Revelate Designs Burrote Review: So What?

Securing gear to the top of a rear rack isn’t a new concept. Since the beginning of bikes, riders have been strapping canvas tents and bulky camping gear to racks, for all the same reasons: securing your gear onto a solid, fixed platform (like a rack) is far more stable than a soft-sided bag.

This approach has gained additional traction over the years thanks to the advent of lightweight racks, more compact camping gear, and the popularity of dropper posts. With this came an opportunity for makers to design a new category of bags, designed specifically to lash onto the top deck of a rack—or put simply, rack-top bags.

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Why Rack-Top Bags?

Before dedicated rack-top bags, most people got by just fine with a standard dry bag strapped in place using a couple of Voile straps. This approach is probably still the best option for anyone looking for a reliable, functional setup on a budget, but the downside is there’s no overflow carrying capacity or additional bells and whistles. Some dry bags, like the popular Sea to Summit Big River dry bag, are extra durable and have integrated strap slots, but the average lightweight dry bag won’t hold up long against the constant abrasion of the rack.

Ride Forward Designs, owned by Jay Petervary, was one of the first bag companies to offer a modern, universal rack-top bag. I shared my thoughts on them here, but in short, the design was inspired by nearly two decades of ultra-endurance racing—but had a few new tricks, like different sizes, a roll-top closure, exterior pockets, and a bungee lace-up on top.

You might be thinking, “Yeah, but commuters have been using trunk bags for decades. Aren’t these the same?” Similar to modern, lightweight panniers, the new breed of rack-top bags weighs less, doesn’t rely on fragile hardware, and are quick to remove at camp. Most commuter trunk bags use rack-specific hardware and aren’t suitable for rugged, off-road riding. The modern rack-top bag is basically an overengineered dry bag, and they work surprisingly well.

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At Sea Otter this spring, we caught up with Revelate Designs’ founder Eric Parsons to take a look at a whole suite of upcoming products. The Hammerhead Harness stole the show, but the new Burrote Rack-Top Bag and Constrictor Straps took a close second.

The Burrote Rack-Top Bag

Named after a giant burrito, the Revelate Designs Burrote is a fully waterproof dry bag designed for use on the top platform of most any rack. It shares a few similarities with the Ride Forward Designs’ bags, including a simple roll-top closure with a side-release buckle, side pockets, and a lace-up bungee overflow accessory, but is much more sophisticated overall.

Instead of a sewn construction, Revelate used a weldable fabric to create a fully waterproof bag. It’s made from a 420D TPU laminated ripstop fabric that’s treated with a PFAS-free C0 DWR coating for water repellency. The darker reinforced components are made from Hypalon, a synthetic rubber known for its great strength and resistance to weather, chemicals, and UV light.

The front of the bag is tapered slightly to reduce leg rub and interference with dropper posts, which is one complaint I have with standard cylindrical dry bags. The base is reinforced with Hypalon, which protects the bag from abrasion but also provides some padding for whatever is packed inside.

There are two exterior 4-way stretch quick-dry mesh pockets on either side of the bag, with a cinchable, bungee closure to keep contents secure. Lastly, a small bungee lace-up at the top provides additional storage space for lightweight items or layers. The rear end of the bag features reflective details to increase visibility in low-light conditions, and there are two Hypalon strap keepers on each side to keep straps in place.

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The Burrote’s closest comparisons are the Ride Forward Designs Rippin’ and Old Man Mountain Atlas Pack. The Rippin’ has a 13L capacity, similar features, but is made with a simple sewn construction and cylindrical shape. The Atlas Pack has a 12L capacity, welded construction, and a slight taper at the slanted end. All three have side pockets and a top bungee, but the Burrote stands out with much larger mesh pockets that I found to be more user-friendly than others I’ve used. The South City Stitchworks Love Handles Harness is the only other option with spacious pockets, but the Burrote’s are the largest.

Looking at the comparison chart below, the Burrote slots itself neatly between the Atlas Pack and Ride Forward Designs Rippin’ bag as far as price and weight go. It’s heavier than the new Rogue Panda Picketpost top-opening rack bag, but lighter than the Rogue Panda Elden rack-top harness system.

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The OMM Atlas Rack Pack is the most comparable option, but it attaches to your rack using four fixed webbing straps and locking buckles that I found work best on wide rack platforms, not narrow minimal ones. I also found the Burrote far more stable than the Atlas Rack Pack because it’s designed for straps to wrap all the way around the bag.

Ultralight Mini Panniers Compared

The Burrote should work on any rear rack. Its max packed length is 18” (46cm), with a width and height of 7” (17.8cm). The exterior pockets are 6.5” wide, and the strap guides are 9.25” wide apart (center to center). The slanted front end is minimal, and only makes a small difference in saddle/dropper post clearance, but thankfully it’s not a very tall bag. If that’s a concern, the OMM Atlas Rack Pack or Rogue Panda’s offerings have more distinct taper.

Revelate Designs Constrictor Straps

Launching alongside the Burrote are the new Revelate Designs Constrictor Straps. Although they aren’t included in the price of the Burrote, the Constrictor Straps are an important piece of the puzzle and contribute to the Burrote’s functionality.

Unlike traditional gear straps that wrap around the rack and your bag/gear, the Constrictor Straps use four independent girth-hitch attachment points. Using four fixed straps means they physically can’t fall off the rack. They stay in place, and they can attach to any diameter of rack rail. They are made from UV-stabilized polyurethane with fiberglass-reinforced nylon buckles. Each strap is adjustable and long enough to fit around bags or gear with a max diameter of approximately 8.5” (215mm), but this varies depending on the rack used. The max strap length is 21” (533mm), but the included buckles allow them to be run shorter.

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The two sides of the straps meet in the middle at a Voile-style buckle. One side of the buckle uses a slide strap to dial in the buckle position, then closes with a traditional prong cargo strap closure for simple, secure access. The integrated strap keepers keep any loose straps tucked neatly away. Compared to Voile straps, the Constrictor Straps are stiffer and have less stretch, resulting in a more stable setup.

The only drawback to a four-point girth-hitch system is that installing the straps themselves is surprisingly involved. It requires removing all the buckles and strap keepers, then girth-hitching the strap onto the rack rail, installing the strap keeper, looping the straps through the buckle, and ensuring the buckle is flipped the correct way. The first few times I had to look back at photos to make sure I had everything positioned correctly, but now it feels like second nature. The dual-adjustment straps mean the buckle can always be positioned where you want it, and the girth-hitch means the straps stay put, even when attached in awkward spots on the rack where other straps would fall off. The Constrictor straps cost $29/pair and come in black or red.

Bikepacking with the Burrote

The 10L capacity of the Burrote has been ideal for warm-weather summer bikepacking trips here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s big enough to offer some meaningful cargo capacity, and is a great place to stuff a sleeping bag, tent, or camp clothes that you want to ensure stay dry all day. It’s minimal enough that most folks should still be able to use most of their dropper post travel, even with the bag pushed forward on the rack.

The stretchy mesh side pockets were easily my most loved feature. They’re big enough to hold actual gear, like a wind jacket, puffy, or camp fuel, and also make a great spot to stash a takeout burrito or cold drink on your way to camp. I’m always a little hesitant to trust anything important in bungees, but I still managed to find uses for the lace-up on top of the Burrote.

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The Burrote isn’t showing any signs of early wear, and the reinforced base is doing its job. Between the Constrictor Straps and strap loops on the bag, it’s nice to know that it’s nearly impossible for the bag to eject from the rack. It has remained solid and planted on singletrack, and provides some overflow storage for when you need it. $135 isn’t exactly cheap for a fancy dry bag, but if you don’t need the extra bells and whistles, grab yourself an 8L or 13L Sea to Summit Big River dry bag for under $50.

• Capacity: 10L
• Material: 420D TPU laminated ripstop/mesh
• Weight: 268 grams
• Place of Manufacture: China/Cambodia
• Price: $135 USD
• Manufacturer’s Details (Burrote): Burrote / Constrictor Straps

Further Reading

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