Best bikepacking seat packs for gravel and mountain bikes - tried, tested and reviewed
Top scoring seat packs that have been tried, tested and reviewed
Here at off-road.cc bikepacking is high on the agenda and we test plenty of gear including numerous seat packs, saddle packs, frame bags and handlebar bags. Here are our top rated saddle bags you can buy in 2020 for carrying gear on your mountain, gravel or adventure bike.
- How to go bikepacking: a beginner's guide to getting started
- Bikepacking basics: bike repair and first-aid kit
- 13 of the best ways to attach gear to your mountain or gravel bike
[Updated 20th August 2020]
The best seat packs you can buy in 2020
Varying in size and price, all these packs have been tried and tested by us and have scored over four out of five stars in review. That means you can rest assured that we liked them and we'd use them again on our own bikes! Scroll down for the full list in no particular order or hit one of the links below to jump straight to that bag.
- Lifeline Adventure Seat Pack
- Polaris Ventura Seat Pack Max
- Topeak Backloader 10L
- Restrap Saddle ag Holster and Dry Bag
- Apidura Saddle Pack (mid size)
Lifeline Adventure Seat Pack
£40
The LifeLine Adventure Seat Pack offers a reasonable 7.5 litres of storage within a single compartment. The ripstop fabric is strong, very waterproof and light – the whole thing weighs just 320g – while the Velcro and buckle straps are quick and secure. The tapered shape needs careful packing to stop the pack sagging, however.
Polaris Ventura Seat Pack Max
£85
The Polaris Ventura seat pack comes with all the core features you’d need in a seat pack; it's tough, fairly spacious and offers some nice details, but is slightly compromised by its fiddly attachment straps. It’s pretty good value for money but does have a slight simplicity or lack of refinement in the build.
Topeak BackLoader 10L
£65
The Topeak Backloader 10L is a reasonably priced bikepacking seatpack that carries its own waterproof stuffsack inside. Although you can get a waterproof bag of similar size that weighs slightly less, for its price and ease of use the Topeak Backloader is a brilliant choice. If you like the idea of the two-part inner-outer system for a completely waterproof luggage carrier, it's a good option right now given its balance of function and price.
Restrap Saddle Bag Holster and Dry Bag
£100
If you need to carry up to 14 litres of luggage but don't want to use a rack, the Restrap Saddle Bag Holster is an excellent choice. Unconstrained by frame design or bottle cage placement, it will work for just about any bike.
Apidura Saddle Pack Mid Size
£90
If you've thought about giving bikepacking a go – multi-day touring on places touring bikes can't go – and you're on the look out for the necessary bags and packs you won't go wrong with Apidura's Saddle Pack. Overall, the Apidura Seat Pack is an impressive piece of kit that's well designed, built and isn't too expensive either. If a lightweight touring trip is in your future, or even if just you want a little extra capacity for commutes, it ticks all the boxes.
You might also like:
- off.road.cc adventures: Elan Valley bikepacking bothy trip
- Big Read: Can you spend a night in the hills and still make it into work on time?
- The best gravel and adventure bikes you can buy for under £2,000
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