If you plan to go bikepacking, then a gravel bike is one of the best bikes you can use. They are good at riding on all terrains, comfortable, fairly fast, and strong enough to carry a load. They are the choice of many long-distance riders and offer touring with a sense of urgency.
We are often asked many questions at Gravel Biking about bags for gravel bags. There are so many to choose from, and picking the best of the bunch can be difficult. In this article, we want to answer some of your common questions and tell you about some great bags. We will be discussing the following:
Table of contents
Can I Bikepack On A Gravel Bike?
The best bike for bikepacking by far is a gravel bike. It is perfect because it offers a bit of everything. The first and most important thing is comfort and a relaxed riding position. This means you can stay on the bike for longer and travel much further.
Next, you have the strength and versatility of a gravel bike, making it excellent for not just the road but also off-road sections too. One of the biggest advantages of a gravel bike is the number of mounts most come with for bags and carrying extra loads.
Gravel bikes are the perfect rig for bikepacking, and typically when it comes to bikepacking races and ultra-distance cycling, they are what 95% of people tend to choose, which is an excellent indication of it being the perfect bike for the job.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
How Do You Pack A Gravel Bike?
Everyone has a different way of packing a gravel bike, and it’s unique to the person on how they do it. Over the years, I have found the best results from doing it this way. The way to understand is to break it down into top tube bag, frame bag, handlebar bag, and saddle pack.
What Do You Put Inside A Top Tube Bag
The top tube bag is the most accessible bag on your bike, and you are going to want to put things in here that you will generally be using a lot. It could be food and energy bars, your phone, or even a power bank. If you use it often and it doesn’t require much space, here is perfect.
What Do You Put Inside A Bike Frame Bag?
Next, we have the frame bag. This is what sits inside the frame itself. Here is a great place for things you might need often but is rarely used. I have spares and tools, power banks, charging cables, rain jackets, gloves, and I also use them for bulkier food and extra water if needed.
What Do You Put Inside A Handlebar Bag
Next, we have the handlebar bag, and you will generally find yourself stopping to get access to this. Here I like to keep extra clothing such as a down jacket, warmers, and a thicker rain jacket. I also use it as a place for any overflow from the saddle bag we will discuss next.
What Do You Put Inside A Saddle Pack
Finally, we have the saddle pack. This is what sits behind you on the rear of the bike. Here is probably the least accessible bag, and once shut, it’s handy not to have to keep going back throughout the day. I keep my sleeping kit, such as a bivvy, mat, and sleeping bag here. Any overflow here I put in the handlebar bag.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
Best Bags for Gravel Bikes
Next, we are going to speak about some of the best gravel bike bags. We will discuss a few different models across the different types of bags. Here are our best bike frame bags:
Apidura Full Frame Bag
Apidura is the biggest name when it comes to bikepacking bags. They make quality products, and if you use them so much they start wearing out, send them back, and they will fix them by hand. When it comes to full frame bags you will struggle to find better than Apidura.
The full-frame bag has always been one of my favorite products of theirs. Not only does it look fantastic and come in 6L, 7.5L, 12L, and 14L versions it comes with multiple access points and even the capability for a Apidura hydration bladder. It’s a solid buy if you’re looking for a frame pack.
Features
- Excellent design
- Multiple access points
- Hydration bladder options
- Free repair service
- Multiple adjustable straps
Specifications
Weight: 365g (12L)
Color: Gray
Cost: $180
Sizes: 6L, 7.5L, 12L, 14L
Restrap Race Frame Bag Large
Restrap from the UK is another big name when it comes to bikepacking equipment. You will encounter many bikepackers who swear by Restrap over any other brand and they have an excellent custom frame bag service. We personally think the products are excellent, and their half frame bag is one of the best.
The Race frame bag is flexible, lightweight, and pretty much goes with any bike with its stealthy matte black finish. The beauty of the Restrap bag is that it offers lots of room for water bottles as it doesn’t take too much of the frame up. Definitely one of the best half frame bags you can buy and many rider use them as a full suspension frame bag.
Features
- Small design for bottle space
- Single access
- Multiple size options
- Multiple adjustable straps
Specifications
Weight: 238g (4.5L)
Color: Black
Cost: $115
Sizes: 2.5L, 3.5L, 4.5L
Blackburn Saddle Bag
Blackburn not only makes bikepacking bags but also lots of great bikepacking accessories, which are incredibly good value for money. The saddle bag is one of the best products we have used and very unique in design compared to others.
This bag, unlike many others, comes in two parts. You have the dry sack and the cradle. It makes it great because you can remove it easily, and it offers levels of waterproofing that other bags don’t have. It’s very easy to mount, and with four tension straps make it easy to strap down solid so it doesn’t sway.
Features
- Double piece design
- Great value for money
- Good color scheme
- Easily to take on and offer
Specifications
Weight: 475g (11L)
Color: Black and gray
Cost: $100
Sizes: 11L
Related Reading: 7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes
Altura Vortex 2 Saddle Bag
Altura is the designer of the Vortex 2 saddle bag. They make a wide range of accessories and clothing for cycling. We really like the Vortex 2 saddle bag because it’s a good mix of style and practicality.
Coming in a light gray color with black detailing, it does look the part. It has a huge capacity which can go all the way to 17 liters, but even with small loads, it packs away pretty small with a roll top closure. We like the small straps on the rear, which make it great for carrying a jacket or extra food.
Features
- Gray color
- Practical design
- Elastic straps
- Packs away small and large loads well
Specifications
Weight: 355g (17L)
Color: Black and gray
Cost: $100
Sizes: 17L
Sahoo Cycling Handlebar Roll Bag
There’s always some great bargain to be found when it comes to bikepacking gear but nothing like the Sahoo roll bag. Coming in at $22, it’s incredibly cheap and very functional for carrying goods on the front of the bike.
It comes in a matte black design and is made of a waterproof material. With a two-piece design on a cage that straps on the front and an inner sack, you can easily remove goods. Ideal if you have to leave the bike for a short amount of time. We think as far as budget bikepacking goes, you don’t get much better.
Features
- Black sleek color
- Practical two-piece design
- Packs away small and large loads well
- Great value for money
Specifications
Weight: 347g (6L)
Color: Black and gray
Cost: $100
Sizes: 6L
Alpkit Tivaro
Alpkit makes excellent bikepacking gear and does release some inventive solutions. The Tivaro is a handlebar bag they make, which we have a huge amount of time for. It provides an excellent waterproof solution for carrying goods and looks great and perfect for gravel and mountain bikes.
Offering 13 liters of capacity, you are going to struggle to run out of space. It’s perfect for goods such as clothing and sleeping stuff with a flexible one-piece design that can just be strapped to the handlebars. Even when you don’t have much in, it can compact down well, and we highly recommend it if you like a few extra home comforts.
Features
- Black sleek color
- Large capacity for a handlebar bag
- Very waterproof
- Great value
Specifications
Weight: Unknown (13L)
Color: Black
Cost: $32
Sizes: 13L
Apidura Race Long Top Tube Bag
The second product on our list from Apidura. This top tube bag was designed with professional ultra racer Kristof Allegaert. It’s made to give the rider a higher capacity of available space and is incredibly useful, although not cheap as far as top tube bags go.
What makes this unique is the fact it runs the full way across the top tube. You’re not going to struggle to get off the bike much with all the space available in front of you. Perfect for the racer who wants to minimize time off the bike or someone just needing extra space on their frame bags.
Features
- A lot of available useable space
- Large capacity for a top tube bag
- Double zip system
Specifications
Weight: 200g (2L)
Color: Black
Cost: $90
Sizes: 2L
ROCKBROS Top Tube Bag
If you want a top tube bag that is more budget-friendly, consider something from the RockBros range of bikepacking kit. Not only are their bags very good, but they are half the cost of many on the market. We feel the best in their range is the top tube bag.
The first thing to mention is the sizing is perfect. It’s large enough for a phone and snacks but not too big that it gets in the way. Secondly, we love the carry elastic on the side and strong velcro straps. Coming in at $17, it’s also amazing value.
Features
- Great value for money
- Good sizing
- String side for special storage
Specifications
Weight: 98g (1L)
Color: Black
Cost: $17
Sizes: 1L
Choosing Bags for Your Gravel Bike
Choosing the right bags for your gravel bike can be challenging, and knowing what you will need is difficult. We recommend taking a look at your bike and seeing what will fit first. Then after that, you will want to look at some bags and find some you like the look of. Finally, order and get on an adventure to ensure it’s right for you.
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