Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2024
Small seat-mounted bags for road biking and full-size saddlebags for bikepacking, mountain biking, and gravel riding
August 21st, 2024
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A bike saddle bag is one of the easiest bags to add carrying capacity to your bike. A good full-sized seat bag is essential for carrying the camping gear you need for your first overnight bikepacking trip. A small seat-mounted bag is excellent for carrying the essential tools you’d need to fix anything that goes wrong on your bike on road, mountain, and gravel rides.
We've tested bike saddle bags and seat packs to find the best– whether you’re looking for the best seat bag for bikepacking, recreational riding, commuting, or racing.
We looked at bike seat bags with versatility for riding in cities, downtown, and further out there on far-off adventures.
We tested these bags while bikepacking in Colorado and Utah and while riding in Denver and on the Colorado Front Range. With picks for road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, bikepacking, commuting, and more, here are the best bike seat bags for any kind of bike.
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Bike saddle bags comparison table
| BIKE SEAT BAG | TREELINE AWARD | VOLUMES | MATERIALS | WEIGHT | ATTACHMENT SYSTEM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restrap Saddle Bag | Best Overall Read review |
8 L, 14 L, 18 L | 1000D military-grade Cordura construction | 15 oz (8 L), 18.9 oz (14 L), 22.8 oz (18 L) | Adjustable strap attachment system |
| Deuter Cabezon | Best Saddle Bag for Commuting Read review |
16 liters | PFAs-free 600D polyester TPU | 1 lb 4.5 oz | Hook and loop fasteners for quick adjustments |
| Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR | Best Saddle Bag for Bikepacking Read review |
13 L | PU-coated IP64 dustproof, splashproof nylon fabric | 22 oz | Hook-and-loop fastener |
| Axiom Cycling Gear Seymour Oceanweave Wedge | Best Saddle Bag for Road Bikes Read review |
0.5 L, 0.8 L, 1.3L | Oceanweave water-resistant recycled fishing nets | 2.5 oz (0.8 L) | Hook-and-loop saddle mounting system |
| Topeak Aero Wedge DX | Best Saddle Bag for Mountain Bikes Read review |
0.45 L, 0.54 L | 1000-denier Cordura | 4.4 oz, 5.28 oz | QuickClick® (F25) w/ seatpost strap |
The winners
Best overall bike saddle bag: Restrap Saddle Bag
Material: 1000D military-grade Cordura construction, VX21
Weight: 15 oz (8 L), 18.9 oz (14 L)
Capacity: 4.5 liters, 8 liters, 14 liters
Waterproof: Yes, waterproof materials
Attachment system: Adjustable strap attachment system
What we liked: Simple design, effective, waterproof, easy to load and unload, minimal sway
What we didn't like: Harness lacing can hit tire
The Restrap Saddle Bag is the best overall saddle bag we tested. It's the best-designed bag. It’s easy to install on any bike, and even easier to access your gear once you have it on the bike. We tested the 14L version on rough trails on the Colorado Front Range and were shocked at how little this higher-volume seat bag swayed, even when pedaling standing up.
Compare Prices Of The Restrap Saddle Bag
7 L
4.5 L
The Restrap Saddle bag is the best bike seat bag we tested.
Harness and dry bag
The Restrap Saddle bag is a two-part system: a harness and a dry bag. The harness comprises of two rigid plastic sheets sandwiched between durable Cordura. These pieces are laced together with paracord. This system works exceptionally well and allows you to customize the size of this outer harness bag.
The dry bag is a typical roll-top dry bag stuff sack shaped to fit inside the harness. The dry bag has taped seams, so it’s waterproof enough to use in a downpour — and you can expect your gear to stay dry.
The Restrap saddle bag is a two-part system. Here, just the harness is shown.
Attachment system
To attach this bag to your bike, you first attach the exterior harness bag. The harness has two straps, one attached to your seat post and the other to the bike’s saddle rails.
Most bike seat bags have some version of these straps, but the attachment mechanism for the Restrap Saddle Bag works better. The Restrap bag’s seat post attachment strap is two rubberized and rigid velcro straps layered on each other. This double strap makes the bag feel solidly secured to the bike.
The inner strap has a ⅜” foam spacer to move the bag away from the seat post and protect the bag and post from rubbing against each other.
The Restrap Saddle Bag has two straps that wrap around the seat post, where every other saddle bag has one.
The straps that attach the harness bag to the saddle rails are simple webbing buckles with a separate ladder-locking buckle. The fact that the portion of the buckle you use to tighten the strap is separate makes it much easier to get these all-important straps tight. In general, the tighter you can make the straps that wrap around a seat bag and attach to a bike’s saddle rails, the less that bag is going to sway. Well, you can easily make the straps on this bag really tight.
Loading up the Restrap saddle bag on a bikepacking trip.
Loading and unloading
Since this bag uses a separate dry bag, we found it easy to unload gear when we got to camp. To remove the dry bag, unclip this slick magnetic buckle that holds it in the harness and pull it out.
One of the most challenging parts of packing your bike on a bikepacking trip is reattaching the bags to your bike every morning. But his bag cuts down on this process since the harness stays attached to the bike.
Restrap saddle bag on bike with light attached
Lacing system
One minor flaw we found with this bag is that the lacing system used to attach the two harness pieces tightens with a simple toggle. This toggle won’t hold the laces tight if you want to reduce the size of the bag. And the extra length of the lace might rub on your rear tire. However, these issues are minor and can be fixed by tying a knot and cutting off the excess cord.
See our most popular bike guides in our Bicycle gear section:
Best Saddle Bag For Commuters: Deuter Cabezon SB 16
Material: PFAs-free 600D polyester TPU
Weight: 1 lb 4.5 oz
Capacity: 16 liters
Waterproof: Yes, IPX4
Attachment system: Hook and loop fasteners for quick adjustments
What we liked: Separate harness and inner stuff sack, secure mounting system, doesn’t sway, waterproof
What we didn’t like: Buckles on the harness are difficult to figure out initially
The Deuter Cabezon SB 16 is our top choice for a bike saddle bag for commuters. Really, it’s a great all-around seat bag (we nearly chose it for best overall bag). But it’s bag harness and dry bag combo design makes it perfect for commuting due to its ease of packing.
This system, which the Restrap Saddle Bag also uses, allows you to quickly remove the inner dry bag while leaving a separate harness attached to the bike.
The dry bag is easy to carry off your bike. If you’ve ever attached a large bikepacking seat bag to your bike, you know how much work it can be. With a separate seat bag harness and stuff sack, you don’t have to do all this work every time.
View the Deuter Cabezon SB 16
How we tested
We used the Deuter Cabezon for a summer of cycling around Colorado. We used it for bikepacking overnight trips, and it works great for that, too. But it really shines on daily commutes and day trips, and it works well for those as well.
We carried our trail running gear when biking to trailheads, carried groceries home after long rides, and generally used it to carry stuff on our bike when we didn’t want to wear a backpack.
Ease of use
The stuff sack makes packing this bag a breeze, and the harness securely holds the inner bag in place while also allowing you to shove other items in on the sides.
Attachment system
The harness mounts to your bike with a set of buckles that loop over your saddle rails and two large Velcro straps that wrap around your seatpost. The inner dry bag stuff sack then slides into the harness and clips into the harness with two straps attached to either side of the harness. There is also a strap that wraps over the top of the stuff sack and further compresses the inner stuff sack down into the harness.
Materials
The harness is made of heavy-duty PFAs-free 600D polyester TPU. The bottom of the harness has a stiffening material sewn into the fabric, which makes loading and unloading the inner stuff sack quick and easy. It also has a piece of zig-zag shock cord on the top to secure a jacket or other small items on the outside of the harness.
The inner stuff sack has a 16-liter volume. It’s made of a thinner 220D polyester TPU that’s IPX4 waterproof. While this isn’t waterproof enough to keep your gear dry if fully submerged, it will keep your gear dry in heavy rain. The stuff sack also has a roll-top closure and air-release valve.
Compression
Besides easier loading and unloading, another benefit of the separate inner bag with a seat-mounted harness system is that you can pack a wider range of items. For instance, when we load a running vest and running shoes into this bag, the harness allows you to better compress those odd-shaped items; it takes a lumpy stuff sack that would otherwise swing wildly and holds it more securely in place than a seat bag that mounts directly onto the bike.
The bottom line
This bag gave our top choice for a larger capacity saddle bag, the Restrap Seat Bag, a run for our top pick overall. If you want a more modern look that uses outdoorsy, shiny materials, go with the Cabezon. If you want a more traditional bike bag look, with Cordura materials, choose the Restrap Seat Bag. Whether you choose the Cabezon or the Restrap Seat Bag, you won’t be disappointed.
Best bikepacking saddle bag: Ortlieb Seat Pack QR
Material: PU-coated IP64 dustproof, splashproof nylon fabric
Weight: 22 oz
Capacity: 13 L
Waterproof: Yes
Attachment system: Hook-and-loop fastener
What we liked: Secure quick-release attachment system, waterproof, minimal sway, plastic bottom plate protects bag
What we didn't like: Quick-release doesn’t work with some saddles
The Ortlieb Seat Pack QR had the least side-to-side sway of any bikepacking-sized saddle bag we tested, making it our winner for best saddle bag for bikepacking. The only reason this bag didn’t get picked for the best bike saddle bag overall is that it has compatibility issues with some leather Brooks saddles, which are the most popular saddles for bicycle touring and bikepacking (more on that below).
However, this saddle compatibility issue is the only flaw we could find with this saddle. If you ride pretty much any saddle other than a Brook B67, or B17 clamped farther back on the saddle rails, this is an awesome saddle bag for you.
Compare prices of the Ortlieb Seat Pack QR
The Ortlieb Seat Pack QR allows you to use some of the travel on your dropper post, not all of it, but more than many bikepacking saddle bags.
How we tested
We tested this on our mountain bike with a dropper post and our off-road dirt touring bike, which doubles as a commuter. It worked well in both of those applications. It even allows you to use your dropper post, albeit not the full amount of travel, but more than most full-sized saddlebags.
Attachment system
This bag had the least side-to-side sway of any bag we tested. The quick-release attachment system is not just secure, though. This bag is also one of the easiest to remove from the bike. It’s not quite as easy to remove this bag as it is to remove the dry bag from the Restrap Saddle Bag’s harness.
But it’s almost that easy to detach this bag entirely, not just remove the dry bag. The quick release also makes this bag a great choice for commuters.
We tested the Ortlieb QR on over 100 miles of commuter riding in and around Denver, Colorado.
Capacity
I used this bag for commuting well over 100 miles around Denver. I kept it on my bike for weeks, and used it for carrying a jacket, tools, and a lunch while running errands around town. I found it has enough extra space to pick up a few small items from the grocery store on your way home, too.
The Ortlieb QR is a conically shaped roll top bag that is 100% waterproof.
The bag is a large, conically shaped roll-top dry bag. The bag attaches to the already mentioned quick-release system. The attachment mechanism is plastic hooks that hinge to grab saddle rails from the inside. The quick-release bracket slides forward and back to fit onto different-length saddle rails, too.
At the base of the bag, a fitted U-shaped polymer piece extends from the quick-release bracket to the back of the seat post. A velcro loop on a rubberized strap wraps around the seat post and holds the bag in place, sandwiching the post between the strap and molded u-shaped piece.
The Ortlieb Seat Pack QR works with almost every saddle, except for the Brooks Professional and Brooks saddles with springs, the B67 and Flyer.
Two sets of straps run from the top of the bag to the bottom and connect to a rigid plastic sheet, which protects the underside of the bag and gives it more rigidity. You can also use this plastic sheet to shrink the volume of the bag. If you tighten these straps before packing the bag, it will be laterally smaller, giving you more tire clearance if you want to use this with a dropper post. A strap with g-hook attaches over the roll-top section to secure it. Also, this bag has a shock cord for lashing a jacket on top.
If your saddle rails don't flair out like they do on the Brooks Professional, as seen here, the Ortlieb Seat Peak QR will work on your saddle.
Material
As with every Ortlieb product, this bag is completely waterproof. There is an air valve that lets you compress your gear more as you pack it in. However, we think that if this air valve were located slightly closer to the base of the bag, it might be easier to stuff it. We found it pretty difficult to stuff our gear into the bottom-most (smallest) part of the cone, probably — at least partially — due to the air that's getting trapped down there.
As we mentioned above, this bag doesn't work with all saddles. I have a Brooks Professional, and I couldn’t get this bag to work with that saddle. Ortlieb lists Brooks saddles with springs as incompatible, but if you have a Brooks where the saddle rails bend outward, you might be out of luck as I was.
I ended up testing the bag with a Specialized Power saddle and a basic seat I borrowed from a Fairdale Weekender. This bag works with the more popular Brooks B17 and Cambium models, the latter I confirmed using my roommate’s Brooks Cambium saddle.
Best saddle bag for road bike: Axiom Seymour Oceanweave Wedge
Material: Oceanweave water-resistant recycled fishing nets
Weight: 2.5 oz (0.8 L)
Capacity: 0.5 L, 0.8 L, 1.3 L (with water bottle)
Waterproof: Yes, waterproof coating and water-resistant stitching
Attachment system: Hook-and-loop saddle mounting system
What we liked: Lightweight, simple, interior zipper pocket, made of recycled fishing nets, attaches easily
What we didn't like: Too small for anything other than a road bike, not durable enough for off-road
The Axiom Seymour Oceanweave Wedge is our favorite small-capacity saddle bag because it is small, light, durable, and made of recycled fishing nets that were once littering the ocean. This bag is perfect for road bikes, which require a smaller tube and need less space for a flat-fixing kit. But we found the 0.5 L version of the Axiom Wedge big enough for most spare tubes as long as you don’t carry anything else in here.
Compare Prices Of The Axiom Seymour Oceanweave Wedge
The Axiom Seymour Oceanweave wedge saddle bag is the best bag we tested for road bikes and commuting.
How we tested
We tested this bag on our bike while we commuted around Denver, Colorado and while mountain biking across Utah. We took it on some of our favorite local bike paths and commuter trails, clipped a taillight to it at night, rode countless red dirt trails across Utah, and generally forgot it was there. And for a small saddle bag, forgetting it’s there is the best you can hope for.
The Axiom wedge bike seat bag is surprisingly spacious for a simple bike bag.
Capacity
The 0.5 L version of this bag has a whopping ½-liter of space in the main compartment. This space is big enough to cram a spare 29-inch tube inside, along with a small multi-tool and tire lever. This product is a simple bike bag.
Material and sustainability
We know most of these small bike seat bags are pretty similar. Well, since this one is made of recycled fishing nets, it stands out for its sustainability. We also think the Oceanweave material looks great.
Side view of the Wedge strapping system.
Attachment system
The Wedge has Velcro straps to attach to the seat post and saddle rails. It has a U-shaped zipper that opens into the main compartment. Inside the lid, there is a small zipper pocket large enough for 2-3 keys and a glueless patch kit.
Long-term durability
We’ve used many Axiom bags over the years, and they’ve rarely failed us. Given this bag's simplicity, we didn’t expect it to fail us anytime soon. But after riding outside of our car on a bike rack across multiple desert states and hanging off our saddle for 80 miles of the White Rim Trail, the bag’s tiny U-shaped zipper failed. Fortunately, we heard the distinct “thud” of our multi-tool falling onto slick rock and didn’t lose anything we were storing in the bag.
It’s worth noting that this zipper did fail after heavy use. We would expect many similarly-sized seat bags with small zippers to fail if you use them how we did, since these small seat bags are designed more for road bikes. Small zippers and desert dust simply don’t mix, whether that’s on a seat bag or backpacking tent. Zipper issues are common on outdoor gear, so we wrote a whole guide on zipper care.
Best mountain bike saddle bag: Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX
Material: 1000-denier Cordura
Weight: 4.4 oz, 5.28 oz
Capacity: 0.45 L, 0.54 L
Waterproof: No, but has water resistant zippers
Attachment system: QuickClick® (F25) w/ seatpost strap
What we liked: Saddle rail clamp attachment, separate side pocket for keys and wallet, inexpensive, easy install and removal
What we didn't like: attachment could be less reliable than Velcro found on other bags
The Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX is our favorite seat post bag for mountain bikes. We like this bag because it features a unique saddle rail attachment system that secures the bag to your bike’s seat without attaching it to your seat post. This feature makes this seat bag work better with a dropper post than most bags we’ve ever used. We tested this bag on long mountain bike rides near Moab, Utah, and on many Colorado Front Range singletrack trails.
Compare Prices Of The Topeak Aero Wedge Pack Dx
Testing the Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX bike bag on long rides in the desert southwest.
Quick-release bracket
The stand-out feature of this seat bag is the quick-release bracket. Part of this bracket attaches to saddle rails; you’ll need a 4-millimeter Allen wrench to install this part. The bag has a bracket that slides into the piece you bolt to your saddle rails. This attachment system is easy to use once you’ve installed the bracket to your saddle rails.
There is also a velcro loop to attach the bag to the seat post, and though it isn’t necessary to use this part, it’s good insurance in case the bag detaches from the main bracket.
One of the things we liked about the Topeak Aero Wedge is the ability to store your tools and still allow you full use of your dropper post.
With this seat bag, you can store tools under your bike seat and still have full use of your dropper post. We’ve used a lot of other saddlebags with a dropper post, and most of them work. But this bracket holds the bag more securely when not attached to the seat post, compared to a seat bag that uses a traditional webbing strap.
Pockets
This bag features a u-shaped zipper opening that opens to the main compartment. It also has a small mesh pocket on the bag's lid. There is another zipper pocket accessible on the side of the bag, large enough to store small flat items separately. This pocket is big enough for a credit card, ID card, and a single energy bar.
The attachment system on the Aero Wedge pack.
Ease of use
While we really like the attachment system found on this bag, we think a simple bag, like the Axiom Seymour Oceanweave that attaches with a simple velcro strap, is more foolproof and usually adequate.
The quick release bracket on the Aero Wedge Pack is very secure, but it is possible to think you’ve clipped the bag in place without actually doing so. Since this bag is more open to user error, we’re not convinced it’s the best choice for everyone.
Another downside to the Aero Wedge Pack’s attachment system is if you’re using it on multiple bikes, you’ll have to get multiple brackets or move the bracket and the bag between bikes. You can buy an extra Quickclick bracket from Topeak, and this bracket does work well as long as you’re sure to push the bag into the bracket until it clicked.
With the added benefits of using this with a dropper post, we think this is a great seat bag.
See our most popular Bikepacking guides in our Bicycle section:
Best saddle bag for gravel bike: Ortlieb Seat Pack
Material: PU-coated IP64 dustproof, splashproof nylon fabric
Weight: 16 oz (16.5 L)
Capacity: 11L, 16.5L
Waterproof: Yes
Attachment system: Hook-and-loop fastener
What we liked: Lightweight, waterproof, reflective strip, time-tested design, external bungee
What we didn't like: Sways a little when fully stuffed, hard to pack fully into bottom corner
The Ortlieb Seat Pack is the lightest full-sized seat bag we tested. This bag would be an excellent choice for sub-24-hour overnight bikepacking trips (known by the acronym S24O), especially on a lightweight gravel bike.
We tested this on Colorado Front Range dirt and gravel roads, and it performed wonderfully loaded with a quilt, sleeping pad, and sleep clothes. It’s fully waterproof, smaller than other seat bags we tested here, and has a simple design that works with every bike.
Some seat bags are so big that they can rub on your rear tire as they bounce, especially if you ride a smaller bike or have your seat adjusted lower. This bag is small, so it didn't rub on our tire, and probably won’t rub on your tire, either.
Compare Prices Of The Ortlieb Seat Pack
11 L
16.5 L
Taking a break with a loaded bike. The Ortlieb Seat pack conical roll-top dry bag is on the back of the bike.
Construction
At its core, this is an 11-liter waterproof compression stuff sack with a few straps. It’s made of a waterproof coated ballistic nylon ripstop material that is lighter and less rubbery than the heavy fabric Ortlieb uses for its original bike touring bags.
Most bikepacking seat bags weigh in the 18-24 ounce range. This bag weighs only 12 ounces (345 grams); that’s nearly half the weight of most of the other full-sized saddle bags we tested. The bag still has all the features you’d want in a seat bag, too.
Attachment system
The attachment system consists of snap buckles with integrated ladder-locking cam buckles. A stiff, rubbery strap with velcro wraps around the seat post to attach the bag at its base. A roll-top closure extends to a large cone, making packing the bag easy.
Compression
There are compression straps to hold the roll top closure down and compress your gear once it’s packed. There is also an option to attach another strap to the bottom of the bag, wrap it around the roll-top end, and connect it to your seat to further prevent sway.
Ease of use
While this bag is easy to install and uninstall, it’s much easier to pack full of gear when it is off the bike. When bikepacking, we sometimes don’t want to pull every bag off the bike every night, but with this bag, you have to pack and unpack it off the bike. The bottommost corner of the cone is very small, and the waterproof material is airtight, so you have to pack this bag with the help of gravity.
When first testing this bag, I had just jammed my finger, which made the extra force and finger dexterity needed to cram my quilt into that tiny corner of the bag even more difficult. But at half the weight and fully waterproof, we’re okay with the extra work it takes to pack this bag.
The Ortlieb QR (right) vs the Ortlieb Seat Pack (center) vs The Restrap seat bag (right)
Ortlieb Seat Pack vs. Ortlieb QR Seat Pack vs. Restrap Seat Pack
Since the Ortlieb Seat bag is so light, we worry about its durability. The heavier Ortlieb Seat Pack QR (22 oz) uses the same material but has a plastic sheet on the bottom to protect the thin bag material if it rubs on your tire. On the other hand, the standard lighter-weight Ortlieb Seat Pack has nothing to protect that material. The Restrap seat pack uses 1000-denier Cordura for durability.
We don’t think this is a serious issue with the smaller 11-liter bag, which likely won’t rub on any rear tires. But, we would be concerned about using the larger 16-liter size version of the Ortlieb Seat Pack for this reason, and we'd steer you towards the Ortlieb Seat Pack QR if you wanted a larger capacity bag.
Best affordable bike saddle bag: BV Bicycle Strap-On Bike Saddle Bag
Material: Nylon
Weight: 3.8 oz (0.7 L)
Capacity: 0.4 L, 0.7 L, 1 L
Waterproof: No
Attachment system: Strap on mounting designs
What we liked: Very inexpensive, expandable, low profile, has a key clip, easy to install
What we didn't like: Inner pockets could be better
There is nothing all that remarkable about the BV Bicycle Strap-On Bike Saddle Bag other than the price. However, this bag is really affordable and performs just as well as saddle bags that cost over twice as much.
We used this bag while riding the White Rim Trail, and found it met our basic criteria for a functional saddle bag, such as holding an essential bike puncture repair kit with some space left over without falling off the bike. With smaller-volume saddle bags, there isn’t that much that can go wrong, and this bag checks all the boxes. It performs similarly to other saddle bags of its size, but costs much less than all the others we tested.
Compare Prices Of The Bv Bicycle Strap-On Bike Saddle Bag
Riding with the BV bike saddle bag on the White Rim Trail in Utah.
It has a webbing strap with a clip and ladder lock adjuster to attach the bag to your bike saddle rails. There are also two loops to thread this webbing through to keep the strap from moving.
The BV bike seat bag has plenty of room for essential items.
Most inexpensive saddle bags use entirely velcro for the attachment system. This saddle bag uses a plastic buckle, which creates a more reliable attachment system in the short term. This buckle won’t wear out like velcro, too, so it’s also more reliable in the long term. It does have a velcro strap to secure the bag to your seatpost, but this is common on all saddle bags.
This under-seat bicycle bag is also expandable. It unzips near the bottom to increase the capacity by about 30%. On the White Rim Trail, we left for the 100-mile unsupported ride with all of our bags packed to the brim with food and water for an entire day. This extra 30% capacity allowed us to carry three extra energy bars in the same bag that we carried: a tube, tire lever, multitool, tubeless repair kit, and a light windbreaker.
The BV seat bag has an extender where we could fit 3 extra energy bars.
A u-shaped zipper opens the bag into the main compartment. And inside this main pocket is a smaller mesh pocket with a key clip. Nothing about this bag is groundbreaking, but it is affordable, fits an impressive amount of gear, and has held up just as well as its more expensive counterparts.
Other bike saddle bags we tested
TOPEAK BACKLOADER X
This Topeak Backloader X bag is the most affordable large bike bag we tested, making it another great choice for commuters if the Deuter Cabezon is too pricey is out of your budget. Like the design of the Cabezon and Restrap Seat Bags, it uses a separate harness with a dry bag that fits inside. It doesn’t work quite as well as the Deuter Cabezon or Restrap Seat Bag, though it does cost less than either of these bags.
Compare Prices Of The Topeak Backloader X
The author testing the Topeak Backloader X on a fully-loaded bike.
We tested the Backloader X with the Backloader Wishbone, which stabilizes the bag and provides two extra places to mount water bottles. While you don’t have to use these two in tandem, the Backloader works better with the Wishbone because it doesn’t sway as much with the extra stabilization. However, if you use the Backloader X and the Wishbone together, it’s no longer as affordable as the bag initially seems.
To test the Backloader X, we loaded it with camping gear, took it off road, and then kept it on our bike for the following week, using it to go grocery shopping, go to the gym, and more. The removable dry bag quickly slides out of the harness, and the 15-liter capacity is enough to carry a change of clothes, lunch, and a jacket with room to spare.
The harness is heavy-duty Polyethylene material with rubberized fabric along the top and front, where the bag rubs on the saddle rails and seatpost. The dry bag is a standard bag with a roll-top closure and air valve. It’s also tapered at the bottom to fit inside the conically shaped harness. It has a large velcro strap to attach the harness bag to the seatpost. Straps and camming buckles attach the outer bag to seat post rails. The outer bag harness system also velcros onto the Wishbone.
The fully-loaded Topeak Backloader X with the Topeak Wishbone and water bottles.
Topeak Backloader X vs Topeak Backloader
The Backloader X is different than the Backloader. The main difference between those two bags is the following:
The Backloader uses a one-piece bag design, where the bag itself is strapped to the bike, much like the Ortlieb Seat Pack or the Revelate Spinelock. It does come with the same inner dry bag as the Backloader X, but you'll likely still have to unstrap the bag when it's time to repack it. The Backloader X uses a harness and dry bag design, where the harness can stay on the bike. You just remove the waterproof stuff sack to unpack the Backloader X.
The Backloader X sways less than the standard Backloader. It will also be easier to pack and unpack once you've mounted the harness onto the bike. We don't know why the Backloader X or the standard Backloader isn't listed as a saddle bag on the Topeak website, though. The only way we've been able to find them is by searching "Backloader X." Weird.
The Topeak Backloader X with the Backloader Wishbone has plenty of room for camping gear or grocery shopping.
Using The Topeak Wishbone with Saddlebag
The Wishbone is somewhat difficult to install. I have worked as a bike mechanic for over a decade, and if I find something hard to install on a bike, it may be tough for your average at-home tinkerer to install.
The Wishbone has many bolts, and we found it hard to position it in the right place to fit the Backloader harness bag onto the Wishbone. Then, the hardware also came loose after an hour of riding, so we had to remove the bag to tighten everything after adding blue Loctite (a semi-permanent thread locking compound) to prevent the bolts from coming loose. Unless you need the extra water-carrying capacity of the Wishbone, this isn’t a necessary component for using this saddle bag, though.
The strap on the Topeak Backloader X.
Set Up for Topeak Backloader X
The Backloader X bag itself isn’t the easiest to install, either. Attaching the harness requires you to thread the straps through a loop and then a camming buckle; clips would have made this a much easier install. See below for how to set up a saddle bag.
Finally, this large capacity bag was the only bag we found almost too big for our main test bike, a medium Surly Ogre. We had to retighten the camming buckles that pulled the bag towards our seat to prevent it from rubbing on our rear tire a few times during testing.
Despite the initial set up challenge, this large capacity saddle bag is a great option for larger frames, especially those with more than six inches of seat post outside the frame.
The Revelate Viscacha on the author’s bike.
Revelate Viscacha
What we liked: Durable, easy to install and remove, easy to pack, stable, a classic bikepacking seat bag
What we didn't like: Replaced with newer models
The Revelate Viscacha is the bag that started our bikepacking seat bag testing. Sam has used this bag since 2015; it’s seen over 3,000 miles of use and is still going strong. Revelate has since replaced this bag with newer models called the Terrapin and Spinelock.
View The Revelate Viscacha
Terrapin
Spinelock
This bag is the one that all other bikepacking seat bags are modeled after. It’s a conically-shaped stuff sack with roll-top closure. There is rigid plastic built into the bottom and sides of the bag. Two straps attach to the side of the roll top and compress the bag toward the seat post. There is also a compression strap inside to compress your gear below the bag’s ideal maximum height for use. This bag is the only bikepacking seat bag we’ve seen with an interior compression strap like this.
There is a rigid rubberized material along the seatpost and saddle rail interface; the rest of the bag is a lightweight, durable fabric called X-Pac. This material is waterproof, but the seams aren’t taped. So, this makes the bag very water-resistant — we've never used a waterproof stuff sack with our sleeping bag and have never had a problem with it getting wet inside of this bag.
It has two straps with ladder-locking buckles (and cams) that pull the bag up toward the seat and hold it securely in place. These straps attach to another more rigid rubberized strap that thread above the saddle rails. This rigid strap can be moved closer or farther from the seat post attachment depending on how far forward or back your saddle is on the clamp. There is also a stiff 2-inch strap with velcro for the seat post.
This bag has been through a lot and is still going strong. The Terrapin and the Spinelock are adequate replacements for this legendary bikepacking bag and would be excellent choices for any bikepacking expeditions you have planned.
How to use a seat bag
What do you keep in a saddle bag?
I like to keep the essential repair items and tools in a saddle bag: a spare tube, multitool, tire lever, tubeless repair kit, a few zip ties, something to boot a tire, and a pump if it isn’t mounted to the bike frame.
What’s the ideal saddle bag size?
The ideal saddle bag size varies from rider to rider, but it ultimately fits what you want to carry on your bike. If you need more space in your saddle bag, you can get a bigger bag or add a handlebar bag or frame bag to your bike bag setup.
If you’re going on recreational day rides, something in the 1-3 liter range will be sufficient. If you’re going on longer rides, like an all-day gravel epic, you’ll ideally have a larger saddle bag, something in the 3-8 liter range. If you’re going out bikepacking, the ideal saddle bag size is over 10 liters.
How do I set up a saddle bag?
Most saddle bags attach via the saddle rails and seatpost. In the photos below, we walk you through the steps.
To set up a saddle bag, loop straps through rails and clip them onto the bag.
Step 1: Loop the straps on the bag’s sides through the rails of your saddle; clip them onto the bag so the bag is hanging from the rails.
Using the strap to attach a bag to the seat post.
Step 2: Now, attach the bag to the seatpost.
To attach a saddle bag, the last step is to secure as needed.
Step 3: Tighten the straps on the saddle rails as needed.
All the larger saddle bags we tested are made of durable materials since they will rub on your tire at some point, as you can see from the 7-year-old Revelate Viscacha on the far left that's buzzed its fair share of rear tires.
Buying Advice
Here's what to look for in a bike saddle bag.
Material
A good saddle bag is made of durable material. This feature is crucial for the areas of the bag that will be rubbing against the seat post and underside of the saddle. Some bags have reinforced materials here, which is the most important for larger saddle bags that will sway more. Our winning bags are made of materials like X-Pac or Cordura, or have other built-in features to protect lighter, less durable materials.
Weight
A heavy saddle bag will cause your bike to swing from side to side, especially when you stand up to pedal. For this reason, a lightweight bag is a good idea. However, most cyclists find that the stuff you put in the bag will be heavier than the bag itself. And, a super light bag will be less durable.
Aerodynamic design is important, but mostly to prevent the back of your legs from hitting the bag with every pedal stroke like this saddle bag.
Aerodynamic design
Aerodynamic design matters with a saddle bag, but not necessarily for aerodynamic reasons, such as impacting your speed. Some saddle bags are boxier. These tend to sway more, and the backs of your legs might hit them with every pedal stroke if they aren’t spaced away from your seat post adequately. For these reasons, a tube or cone-shaped saddle bag is best. And yes, it will be more aerodynamic, too.
Water-resistant or waterproof?
A waterproof or water-resistant saddle bag is an excellent feature to have. Saddle bags get dirty because they’re positioned right above your rear tire. Whatever your tire picks up — mud, water, road grime, or tire sealant — will end up on your saddle bag. For this reason, a saddle bag that’s at least water-resistant is important.
We tested bags ranging from half a liter to 16 liters in capacity.
Capacity and usable storage space
Again, depending on what you want to use a saddle bag for will depend on the capacity you should look for in a saddle bag. Remember that a mountain bike's spare tube is over twice as large as a spare road tube.
Types of attachment systems
Saddle bags use webbing straps that loop through your saddle rails. Those straps are usually secured using Velcro, cams, buckles, or a combination of these.
The Axiom Seamore Oceanweave has a simple velcro strap to attach it to your seat.
Velcro Strap
Velcro is the most common attachment system for a saddle bag. It works well for lighter loads and is easy to attach and remove. Most saddle bags will use Velcro for the seat post attachment point. Velcro will wear out over time, though.
The Topeak Backloader X uses camming buckles to attach the saddle bag to your bike's seat.
Cams
Cams are another common attachment system for attaching the straps that loop through the saddle rails. Cams are very secure but a little harder to adjust.
The Restrap Saddle Bag uses buckles to attach it to your bike's seat.
Buckles
Buckles are often the best for attaching saddle bags to saddle rails. They attach quickly and easily. And they make it easy to tighten the straps to secure the bag onto the bike.
Most saddle bags have some amount of reflective material, but they more importantly all have a place to clip a light.
Reflective material
Reflective material is a nice touch but shouldn’t be relied on to be seen by cars. If riding at night, a bright blinking light is best for being seen.
A line-up of the saddle bags with pockets
Number and size of pockets
External pockets on a saddle bag make it easier to keep your gear organized. Some saddle bags have multiple pockets inside the bag for this, too. These are excellent features, especially external pockets for things you want easy access to without opening the bag.
The Restrap Saddle Bag and the Ortlieb Seat Pack QR had the least side-to-side sway of any of the bags we tested.
Rigidity
Larger saddle bags need to be rigid to keep from sagging. If a saddle bag extends far past the attachment system, this portion of the bag needs something stiff to keep it from bending down. If a big saddle bag isn’t rigid enough, it could contact your rear wheel when you go over bumps
A line-up of some of the bikepacking saddle bags we tested side-by-side.
How to choose a saddle bag
You'll see different saddle bags listed in different categories. Here's what makes each category of seat bag we tested different from one another, and the situations in which you may need those features.
Generally, the larger the saddle bag, the more costly it will be. We recommend getting the smallest bag that will work for your needs to start since this will be the least expensive.
Bikepacking
Bikepacking saddle bags are the biggest saddle bags. Ideally, a bikepacking seat bag will have enough room for a sleeping bag or quilt, an inflatable sleeping pad, a lightweight puffy jacket, and sleep clothes. A saddle bag for bikepacking usually has compression straps on the interior and exterior of the bag to make fitting all this inside the bag possible, too.
Gravel Bike
Gravel bike seat bags are often the same size as road cycling seat packs. However, since gravel riders go farther off the grid, you might want to get a slightly larger saddle bag for gravel riding than you would for a road bike.
Road cycling bike seat bags are the smallest bike bags, but still need enough capacity to carry essentials like a spare tube and multitool.
Road Cycling
Road cycling saddle bags tend to be the smallest bags. A road cyclist probably only needs to carry a spare road tube, tire lever, multitool, and a C02 inflator on a road ride. So, you don’t need a huge saddle bag for road bike riding.
Overnight
Overnight bike saddle bags are similar to bikepacking seat bags, but they can be slightly smaller since you won’t need to carry as much extra gear. If you already have a bikepacking saddle bag, you can use it for overnight trips. But, if you’re just getting into bike camping and only plan to go on shorter trips, you can get away with a slightly smaller seat bag.
Commuter
Commuter saddle bags, similar to gravel bike bags, have a little extra room. This way, you can carry tools, a jacket, and maybe even lunch inside the bag.
Leather
Leather saddle bags look good and are highly durable. Leather saddle bags are popular with cyclists who use a leather saddle because it matches the look of their bike. Also, most leather saddles mount onto saddle loops only found on vintage and leather saddles.
E-Bike
E-bike saddle bags are the same as any of the above categories of saddle bags. E-bikes come in all shapes and sizes, just like analog bikes. What you plan to use an e-bike for will depend on what kind of saddle bag to get for your e-bike.
FAQ
What is a saddle bag?
Bike saddle bags are any bike bags attached to your bike seat. Also called "bike seat bags", these bags usually attach to the saddle rails, which are the metal (or sometimes carbon) rails used to clamp the bike seat onto the seat post. They typically attach to your bike’s seat post to stabilize it further, which is especially important for larger-volume bike seat bags.
Are a saddle bag and seat bag the same thing?
The terms “saddle bag” and “seat bag” are used interchangeably in referring to the bag that fits under your bicycle’s seat.
When on your bike bag-buying journey should you get a saddle bag? Is it the first bag?
Also referred to as bike seat packs, saddle bags are one of the first bags most cyclists use when they want to start carrying gear on their bikes. Small seat bags are often the most inexpensive way to carry a bike's spare inner tube, multitool, and tire levers. Also, small under-seat bicycle bags don’t adversely affect how a bike handles. Those who don't prefer bike mounted bags can look to our Best MTB hip packs and MTB backpacks guides
If you’re farther into your bike bag-buying journey and looking for bikepacking bags, a saddle bag for bikepacking is an essential piece of your setup. For more info on how to choose the right bags for your bike, check out this useful article.
What are the advantages of a saddle bag over handlebar and frame bags? Why can't we just use a jersey pocket?
You absolutely can use just a jersey pocket to carry all your bike tools, or a MTB hip pack, backpack. However, it’s much more comfortable to only carry softer items in your jersey pockets, and some prefer to keep heavier items on the bike rather than their hip or back. After a day of feeling your multitool, pump, and tire levers digging into your back, you’ll see what I mean.
After years of riding bikes, I prefer not to wear a cycling jersey just to ride my bike. Sometimes I wear a full cycling kit, but having the option to wear whatever clothes I’m most comfortable in is liberating.
Bike handlebar bags and frame bags are also great ways to carry gear on your bike. But, they each have downsides when compared to saddle bags. Making a good bike seat bag is easier than making a good handlebar bag or frame bag, so these tend to be more expensive than a simple saddle bag.
Handlebar bags are usually more expensive, and there are fewer good options. A typical bike shop might have one good handlebar bag, which might not be designed for your intended use case. That same bike shop will probably have several seat bag options to choose from, and some will almost certainly cost less than the one handlebar bag in stock.
This is also the case with frame bags, but frame bags are often even more expensive than handlebar bags. Also, frame bags can prevent you from storing water bottles in your center triangle. Some smaller frame bags will allow you to mount water bottle cages on your frame. But, especially if you have a smaller-sized bike, you’re better off using a seat bag to store your tools.
What are the disadvantages of saddle bags compared to handlebar bags and frame bags?
There are a few drawbacks to using a saddle bag over a handlebar bag or frame bag, namely mounting a rear light and using a dropper post. I’ll elaborate on each of those below. But, the disadvantages of a saddle bag compared to other bag options are usually outweighed by the drawbacks of those other bags.
A large saddle bag can prevent you from using a dropper post on a mountain or gravel bike. However, there are dropper post-compatible seat bags. If you’re riding a mountain bike, be sure your saddle bag is designed to attach only to saddle rails so you can use the bag and your dropper post. A small frame bag is a viable alternative to a saddle bag for mountain biking, but you’ll have to choose a frame bag that doesn’t get in the way of your suspension and water. It’s probably still easier to get a saddle bag that works with a dropper post than finding that unicorn of a frame bag.
A saddle bag also might make mounting a light to your seat post difficult, but many seat bags have a spot to clip a light onto. You might also run into light mounting issues with a handlebar bag, so this disadvantage is only solved by using a frame bag.
Is a big saddle bag the same as a seat pack?
A big saddle bag is the same as a seat pack. However, sometimes bike panniers are also referred to as saddle bags. In this case, they are not the same. A bike pannier mounts to a rack, while a saddle bag mounts to the bike’s saddle.
Saddle bags care and maintenance tips
Regular cleaning
After each ride, wipe down your saddle bags and seat packs with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, and grime. Use a mild soap if necessary, but avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fabric or waterproofing.
Air drying
Allow your saddle bags and seat packs to air dry completely before storing them away. Avoid direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can cause fading or deterioration of materials.
Storage
When not in use, store your saddle bags and seat packs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid compressing them excessively, as this can damage zippers, seams, and fabric.
Inspect for damage
Regularly inspect your saddle bags and seat packs for any signs of damage, such as tears, punctures, or loose stitching. Repair minor damage promptly to prevent it from worsening over time.
Waterproofing maintenance
If your saddle bags or seat packs have waterproofing treatments, such as DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coatings, reapply as needed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Over time, waterproofing can wear off due to use and exposure to the elements.
Zipper care
Keep zippers clean and free of debris by periodically brushing them with a soft-bristled brush. Lubricate zippers with a silicone-based zipper lubricant to ensure smooth operation and prevent corrosion.
Avoid overloading
Be mindful not to overload your saddle bags and seat packs beyond their recommended capacity. Overloading can strain seams, zippers, and mounting systems, leading to premature wear and tear.
Proper mounting
Ensure that your saddle bags and seat packs are securely mounted to your bike to prevent them from shifting or bouncing while riding. Check mounting straps and buckles regularly for signs of wear or damage.
Rotate use
If you have multiple saddle bags or seat packs, rotate their use periodically to distribute wear evenly across them.
Follow manufacturer guidelines
Always refer to the manufacturer's care instructions and recommendations specific to your saddle bags and seat packs. Different materials and designs may require different care approaches.
We tested bike saddle bags side-by-side on trips in the city on road bikes and on trail bikepacking and on gravel bikes.
How we tested
We tested bike saddle bags in Colorado and Utah over several months. To test, we loaded every bag until it was full and got riding. We also looked at each bag's features and how useful those were. We sway-tested every bag by standing up and pedaling with the bag attached to see how much the bag moved back and forth. Since a bag swaying on your seat will cause your bike to feel unstable, this was very important.
We also looked at the durability of every seat bag. We looked at the warranty information available for each bag. Lastly, we looked at what materials the bags are made with and how well they’re put together.
About the author / Why you should trust us
Sam Schild has biked over 50,000 miles in the last decade. He is an avid bike commuter and has extensively ridden road, mountain, and gravel bikes. He has bike toured and bikepacked over 10,000 miles — across the United States, on the Kokopelli Trail, Colorado Trail, and all over the American Southwest.
He has also worked as a bike mechanic for over ten years. Between his experience as a bike mechanic and his own cycling experience, he’s seen more saddle bags than he can count. He has sorted through piles of donated saddle bags at bike co-ops, designed and sewn his own bike bags, and looked at far too many saddle bags on the internet. You can see his guide to Bike Tire Pumps at Treeline Review and more on his website.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or on his website.
