Review: ORTLIEB's bikepacking bags
I got my hands on the German manufacturer’s outstanding bikepacking line-up and put them to the test during northern Germany’s rainy summer.
After building up my Salsa Fargo, I was lucky enough to receive some German-made ORTLIEB bikepacking bags to test. The set included their Frame-Pack, Handlebar-Pack, Seat-Pack and Accessory-Pack. I used them for mostly rain filled bikepacking trips as well as some of the bags individually for after work rides with colleagues. I expected the packs to be of great quality, which is something I am used to from ORTLIEB's panniers, and I was not disappointed.
Just like other ORTLIEB products, the lightweight, durable, nylon material, which is PU coated, is high frequency welded to make the bags waterproof. This technique is superior to sewing and taping the seams. The Handlebar-Pack, Accessory-Pack and Seat-Pack feature roll-top closures that allow the volume of the bags to be adjusted, while the Frame-Pack uses a waterproof zip. All of the bags remained completely dry from the inside no matter how much rain was pouring down.
When it comes to prepping them for a trip, what you pack in each is a very important decision to make. For example, putting heavy items in the Seat-Pack only increases tail-wag and storing your tent at the bottom of the Frame-Pack only makes it hard to get to when it’s raining. Below, you will find a review of each type of ORTLIEB bag as well as the kinds of stuff I packed in them.
Wet and muddy, just like the bags like it.
I personally really like the orange accents.
Here is all the gear I pack, not including food.
No mater the weather, Ortlieb's bags can take it.
The Frame-Pack
With 6 litres of space in the large version, the Frame-Pack is the perfect place to store heavy / bulky items. I packed things like food, water, an Aeropress coffee maker, and when necessary a lock. Packing these items here keeps most of my gear’s weight located around the Fargo’s centre of gravity. Other great features include the robust waterproof zipper and the slip-free straps.
Mounting the Frame-Pack to my front triangle was easy to do and once there it stayed put. I never had an issue with water seeping in and there is a small Velcro strap on the inside that keeps the sides of the bag together so there is no knee rub while riding. Of course, the bag can be over stuffed causing it to bulge out, which might cause knee contact. However, this is another reason to watch how it is packed.
The Frame-Pack is perfect for storing the heavy stuff.
The Seat-Pack
First and foremost, this bag is huge. It can be filled from 8 litres all the way up to 16.5 litres, which make it a great place to store clothing as well as other odds and ends. The bag has a 8 litre lower limit because anything less and it cannot be cinched down tight, causing tail-wag. To remove the air from the bag when rolling it, ORTLIEB has integrated a waterproof valve which worked flawlessly. Overall, the pack was completely watertight, with nothing getting wet even after day-long heavy rains.
Another great feature is the elastic band on top, which is perfect place to stow a rain jacket or dirty socks so things inside the bag stay clean. One thing to note is the Seat-Pack needs to be carefully packed and should not be filled with heavy items. If it is not stuffed correctly it has a tendency to sag and wag around while riding. However, learning to pack it right only takes a few tries and I picked it up pretty quick.
With 16.5 litres, the Seat-Pack is a great place to store clothing and other lightweight gear.
The Handlebar-Pack
With a 15 litre capacity, the Handlebar-Pack is also not lacking in space for a variety of gear. Keeping things like you sleeping system (tent, sleeping bag and pad) together make setup easy when the day’s riding comes to an end. Both sides can be opened, allowing for quick access to gear and packing small items that are not often needed into this bag is a great way to use its huge capacity. One of the best features are the foam blocks that keep the bag away from the bars to prevent the bag from taking up valuable hand positions.
When riding drop bars like I do, the bag has to be rolled down pretty small to not hinder shifting. This cuts down on the 15 litres and I sometimes had trouble getting the gear out from around the drops. However, this was definitely not a big deal, seeing as my gear was dry and the bag remained stable, never bouncing around. As a side note, ORTLIEB is releasing a smaller version made specifically for drop bars next year.
My tent and sleeping bag fit in the Handlebar-Pack perfectly.
The Accessory Pack
This bag was by far my favourite. I used its 4 litres to pack everything I wanted close by like my cell phone, snacks, power bank, small rain jacket, gloves and other random items. It attaches seamlessly with the Handlebar-Pack through ORTLIEB ’s buckle system, but it can also be used by itself, which I found to be great for short rides after work or on the weekend. The roll-top was easy to close and also remained waterproof.
Easy to access, the Accesory-Pack is great for snacks and other odds and ends.
A well thought through line-up
Overall, I was extremely pleased with ORTLIEB’s bikepacking bag line-up. They are very practical, easy to use and of course, waterproof. Small features like the inner Velcro strap on the Frame-Pack and the watertight air release valve on the Seat-Pack set these bags apart from others on the market. Bikepacking is a real joy and with ORTLIEB’s waterproof bikepacking bags I was able to have fun even during the German wet summer months.
Having dry gear helps keeps the wettest of bikepacking trips a blast.
