Choose the best seatpacks - group test
Seatpacks are widely used by mountain bikers for bikepacking, both on full suspension frames and anywhere a streamlined approach to load-carrying will make tight singletrack easier to negotiate. Accompanied by a handlebar-mounted roll pack and a frame bag, there’s scope to distribute a fair bit of kit around the bike without overly affecting handling.
Seatpacks on their own also offer considerable benefits to anyone looking for a ‘fast and light’ approach to bike luggage, be it for credit card touring, gravel rides or commuting.
They also offer enough capacity for overnight trips and are a solution for any bike without pannier rack mounting options.
The first seatpacks available from American companies required separate drybags to ensure they were up to UK use, so it’s good to report that manufacturers are now offering a range of waterproof products more suited to our climate.
1. Blackburn Outpost Seatpack
£74.99 from zyrofisher.co.uk
The Blackburn Outpost takes a different approach from the other bags here by combining a welded-seam, waterproof drybag with a separate cradle that attaches to the bike. This allows for extra protection from spray from the back wheel, though I noted some finer debris working its way into the space between the cradle and drybag, which needed to be wiped clear at the end of each ride. One advantage of this method is the ability to leave the cradle attached to the bike overnight, just removing the drybag when necessary. The drybag offers 11 litres of storage space. If you’re packing the drybag before fitting it into the cradle, take care to allow enough wiggle room to fit it snugly into the cradle. Once the compression straps are tightened, the seatpack is reasonably stable in use. Webbing at the rear of the cradle allows rear light fitting.
Weight: 478g
Verdict: Tough and not expensive. Separate cradle can stay on the bike.
2. Apidura Saddle Pack (mid-size)
This is the mid-sized offering from Apidura, offering 14 litres of capacity (17L and 9L are also available). It’s lightweight and nicely thought out, constructed from seam-welded, tough fabric, and vented
so that you can squeeze the air out when you close it. The top of the bag features a bungee cord tie-down, which is surprisingly useful for mid-ride stowage of jackets or as a drying rack on longer tours. The arrangement of compression and transverse saddle straps makes it a very stable bag in use. The rigidity of the lower third of the bag, which comes into contact with the seatpost, helps with this. The velcro used on the two seatpost straps doesn’t aggressively grab shorts material – a welcome addition. Two points are available for a rear light attachment.
Weight: 352g
Verdict: Lightweight and well thought out, and waterproof, but this quality comes at a price.
3.Madison Caribou Large
The Caribou is a 12-litre pack that utilises both a water resistant outer and waterproof inner drybag, a design that comes with a slight weight penalty. The outer bag features a rubberised bottom panel
to help deal with wheel spray, and reinforced side panels to aid rigidity. I found the soft top panel of the outer bag at the seatpost junction wetted out and retained moisture. A bungee cord tie-down allows a bit of extra stowage. The inner bag is an almost translucent yellow, which helps you find things inside. Being separate, it saves removing the whole seatpack from the bike, which can save embarrassment if you’re credit card touring through muddy conditions. In use, the bag was easily cinched down and proved stable over rough ground. There are fixings for adding a rear light, while reflective panels aid visibility
on the road.
Weight: 583g
Verdict: A budget seatpack with decent features. Inner drybag adds weight.
4. Ortlieb Seat Pack
The Seat Pack marks Ortlieb’s entry into the bikepacking market, but it’s backed up by a five-year warranty and the company’s considerable experience in cycle luggage. At 16 litres, it’s the largest bag on test. The Seat Pack is robustly constructed and looks likely to shrug off years of hard use. Reflectives and light fixing points are available at multiple points of roll down, allowing flexibility when packing. A one-way vent allows easy compression. There’s a handy bungee cord tie-down on the top of the bag. At full capacity, it’s a bit of a behemoth and prone to sway on rougher ground. Compressed down, it regains stability, thanks in part to rigid panels on the side of the bag.
Weight: 447g
Verdict: Very sturdy waterproof bag. Works best if not filled to capacity.
How to choose the best seatpack
Bungee cord tie downs
Useful for quick and easy stowage of spare clothing, waterproof layers, or short-term carrying of food shopping. Really useful on extended tours as a drying facility on sunny days.
Double velcro straps
Provide a snug and secure seatpost fitting. Look for the least amount of overlap or the use of non-snagging velcro to prevent them catching on your shorts.
Reflective panels and logos
Side and rear reflectives are a bonus. They increase visibility when using the bag on the road without any weight penalty.
Transverse straps
These fix the seatpack securely to the saddle rails and, cinched down, help increase the stability of the bag. Captive straps are good as they don’t flap around, which can be annoying.
Roll-down closure
Simple waterproof solution that allows easy access to the contents on or off the bike. Look for packs that integrate this into the stability strapping of the bag.
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