Bikepacking Bags

Five years after his last custom framebag, Cass Gilbert tries one of Buckhorn’s made-to-measure bags for size, adding a splash of color to his bike. He talks about the bag, the process of ordering one, and considers why going custom can be such a satisfying experience, especially when the maker is local and rides the same trails as you do…

We’re big fans of modern bikepacking-style seatpacks. They don’t require any mounting hardware—such as a rear rack or support—keeping them light and allowing them to be fitted to almost any bike. Given their limited capacity, they also help cap a general tendency amongst most of us to bring too much stuff on our trips. Holster-style […]

Thinking about having a custom frame bag made or wondering why you should consider getting one for your bike? In this guide, we walk through everything you need to know about custom-made frame bags, including recommended features, types of designs, and a thorough list of makers from around the world. Plus, find our latest video on the subject…

Updated June 2021 In bikepacking utopia, we all ride beautiful singletrack on minimal soft bag setups, perfectly packed with the latest in ultralight gear. In the real world, however, many of us aren’t always enjoying trail riding and our gear can often be bulky. Or sometimes we just need a little extra capacity. Perhaps it’s […]

Just released, the Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR is a rather fresh and modern take on the traditional top-loading handlebar bag. We got to put a couple hundred miles on one for this shakedown review. Find everything you need to know about this unique, waterproof roll-top bag here…

The Wayward Riders Louise Dropper Post Harness was recently updated with more tire clearance, added stability, and compatibility with dry bags ranging from 3 to 13L in size. We’ve been testing the Louise V2 this spring to discover how much it’s improved over the original. Find the full review here…

A full frame bag is the golden ticket for taking advantage of every last nook and cranny of your bike’s main triangle. When it comes to squeezing in gear and how the extra weight affects the handling of a bike, positioning that weight low and above the bottom bracket offers the best of both worlds. […]

Rogue Panda Designs has been offering custom-printed fabrics for a few years now, opening up endless possibilities for one-of-a-kind bikepacking bags. We just got our hands on a print-to-order bag set for an upcoming bike review and wanted to share more about the process and their partnership with graphic designer Kate George. Learn more here…

Outer Shell’s Hip Slinger is a distinctive take on the perennially popular hip pack. Think roll-top meets cinch cords, in an assortment of colours and materials. Cass (and Mildred, his pet rhinoceros beetle) try one out for day rides, campouts, and street photography alike. Find the review here…

In our final nod to the stuff of 2020, Logan and Virginia round up a dozen of their favorite pieces of gear that were special during a year of sanity rides, overnighter escapes, and local route scouting. Find it all here, ranging from pricey and odd, to cheap and game-changing…

Looking back on the year, Lucas rounds up 12 notable pieces of gear and experiences that improved his life in 2020, both on and off the bike. From affordable and practical accessories, to transformative upgrades, to a titanium dream build, find his Editor’s Dozen here…

While this year hasn’t involved as much gear testing as normal, for obvious reasons, Cass still has a dozen favorite items and experiences to share from 2020. Read on to find his full list of gear picks here…