can be confusing to uninitiated buyers. Below is a guide to decoding Trek’s naming and numbering system.

[newsletter]

Trek mountain bike range

Trek mountain bike models use a number (e.g. Trek Fuel EX 9.9) to indicate the frame material and component build. Models with a 5 through 8 use aluminum frames, with 5 indicating entry-level builds and 8 indicating top-of-the-line aluminum builds.

Models with a 9 use carbon frames. To differentiate build levels within carbon models, Trek uses a decimal system that ranges from 9.5 to 9.9, with 9.5 indicating entry-level builds and 9.9 indicating top-of-the-line builds.

Higher numbered bikes cost more but are equipped with better components.

For example, a Fuel EX 9.9 ($9,499) has a top-of-the-line OCLV carbon frame, SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension, and carbon wheels, stem, and handlebars. A Fuel EX 5 ($2,399) has a more budget-friendly aluminum frame, Shimano Deore drivetrain, entry-level RockShox and X-Fusion suspension, and alloy wheels, stem, and handlebars. In between are several Fuel EX models that offer different frame materials and component builds so riders can pick the bike that fits their needs and budget.

Trek suspension technology

Trek has a long history of innovation, and it has introduced several ground-breaking technologies to the sport. Here is a list of technology and features that are only found on Trek mountain bikes.

Trek RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft shocks

In 2014, Trek worked with Penske Racing to develop RE:aktiv valve technology for its rear shocks. In RE:aktiv shocks, a spring-loaded valve inside the shock body provides increased low-speed compression for more pedaling support. When the shock's shaft speed increases on rough terrain, the valve opens up to quickly absorb impacts before closing again. RE:aktiv shocks are designed to reduce the need for lockouts and compression adjustment on full-suspension mountain bikes when pedaling on smooth terrain or climbing.

In 2018, Trek added Thru Shaft to its RE:aktiv shocks. Most mountain bike shocks are designed around an internal floating piston, or IFP. When a shock absorbs a bump, a damper shaft moves through the shock and displaces oil. This displaced oil needs to go somewhere, so it pushes against the IFP, compressing a gas charge behind the IFP.

The Thru Shaft design eliminates the need for an IFP by allowing the damper shaft to exit out the bottom of the shock. The damper no longer needs to compress an IFP to create space for displaced oil. This makes the shock more responsive and reduces friction. RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shocks are currently found on the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Trek IsoStrut

IsoStrut is a minimal, frame-integrated shock designed to provide the comfort and control of rear suspension while maintaining weight, stiffness, and efficiency that rivals a hardtail. To save weight, instead of an ABP suspension pivot, there is flex built into the seat stays to provide a virtual pivot. In its current form, it is only found on the Supercaliber cross-country bike where it provides 60mm of suspension travel.

Trek Knock Block and Straight Shot down tubes

Most mountain bike frames have a curve in the down tube where it joins the head tube to prevent interference with the fork crown. Trek’s Straight Shot down tubes, however, are straight from the head tube to the bottom bracket to increase frame stiffness and strength. This means the fork crown might hit the down tube if it spins around during a crash.

The Knock Block system prevents this with a chip in the top tube that interacts with a keyed stem, spacers, and headset top cover. The Knock Block stops the handlebars and fork from spinning, preventing the fork crown from striking the down tube. There's also a molded guard on the down tube as a redundant measure. As an added bonus, Knock Block also prevents brake and shift levers from scratching or damaging the top tube.

Knock Block can be found on all of Trek’s carbon mountain bike models and the aluminum versions of the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Hopefully this guide to Trek mountain bikes puts you in a better place to select the best Trek MTB to suit you riding needs (and also the best build for your price range). If you’re still having trouble deciding, reach out to a TPC Ride Guide at (866) 401-9636 who can better help you understand the pros and cons, and ultimately find the right bike for you. Do you already have one of these Treks? Let us (and other cyclists) know in the comments what you love about your Trek MTB.

What do you ride? Which Trek bike is your favorite? What questions do you have? Let us know in the comments!

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Best saddle bags for mountain bikes: under-seat storage for essential tools

The best saddle bags for mountain biking will let you ditch the pack, and strap your spares to your bike

Ditch the pack, and strap your spares to your bike with the best saddle bags for mountain bikes. Going on a ride is never as simple as just grabbing your bike and rolling out the door. Among other things, you’re going to need to remember to bring a spare tube, CO2 and inflator, tubeless repair kit, tire levers, multi-tool, and a few other bits and pieces, all to make sure you aren’t left walking back to the trailhead or stuck on the side of a dirt road with no cell service.

If you’re like us you’ll do anything to avoid wearing a backpack, meaning you’ll be strapping as much gear as possible onto the bike itself — we’ve even been known to tape tubes under our saddles and snacks to our bike frame in pursuit of a bagless ride.

For information on Bike Perfect's testing procedures and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page.

We have begun seeing a number of bikes now coming with integrated storage, which solves the brunt of the issue but most don't. For those whose bikes don't have an integrated storage cubby, and are of the opinion that tape has no place on a bike that probably out-values your car, choosing the best saddle bags for mountain bikes is the solution.

Saddle bags come in all different shapes and sizes and are attached to your bike using simple velcro straps, and Boa dials, while some of the best mountain biking saddles have fittings for an integrated saddle bag. 

We have tested a bunch of the best saddle bags for mountain bikes, so keep reading to see our picks of the bunch, or read on to discover everything you need to know to make the right choice when picking the best saddle bag for your mountain bike.

Meet the tester

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. Based in Edinburgh, he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro and, most recently, gravel racing.

The best saddle bags for mountain bikes and gravel riding

Lezyne Road Caddy

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

It might say road but Lezyne's Road Caddy is equally as good on the trail or gravel track. The woven nylon material feels durable and it's held in place with a wide velcro strap. A water-resistant zipper runs almost the full circumference of the saddle bag and allows it to be fully opened flat once removed from the bike. You can access your possessions without removing the bag from the saddle by just loosening the strap, although sometimes it's easier to just whip it off.

Lezyne has done a great job of balancing size and neatness so you can pack the most important bits and bobs without looking like you're heading out on a bikepacking trip. We were able to fit a lightweight 29er tube, a slim multi-tool and a tire lever comfortably. The little internal pouch can either be used to store some emergency cash or keys but we also managed to squeeze our regular multi-tool in there too to stop it rattling around.

For more details, check out our Lezyne Road Caddy review.

Silca Mattone

Silca is known for its extremely high-quality (and usually expensive) gear and the Mattone is no exception. The Mattone has a stiff rectangular construction and is held in place with a Hypalon strap that's tightened using a Boa dial. Opting for a Boa might add some cost to the bag but it also means the Mattone can be cinched down very securely against the saddle rails. To loosen, simply pop the Boa dial to release the strap tension.

Inside the Mattone has a decent amount of storage and a neat flap that stops your tool from attacking your tube. We found the 0.61 liter storage can over-promise a little on storage if your items don't fit neatly as the rigid construction doesn't allow any conforming to the items inside.  

You can find out even more about it by reading our Silca Mattone review.

skingrowsback Plan B

Aussie outfit skingrowsback makes hard-wearing bags ranging from duffle bags and backpacks, down to the humble saddle bag. The Plan B is a compact nylon saddle pack with heavyweight 1000d nylon used for the exterior while a lighter fabric is used on the inside, and the zipper is PU coated to prevent water ingress. Overall the Plan B feels extremely well made and plenty durable for long days on the trail.

The Plan B pack attaches with a single strip of webbing which runs through the saddle rails and wraps around the clamshell-style bag and is fixed with a Fidlock buckle. The buckle is a little fiddly to attach due to its size, but once in place it's very secure. 

Inside there is a lot of storage space for a tube, tool plus elastic straps to secure CO2 canisters and tire levers. The bags are handmade in Australia and come in a massive range of colors and patterns.

Take a read of our skingrowsback Plan B review for more detail.

Bontrager Elite Micro

Bontrager’s range of seat bags extends from those which can carry an expedition's worth of gear down to those that only hold a single tube. The Elite Micro is the latter; with a capacity of just 0.28 liters you're only going to be able to squeeze a few things in there like a multi-tool, tire levers and a CO2. For many that might not be enough, but if you're looking to just move a few lumpy items from your pockets this is a great option. If you're looking to store a tube though you are going to need to look at a saddle bag with a good bit more storage.

Its small size means it's super slimline though so you're barely going to notice it when it's fitted. The velcro strap is super easy to thread through the saddle rails making fitting a breeze although the thin strap could be more susceptible to getting clogged with grit. That said, ours is still going strong after a winter of mucky rides.

Find out more in our Bontrager Elite Micro review.

Lezyne Roll Caddy

An alternative to the regular saddle bag is to opt for a tool roll. Lezyne's tool roll is a great option for carrying a your ride essentials. Inside there are two slots which we could neatly fit a lightweight 29er tube and multi-tool plus a zipped pocket, perfect for the easy to lose things like quick links, etc. The big disadvantage is that you need to remove the Roll Caddy from the saddle to access your items but once rolled out on the ground it made a handy work area to stop bits getting lost as you work on your bike.

It's simple to roll up as long as you don't get too ambitious with what you pack, and it has a flap to keep the worst of the dirt and grit away from your tools.

Take a look at our Lezyne Roll Caddy review for more information.

Evoc Seat Bag

Available in a few different sizes, the Evoc saddle bag is the middle-volume version with 0.5L of internal capacity. The exterior is made from the same PU-coated ripstop nylon used in the brand's backpacks, offering plenty of durability and a bit of weather resistance, too.

Inside, there are mesh pockets to keep your gear organized and the bag is held in place with three velcro straps, making for faff-free mounting. Worth noting that it won't play well with a dropper post as the velcro strap at the back could cause damage to the dropper stanchion. 

Backcountry Research Mutherload

Backcountry Research’s Mutherload is essentially a heavy-duty velcro strap, with integrated bungees. This means that the elastic attaches your tube and whatever else to the strap itself and the strap holds onto the bike, no more fiddling with rubber bands or awkward one-handed cinching. The Mutherload is best used inside the front triangle and can grab onto a frame with tube circumferences ranging from one to nine inches. 

Made in Bozeman, Montana, the Mutherload will hang onto a tube, a couple of CO2 canisters or a mini pump, tire levers, and a multi-tool. Even better, the UV and rot-resistant webbing come in over 50 colors and patterns to match any frame. 

Speedsleev Seatsleev

The Speedsleev is not your traditional saddle bag; instead, it's a velcro compression strap with slots for all your essentials. It’s actually made up of three velcro straps, with the innermost used to create a pocket for a tube, the middle strap complete with sleeves for tire levers, CO2 canisters, and the like and the third to secure the whole thing to your saddle rails.

It all lays out flat for easy access to everything and comes with a rain cover, to keep your spare tube grit-free. Because it attaches only to the saddle rails, it plays nicely with dropper posts.

Voile Strap 12in Nano series

Voile is actually a ski brand based in Utah and its trademark orange straps were invented more than thirty years ago as a unique way to keep skis together and attach glueless climbing skins. They are also pretty good at attaching 'spare tire' kit to bikes. 

Along the same lines as the Backcountry Research strap, a Voile strap can be used under your saddle or inside the front triangle. How much stuff it can hold is only determined by the length you use. Made from UV-resistance tested rubber these things are tough, and neither the strap nor the glass-filled nylon buckle scratch carbon or paintwork. They come in lengths from six to 32-inches, two widths, and enough colors to match any bike. 

How to choose the best saddle bags for mountain bikes

What are bike saddle bags for.

Saddle bags are great for stashing everything from a few little essentials to a jacket and other larger items. The question is, how much stuff are you going to need on a ride? Are you headed out for a few hours, or a week riding the entire Colorado Trail?

At the very least you’re going to want to carry a 29er tube, CO2 canisters and an inflator, a small multi-tool, and some tire levers which makes for a bit of a Tetris-like packing exercise. Why a 29er tube you ask? Because they can be made to fit any wheel and tire size except for fat bikes. 

We have only covered the smaller saddle bags for mountain bikes in this guide so if you're riding is more on the adventures end of the scale check out our best bikepacking bags guide.

Pro tip: re-roll your inner tubes with the valve in the middle (keep the valve cap on), it will be about half the size when you’re done with it. 

How do saddle bags attach to the bike?

Many saddlebags use basic velcro straps attached to your saddle rails. This is the lightest weight and arguably the most secure option. But, if you're using a dropper post, a bag that utilizes a velcro strap around the seatpost to stabilize the bag may prevent your saddle from lowering all the way. 

Of course, every brand in the bike industry is continually searching for a point of difference, and thus options that use a bracket on the seatpost or saddle rails also exist. These are often a bit heavier and we have seen a few hit the eject button over drops and through rock gardens, but they make swaps between bikes painless.

Regardless of how they attach to your bike, most bags will utilize a zipper to keep everything inside, while others will be more of a roll type which may use buckles or even Boa dials.

When it comes to carrying spares, there is no reason to restrict yourself just to strapping a tube, multi-tool and a couple of CO2 canisters under your saddle; there is a heap of great options that utilize the front triangle of your bike for storage. 

Can you put a saddle bag on a dropper post?

It really depends on your saddle and bag setup. As long as your bag doesn't touch the delicate stanchion then there is no problem using a saddle bag with a dropper post. Some saddle bags do need to attach to the seatpost and these should be avoided. There are a number of neat solutions that can be fitted to help avoid damage although these are predominantly for larger bikepacking bags.

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road, based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for  Bike Perfec t.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg

• Colin Levitch Freelance writer

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BIKEPACKING .com     GEAR INDEX

Complete List of Cargo Cages and “Anything Bags” for Bikepacking and Touring

The Anything Cage was born from the need to carry more water or gear while still maintaining a relatively lightweight bikepacking setup. These days, there’s a growing list of cargo cages, bottle-boss gear loading systems, rack-free eyelet mounted bags, and Anything Cage accessory sacks. In this Gear Index, we present our complete list of options for those occasions when you need a large cargo cage for extra water capacity or a fork-mounted bag to store additional gear...

Updated August 2022

Back in 2010, Salsa Cycles released the original Anything Cage, an oversized, open-sided cage made from lightweight aluminum tubing. The idea of an oversized cage wasn’t entirely new, but Salsa’s concept was pretty groundbreaking. With the intention of stowing items that are significantly larger than a standard water bottle—almost anything —the Anything Cage gave birth to what we now refer to as cargo cages. Fast-forward some years, and other companies created similar cargo cages, bag-makers created packs designed for these cages and bags that bypass the cage altogether and mount directly onto eyelets on fork legs and downtubes. Here’s our complete list of cargo cages, Anything bags, and other fork-mounted carriers.

Some bikepackers’ packing styles demand a bit more gear than what can be crammed into a typical three-bag setup—a seat pack, frame bag, and handlebar roll. And some trips simply require more gear, extra water, or additional food, especially those in sub-freezing temps, water-starved landscapes, or on routes that offer few resupply opportunities. Using cargo cages or braze-on mounted bags to expand your packing capacity is a great solution for such expeditions, and it’s never a bad idea to pack all of your gear on the bike instead of on your back. Make sure to scroll down past the list to see some examples of how we pack cargo cages and fork-mounted bags.

The list includes all the Anything-style cargo cages, eyelet mounted bags, and rackless, fork-mounted carrier systems we could find. If you need to add eyelets or mounts to your bike’s fork or downtube, click here for our full guide and Gear Index on that topic. And check out our full list of oversized and durable bottle cages for touring and bikepacking . As with other Gear Indexes, items with a hexagonal “T” icon have been tested and approved, and usually include more detail or a link to our review.

ATM Many Things Sack

• Type: Cage Mount Bag
• Made of: Cordura
• Attachment: 3 eyelets (+ King Many Things cage) OR rack
• Volume: 3.5-4.0L

Andrew the Maker’s Many Things Sack is an elegant and relatively lightweight bag designed to mount on the King Cage Many Things Cage on the bike’s fork blade. As “nano panniers,” they don’t suffer from any adverse effect on steering that’s typically associated with traditional, larger bags. Their profile is far slimmer, too, making them better suited to threading through singletrack.

Above all, the Many Things Sacks allow for easy access, making them an excellent option for those embarking on longer bike tours where practicality is often more important than counting grams. Just be sure to check that the current version of the Many Things Sack is compatible with your setup. Read our full review and check out the latest version here.

• Weight: 220 grams (7.8 oz)
• Price: $170
• Place of Manufacture: Kansas, USA
• Manufacturer's Details: Link

Bedrock Honaker

• Type: Soft Water Bottle Cage
• Made of: X-pac/Rhinotec/Cordura
• Attachment: Velco Straps
• Bottle Size: Nalgene 32oz

We’re firm believers that every bike should feature bottle cage mounts on the underside of its down tube, bar a few suspended 26ers, where clearance is tight. It’s a no-brainer area for water storage; the center of gravity is kept low, and there’s rarely any interference with terrain or obstacles. Unfortunately, all too many bikes skimp on such potential for water hauling. Bedrock’s Honaker Hydro Pack comes in handy for just such scenarios, designed as it is to hold a 1L Nalgene bottle, via a bag strapped to your bike’s down tube.

The Honaker features with a strip of Velcro sewn in vertically, as well as an adhesive backed strip for the down tube of the bike. This doesn’t act as support, but works to keep the bag from rotating or sliding. There are two main straps that hold the bag in place; each has a rubberized backing material where they make contact, providing a secure anchor point. The spindrift collar is designed to keep the bottle clean, a nice feature when riding in cattle country. It was originally designed to fit a standard 700-800ml water bottle, but now has been updated to fit a larger Nalgene. We tested it using the Zefal 1L Magnum.

We used the Honaker mounted to the Marin Pine Mountain 2 on our trip in southern Spain. It worked flawlessly, and we rode some rough stuff. The only complaint is that it was a little tough to get the bottle in and out without undoing the straps a little. But if you approach it as storage for a backup bottle for camp use, it’s perfect. Overall it’s a ruggedly built product that works well for bikes without down tube mounts

• Weight: 77 grams (2.7 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Colorado, USA

Blackburn Outpost Cargo Cages

• Type: Cargo Cage
• Made of: Alloy
• Attachment: 2 eyelets

The Blackburn Outpost Cargo Cage is one of just a couple oversized cargo cage we know of that bolts onto a single pair of standard bottle cage bosses. It also has three sets of mounting holes to fit different frames. The Outpost is constructed out of 6mm alloy tubes and can carry 4kgs/8.8lbs of gear. This is a cage that’s been around for a while now, used on a lot of rugged trips, and is considered to be pretty durable.

• Weight: 157 grams (5.5 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Amazon

drj0n bagworks Strap Deck

• Type: Mini Cargo Cage
• Made of: Composite plastic
• Attachment: 2 bolts or Voile straps

The Strap Deck mounts to a standard pair of bottle cage bosses with two M5 bolts, or anywhere you can think of by using extra straps. It has four pairs of strap slots designed for standard Voile straps, so two pair can strap to the bike, and two to the attached cargo. The bolt holes allow some adjustability and the cages are offset to one end, either up or down. When using the bolt mounts, lighter items (up to 1 lb 13 oz / 820g) are recommended.

I’ve put a ton of miles on one lately while scouting sections of the Eastern Divide Trail. Typically I use it to lash a small bag—mainly the Wolf Tooth Teklite Roll-Top Bag (0.6L) —that contains a spare tube, sealant, and tire repair tools. I’ve also used it to lash on a beer and other small items. I’ve had no issues and really like how it’s small, light, and unobtrusive when not in use.

• Weight: 25 grams (0.9 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Scotland

Framework Designs Travellers Panniers

• Type: Fork Mounted Bag
• Made of: WATERPROOF CANVAS, ALUMINUM
• Attachment: 3 BOLTS OR Straps
• Volume: 4.5L

Framework Designs’ Travellers Panniers are constructed with an Australian-made waterproof canvas​ exterior, a lightweight waterproof lining, and an aluminium backing that allows it to bolt directly to your fork. Unlike the smaller Pint Sized Panniers, the Travellers can also be strapped onto a front or rear rack thanks to the crosshatch of webbing on the backside of the pannier. They hold up to 4.5L each and use a simple roll-top closure with an aluminum g-hook buckle.

• Weight: 485 grams (17.1 oz)
• Price: $249AUD (per pair)
• Place of Manufacture: Melbourne, Australia

King Cage Manything Cage

• Made of: Titanium
• Attachment: 3 bosses

The Manything Cage was long anticipated before its release. After the first wave of Salsa Anything Cages had some issues in 2011, rumors of the Manything Cage started circulating. According to Ron, the founder and owner of King Cage, their variation on an oversized cage required “more testing and tweaking,” so it took a while to perfect his design. Since then, several similar cages have hit the market, including the Anything Cage HD and Blackburn’s Cargo Cage. However, the all new Manything is the only titanium option out at this point. And it’s a really good product. They’re simple and incredibly lightweight. We’ve put countless miles on ours, and highly recommend them.

• Weight: 39 grams (1.4 oz)

Ortlieb Fork-Pack

• Type: Fork-Mounted Bag
• Made of: PVC-free nylon
• Attachment: 3 Bolts / or Straps
• Volume: 4.1-5.8L

Weighing just 264 grams (including mounting adapter), the Ortlieb Fork-Pack is different from any other cargo bag or micro-pannier on the market. In typical Ortlieb fashion, the Fork-Pack uses a welded, roll-top design that’s completely waterproof to offer over four liters of storage. What makes it different is a unique quick-release adapter and mounting plate that can be attached to forks with eyelets as well as on forks without.

• Weight: 290 grams (10.2 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Germany

Outer Shell Pico Panniers

• Type: Fork Mount Bag
• Made of: Cordera or X-pac
• Attachment: 2 or 3 bosses (or straps)
• Volume: 2L each

Like other bags we’ve tested from Outer Shell, the Pico Panniers are based around a clever and unique design. The magic behind the Pico Panniers is that they allow you to add fork-mounted storage to any bike. This is made possible via two sets of external polycarbonate frames, one designed for forks with two or three bosses, and the other for forks without bosses, including suspension forks. The frame acts as both a rigid back for the Pico Pannier as well as a sturdy mounting option that eliminates movement when riding rough trails. Once the correct frame is installed, the Pico Pannier simply slides over top and secures around the frame and fork leg with a beefy strip of velcro. The bag has two compartments: an exterior pocket with a small buckle for quick access to tools or snacks, and the main compartment with a roll-top closure and a slide-release buckle.

The Pico Panniers are incredibly stable, and slender enough to handle singletrack riding. They’re well built, great looking, and work as intended. We found the Pico Panniers worked best when packed snuggly with relatively soft contents, like extra layers, a sleeping pad, or some food.

Weight shown is per pannier.

• Weight: 329 grams (11.6 oz)
• Price: $200 (per pair)
• Place of Manufacture: CA, USA

Oveja Negra Bootlegger

• Made of: X-pac or Cordura/Aluminum
• Attachment: 3-pack bosses

The Oveja Negra Bootlegger is a well-crafted roll-top bag that attaches to the fork. The Bootlegger is built around an internal lightweight aluminum alloy frame that bolts directly to standard three-pack water bottle fork mounts. The body of the bag is made up of three layers: an outer layer of X-Pac or Cordura, a lightweight foam padding insert, and a bright colored interior nylon fabric. There is also an additional layer of Hypalon where the alloy frame is sandwiched in place. The cylindrical interior fits a 32 oz Nalgene bottle, a 40 oz wide Klean Kanteen, or an assortment of gear (two liters worth, to be exact). The bag also features urethane-coated webbing for increased durability, a reflective logo, and includes stainless steel washers for a secure installation. Having put these things through the wringer on the Baja Divide and Arrowhead 135, we can certainly vouch for their durability.

• Weight: 170 grams (6 oz)

Problem Solvers Bow Tie Strap Anchors

• Type: Cargo Mount
• Made of : Aluminum
• Attachment: 2 bosses/bolts

These simple lightweight brackets are made of lightweight, stamped AL-6061 aluminum. Each attaches to a single water bottle boss and serve as anchors for cargo straps. Together they have a 3lb weight limit and can carry just about anything, from sleeping pads to Nalgene bottles to a bottle of wine. And their low profile means they remain unobtrusive while not in use.

I’ve used a pair quite a bit over the last few years, strapping in a fishing pole, camp chair, and a JetBoil. They work as expected, although I probably wouldn’t overload them with a large water bottle. the only finicky issue I’ve found is that they’re hard to keep in place while tightening down.

• Weight: 20 grams (0.7 oz)
• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Jenson   Campfire Cycling

Randi Jo Fabrications Big M.U.T.

• Type: Anything Bag
• Made of: Waxed Canvas
• Attachment: Anything cage
• Volume: 5L each

As the name suggests, the Big M.U.T. is a larger version of the Multi Use Tote. It’s designed for use with Salsa’s Anything Cage or Blackburn’s Outpost Cage. In keeping with all of Randi Jo’s lovingly crafted gear , the Big M.U.T. is made out of waxed canvas, supplemented with a lightly padded liner to give it some shape, and a roll-top buckle closure. Proportion wise, the Big M.U.T. is 14″ (35.5cm) tall when opened, 4.75″ (12cm) wide, and 3.75″ (9.5cm) deep. Two generously long velcro straps feed through the cage and wrap securely round the fork blades, the height of which can be adjusted via daisy chain webbing. Although waxed cotton isn’t 100% waterproof, it’s resistant enough to keep all but the heaviest of downpours at bay. It’s also an extremely durable material, and easily repaired should you and your bike take a spill.

• Place of Manufacture: Oregon, USA

Revelate Designs Joey Downtube Bag

• Type: Cargo Bag
• Made of: X-Pac
• Attachment: Velcro Straps

The Revelate Designs Joey attaches under the down tube on most any bicycle, just above the bottom bracket. Requiring only two velcro straps to attach, the Joey provides a viable solution for adding gear or water storage capacity to bikes without mounts at that position.

A layer of stiff foam against the back of the bag gives it structure and some padding when strapped to your downtube, and it’s covered in a grippy rubber material and shaped to hug cylindrical tubing. It’s constructed from VX21 X-Pac and uses a standard roll-top closure to avoid dealing with dirt covered zippers.

The compression molded dual density foam used in the contact panel provides just the right amount of structure to this bag, and the rubberized outer material paired with the silicon-coated straps do an excellent job of keeping it in place. For bikes without bottle mounts under the downtube, the Joey offers a nicely designed solution for adding a little bit more storage, for either gear or water.

• Weight: 130 grams (4.6 oz)

Revelate Designs Polecat

• Type: Cargo Cage bag
• Made of: 210 Denier Ripstop Nylon
• Attachment: Requires Cargo Cage
• Volume: 3.5L

Revelate Designs’ Polecat is a waterproof drybag designed specifically to work with a fork mounted cargo cage. It’s made out of radio-frequency welded 210 Denier Ripstop Nylon that’s double side laminated with TPU. It’s one of the lightest “Anything-style bags” available and significantly lighter than the Salsa Anything bag. The base of the bag has a contoured low profile which eliminates a high wear spot at the outer edge. The back of the bag is reinforced with urethane Hypalon to protect it from bolt heads and abrasion from the cage. A reinforced base and outer edges also help protect it from abrasion common during long distance touring and bikepacking. The Polecat also features a urethane coated daisy chain to loop webbing straps, or as shown, Voile straps. We’ve only lightly used the Polecat on a week-long trip in Ethiopia, but so far so good.

The Polecat fits fork mounted racks like the King Cage Many Things Cage, Salsa Anything Cage, Blackburn Outpost.

• Weight: 105 grams (3.7 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: China

Rogue Panda Oracle Downtube Bag

• Type: Downtube Bag
• Made Of: X-Pac
• Attachment: 2 Straps
• Volume: 1.5L

The Oracle Downtube Bag from Rogue Panda is designed to fit on the bottom of your down tube, having the least effect on the bike’s handling, and providing an additional 1.5L of storage for tools, spares, and other dense items. The Oracle uses non-slip fabric and a roll-top closure with two compression straps to hold things in place, even on the most rowdy trails out there.

From Cass’ review: “Over my last couple of journeys, it’s been the perfect cubby hole for stashing my tool pouch, some spares, a bottle of sealant, a blinkie, and whatever emergency snacks I can jam in there too. The inclusion of straps that cinch tight and lock down works really well, particularly if you’re running the Oracle higher on the downtube and need to make sure there’s room between the bag and the tire. And I especially like the roll-top design and its ease of access. After hundreds of miles of use, the Oracle has proved hardy enough too; under the crusty patina of dirt and dust, it’s as good as new.”

• Weight: 85 grams (3 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: USA

Salsa Anything Cage (v2)

• Made of: Aluminum
• Attachment: 3 bosses/bolts

We broke two of the original Anything Cages while riding in Africa. One we had welded in Lesotho and it broke again. Shortly thereafter, it was discontinued. Fast forward a couple years, and Salsa released the V2. It’s pretty tough, and at 143g it’s no slouch in the weight department. Although it has a nearly identical rail design and shape as the original, the tubing is welded to a solid plate. The Anything Cage boasts a 6.6 lb (3 kg) limit, which is more than adequate for carrying a sleeping pad, rain gear, Vargo BOT cook kit, 64oz klean Kanteen, or whatever other cylindrical object you decide to lash onto it.

• Weight: 143 grams (5 oz)
• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Jenson   REI

Salsa Anything Cage HD

• Made of: Injection Molded Plastic

Like the original Anything Cage, the HD (Heavy Duty) version was designed to be mounted on Salsa’s Three Pack Bosses three-hole mount configuration on forks like those found on the Fargo, Mukluk, as well as several Surly bikes. The HD is made from a hefty chunk of injection molded impact resistant nylon. After countless miles in Africa, South America, and beyond, the Salsa Anything Cage HD has proven generally reliable and crashproof. Its shallow, elliptical design means less exposure to trailside foliage and rocks. On the back of the cage, the channel that contacts the tubing has rounded edges and feels extremely solid when bolted to the fork. The cage weighs 149 grams and has a 6.6 lb (3 kg) cargo limit. It also includes two Salsa straps. The strap channels are designed to route the straps through the cage and around the tubing to provide additional leverage.

• Weight: 149 grams (5.3 oz)

Salsa EXP Anything Cage Bag

• Made of: 500 Denier tarpaulin
• Attachment: Anything Cage
• Volume: 3.35L each

With the release of the Anything Cage HD, Salsa debuted the Anything Bag, a roll-top bag constructed from a burly, waterproof, 500 Denier tarpaulin fabric with radio-frequency welded seams. It has 3.35L of internal capacity that sits on a molded TPU base, which allows the bag to stand upright when off the bike. The Anything Bag measures 3.75” in diameter by 14” tall at max height and is sized to interface perfectly with both of models of the Anything cage. It fits snugly in the HD cage and the daisy chains are inline with the strap channels placed near the top and bottom bolt mounts. After years of abuse, we can make the claim that the Anything Bag is certainly durable.

• Weight: 148 grams (5.2 oz)
• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Jenson

Tailfin Cage Packs

• Made of: Hypalon/Ripstop Nylon
• Volume: 1.7-5L

Completing the Tailfin Cage System, the Cage Packs are designed to work alongside their Tailfin Cargo Cages and TPU Cargo Straps. Available in 1.7, 3, and 5L volumes, Cage Packs are fully waterproof and their rubbery straps provide a reliable and repeatable mounting process, whilst still enabling rapid removal.

From our review : “They roll up like burritos when they’re not in use. They make full advantage of the versatility of a cargo cage, be it to carry bags in some situations, or large water bottles in others. You can choose a smaller size bag if preferred, they sit more inboard of the bike, and there’s less hardware to potentially fail. With a range of three sizes and accompanying straps to suit varying weathers, Tailfin’s Cargo Pack and Cargo Cage combo is definitely a very well thought out and executed system for boosting the carrying capacity of your full susser, hardtail, or gravel bike.”

• Weight: 154 grams (5.4 oz)
• Price: $55 (3L)

Tailfin Cargo Cage

• Made of: Aluminium
• Attachment: 3 Bolts

The Tailfin Cargo Cage comes in two sizes, both of which are intended to be used in conjunction with Voile straps to lash gear onto your bike. The Small Cage features four rows of slots and can be mounted with either two or three bolts, while its taller brother – by some 60mm or so – has 6 rows of slots and can be held in place with anything from two to four bolts. This opens up a gamut of mounting options, be on top of downtubes or below them, and to fork blades, be they double or triple eyeletted – let alone Tailfin’s own rack system, of course. Make sure to read Cass’ full review here .

• Weight: 68 grams (2.4 oz)
• Price: $60 (Small)

Tailfin Mini Cage

• Attachment: 2 Bolts / Bosses

The Tailfin Mini Cage is their smallest cargo cage option, similar to their larger Cargo Cage, but without the option to add a load foot and adds in their Load Pads to help the spread the weight across the frame better. It’s low profile and lightweight, but is rated for 6.6 pounds (3kg) on any type of terrain, and has the potential to hold bulky gear when multiple straps are used. Make sure to check out Cass’ full review .

• Weight: 38 grams (1.3 oz)

Tailfin V-Mount Pack

• Attachment: Rubber Straps
• Volume: 1.7-3L

The Tailfin V-Mount Pack is an all-in-one cargo bag and mounting system that’s perfect for anyone looking to add some additional storage to their rig. The pack relies on aluminum mounts with rubber backing that serves as the interface between the bag and your bike. They attach using a Voile-style rubber strap and can be mounted in different positions to accommodate different setups. The bags are 100% waterproof and come in two sizes: 1.7L and 3L.

• Weight: 210 grams (7.4 oz)
• Price: $75 (1.7L)

Widefoot CargoMount

The Widefoot CargoMount is an elegant little cage that’s lighter and smaller than many of the other options on the market. It’s constructed out of aluminum and available in silver, black, and several different colors when in stock. The “3×3″ configuration of slotted mounting holes allows you to fine tune the vertical position of the cage to make room for other bags or components. The CargoMount is designed to be mounted on frames and forks that have three-pack bosses, although I think you could probably get away with two bosses and an extra Voilé Strap through and around the cage. Speaking of, the CargoMount also has nicely integrated slots for Voilé Straps, which make it easy to thread the straps into the cage and around the actual cargo. And each Widefoot CargoMount comes with a pair of Voilé straps in your preferred length—15 or 20”.

• Weight: 66 grams (2.3 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Nebraska, USA

Wildwood Cycles Cargo Cage

Handmade by Wildwood Cycles in Victoria, BC, the Cargo Cage features slotted triple boss mounting holes, can fit bags of bottles around the size of a Nalgene, and weighs just 85g. After a few months of use, we’ve had great success using the Cargo Cage, and it’s a great option for Canadian bikepackers looking to support a small, local frame builder.

• Price: $60CAD
• Place of Manufacture: Canada

Alpkit Betonga Fork Bag

The Alpkit Betonga Fork Bag is a waterproof, 3 litre cargo cage bag that uses adjustable / locking webbing straps to secure to your favourite cargo cage. The Betonga features a roll-top closure, an X-Pac exterior, sil-nylon interior, and are made in the UK.

• Place of Manufacture: UK

Apidura Expedition Fork Pack

• Type: Anything Cage bag
• Made of: Three-layer laminate / Hypalon

Designed to work with the Salsa Anything Cage or King Cage’s Many Things Cage, the Apidura expedition Fork Pack has a waterproof construction and tapered profile. This design along with a realistic volume make for a clean and less bulky option that will likely surpass lashing a standard dry bag onto your fork. Of course, this comes at a price, and it’s too early to know if they’re worth the investment or not. Overall, the shape is nice, the size seems right, and it has the signature Apidura touches that some folks just can’t enough of. We’ll be sure to update our first look report after some more serious riding this spring.

• Weight: 120 grams (4.2 oz)

Atelier Medium Big L Cargo Cage

• Made of: Steel

The Atelier Medium Big L Cargo Cage is an oversized cage for hauling extra gear or cargo bags. It has two different mounting positions, is made of steel, and is 25cm tall by 11cm wide. They also sell rubber straps separately, for those that need them.

• Weight: 180 grams (6.3 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: France

Atwater Atelier Cage Mage

Handmade in Montreal, Canada by Atwater Atelier, the Cage Mage is a cargo cage bag sold as a pair and require a cargo cage like the Blackburn Cargo Cage to mount on your bike. They are made from a burly 1000D Cordura fabric, use a roll top main closure, and have an additional expandable front pocket with a buckle and shock cord closure. The bags have a bright liner, can be made with an optional VX21 X-Pac liner for $26 CAD, and provide 4L of additional storage.

• Price: $208CAD (per pair)
• Place of Manufacture: Montreal, Canada

BBB StackRack

• Attachment: 2-3 bolts

The BBB StackRack is a lightweight aluminum cargo cage with five slotted mounting holes, cargo strap slots, and wide flared edges to hold onto bulky gear. Two nylon straps are included with each cage.

• Weight: 169 grams (6 oz)

Bike Bag Dude Anything Cage Bags

• Made of: X-pac, webbing, etc.

Australia’s Bike Bag Dude also offers custom made Anything Cage Bags designed to fit perfectly into Salsa Anything Cages. Each bag has a diameter of 14cm with a roll down drybag closure which BBD claims to make them as “waterproof as you can get.”

• Price: $120AUD
• Place of Manufacture: Australia

Cleaveland Mountaineering Everything Bag

• Type: Eyelet Mounted Bag
• Made of: VX42/plastic/aluminum
• Volume: 3-5L

The Everything Bag is another option to carry water bottles, stuff sacks, sleeping pads, fuel bottles, and so forth. Like the Anything Cage, the Everything Bag’s harness is designed to attach to the Salsa/Surly three-bolt system. The soft harness comes ready to mount with an internal mounting plate, three bolts, and three washers. Also included is a machined alloy mount for those without eyelets. weight shown is without alloy mounting bracket (total weight is 339g).

• Weight: 279 grams (9.8 oz)

Curve Cycling Rocket Pooch

• Type: Cargo Cage and Bag
• Made of: Titanium / Cordura
• Attachment: 3 Bolts/Eyelets

The Curve Cycling Rocket Pooch is a complete cargo cage / bag system, designed around an oversized titanium cargo cage and 4L storage bag. The bag has four points of attachment on the cage, and is kitted out with all kinds of pockets, including two exterior mesh pockets, a small front pocket, large roll top section, and smaller zippered lower section. It is constructed from two-layers of PU-coated Cordura, which Curve claims to be 100% waterproof, and an interior closed cell foam section helps keep the bag’s shape and protect its contents.

You can check out Logan’s first look here .

• Weight: 280 grams (9.9 oz)
• Price: $249AUD (cage + bag)

Decathlon Riverside Cargo Cage

• Attachment: 3 Bolts/Bosses

The Decathlon Riverside Cargo Cage is an oversized aluminum cage with a welded base that’s designed to handle some serious loads. It has 9 attachment points, is designed to be secured using three bolts, and weighs just 96g. It’s rated for 8.8 pounds (4kg) and has various slots for lashing in your favourite straps or bags.

• Weight: 96 grams (3.4 oz)

Decathlon Riverside Waterproof Fork Bag

• Made of: Hypalon

Designed to pair up with their aluminum Cargo Cage, the Riverside Waterproof Fork Bag is durable and 100% resistant to rain, spray, and mud. It uses a simple roll-top closure, includes two hypalon straps, and three attachment points to lash it onto a cage. Each bag provides up to 4L of additional storage for your setup.

• Weight: 150 grams (5.3 oz)

DOM Gorilla Cage, Clip and Bag

• Made of: Plastic/Velcro
• Attachment: Zip ties/custom mount
• Volume: 5.5L

The Gorilla Cage system comes in three parts: the mount (Gorilla Clip), cage, and bag. The three work seamlessly to create a sturdy, fork-mounted storage system. The Gorilla Cage can be used with standard three-boss mounts if you have them, but there’s an included Gorilla Clip system with a zip tie mounting system for riders with boss-less rigid forks or suspension forks. This three-eyelet clip can mount just about anywhere on your bike. It uses rubberized zip ties to hold the clip securely in place. The back of the clip itself is also rubberized to keep it from sliding. Read Weston’s review here .

• Weight: 110 grams (3.9 oz)
• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Amazon (cage)   Amazon (clip)   Amazon (bag)

Farsik x Wildwood XLT Bags

• Made of: x-Pac

Handmade by Farsik Supply on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the XLT Bags are designed specifically for Wildwood Cycles (also based on Vancouver Island) XLT Basket cargo cage. Although there is a chance the bags could work with other cages, the XLT Basket has a large platform that matches up with the bags well. They are made from X-Pac with an interior liner, use a roll-top closure, and velcro attachment for securing to the cage. The bags are sold as a pair and include the XLT cages.

• Weight: 200 grams (7.1 oz)
• Price: $475CAD (Pair with cages)

Fifth Season Cache Sack

The Fifth Season Cache Sack is a no-frills, super durable cargo bag made from waxed canvas and designed to fit in oversized cages like the King Cage Manything Cage. According to Fifth Season, they are “big enough to hold a down summer bag or a 1 person tent, or a down parka, some jazz pants and a pair of socks with a hole in the toe.” They have a roll-top closure, each bag is sewn in Maine, and they are constructed from US-made canvas.

Framework Designs Pint Size Pannier

• Type: Fork-mounted bag
• Made of: Waterproof Canvas, Aluminum
• Attachment: 3 bolts/eyelets
• Volume: 2-2.5L

Framework Designs’ Pint Size Panniers are constructed with an Australian-made waterproof canvas​ exterior, a lightweight waterproof lining, and an aluminium backing that allows it to bolt directly to your fork. Each measures about 120mm wide, 100mm deep, and 350mm high when open.

• Price: $185AUD (per pair)

Ghost Cat Bags The Bonnie

The Bonnie from Ghost Cat Bags is a larger alternative to their Abby stem bag. It’s designed to work with a variety of different cargo cages, providing an insulated, roll-top, storage option for large 32oz bottles or other gear. The exterior of the bag is made from X-Pac, it has a packcloth interior, and has all the attachment points to be used as a large stem bag as well. Since each bag is made-to-order, you can choose a colour for the body, bottom, and the back of the bag, with your choice of black or Minecraft camo for the roll-top.

• Place of Manufacture: Maine, USA

Helmut Equipment Manything Helmut Sack

• Type: Anything Cage Bag
• Made Of: ACRYLIC

The Manything Helmut Sack is meant to be paired with a King Cage Manything Cage, providing 3.5L per bag, for a total of 7L of storage. The Helmut Sack has built in compression straps, a flip up lid-style opening, and reflective details for added visibility.

• Price: €185 (Sold as a pair)
• Place of Manufacture: Cognin, France

Minoura GP-1EX

• Attachment: 2 Bolts/Bosses

From Minoura: “Minoura GP1-EX is a function utility cage that attaches various items such as 2L PET bottles, spare tires, tents, sleeping bags, etc. to the bottle mounts. Three straps are included to secure the load.” It has threaded holes on the base of the case for attaching accessories, slotted mounting holes for multiple positions, and has a weight limit of 4.5 pounds.

Miss Grape Trunk 6

• Made of: Nylon

The Miss Grape Trunk 6 is a fully waterproof cargo cage bag, serving up a solid 6L of additional storage. It’s made from a PVC-free 210D nylon fabric and reinforced with 420D nylon and 300D polyester in high wear points. The Miss Grape Trunk 6 is designed and manufactured in Italy.

• Weight: 119 grams (4.2 oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Italy

Nuclear Sunrise Fuselage

• Made of: X-pac / Nylon
• Volume: 3.2L

Perfect for full-suspension mountain bikes, anyone with limited packing space, or bikes without extra mounting points, the Fuselage is a strap-on cargo bag that mounts directly to your frame. At 16″ high, it’s big enough to carry a tall Nalgene bottle. It also makes a great place to stash food, tools, and other dense gear that’s best positioned low on the bike. Nuclear Sunrise included two beefy straps that loop around the bike and the bag itself for a solid, wiggle-free setup, and the bottom is reinforced with ballistic nylon.

Original Free Range StrapPad

• Made of: Thermoplastic

The Original Free Range StrapPad is a curved thermoplastic plate that’s finished with a grippy silicone interior to help hold its contents in place. The curved shape of the pad holds a water bottle or other cylindrical items, leaving room on the backside for smaller items such as pumps, CO2, or tools. Aluminum spacers are included to provide ample room for cargo straps, and the max load with a 12” Voile strap is 737g (26oz)… but get a pair of 16” Nano Straps (available separately) and it’ll do a lot more.

• Weight: 52 grams (1.8 oz)

Restrap Fork Bag

• Made Of: Cordura

The Restrap Fork Bag is 100% waterproof, compatible with most cargo cages, and has a simple roll-top closure to keep your gear dry. It uses two 20mm wide straps with cinch buckles for mounting onto your favourite cage, and has a durable Hypalon base for added protection.

• Weight: 198 grams (7 oz)

Road Runner Buoy Bag

• Made of: 1000D Cordura
• Volume: 7.75 Liters

The Road Runner Buoy Bag is a large, durable dry sack made of 1000D Cordura backed with a seam-taped rip stop nylon liner. The Buoy was designed to work as a micro pannier with large Anything-style cages. Each bag is 20″ (unrolled), 17″ tall, and 6″ in diameter. They come in several colors as well.

• Weight: 128 grams (4.5 oz)

Santos Hold-it-All

• Made of: Plastic, Rubber, etc.

Created in 2013, the Santos Hold-it-All has been around for a while and won the Op Pad Outdoor Award. It features rubber bumpers and fastening strips prevent the content from sliding. Furthermore, the Santos Hold-it-All has a base with flexible walls, which effortlessly bend around contents. It is fixed to the frame with three bolts and made of specially-designed plastic which Santos claims is unbreakable and not sensitive to changing weather conditions.

• Price: €29.95

Sturdy CC Bag

• Made Of: X-Pac/Cordura

The Sturdy CC Bag is handmade in Minnesota, USA and features a classic roll-top design for carrying extra gear, clothing, or even small tents. It has a solid structured lower, ripstop liner, and several different strap mounting locations for different cargo cages.

• Weight: 204 grams (7.2 oz)

Topeak Versacage

• Made of: Engineering Grade Polymer

While the Topeak Versacage looks very similar to the Salsa Anything Cage HD, it has a few tricks of its own. A four-hole mount design offers placement options (64mm of variation) to work with other bags, or if used on the downtube, to make adjustments for tire clearance. In addition, the keyhole design of the mounting bolt holes allows for a quick release, which is a nice touch. The Versacage includes tie down straps, allowing you to carry a drybag or other gear on your bike frame or fork. Topeak claims a 6.6 lb (3 kg) load limit.

• help We highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:   Amazon   Jenson

Packing Cargo Cages and Anything Bags

Generally speaking, cargo cages and Anything-style cages are designed to carry fairly lightweight, roundish items. Most have a weight limit of around 3 kg (6.6 lbs), which matches most fork load limits. Here are three packing scenarios that we’ve used with cargo cages to carry lightweight objects such as small dry bags, ultralight sleeping pads, shelters, and more.

Sleeping Gear

Anything-style cages and cargo cages are perfect for sleeping gear such as a small shelter, an inflatable sleeping pad, or even a small sleeping bag. Note that we always use a burly dry sack to prevent abrasion or tearing. Camping gear ain’t cheap! The 5L Sea to Summit Big River dry bag and Salsa Anything Bag are both good options for keeping your gear dry and protected.

Extra Water

Another popular use for a cargo cage is to carry extra water in a larger vessel. The 40 or 64 oz. Klean Kanteen, Nalgene bottles, thermoses, and even growlers are commonly attached under the downtube using one or two Voile straps around the tubing and the bottle for added stability. In addition, there are insulated bags for winter cycling, such as the Wanderlust Monida.

Food Overflow

This is my personal favorite use for a cargo cage on longer trips. For example, the ultralight King Cage Many Things Cage is extremely minimal when attached to the fork. Recently, we’ve been carrying a new Revelate Designs Polecat, which is ultralight and can be folded and stowed when not in use. On a section of route where we need extra food, we can fill it up and lash it onto the cage with two Voilé Straps.

If you’re looking for a bottle cage, we also have a Gear Index of oversized and useful bottle cages . As with other Gear Index lists, there may have been a few options we overlooked. If you have one you’d recommend, please leave it in the comments below.

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