Top 10 Best Bicycle Saddlebags Reviewed in 2020
A small bag usually attached below the seat, saddlebag is a popular accessory among bicycle lovers. And if you are a cycling enthusiast, it will definitely come in handy. You can use it to carry your first aid kit, a spare tyre tube, a water bottle or anything that can fit inside it, so that when you are heading out for a long cycling trip, every essential item is close to you and you truly enjoy your bicycle ride without any worries.Saddlebags come in different sizes and price points. There are also weather resistant variants
available in the market.
We have reviewed here the ten best bicycle sandbags in 2020. Read ahead to know which one is perfect for you.If you are cyclist make sure you have a floor pump always with you , check our reviews on the best bicycle floor pump.
Features To Look For When Purchasing For A Bicycle Saddlebag
Adjustability
It feels bad as you ride your bike and the load in your bag keeps shifting. Saddlebags feature compression straps or expandable collars allowing you to carry loads of varying sizes comfortably.
Resistance to water
Let’s face it. It might be hard to predict the time the rain falls. Worse still, you may be happy to take shelter but how about the road sprays. Bags made with rubber materials are waterproof, and you are sure to reach your destination with your gear intact.
Accessibility
You might need to remove an item without stopping along the way, and it is easier when you have your bag that allows you to retrieve your items without the need to detach it.
Attachment
For bicycle saddlebags, search for the one with ‘quick-release mountain bracket. Others have buckles and straps.
Cost, size, and materials are other elements which may have featured in the above discussed key features. That brings us to our handpicked best 10 bicycle saddlebags for 2020
10. Weather Resistant-Bicycle Saddle Exciting
You need to quit that habit of stuffing all accessories in your pocket. Here comes an adorable saddlebag, perfect size to fit or your essentials as you leave home. If you care about color, you have the option to choose from the six available options. It doesn’t matter the type of weather you have to face. The saddlebag is water resistant as per the title. Made from durable material polyester, it is a guarantee that when your gear is in this saddlebag, they cannot get damaged. Furthermore, the material makes it sturdy enough not to wear out easily under slight pressure.
It is annoying to spend most of your time attempting to attach your luggage. The solution is to purchase a bag that is easy to attach. Water resistant saddle exciting features ‘strap-in-buckles’ and Velcro strap meant to speed up installation. You will finish connecting, and within seconds, you are on your bike moving. Besides, once attached, you are assured of the security of your saddlebag.
I know you hate it when riding with a large accessories bag while you have few items to pack. With the contents moving from side to side in the bag, it is the worst riding experience you can ever have. Besides, small luggage might need much more effort to balance if they are not compact. Most of us don’t carry many things, and if you are like me, this saddlebag has come to your aid. Being 6.5 x 3.5 x 4.5 inches, it is small enough to fit your gear and leave no space. Also, it is lightweight weighing only 0.2 pounds when empty. That ensures that you have balance as you ride along and even move fast.
Pros:
- Water resistant
- Durable (polyester)
- Small in size
- Super-fast installation
- Secure (durable zippers)
Cons:
- Those embarking on long rides may fail to fit a lot of items as they would love to. Best when you only need to carry the essentials.
9. BV Bicycle Strap Saddle Inside
Planning your next biking event? Then you cannot afford to miss this lightweight saddlebag for your personal items. Have you ever lost your keys or dropped your phone from the pocket as you ride? If you have, you understand what I mean. Aside from just the bike accessories, this bag can accommodate your snacks, keys, and phone. Also, photograph enthusiasts have a reason to smile because it has enough space for your camera too.
It features a zippered opening, beautiful design for easy access to your essentials. A light clip located outside makes it easy to open. Now for small items like phone, iPods, and keys, there is a mesh pocket located inside where you can insert your items. The security of your items is essential. Besides, some are highly delicate items that might require maximum care. The location of the mesh pocket inside the bag keeps those valuable items securely.
A saddlebag is not convenient enough if does not offer an easy and secure attachment. The ‘strap-on design’ ensures that you can wrap the elastic band around the seat such that they cannot fall as you ride. What’s more, the bag is highly Compact meaning that it will not hinder proper riding due to the unnecessary movements. It is also remarkably lightweight weighing only 0.05 pounds. This saddlebag guarantees high quality and comes with a warranty.
Pros:
- Water resistant
- Lightweight for fast riding
- Zipper opening design for ease of access
- More secure mesh pocket inside for valuables
Cons:
- Designed for only essentials and not large items
8. Bicycle-Saddle-Leisure-Realm-Orange
If you are into something stylish and cool, then you can never go wrong with Leisure Realm. No need to go for the common colors that every person in town boasts about. Get something that will make you stand out from the crowd; a saddlebag that you can show off to your buddies. The sleek design and look make it feature among the top rated saddlebags this year. It has reflective strips for visibility by other motorists keeping you safe. Besides, it is water-resistance ensuring that your items do come into contact with water.
You don’t need a bag that takes you an eternity to attach. Leisure realm will only require a few of your seconds to do that. Accessibility is a key aspect when it comes to saddlebags. You don’t want to purchase a bag that eats into your precious time trying to reach for your essentials. As such, it opens and closes nicely and fast without a struggle.
Another feature making leisure realm stand out from the pack is the ease of installation and detaching. It pains to see a bag that you spent a fortune on failing to fix and you have less time before you embark on your ride. Trust me; you could throw it away in anger and frustration. Save yourself the trouble. You will be shocked how easy it is to install and detach your bag.
You hate bulky items as much as I do? Imagine purchasing an already heavy saddle bag and adding the weight of your essentials on top. You’d hate the ride even before you have climbed your bicycle. The saddlebag is very light such even packing your essentials, it still doesn’t feel bulky. After all, you need to move with speed.
Pros:
- Has a stylish design and colors
- Reflective strips for safety
- Water-repellent
- Compatible with many bikes
- Lightweight
- Ease of access
- Ease to install and detach
Cons:
- No room to fit a large phone like iPhone 6 if you have your keys and some other tools in the pocket. However, there is more enough room for your other accessories.
7. Banjo Brothers Deluxe Seat Bag
Being one of the best in the affordable range, the deluxe seat bags from the Banjo Brothers are a lifesaver to many those who prefer taking the bare minimum for their cycle ride. Not that it doesn’t have much room, but it is the fact that it can contain all it can and still stay secure at the seat post it is tied to. The outer material of the bag is made of 1680 Denier ballistic nylon, which makes the bag strong enough to keep any sharp objects without any fear of cutting through.
There are three interior pockets that are made to keep sharp objects away from the post, in order not to hurt the cyclist or make scratches on the post in any way. To keep things from falling away, gusseted sides are available which ensure proper latching. The main clip keeps the bag tethered so that it doesn’t get to drop in an unfortunate situation and be lost. The top and the bottom sides are padded.
Pros:
- The dimensions are 5.5 inches*3 inches*3 inches
- The material is good to keep very sharp objects
- Very much affordable
Cons:
- Compartment size can be a bit larger
- It slips away sometimes, when not properly latched
6. Brooks Isle of Wight Saddle Bag
Opting for something more stylish and trendy? The saddlebags from the Brooks Isle of Wight, with their bohemian style and comfortable material, are the show stealers in the range of cycle saddlebags. The material is a combination of Brook’s leather and waterproof Bluesign canvas, which gives it added durability and shiny texture. The colours pretty much remind one of the countryside and rodeos, all with sunshine.
The closure style is double zipped and it pretty much secures everything properly. Although it is expensive, the saddlebag is worth its price. The bag is waterproof, yet there are chances of water seeping through the zip. There are originally three colours of the model and each of them is available in three different sizes: small, medium and large. The saddlebag’s rich look is complete with Brook’s signature insignia and it’s flawless stitching. Overall, the bag looks sophisticated and has very good quality.
Pros:
- Sophisticated look
- Proper closure
- Available in three colour and three sizes
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Sometimes, seepage issues creep in
5. Ortlieb Saddle Bag — Large (F9461)
Good looking and with the ability to withstand the harsh conditions encountered during mountain bike riding, the Ortlieb Saddle Bags are a boon to many cycle riders. Made in Germany, the rather small looking bag can actually fit in a pair of shoes along with a pair of clothes, along with other necessities. Isn’t the fact itself a big gain in terms of why they are preferred.
The storage capacity of this bag is 2.7 litres and the material is quite strong enough not to get abrasions while passing by boulders and rocky surfaces. The saddlebag comes in with a saddle mounting kit and fits in securely to the cycle post. One major disadvantage would be that this bag is big enough for an XS sized cycle. The bag is also lightweight, which is required criteria for long distance rides.
Pros:
- Elegant looking
- Lightweight
- Compartment size is quite good
Cons:
- Not suitable for XS sized cycle
4. Blackburn Outpost Seat Pack W/Dry Bag
Available in an elegant shade of colour blocked black and white and another one in camouflage style, the Blackburn Outpost Seat Pack W/Dry Bag is a bag designed for a standard fit to most of the cycles. The material is smooth and shiny, giving it a reflecting effect. There are daisy chain loops on the outer side of the bags that help you to keep extra items like flasks and lights. The bag is cone shaped and it holds in a lot of things like the torch, emergency cells and tiny flasks.
The frame of the seat post must be tall enough otherwise it might cause issues such as bumping and so on. One major disadvantage, also a precaution to be noted is that this bag is not suitable for carbon seat posts. Due to the bike’s motion and regular rubbing of the bag against the same, the outer layer will get affected and be delaminated.
Pros:
- Big enough for many things to be kept
- Extra loops to keep things
Cons:
- The seat posts should be tall enough
- The seat post should not be made of carbon
3. Timbuk2 Bicycle Seat Pack
A road trip on a bike is totally fun only if you have a reliable companion with you. A companion who can hold in all your required supplies and tools. It is inconvenient to take a bag, and one cannot rely on satchels always. Made from ballistic nylon, the saddlebags from Timbuk2 are quite a catch. Available in five different colours, the bag looks aesthetic and nice. The base material is 900D polyester HD and it has a main compartment, apart from the rear pocket.
The bag is mounted on to the seat post and it fits quite right. Two side Velcro pockets are also there, enabling space for little items to be kept. Also, the dimensions are 11*5*3 inches, which makes it just the required size for common use. Many things can be kept and still, it would look like it is not having many items inside. The 4.8 ounces bag is the perfect choice for those users who are looking for variety in terms of colour and a fitted design which doesn’t make the bag look bulky. The bag can withstand few splashes of rain but sure does help when the shelter is located just a throwaway.
Pros:
- Multiple pockets
- Available in five colours
- Quality of the materials used are good
Cons:
- The clips can be difficult at times to be saddled
2. WOTOW Bicycle Repair Set Red
Our second best is the aerodynamic wedge-shaped Wotow saddlebag. The shape gives it a unique design. If you are after a handy and comfortable saddlebag, it is Wotow. There is no need to worry about punctures or any other issue with your bike. This bag comes with 14 tools in one package. When the unfortunate happens, you are all ready to repair it wherever, whenever.
Besides accommodating the toolkit in the main pocket, you can fit in other personal items of your choice. As such it has an auxiliary mesh pocket where you can put small valuables such as the keys and tissue paper.
You don’t need to worry about taking eternity installing and detaching the pouch. It features a ‘quick-release mounting system’ that allows you to attach or remove your bag in the blink of an eye. Even better, you will not need any tools to have your bag under the saddle or removed when needed. Also, for ease of access when reaching or putting your items, it has a zippered pocket for convenience.
Pros:
- 14 in 1 repair tool kit
- Sturdy
- Water-resistant
- Ease of access and installation
- Sleek aerodynamic wedge design
Cons:
- Not enough space to fit an extra large cell phone like iPhone 6 plus. However, on testing with iPhone 6, it fits perfectly
1. Topeak seat pack Aero Wedge Packs saddle bag
A quality saddlebag is the necessity of all bike rides. One requires a sturdy compartment to keep all the essentials and it would be best if it can be tied below the cycle’s seat. In that case, a tight wounded one, that sits through all the jerks and motion of the cycle is required. With a large compartment area, the Aero Wedge saddlebags are the perfect answer to all this. The material is highly durable, causing no wear or tear as the bike glides through the wind, among the thorns and twigs. The material is heavily constructed, resistant to dirt and easily washable.
The zippers are tightly locked and the fastening is done by click system. Also, the extra Velcro straps have extra straps which don’t cause abrasions to the skin surface. There are reflective stripes made on it for extra safety purpose. Though the saddlebag looks sturdy, it is actually quite lightweight, which comes as a surprise. The brand has been well received by many users and it has been brought more than once by some people due to its high quality.
Pros:
- Light weight
- Large compartment space
- Fits in many bikes
- Durable material
Cons:
- It’s not water resistant
Conclusion: A saddlebag is a must-have tool if you want to have the best riding experience. Stop stashing items that could damage your pockets. Also, avoid the trouble of losing valuable items like keys and phone. Even more, beat the weather conditions by cycling your bike anytime. Escape the inconvenience of failing to carry accessories for your bike today.
Simeon LA Froid
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