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Are you looking to head out into the wild with only your bike and the equipment it can carry? If so, then it sounds like you've discovered the exciting hobby of bikepacking! A good seat bag is an essential piece of kit for any bikepacker as it will carry your equipment while also protecting it from rain, snow, or mud.
With so many seat bags for bikepackers available, choosing the right one can be a difficult task. That's why we’ve done the research for you and picked the Terrapin Bag by Revelate as our favorite because it's waterproof, durable, and secure. We’ve also put together a 10 best list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide, reviewed by an outdoor guide, to help you make your choice!
My name is 박 (Pak). I am a first-generation Korean American who has worked in the outdoors for 6 years as a guide. Now I'm enjoying traveling around with my bicycle and spending time outdoors with my dog Gaara.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Heavy panniers and unbalanced packs can be a detriment when traveling over rough terrain, so your bike needs to be equipped with the right bags specifically for bikepacking. Bags that stick out on the sides are a big no-no for tight singletracks.
So, bikepacking bags make the most of the central spaces on the bike frame. With the right bag, you can hold a lot of gear under your seat, where it's out of the way of trail obstacles and won't throw you off-balance.
Although bikepacking bags are a lot smaller and carry fewer things, they make for a more pleasant ride as all of your gear is streamlined and close to the bike, making for a smoother and less wobbly ride.
Before buying a seat bag for bikepacking, there are a few points you should take into consideration such as capacity and whether it is waterproof or not. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
There are many different bags you can take with you when you're bikepacking, but the largest is typically your seat bag. They’re not as big and bulky as panniers, but they should still be large enough to carry the equipment you need.
They usually range from five to 20 liters in size, but some bags are also adjustable. This means you can roll down the empty and excess material to keep the seat bag as small and aerodynamic as possible.
We would recommend looking at seat bags that are 12 liters or larger for long trips that involve overnight stays. This should give you enough space to hold what you need for spending the night on the road.
If you’re bikepacking for just a day trip, then a smaller seat bag measuring five liters would be fine. If you want to be cautious and ensure you have all of the equipment you may possibly need when out for a day, then you can venture up to 10 liters.
For anyone that is looking to do as much bikepacking as possible, both overnight and just for a day, then a large bag that is adjustable is the best choice for you. It's possible to find seat bags that are over 20 liters, but can roll down to a compact five liters!
Keep in mind that if your gear is big and bulky, it will be difficult to fit all of your things in a bikepacking bag. A lot of bikepacking bag users tend to have light and ultralight gear in order to cut down on their weight and fit everything into a bikepacking setup.
One advantage of bags for bikepacking compared to panniers is that they don’t need special equipment to be attached to your bike. This means that the majority of seat bags can be easily attached to the vast majority of bikes.
However, there is one part of your bike that you do need to check before you purchase a seat bag, and this is the tire clearance. Tire clearance refers to the amount of space between your rear tire and the bottom of your seat. For most full-sized bikes, the tire clearance will be large enough for any seat bag to fit.
If your bike has a smaller frame, or if your seatpost height is set short, this is a measurement that you should check when looking at the larger capacity bags. You should also check the measurement if you have 29-inch wheels instead of the more standard 26-inch wheels.
If your bike has a dropper post, it is recommended to look into a bikepacking seat bag that is made for dropper posts. Depending on the model, it can interfere with the user being able to use their dropper post. The dropper post specific bags usually keep the bag attached to the saddle and are smaller, so you don't have to worry about the bag hitting the wheel.
Seat bags will be, at a minimum, water-resistant. With water-resistant bags, the materials they’re made from are waterproof, but the bags themselves aren’t.
To make a seat bag truly waterproof, all of the seams and closures need to be waterproof, too. Some bags do not have waterproof seams, and this is why they’re only classed as water-resistant. They’ll keep most of the water out, but some moisture may get in the seams, and a water-resistant bag will not survive being submerged.
Many seat bags are made waterproof by the addition of a drybag. These are simple bags that can slip inside a holder or seat bag and are fully waterproof.
Unfortunately, most manufacturers don't adhere to widely used scales that show how waterproof an item is, so carefully read all of the information provided in the product's description. You can also check reviews from previous purchasers to confirm that the bag can keep water out.
Seat bags are long and narrow and protrude back from underneath your seat. As they’re made from soft and lightweight materials, this makes them prone to swinging around while you’re on the move. For many bikepackers, this wag can be distracting and frustrating, so many seat bags have features that will stop them from swaying.
One of the common ways to stop wagging is for the bag to have some internal reinforcement to make it more solid. These can be stiffer materials, such as plastic sheets, or even lightweight aluminum frames.
Components like this may restrict how adjustable the bag is, however, and stop a larger bag from being rolled down to a smaller capacity.
Wag can also be controlled by external factors. Some bags have a looping rack to keep them in place. The bag still attaches to the bike in the same manner as any other; however, it has additional straps that wrap around all of the bag and stop it from moving.
Looping straps are especially effective as they will criss-cross across the bag from all angles.
Although seat bags don’t need any additional hardware to fix them to a bike, it is possible to get some that have hardware to add more stability.
Instead of just relying on Velcro straps or a soft harness, these bags have an aluminum bracket that needs to be fixed on your bike first. Once fixed, the bracket shouldn’t interfere with how quickly the bag can be attached or removed from the frame. However, this is an additional step that some may deem unnecessary.
Look for a bag that has a strap that goes from the front to back of the bag as you can tighten it to compress the bag and bring it closer to the bicycle. This will not only prevent swaying but help you compress the bag to fit more things into it.
A seat bag should be easy to access, and you should be able to quickly remove it from the bike without extra tools. Many seat bags will allow you to remove it in only a few seconds, while also keeping it secure while on the move.
This is often achieved through harnesses. You may also see these bags referred to as two-piece bags. The harness is securely fixed to the bike, and the bag simply straps in, making it a breeze to detach.
The harness will attach with Velcro straps, just like a bag without a harness, which is known as a one-piece bag.
Some bikepacking seat bags have hardwear that you can attach to the saddle, so all you have to do is to disconnect the entire bag from the saddle. It is a good idea to find one that fits your needs, whether that is one where you can take just the waterproof bag or the entire bag.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Revelate Designs Terrapin Bag | $144.99 High Mid | Waterproof Drybag That's Easy to Remove | ||
2 | Arkel Seatpacker | $234.99 High | Stable Bag That Doesn't Shake | ||
3 | Rogov Bags Saddle Bag | $52.00 Low Mid | A Good Choice for Small Bikes | ||
4 | Ortlieb Seat Pack | $174.99 High Mid | Adjustable Capacity Makes This Bag Suitable for Many Different Trips | ||
5 | Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack | $162.00 High Mid | Durable and Waterproof Seat Bag | ||
6 | Topeak Backloader Seat Bag | $86.92 Mid | Light Weight Bag That Compresses Your Gear | ||
7 | Rhinowalk Waterproof Seat Bag|RK18511 | $49.99 Low Mid | Lightweight, Waterproof, and No Tail Wag | ||
8 | Rogov Bags 26L Seat Bag | $90.00 Mid | A High-Capacity Bag That Doubles as a Backpack | ||
9 | Rockbros Bikepacking Bag | $59.99 Low Mid | Waterproof and Airtight Bag That's Easy to Clean | ||
10 | Blackburn Outpost Seat Pack | $83.72 Mid | Adjustable Drybag Suitable for Tough Rides |
This two-piece bag consists of a holster and a waterproof drybag. Due to the size of the holster, you need at least seven inches of tire clearance.
The dry bag slides into the holster and is kept in place by several straps. There is a valve on the side of the drybag to help compress the contents and remove excess air, and it can be quickly removed from the holder.
Reviewers confirm that the drybag is fully waterproof and is also durable and tough against the elements. They praise how quickly the drybag can be removed from the holster and how secure it is when in place. There are also a couple of comments praising the variety of colors available!
This seat bag securely fixes to your bike and is kept in place with the aid of an aluminum hanger, which is quickly attached without the need for any screws or other hardware. The bag holds 15 liters and is simply slid onto the hanger and secured with a soft rubber clamp and Velcro strap.
Although this seat bag is waterproof, reviewers point out that the small pocket on top isn't, so be careful with how you use that pocket! Reviewers praise this bag for being stable and not wagging during even tough rides. They also say that the bag is durable and confirm that it is quick and easy to attach and detach.
This is one of the smaller bags we've chosen and is ideal for short trips. It's also a great choice for smaller bikes or those with 29-inch wheels, as it only requires a four-inch tire clearance. The material is durable and reflective, but to make it completely waterproof an additional bag is required (this is also sold by the seller.)
Reviewers praise the number of straps and clips on the bag for not only securing it to the bike, but also making it easier to compress the items inside. The small size of the bag is also appreciated, especially by women who have bikes with shorter seatposts.
At its largest, this pack holds 16.5 liters, but it can be reduced down to eight liters by rolling down the pack, making it a versatile option. It has an air-release valve and several straps, so you can compress the contents and make the most of your space. It's waterproof, has reflector strips, and a bright elasticated cord on top.
A couple of comments indicate that the bag lacks internal structure and can rub against the tire if not packed correctly. However, reviewers like the flexibility of the bag when it comes to capacity. The durability of the bag and its material are also praised.
This seat bag has been treated and sealed to ensure that it is waterproof and keeps your belongings dry. It is available in three different sizes, ranging from nine to 17 liters, but each bag can be further adjusted due to its ability to roll down smaller. It has an air valve to aid compression, and reflective strips to keep you safe at night.
A couple of reviewers say this bag isn't as rigid as they would have liked and can wobble when the bike is in motion. However, most reviewers praise the capacity of the bag and how much it can hold. They also say that the fastening system is very secure and the material is durable and waterproof.
You can make the most of your space with this 15-liter bag thanks to the compression straps along the sides. The bag also has an air valve to release any air that is trapped inside to further compress your items. There is a drybag inside the seat bag, and the elasticated shock cord allows you to attach other items.
There are a few comments regarding the bag wagging, and a couple of reviewers say the bag rubbed against their tire and developed a hole. However, reviewers like the light weight of the bag and the material, and praise how much gear it can hold. They confirm it is waterproof and say the size can be decreased if needed.
This bag is made from thermoplastic polyurethane, and it has leather strips where it comes into contact with your bike to make it more stable. It's waterproof and resistant to cold weather and has a quick release buckle, so you can swiftly remove the bag from your bike. It's available in five, 10 or 13 liters.
A few reviewers found that on tougher terrain, the motion of the bike loosened the straps holding the bag and caused it to rub against their tire. However, reviewers confirm the bag is waterproof and that it is lightweight. Reviewers also praise the bag for not suffering from tail wag and being easy to attach.
At 26 liters, this is the largest bag on this list, but it also requires the most tire clearance. The bag is only water-resistant, but there is a hermetically sealed bag available for purchase to make it waterproof. It has multiple straps to keep it in place while you ride and can also be used as a backpack!
Reviewers say the bag is stable and durable, and they praise how high quality it is. They also like that the elasticated bands on top can be used to carry other items, such as clothing. One mentions you can choose the color of the inner lining, too.
Although available in either 10 and 14 liters, both sizes can be rolled down to reduce their capacity if required, with the 10-liter bag capable of being reduced to three liters! The material is waterproof and the outer layer of the bag can be quickly wiped down to remove any dirt or mud.
A few reviewers state that the straps holding the bag together and away from their tire started to fray and fail after a short period of time, making it impossible to ride with the bag. However, most reviewers were happy with this bag and confirm that it is both waterproof and airtight. They also say that it doesn't wag and is easy to attach.
This is a two-piece seat bag that consists of a holster and a drybag with a capacity of 11 liters, but it can be rolled down to a smaller size. The straps on the holster that keeps the drybag in place are also adjustable. If necessary, some smaller and lighter items can be attached to the seat bag to make the most of your space.
One reviewer points out that this bag may not fit bikes with a small tire clearance, so be careful if you have a small frame and big wheels. Most say it is quick and easy to remove the drybag from the holster, but it remains secure when riding. They also confirm that it is waterproof and doesn't sway when in motion.
The Revelate Designs Spinelock system features a locking mechanism that fixes underneath the saddle rails. This helps keep the bike bag in place, preventing swaying, and lets you take the entire bag off the bicycle.
It includes all of the features you want; it's waterproof, and it has an air valve, internal reinforcements, and extra bungees to attach things to the outside of the bag. There is a 16L and 10L option for sale by Revelate Designs.
When hitting the trails, you need to be comfortable, but prepared. That's why we've picked a selection of products to keep you going and keep you comfy when the ride's over!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Revelate Designs|Terrapin Bag
No. 2: Arkel|Seatpacker
No. 3: Rogov Bags|Saddle Bag
No. 4: Ortlieb|Seat Pack
No. 5: Apidura|Expedition Saddle Pack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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