All-new Revelate Designs Gas Tank Review

Revelate Designs just updated its venerable Gas Tank with a new 3D-welded lid, a grippy top tube strap, and recycled fabrics used for the exterior construction and the interior liner. Find details and photos in our first look here…

For good reason, top tube bags are often referred to as gas tanks. For one, their teardrop shape is reminiscent of the actual gas tanks found on 1970s and 80s dirt bikes. However, that name was actually coined and trademarked by Revelate Designs when they first released the Gas Tank in the mid-2000s. This handy top-tube mounted bag was original in form back then, but its function was inspired by the classic “Bento Box” used by road racers and triathletes to store easy-access snacks—or ride fuel. The name was perfect in every way, and the Revelate Gas Tank has since inspired countless designs for almost two decades since its inception. It’s seen a few tweaks over the years, and today, it was updated with a few new bells and whistles and fresh fabrics.

Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid

The most visible change to the Gas Tank is an all-new 3D-welded lid. Made from radio-frequency welded PU-coated nylon, the new lid is designed to better hold its shape and help with a smooth, one-handed operation. While the Gas Tank isn’t waterproof—nothing stitched with a zipper can truly make that claim—the new lid also helps shed rainwater.

  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid

Another major change is that the new Gas Tank is made out of mostly recycled materials. This is the culmination of a long process Revelate has undergone to switch all of their products to fully recycled fabrics with a lower carbon footprint. The Gas Tank’s exterior is constructed from 200-denier EcoPak, a multi-ply fabric from Challenge Sailcloth that’s made from 100% recycled polyester and coated with a CFC-free DWR (Durable Water Resistant) finish. EcoPak looks and acts much like X-Pac, the standard material used in most bikepacking bags. The yellow interior liner is made from 200-denier recycled polyester.

Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid

Like its predecessor, the latest Gas Tank also features a reinforced internal closed-cell insulation layer, a weatherproof wrap-around YKK zipper that allows easy access to the full compartment of the bag, and an internal velcro divider that can form two separate chambers or remain folded to the sides for a single large compartment. Also carried over from the previous iteration, this one has a moveable, three-position steerer strap with a foam spacer. New features include an interior key keeper clip and a TPU-coated gripper fabric on the fixed top tube strap.

Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid
  • Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid

I have a ton of time and miles with the old Gas Tank, which has proved itself to be nearly invincible. The latest seems to be consistent in build quality, with a few new touches and material changes. The welded lid is sharp and the grip material on the top tube strap is an excellent addition. It’s also right around the same size—70 cubic inches or 1.15 liters—which I appreciate as I find the original Gas Tank to be an ideal medium-sized bag that’s great for snacks and essentials like sunglasses and other chunky items. Thankfully, they maintained a full-access perimeter zipper, an excellent feature that’s not available in most other designs.

Revelate Gas Tank, 3d welded lid

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