Best Handlebar Bags for Bike Touring & Bikepacking [2024]

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This is a gear review about the Best Handlebar Bag for Bicycle Touring, Bikepacking, and commuting 2024.

Handlebar Bags for Bike Touring are primarily used to store accessible items such as cameras, snacks, some bike repair tools, sunscreen, phones, lightweight rain jackets, and more.

Bikepacking Handlebar Bags are 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 it to be used off the bike as a shoulder bag.

Handlebar Bags are just one of the many ways to carry luggage when cycling. You may be interested in reading more about Bike Panniers, Bikepacking Frame Bags, and Top Tube Bags.

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How We Tested

All the Handlebar Bags in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Bike Touring and Bikepacking. The author has been bike touring and bikepacking on 4 continents and cycled more than 30,000 miles. Some of the bags were purchased and rigorously tested by the author in all kinds of weather from extreme cold of the Arctic to extreme heat of the deserts. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the Best Handlebar Bags for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.

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Best Bike Handlebar Bags 2024

The Best Bike Handlebar Bag 2024:

The Ortlieb Ultimate Classic has been rated the Bike Touring Handlebar bag 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 have used and tested this bike handlebar bag for several years of bike touring and commuting. During that time I found several handy features that make it stand out above all others. 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. This is perfect for touring and commuting.

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 and 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. During testing, I have been through tropical rain storms which still kept everything dry.

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.

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.

I have been using and testing the Sweetroll for several months and love the lightweight, compact size, and large storage capacity. It is 7 inches by 22 inches (18cm by 16cm). With its additional front pockets, you can store even more gear, especially rain jackets when not in use. You can simply stuff your belongings between the Manta flap and the main bag.

For a couple of extra dollars, you can increase the capacity and functionality by adding the Egress pocket which comes with a padded insert that is perfect for carrying a laptop when bikepacking. I wish I had one when I was a bicycle nomad!

It’s made with dual-coated 210 Denier waterproof TPU laminated nylon. I tested this bag in heavy rain and it is 100% waterproof. Not one drop leaked inside the waterproof bag.

This system works well after the short learning curve on how and where to route brake cables and gear cables. When I used this bag I found it to be perfect for storing sleeping bags, tents, tent poles, and other large bulky items. The bag works great on your Bikepacking Bike, Touring Bicycle, or Fat Bike. It could also be used when mountain biking.

Overall, this is the Best Bikepacking Handlebar Bag for 2024.

I’ve been using and testing Ortlieb bags for more than 30 years. When you want a waterproof bag, go for Ortieb. So when you want 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 ultralight tent, ultralight sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and more.

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 2024.

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.

The Topeak Frontloader is a solid budget option for those 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 perfect 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.

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. 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 as 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.

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.

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Bike Handlebar Bag Comparison Table

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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 bar bag for cycle touring and commuting is generally around the 4L to 8L capacity which is perfect for valuables, cameras, snacks, and sunscreen, etc.

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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.

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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.

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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 design and style they are all very similar in their use of straps and clips.

Bike bar bags for cycle touring are much quicker to install and remove than Bags for Bikepacking.

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Value for Money

Bike 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.

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Conclusion

Here are the best handlebar bags:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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