Best Handlebar Bags for Your Bike

Handlebar bags are the ideal luggage solution for those who love to cycle but hate having to stuff absolutely everything they need into one single backpack. These handy bags simply clip or strap onto the front of your bike’s handlebars instead. They’re perfect for long camping or bike-packing trips, with large luggage roll and harness-style options available for carrying lots of gear. They’re also great for those just trying to streamline their shorter rides, with mini handlebar bags on offer that are great for stashing wallets, keys, snacks and drinks inside.

Whether you’re taking on a long journey and need a comprehensive, jumbo-sized solution or simply cutting down on wind resistance by redistributing some of your luggage around your bike, there’s a great handlebar bag out there for you. Here, you’ll find a list of some of the best ones on offer, along with a few top picks suited to specific scenarios.

This cylindrical harness for storing handlebar bags and other items is perfect for those taking large loads on multi-day bike journeys. The open harness design allows for the stowing of dry bags, packrafts, stuff sacks and much more, without having to worry about maximum capacity or the shape of your luggage. It’s crash-proof, too and uses a fibreglass crossbar for added rigidity and strength.

The Jumbo Jammer from Road Runner Bags is the best bike handlebar bag for those who like a conventional shape but with plenty of extra space. This excellent bicycle handlebar bag has a whopping 26 litre capacity at a minimal weight of only 2 lbs, making it one of the most efficient picks on this list in terms of carry-weight. The Jumbo Jammer is available in 6 bright colorways, and what’s more, it’s made through a 100% vegan manufacturing process, right at home in the USA.

Ideal for bikepackers who need to travel light, the Ortlieb Accessory Pack is a small handlebar bag with a 3.5-litre capacity perfect for storing key accessories, valuables, or snacks to eat on the road. It uses heavy-duty hook and loop straps for a tight fit on your bike frame, and it has a waterproof roll-top design sure to keep the rain off even in severe weather conditions.

Chrome’s MTB handlebar bag variant of their Urban EX 2.0 bag brings all the features of their premier backpack to the biking space. This handy little roll-top pack includes a shoulder strap, reflective nylon bungee cords, and an interior compartment ideal for keeping frequent-use items separate from the rest of your luggage.

Ortlieb’s Handlebar Pack is a big waterproof handlebar pack in a luggage roll style, ideal for carrying small tents, sleeping bags, or rolled-up clothing items. This is a soft storage pack with easy access on two sides and elastic bungee cords to help keep everything packed in tight. Two reflective patches are also included on its surface to help keep you safe out on the road.

Vaude’s Aqua Box is another small handlebar bag, this time in a boxy flip-top style. It keeps things simple, with a small 6-litre single-storage compartment and a waterproof welded upper made from synthetic fibres. This box pack is available in Reflective Blue or Canary colourways and has been manufactured in a fully climate-neutral process, making it an ethical choice to boot.

Available in 2.5 litres or 5-litre editions, the Evoc Boa is a waterproof handlebar bag with a lot of nifty features, including a plastic clipping system that allows it to easily attach to your handlebars with a snug, secure fit. The 5-litre capacity is kept compact thanks to its roll-up design, and both the Carbon Grey and Yellow Loam colorways are subtle while still being eye-catching.

The Expedition Handlebar Pack from Apidura is a high-performance MTB handlebar bag that uses a reinforced attachment system for a super-stable ride. Bungee cords are included on the upper for the sake of holding a map in place, while three reflective graphics protect you with plenty of visibility. Plus, this luggage roll-style pack uses a hands-free air release valve to allow you to compress your stuff into a tight and compact size.

Roswheel Essential’s stock biking bag is one of the best handlebar bags for those navigating with a paper map, all thanks to its clear upper laminate pocket. This pocket is touch-screen friendly, too, making it the perfect option for navigating with a tablet or smartphone, or even just for those who want to listen to music on the go. The whole bag is water-resistant, and an exterior zip pocket provides a nice bit of functionality too.

The Ortlieb Ultimate 6 is a bucket-style box pack with a handy shoulder strap and an easy attachment clip. The flip-up lid seen here conceals an extra lid compartment, perfect for stashing away a bottle of water for easy access on the go, and the 6.5-litre capacity is more than enough for a few extra items of luggage too. It’s a little heavier than other bags of its size at 1 pound and 4 ounces, but the added functionality as a carry-bag gives it something of an edge.

This small handlebar bag from REI Co-op is a nice zip-closure option for those packing a few trail snacks or a small sweater on a morning ride. The hook and loop straps make for a simple, secure attachment system, and a water-resistant nylon upper is sure to stop your stuff from getting damp in the rain. Reflective hits are also stitched into both tags and zipper cords, making this a safe choice for riding in low-light conditions.

This truly epic luggage roll from Blackburn is one of the best waterproof handlebar bags out there. The Outpost Elite is a large 14 litre bag with a reasonable empty weight of 1 pound 12 ounces and welded seams sure to keep the rain off. It’s made for carrying heavier gear on longer camping trips, with a high weight capacity and an aluminum frame that stops it from sagging at maximum load. When it’s filled to the brim with gear, a scuba-style air valve can be used to compress the bag into a compact load ready for carrying, making it an ideal pick for those heading out on multi-day journeys.

This luggage roll and box pack duo from ROCKBROS is a great budget pick for those looking for a comprehensive bike handlebar bag combo in one single purchase. For just 70 dollars, you get two bags with a total capacity of 21 litres and a minimum weight of 1.4 pounds, which is nothing to be sniffed at on its own. On top of this, the bags themselves are actually pretty good, with a waist strap on the box bag and handy side closures on the luggage roll, plus quick-release straps for rearranging them at a moment’s notice.

Available in Pepper, Pine, or Blue Ink colorways, the Ortlieb Up Town Urban Bag is a handlebar bag for road bikes with a bucket-style construction. This large 17.5-litre bag is woven from Cordura fabric, making it highly waterproof and capable of staying semi-rigid even with a heavy load. It has a handy carry handle for when you’re on the move on foot, too.

SpeedSleev’s Diego is a cycling handlebar bag designed for road bikes and racing bikes, with a compact rectangular profile and a handy zip closure. Available in black or carbon colorways, this relatively small pouch fastens onto any set of handlebars with a pair of Velcro straps. The fabric upper is constructed from Ballistic Nylon, an ideal choice for deflecting rain and mud.

This fashion-forwards bike handlebar bag from Rapha is perfect for both a handlebar storage pouch and a trendy accessory. Available in 4 chic colorways, each with a pink two-tone lining, this little zip pouch is designed to be worn across the body, with an adjustable strap and two easy-click clips. Reflective webbing is included for when you’re on the road, and it doesn’t look half bad when you’re on foot either.

Another mountain bike handlebar bag with a flashy exterior, the Ortlieb E-Glow, is a unique tech-focused option. That’s all thanks to its reflective neon surface and integrated LED strip, ideal for turning on during night rides. The LEDs are easily charged with a simple USB cable, and the pack itself is easy to use, thanks to its highly secure magnetic lid.

Apidura’s Mini variant of their racing pack is a great little pouch for those cutting down on excess weight. This time around, the pack uses a lid-closure for easy access on the go, so it’s ideal for grabbing at snacks or a water bottle while in the middle of a ride. Reflective graphics are present once again for your safety, and two lines of accessory loops make the whole thing customizable to boot.

Another subtle, trendy bag from Chrome, the Helix Handlebar bag, is a simplistic box pack with many hidden technical features. This light 9.6-ounce pack has a decent 3-litre capacity, and it’s easy to attach thanks to its dual hook and loop straps. Two internal mesh pockets are included for separating your gear, and a hidden waist strap makes for convenient on-foot carry.

This Canadian-made pack from Arkel is another jumbo-sized option with a massive 25-litre capacity. It uses a luggage roll-style design with dual straps for security, each of which loops around an aluminum hanger. This helps to distribute its weight more evenly across the bike’s front, making it a great pick for those carrying large amounts of gear.

The Rapha waterproof bar pack is one of the best waterproof cycling handlebar bags on this whole list. This luggage-roll style pack is super compact, with welded seams designed to keep every drop of rain away. The polyester upper is PU-coated, too, so rain will run right off it, and even in cloudy conditions, you’ll still be nice and visible thanks to the reflective detailing looping over the pack.

This rugged, budget handlebar bag from Bravehawk is an excellent cost-effective choice. With a good 6 litre capacity and a bevy of nice features, this is an absolute steal at just 26 dollars. It’s a little heavier than other bags of its size, but it makes up for this with large exterior pockets, multiple accessory hanging belts, and a convenient Oxford shoulder strap for on-foot carry.

Revelate Designs’ Sweetroll bag is a large luggage roll-style pack with a wide profile built to fit onto mountain bikes specifically. This pack has an adjustable harness-style front flap to help keep your gear extra secure, and its extra-long profile is ideal for packing camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags. Welded seams ensure all your kit will stay dry as a bone, and dual entry clips mean you can access your stuff without having to undo the entire roll.

HANDLEBAR BAGS COMPARISON

Here is a handy table to let you compare the best handlebar bags featured in this article.

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