This is a gear review about the Best Handlebar Bag to take Bicycle Touring, Bikepacking, or commuting 2022.
A Bike Handlebar Bag is primarily used to store accessible items such as cameras, snacks, some bike repair tools, sunscreen, phones, lightweight rain jackets, and more.
A Bikepacking Handlebar Bag is generally larger and useful for storing an ultralight tent, ultralight sleeping bag, ultralight sleeping pad, or similar lightweight but bulky items that you would use for a multiday Bikepacking setup.
A commuting Handlebar Bag is usually smaller and has a good system that allows them to be used off the bike as a shoulder bag.
I’ve used many handlebar bags over the years and cycled more than 20000 miles using a handlebar bag. I researched and tested all the best bike handlebar bags for Bikepacking, touring, commuting, and more.
Let’s take a look at the best bike handlebar bag 2022.
Best Bike Handlebar Bag 2022
The Best Bike Handlebar Bag 2022:
Best Bicycle Handlebar Bag – Overall
Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Classic Handlebar Bag
Weight: 1 lb. 10oz / 737 grams
Pros:
> Waterproof
> Can be used as a shoulder bag when off the bicycle
> Secure Ortlieb mounting locking
> Convenient magnetic closure
> Comes in 5L and 7L size
Cons:
> Small capacity for some people
The Ortlieb Ultimate Classic has been my Bike Touring Handlebar bag of choice for more than 10 years. It is waterproof, big enough to store your camera and personal items that you may need quick access to, and is very durable.
I like the handy detachable shoulder strap and quick-release mounting system. It is easy to carry valuables once off the bike the shoulder strap allows the bag to be used as a handy shoulder bag.
Its capacity is quite modest at just 7 liters, but it’s still big enough to hold all your more important valuables. If you wanted the smaller 5 L version it will come with a clear plastic compartment that will be suitable for maps or smartphones etc.
It comes complete with the secure Ortlieb mounting system and features a lid that’s reinforced with a magnetic closure. And it’s made with 100% waterproof polyester.
Once the bag is attached to the bike, you can secure the bag with one hand, and there’s a separate zipper pocket inside for important valuables like wallet, passports, and keys.
The Ortlieb Ultimate Classic is suitable for use with a road bike, gravel bike, touring bike, tandem bike, e-bike, and almost anything in between.
Overall, this is the best handlebar bag for cycle touring and commuting.
Best Bikepacking Handlebar Bag
Revelate Designs Sweetroll Handlebar Bag
Weight: 15.2 oz / 431 grams
Pros:
> Well designed and durable
> Good capacity
> Dual coated waterproof nylon
Cons:
> Premium product at a premium price
The Revelate Designs Sweetroll is a popular Bikepacking Handlebar bag for good reason.
It comes in an 11L and 15L version with the 15L being my preferred choice, it is 7 inches by 22 inches (18cm by 16cm). And with its additional front pockets, you can store even more gear. You can simply stuff your belongings between the Manta flap and the main bag.
It’s made with dual coated 210 Denier waterproof TPU laminated nylon, so it’s quite heavy-duty and can really stand up to the rain and is 100% waterproof.
This system just works and is great for storing bulky ultralight gear on your Bikepacking Bike or Fat Bike. It could also be used when mountain biking.
Overall, this is the best Bikepacking Handlebar Bag for 2022.
Best Waterproof Bikepacking Handlebar Bag
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack Luggage Roll
Weight: 14.8 oz / 420 grams
Pros:
> Large 15-liter capacity
> Lightweight
> It’s 100 % waterproof
Cons:
> Premium product at a premium price
If you need a large-capacity waterproof handlebar bag for Bikepacking, you’re going to love this. The Ortlieb Handlebar Pack has a handy 15 liters of space to offer.
More specifically the 15L model measures 20cm by 58cm (7 inches by 22 inches). So, it is big enough to hold most of your camping gear such as your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mad, or similar.
It’s made from good durable material, and I can confirm that it’s 100% waterproof, and will keep your belongings completely dry no matter how long the rain lasts. And it’s lightweight at just 14.8 oz / 420 grams.
The bag has good attachment points and a mounting system that sits nicely on the handlebars. I also love the closures on the sides, because this gives you easy access to the bag’s contents when you come to a stop.
But on the flip side, you could argue that there are too many straps, especially when you include compression straps and draw cords.
Overall, this is the best waterproof handlebar bag for Bikepacking 2022.
Best Road Bike Handlebar Bag
Vaude Aqua Box Handlebar Bag
Weight:
Pros:
> Carbon-neutral material
> 100% waterproof handlebar bag
> Secure attachement system
Cons:
> 6L capacity is a bit small for some people
The Vaude Aqua Box Handlebar Bag is another high-quality bicycle handlebar bag perfect for road bikes, commuting, and bike touring. It would have been higher on the list except the Ortlieb model was slightly better.
First off, it is very impressive that the material used in this bag is carbon-neutral, so there has been no damage done to the environment by the manufacturer of the bag.
It’s completely free of PVC, yet Vaude has not compromised on the bag’s water resistance at all, and it will keep your belongings 100% dry.
It does have a small 6L capacity which is big enough as a front bike bag to keep smaller valuables very safe and secure.
It comes with its own adapter system, called KlickFix. It provides a very secure attachment but can quickly be removed if you’re in a rush. It comes with a shoulder strap, perfect for when you park up and need to take your bag with you. Just unclip and you’re good to go.
We were also pleased to learn that the Vaude handlebar bag comes backed by a very lengthy 5-year manufacturer guarantee.
Overall, this is the best road bike handlebar bag that is perfect for commuting, day rides, and touring.
Best Budget Handlbar Bag
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag Black
Weight:
Pros:
> 8 liter capacity
> Budget price
> Has an air bleed valve
> Comes with a waterproof bag
Cons:
> Most people prefer a slightly bigger option
The Topeak Frontloader is a solid budget option for this wanting a good front handlebar bag for Bikepacking.
It has a large, 8 liter capacity and an air release button to allow you to compress as much gear as you can into the bag. It is the prefect size to store clothes or your sleeping bag or sleeping pad.
It comes complete with a removable waterproof dry bag, so no matter how bad the downpour, your gear will remain dry. The bag easily and securely mounts to the handlebar, with adjustable straps to fit most bikes.
Overall, this is a good budget handlebar bag for commuting, road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and Bikepacking.
More Bicycle Handlebar Bags
Rock Bros Bikepacking Bike Handlebar Bag
Weight: 1 lb. 8 oz / 700 grams
Pros:
> Bargain, affordable price tag
> Adjustable capacity to 14 liters
> 5 fixed points to secure your gear
Cons:
> The mounting hardware could be better
The Rock Bros Bikepacking bag is another good budget option. Not only is it reasonably priced but it is reasonable quality, although not as high quality as the Revelate Designs or Ortlieb bags.
It has an adjustable capacity, you can either keep it at a short 7 liters for your valuables or stretch it out twice as long, to its full 14-liter capacity, so you can stuff a sleeping bag in there and a change of clothes. Or even a 3-person tent.
You can also attach extra gear using the exterior straps, or the external elastic cords. And there are 5 fixed points to ensure your gear remains properly secure. It’s made with high-strength, tear-resistant 600 denier nylon, complete with a TPU film that is 100% waterproof.
Overall, this is another great budget Bicycle Handlebar bag.
The Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll and Dry Bag is a premium quality handlebar bag. It would have been higher on the list except the Revelate Design bag is slightly better and at a cheaper price.
The Blackburn Outpost Elite setup is very durable due to the slightly heavier weight, compared to others in this review. If you are looking to carry a slightly heavier load, this could be the bag for you.
It has a stable and rigid platform and an aluminum frame for extra security and rigidity.
And that’s not the only feature making it one of the most durable bike handlebar bags on the market. It also features welded seams to make it both 100% waterproof and airtight.
This airtight enclosure also has a one-way purge valve which allows you to cram in a much gear as possible if you so choose. And the 14-liter capacity is big enough to carry your camping gear or whatever you want.
The kit comes in two parts, an adjustable harness that will fit any handlebar, and the dry bag itself. And the great thing about it is that you can access all the gear in your bag without having to uninstall the harness. Super convenient.
There are elastic cords on the exterior of the bag, and these are great for keeping wet clothes in to help them dry out.
Overall, this is a large capacity bike handlebar bag best suited to anyone wanting to carry a lot of gear.
Revelate Designs Salty Roll
Weight: 6.4 oz / 181 grams
Pros:
> Lightweight
> Good capacity
> Very good price
Cons:
> Needs to be used with a mounting harness which you need to buy separately
The Revelate Designs Salty Roll is essentially a dry bag that opens at both ends. As it is only a dry bag it must be used in conjunction with a harness system such as the Revelate Designs Harness.
The price of the Salty Roll and Harness is still quite reasonable and allows a good deal of flexibility in your Bikepacking setup. And it comes at a very reasonable price.
Overall, the Salty Roll is a good waterproof bike bar bag.
Buyers Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. You can use it as a checklist to make sure you’ve thought of everything before you buy.
Capacity
Most Bikepacking Handlebar Bags are between 8L to 14L which is big enough for most people to store some of their camping gear.
A Handlebar Bag for cycle touring and commuting is generally around the 4L to 8L capacity which is perfect for valuables, cameras, snacks, and sunscreen, etc.
Secure Fastening
The two different styles of bags have very different fastening systems.
Most Bicycle Touring handlebar bags have some sort of quick-release system and shoulder straps that allow the bag to be removed quickly when off the bike.
Most Bikepacking bags have a series of clips or velcro straps to attach the rolltop bag to the handlebars and frame. These bags are secure enough to handle being bounced around when cycling.
Waterproof Material
All the best handlebar bags in these gear reviews are waterproof. There are non-waterproof bar bags out there but they are best avoided. When it comes to the material being used in these bags they are not only waterproof but they are durable and resistant to abrasion from the unfortunate falls that we all have when cycling.
Speed of Installation
A Bike Handlebar bag is rather quick to install and remove. Bags that are specifically designed for bicycle touring such as the Vaude Aqua and Ortlieb Classic have quick-release systems that allow the bags to be removed quickly for time off the bike.
Bikepacking Bags take a little longer to install and remove but once you get used to it the systems are quite quick. While each manufacturer has their own design and style they are all very similar in their use of straps and clips.
Handlebar bags for cycle touring are much quicker to install and remove than Bags for Bikepacking.
Value for Money
Handlebar bags are not cheap and can really vary in price quite a lot. Some cost as little as $15, while others at the other end of the spectrum can cost over $100.
If you do have a budget you need to stick to, be sure to check prices as you go along. But like most things, it is better to spend a couple of bucks extra for something that is going to last.
Conclusion
Here are the best handlebar bags:
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, handlebar bags do affect the handling, but you can prepare for this by ensuring that the contents of the bag are as well-balanced as possible.
A handlebar bag is a great place to stash small and frequently used items such as your map, snacks, your sunglasses, and your smartphone.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process
The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.
The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.
BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.
