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When you go on a bikepacking trip, you need a way to carry your belongings. A backpack or side satchel may seem tempting, but those bags can slow you down and get in the way during your trip. If you want something convenient and useful, you could get a frame bag! That's why we made a list of 8 great bags so you can pick one for your next trip.
We loved Rock Bros' Front Frame Bag since it had composite carbon polyester, excellent straps, and a good amount of storage space. As you read our list of the 8 best frame bags for bikepacking, you should also check out our buying guide, reviewed by an outdoor guide, to help you pick frame bags with everything you need!
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.
Frame bags come in many materials, bag types, closure types, and some have additional features, so let's use this guide to take a look into these important details!
Frame bags can have multiple materials such as polyester, nylon, TPU, and more, so let's see how each one can benefit your bikepacking trip!
One of the most common frame bag materials is polyester. Polyester is known for its fast-drying properties. However, polyester lacks breathability, so humidity could affect the inside of the bag. This means polyester dries off quickly, but the bag's interior could get warm.
It does have stain resistance, alongside being a machine-washable material. This makes it easy to wash off any mud that may splash on the bag. You should note the water can leak into the bag through unopened zippers or small holes. However, with polyester, you won't have to worry about the material absorbing the water.
Nylon is another common material for bags. It performs well in cold, but nylon absorbs heat, so it will get hot if you spend lots of time riding your bike in the sun. It does, however, maintain its durability as it gets older.
Nylon might be an ideal material if you plan to go bikepacking in colder environments. It also resists mildew, so you won't have to worry if you get any moisture inside the bag.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are polymers known for their ability to avoid rips and tears. Since they don't tear easily, you can really stuff your bag to maximize carrying capacity.
TPU has excellent UV resistance, so it will protect your belongings from the sun's rays. This makes TPU a solid choice for warm environments. However, the material doesn't have a long shelf life, so it may start to break down if you use it for too long.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is less common than the other options. It's mostly used as a secondary material. This material is known for its water and corrosion resistance, so it won't get ruined in the rain. It can also make strong connections with other materials like nylon and polyester to increase the bag's durability.
Composite carbon is another material with excellent durability. It will usually be mixed with nylon or polyester to increase the water resistance while providing a hard, durable material. You can't go wrong with EVA or composite carbon if you want a durable bag on your bikepacking trip.
For frame bags, you can consider a combination of top tube, triangle bags, and wedge bags. Here are the pros and cons of each type.
Top tube bags attach to the frame behind the handlebars. They are easy to put on since you don't have to fit them in the lower half of the frame. However, they are more likely to tip over since they'll be top-heavy.
Front bags are convenient since you can stay on your seat while opening them. This makes them great for giving yourself easy access to important items.
Top tube bags are a great place to stash away your phone, snacks, external battery, and so on. Things that you need while you are riding and not wanting to stop. Different top tube bags have alternative ways to open them from magnetic closures or zippers, so choose one that you're comfortable with opening especially while riding one-handed.
Framebags, also known as triangle bags, work great for bikepacking since they can maximize the central, inner space on the bike. These bags go in the triangle, which is between the top and bottom of the frame, so they stay in place while taking advantage of unused space.
Full framebags make it impossible to put water bottles in this area. Half-triangles can be mounted at the front of the frame, leaving room for a water bottle on your seat tube. Triangle framebags work great for people who want to have as much space for belongings as possible.
With the triangle bag being located in the frame of the bike, it is a great place to place your heavy things as it keeps the weight in the center of your bicycle. It's a wonderful place to put water, heavy food, or your stove kit.
Half-frame bags hang beneath the top bar. These bags stay out of the way while you ride. They are also skinny and less bulky, so your legs won't bump into them.
They do a great job of keeping belongings safe, which makes them excellent for storing loose items such as your phone or wallet, and their long shape makes them good for items like your tire pump. They'll also leave room on your down tube for a water bottle, depending on the shape of your bike frame.
When you go bikepacking, you want to keep bags secured, so you should think about how you want the bags to attach to the bike frame.
Most frame bags will have Velcro straps on them. Velcro straps are easy and quick to install onto a bike frame. This means if you have to remove your bag a lot during your bikepacking trip, you may want one with Velcro straps. The only drawback is that Velcro can wear out and lose effectiveness over time.
Choosing bicycle bags that have minimal Velcro sewn to the bag itself is a good consideration to make. There are some bags that you can attach the bag to the bike with a separate Velcro strap. These are recommended as you can just replace the strap if they are getting worn down instead of needing to stitch the bag if the Velcro is attached to the bag.
Some bags have a long Velcro strap on one side and a slide buckle opposite it. This allows you to feed the strap into the buckle, so you can tighten it against the frame. That way, you can adjust the strap's length to stay attached to the frame.
However, the slide buckle might have excess strap left over. Some bikepackers will cut the excess off to keep it out of the way. Slide buckles will help the strap stay attached even if the Velcro comes loose.
These slide buckles are also great for cinching down the load if what you're stuffing in the bags is bulky. It can cut the width of the bag with compression, which always helps you to streamline your pack.
Some bags have phone displays, inner mesh pockets, and reflective trim, so let's see what these bag features can offer to your bikepacking trip!
Top tube bags sometimes have a see-through plastic layer on the bag to let you use your smartphone. These displays help you see your screen and use the GPS, so you can reach key locations during your bikepacking trip.
These are also convenient for people who like to listen to music on their phones while they ride their bikes. On top of that, some of them may have charging ports. That way, you can leave a battery in your bag and charge your phone.
In short, if you use your phone a lot during your rides, you may want a top tube bag with a phone display or charging port.
Most of these phone displays are not waterproof, so it is a good idea to find a case that is or to remove your phone during rainy days.
Some bags have mesh compartments inside the main pocket, which helps with organization. The mesh could snag onto items and rip them apart, but these pockets usually have elastic at the top of them to keep items secure.
Some frame bags have reflective trim on them, so cars will have an easier time seeing you at night. Even if most of your ride is off-road, for those times you get lost and head back from the trailhead after dark, the more visible you are the better.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC Toptube | $160.00 High | A Secure, Waterproof Bag With Roll Closure | ||
2 | Whale Fall Cell Phone Bag | $23.99 Mid | Keep Your Phone in View to Use GPS | ||
3 | Ibera Triangle Frame Bag (Medium) | $14.11 Low Mid | Comes in Half or Full Triangle Sizes | ||
4 | Rockbros Bike Frame Bag | $29.99 Mid | Adjustable Straps for Many Attachment Options | ||
5 | Moosetreks Bike Full Frame Bag (Large) | $49.99 High Mid | Full Triangle Bags in 3 Sizes | ||
6 | Blackburn Outpost Bike Frame Bag (Small) | $59.70 High Mid | A Durable Bag That Expands | ||
7 | Rock Bros Top Tube Bag (Medium) | $19.99 Low Mid | A Top Tube Bag That Can Maintain Its Shape | ||
8 | MOOCi Angle Frame Bag | $14.99 Low Mid | A Light-Duty Bag for Larger Frames |
This bag provides four liters of packing room and also includes enough space to attach water bottles underneath. It rolls to close and keeps water out. The bag design makes it likely to fit on any bike, even full-suspension bikes with limited space in the frame triangle.
The bag includes Velcro straps with slide buckles to keep it secured. It's capable of carrying heavier equipment like tent poles, tools, and other supplies you plan to bring, but only weighs in at a mere seven ounces by itself.
This top tube bag is compatible with any smartphone under 6.9 inches in screen size. It's fairly water-resistant as-is, but it also comes with a rain cover, so you can protect the case if you travel through bad weather.
A couple of reviewers had issues with the bag hitting their knees during use or getting in the way when dismounting. But as far as positive features, a fair number of reviewers said the touchscreen worked well through the plastic cover. They were also impressed with the zippers holding up well.
This bag is designed to have a slimmer design to lower the wind resistance when you ride with it. It comes in two sizes. The medium will leave room for a water bottle on most bikes, and the large will fill the frame and requires a right angle at the seat tube.
There is disagreement among reviewers about how waterproof it is, so use caution with what you put in it. Others say it's better for lightweight items.
On the other hand, many reviewers pointed out the bag material was durable and didn't get damaged easily. They also appreciated how the zippers didn't get stuck.
This is a three-liter bag designed to hold items like a water bottle, repair kit, phone, and more. The five straps and 11 attachment points for them offer flexibility to fit it to just about any bike frame. The material is stiff, and there are zippers on both sides.
Some reviewers said the bag wasn't waterproof, despite its manufacturer's claims. On the bright side, a great number of reviewers liked how the straps held the bag in place and were adjustable. They also liked how they could fit large items in the deep pocket for their trips.
Each size of this bag has two side pockets, as well as removable dividers, to give you lots of options for organizing and storing your bikepacking items. It has eight straps to ensure your bag stays on your bike over rough terrain on the trip.
Some reviewers had problems with the straps tearing. Others said they're too long. On the bright side, loads of reviewers said the bag had ample storage space. They were also impressed with the design, saying it fits well on large bikes.
This bag can be unzipped to expand, so it can store more items during longer trips. It has a hose port on it, so you can use it for your hydration system. It comes in three different sizes to ensure you find the right one for your frame.
A couple of reviewers said it wasn't waterproof. Nevertheless, a good number of reviewers said they loved how the bag could carry things like a jacket and an extra water bottle. They also loved the quality of the bag, noting its durability during long trips.
This bag has a thin design to help it avoid getting in your way when you go bikepacking. The stiff material will maintain its shape. It comes in two sizes to give you some variety while also including a waterproof zipper.
Some reviewers noticed the zipper was hard to close while riding. However, many reviewers were impressed with how well the bag maintained its shape. They also liked its large size, saying the bag could store lots of items during their trips.
This bag is designed with 600D polyester fabric, so it offers some waterproofing to protect your gear in the rain. It has side zippers, so you can easily store and reach items during your journey. It has slide buckles to get a tight fit on the Velcro straps.
A few reviewers said it wasn't good to use for heavy items. Despite that point, a fair portion of reviewers loved the side zippers and their durability. They say the open interior means it can hold a lot.
This is a great frame bag with many different size options; it's also available as a wedge bag or a full-frame bag. This can be used for multiple types of bikes and situations. This bag is recommended for those who are looking to spend money on a good bikepacking bag that is also reasonably priced.
Biking is one of those hobbies that's easier, safer and more fun with the right equipment. Go through these top 10 lists to find some accessories to meet your needs during your next adventure!
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: Ortlieb|Frame-Pack RC Toptube
No. 2: Whale Fall|Cell Phone Bag
No. 3: Ibera|Triangle Frame Bag (Medium)
No. 4: Rockbros|Bike Frame Bag
No. 5: Moosetreks|Bike Full Frame Bag (Large)
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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