Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
The updated Outer Shell Handlebar Harness is still lightweight and field-repairable, but it now comes with injection-molded spacers and a more secure attachment system. Check it out here…
I’ve been fortunate to test and review the last two iterations of Outer Shell’s Handlebar Harness, and it has proven to be one of the most stable yet simple harnesses I’ve used. It’s based around a durable, semi-rigid plastic sheet, similar to a thin plastic cutting board, with various slots that allow for simple adjustment depending on your setup. Two beefy XL Voile Straps wrap around the harness, handlebar, and dry bag, ensuring everything stays put on even the gnarliest terrain. It’s designed to be simple, repairable, fit any type of bike, and it has no moving parts. If you haven’t read it already, you can find my review here.
Outer Shell updated the Handlebar Harness for 2025 with new injection-molded spacer blocks that replace the previous foam spacers. The new spacers are narrower and stiffer, which should make for an even sturdier setup. They’ve also added rubber-backed velcro straps that stick to your handlebar to prevent the harness from sliding from side to side. It’s still compatible with Outer Shell’s optional Drawcord Handlebar Bag, which provides some handy quick-access storage can is a great place to stash a small camera or snacks while bikepacking.
The Handlebar Harness retains a lower fork crown or headtube elastic attachment with foam spacers, the entire system can be fully disassembled without tools, it includes two 32” Voile straps, and it works with bags 4″ to 9″ in diameter. It weighs 306 grams (10.6 ounces) and costs just $95, making it one of the more affordable US-made options available.
Learn more or grab one for yourself at OuterShell.com.
Further Reading
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