20 Best Bike Handlebar Bags in 2023 – For Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking Compared

20 best handlebar bags and bikepacking packs for cycle touring, commuting, road bikes, MTB, drop bar gravel bikes…! Reviewed and compared by the experts for 2023!

Some travelers do not consider the handlebar bag as essential for cycle touring, although you certainly won’t fail your bike trip without one, it’s still one of my favorite pieces of equipment when traveling by bicycle, and I often carry one also for my MTB and road rides.

Choosing the best bike handlebar bag is not easy, there are quite a few out there, some may be more suited for daily bike commuting or short bikepacking trips, while others are specifically designed to withstand the hardships of long bicycle expeditions.

With the rise of the bikepacking style, a new generation of handlebar bags has come out, and more and more people are considering the handlebars as a perfect space to store your gear.

In this blog post, we’ll cover both classic-style handlebar bags and bikepacking handlebar packs, trying to help you choose the best bag for your needs.

Let’s dive into the product comparison first, or you can jump to the bottom to read our general advice about how to choose the right bike handlebar bag.

The Best Handlebar Bags and Packs in a Nutshell

7 Best Bikepacking Handlebar Packs

• Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack 15L
• Revelate Designs Sweetroll Handlebar Bag
• Topeak Frontloader Handlebar Bag
• Craft Cadence Waterproof Handlebar Bag (3 Litres)
• Lead Out! Mini Handlebar Bag
• Rock Bros Handlebar Bag
• Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll and Dry Bike Bag

13 Top Bicycle Touring Handlebar Bags

• MSX CLS 55 MX – Best bike expedition handlebar bag
• Topeak Tourguide Handle Bar Bag – Best handlebar bag for tour guides
• OBOVA Bike Handlebar Bag
• Topeak TourGuide DX with Fixer 8 – Best handlebar bag for heavy commuters
• Topeak Compact Handle Bar Bag – Best compact handlebar bag for casual occasions
• Bushwhacker Durango
• Roswheel 111271 LOHAS Series 3L
• Roswheel Adjustable Waterproof – Budget handlebar bag for light bike touring
• Ortlieb Travel Ultimate 6 Classic – Best bicycle touring handlebar bag
• Ibera Bike Mini Camera Pack – A bike handlebar bag designed for cameras
• Vaude Aqua Box waterproof handlebar bag
• Thule Shield Waterproof Handlebar Bag – The biggest handlebar bag on the market
• Axiom HBAR WP Monsoon H-CORE 9+

20 Best Bike Handlebar Bags for Touring & Bikepacking
Compared
7 Best Bikepacking Handlebar Packs

1. Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack 15L

From 75$

Features:

• Material: PS21R
• Weight: 417 g
• Dimensions: 20 x 58 x 20 cm
• Volume: 15 Liters

Looking for the best bikepacking handlebar pack to carry essentials for your weekend trip? Well, Ortlieb Handlebar Pack is a no-fuss choice.

This brilliantly designed handlebar drybag from the bike panniers leader brand has a massive 15 liters volume that is enough to adjust your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and other small accessories.

If we talk about accessibility, the two side roll closures make everything in the bag easily accessible. Moreover, you can easily attach extra equipment with the attached compression belts and drawstrings. If in any case, there is a requirement for more volume, you can attach the accessory bag to it.

Lastly, the mounting system of the pack has spacers and two straps that feature extra-long velcro closures. These help in attaching the bag to the handlebar while maintaining balance and stability. It is also suitable for carbon handlebars.

Revelate Designs Sweetroll Handlebar Bag

From 115$

Features:

• Material: Dual-coated 210 deniers waterproof TPU laminated nylon; 420 Denier Dual Coated TPU
• Weight: 437 – 465 g
• Dimensions: 15 x 56 cm (H x W)
• Volume: 14-18 Liters
• Adjustable “shovit” flap for carrying extra load.
• A modular front system with extra pockets for storage.

This handlebar bag is another great product to opt for if you are heading out of your house for a trip. Its various state-of-the-art features make it one of the ideal choices for bikepacking. One of those cool features is its waterproof design with RF welded seams.

The astonishing feature is the four-point bungee attachment that can be used to properly fit the bag to the handlebar. You can even add a front packet by using the buckles of the bag.

This will help in keeping all the handy things together, plus it increases capacity. The fiberglass cross stiffeners provide strength to the fixing area. Lastly, it has dual entry to ensure easy access to all the stored items.

Revelate is a legend in bikepacking bags, with great frame bags, stem bags, and seat packs in their catalog.

Topeak Frontloader Handlebar Bag

From 58$

Features:

• Material: Polyethylene/Nylon
• Weight: 273 g
• Dimensions: 50 x 15 x 15 cm
• Volume: 8 Liters
• Comes with a waterproof, built-in air-release bag.
• It includes spacers and straps with quick-release buckles.

Well, if you are not looking for more volume then this bag will be a good option for you. As it has 8 liters of volume, it can be used to store sleeping bags, spare clothing, and other camping gear. The two quick-release mounts are strong enough to attach the bag to the front of the handlebar.

If we talk about accessibility, the bag has 2 roll side closures that enable easy access to the stored items. Moreover, you can also store extra items by using the two external straps. It also includes a waterproof bag that guards your gear against water, the bag also has a built-in air release feature.

So, planning a short voyage? Get going with this awesome piece of gear storage!

Craft Cadence Waterproof Handlebar Bag (3 Litres)

From 59$

Features:

• Material: 500D tarpaulin with seamless welding technology
• Weight: 250 g

This is the best handlebar bag for those looking for a compact, waterproof package that will store your day-riding essentials. The bag is also perfectly sized for a DSLR camera and a set of lenses, for those photography enthusiasts.

Featuring a unique clamshell design that is certified IPX5 waterproof, it is mounted on your bike through an innovative skiing strap-inspired non-slip buckle system which provides superior stability compared to velcro straps.

Off the bike, the bag transitions seamlessly to a city sling bag through the included detachable shoulder straps.

Internally, the bag includes a mesh pocket for small essentials such as phones and battery packs.

Craft Cadence is a UK company well-known for its commuting bags and they ship worldwide at very affordable rates to the US and the rest of the world. 

Lead Out! Mini Handlebar Bag

From 40$

Features

• Water-resistant
• Easy mounting
• Retroreflective
• Interior organization

Specifications

• 1.3L of storage
• 8” x 4” / 20.3 cm x 10 cm
• Weight is only 93g

Looking for something for everyday road bike riding? The Lead Out! A Mini Handlebar bag is our favorite for smaller loads.

Free up your jersey and jacket pockets and easily stash your phone, snacks, wallet, camera, and other accessories in this water-resistant handlebar bag.

The bag features a main compartment with a mesh divider to help keep contents organized and a small side compartment for keys or cash.

Quick-release buckles make the bag easy to add and remove, or switch between bikes. The mounting system also leaves enough room for lights and out-front bike computers.

One of our favorite features of this bag is the retroreflective stripe that not only looks great but helps provide additional safety on your ride.

ROCKBROS Handlebar Bag

From 75$

Features:

• Material: 600D Nylon + TPU waterproof coating
• Weight: 538 g
• Dimensions: 50 x 15 x 15 cm
• Volume: 7 to 14 Liters
• Comes with an add-on pouch for storing handy items.
  Long velcro straps for attaching extra gear on the outside.
  Flexible mount with adjustable height.

Now, this is a product that has it all! Yeah, this awesome product from Rock Bros offers you a variety of bags in case of volume. You can get anyone between 7-14 liters of volume. Other than that, it provides the ultimate convenience of accessing your gear via its dual roll-down closure at each end. This allows for instant and easy access at any time.

Moreover, the bag can be easily secured to the handlebar of the bag with 2 nylon straps that also have side-release buttons. The extra-large velcro straps with spacers allow you to add extra gear if required.

This roll-down type bag also packs another small add-on pouch of 6 liters. It can be used to store some necessary handy items like snacks, gloves, headlamps, etc. All these features make it a sure-shot choice for bike riders and explorers.

Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll and Dry Bike Bag

From 162$

Features:

• Material: Synthetic
• Weight: 795 g
• Dimensions: 10 x 30.5 x 24 cm
• Volume: 14 Liters

The Blackburn bag set is a bit different from the others on the list, How? Well, the bag includes an alloy, angle-adjusting faceplate. This can be easily attached to the harness to secure the roll bag cargo to your bike. Moreover, the set also includes a dry bag which is absolutely waterproof and can be easily removed.

The bikepacking handlebar pack has an aluminum frame that ensures a sturdy platform for carrying extra gear. Moreover, the welded seam construction of the bag provides a clean finish to the bag on both the inside and outside.

It also reduces the bulk weight of the materials and improves performance. The dry bag in the package has an air bleed valve that makes it easy to pack and as tight as you want. You don’t have to worry about leakage in this.

14 Top Bicycle Touring Handlebar Bags

MSX CLS 55 MX

Best bike expedition handlebar bag

From 90$

Mainstream MSX CLS 55 Features:

• Weight: 760g
• Max Load: 8 kg
• Clickfix system
• 4 x neodymium magnets
• Waterproofness: IP56 – DIN 60529

Dimensions:

• 25,6 x 23,5 x 15,4 cm
• Vol: 8,8L

We got to test the previous version of this handlebar bag during our recent North European tour, and we can guarantee not a single drop of water gets in, even under a serious downpour like those we constantly experienced in Norway.

This revamped version of the MSX-Mainstream Handlebar bag definitely sets itself as one of the best handlebar bags in the market.

Stiffened with rigid plastic on all sides, with a reinforced lid and the bomb-proof Click fix mounting system, this is as sturdy as a handlebar bag can get. It can be loaded with up to 8kg of stuff!

It comes with a flexible internal separator to create different compartments as the user pleases, it also has two internal pockets (one on the lid and one on the inner side) and two small external side pockets to ensure everything is stored properly and always on hand.

An additional velcro on the top of the lid allows you to put on a map case or any other velcro element.

Two side rings to attach to the included shoulder strap turn it into a very comfortable “purse” to carry on your walks. The strap is padded and doesn’t hurt even when the bag is fully loaded. If you are interested, here you can find our in-depth review.

Topeak Tourguide Handle Bar Bag

Best handlebar bag for tour guides

From 65$

Topeak Tourguide Features:

• Weight: 1.48 lbs/670g
• Max Load: 5 kg / 11 lb
• 1800/840 denier nylon
• Rain cover included
• Fully padded
• QuickClick Mount

Dimensions:

• 10x9x7″/25.5x23x18cm
• Vol: 5L

The Topeak Tourguide is a full-featured handlebar bag with a QuickClick quick-release bracket and shoulder strap that makes it easy to take it with you.

For extended touring, day trips, and commuting, this bag features a special space to mount your cycle computer, a clear map cover, a 3M reflective strip, and safety light mount for increased low-light visibility, and an included rain cover for additional weather protection.

Topeak’s QuickClick system is built into every bag they make. This Topeak’s proprietary quick-release mounting system allows fast and easy tool-free mounting and removal of the bag.

A simple slide and click and the bag is secure. To remove, a simple push of a button unlocks the system for easy removal.

OBOVA Bike Handlebar Bag

From 29$

Obova Handlebar Bag Features

• Weight: 0.64 lbs/290 g
• Materials: 400D Ripstop nylon

Dimensions:

• L22cm*W12cm*H15cm/ 8.7”4.7”5.9”
• Volume: 135 FL.OZ/4 L

This handlebar bag is a lightweight model, only 0.64lb. Not too large, not too small. It has a 4L or 135 FLOZ capacity main pocket providing enough room to hold your bikepacking necessities.

WATER-RESISTANT RIPSTOP MATERIAL: 400D ripstop nylon. An extra inner PVC layer enhances water resistance.

The DETACHABLE shoulder strap gives you flexibility. Extra front pocket & side pockets with zippers securing small items e.g. keys, ID, cards, or cash.

Topeak TourGuide DX with Fixer 8

Best handlebar bag for heavy commuters

From 55$

Topeak TourGuide DX Features

• Weight2.7 lbs/1200g
• Max Load‎: 5 kg / 11 lb
• Materials: 1800/840 denier nylon
• Rain cover included
• fully padded
• QuickClick Mount

Dimensions:

• 10.6”x10.5”x8.5” / 27×26.6×21.5 cm
• Vol: 7L

The biggest of the Topeak handlebar bags with its 7 liter of capacity. This super durable multi-featured handlebar bag also comes with the proprietary QuickClick mounting system bracket.

Designed for extended touring, day trips, and commuting, the TourGuide has a divided main compartment, a front zip pocket, a top pocket, a clear map pocket, a clip for a cycle computer, plus a 3M reflective strip and AlienLux mount for added nighttime safety.

Topeak Compact Handle Bar Bag

Best compact handlebar bag for casual occasions

From 69$

Topeak Compact Features:

• Weight: 1.03 lb / 470 g
• Max Load: 5 kg / 11 lb
• 1800/840 denier nylon
• Rain cover included
• Fully padded
• QuickClick Mount

Dimensions:

• 8.7x7x5” / 22x18x13cm
• Vol: 2 L

The smaller sister of the Topeak handlebar series, it’s a clever handlebar bag that converts into a waist pack. Great for cameras, cell phones, and other essentials you want close at hand.

Rain cover included. Divided main compartment, Two side zip pockets, equipped with QuickClick mounting system.

Bushwhacker Durango

From 19$

Bushwhacker Durango Features:

• Weight: 0.7 lbs / 340g
• Materials: heavy-duty 600 denier polyester.
• 3-point tension mounting system

Dimensions:

• 10x4x6″ / 25x10x15 cm
• Vol: 3.8L

The Durango is a cheap handlebar bag for those who are on a budget. It attaches to the handlebar with a 3-point tension mounting system. It features a large exterior pocket with a covered zipper and Scotchlite reflective trim.

This is a well-made bag for the price. If you are expecting high-end touring gear, this is not it. Although the plastic insert definitely helps the bag hold its shape, the bag itself droops due to the strap mounting system.

The Bushwhacker Durango needs a rain cover to be waterproof. A useful and cheap handlebar bag for everyday commuting and occasional touring.

Roswheel 111271 LOHAS Series 3L

From 19$

Roswheel LOHAS Series 3L Features:

• Weight: 0.62 lbs / 300g
• Materials: 400D Nylon, PU leather, PVC, EVA cotton pad

Dimensions:

• 7.9×4.1×6.3″ / 20×10.4x16cm
• Vol: 3 L

The small Roswheel LOHAS Series 3L handlebar bag comes with a built-in map holder. Made with 400D Nylon, PU leather, and transparent PVC, the whole bag is filled with EVA cotton for better protection and better shape-keeping.

Like most bike handlebar bags it comes with an adjustable shoulder strap. The Roswheel has a well-structured design, 3L capacity, one main compartment, two zippered side pockets, and a front pouch, beside the top map holder.

Roswheel claims this bag to be fully waterproof. It is attached to the handlebar using T-shape velcro straps.

Roswheel Adjustable Handlebar Bag Waterproof

Budget handlebar bag for light bike touring

From 60$

Roswheel Waterproof Features:

• Weight: 0.6 lbs / 280g
• Materials: PVC
• 100% waterproof

Dimensions:

• 27×21.5x 9cm / 10.6×8.5×3.5″
• Vol: 2.5-3L

Last but not least the Roswheel series of handlebar bags, is simply named Waterproof (Chinese brands often lack creativity when it comes to engaging names). This versatile and budget handlebar bag is fully waterproof with welded seams and a roll-top closure system.

While cycling, it’s a bicycle front bag. While walking, it turns out to be a shoulder bag, coming with a shoulder strap and buckles on each side. The PVC fabric makes it easy to clean.

Thanks to three velcro straps and two buckles on each side, it can be installed in a few seconds without any tools. The reflective LOGO print increases visibility at night.

Ortlieb Travel Ultimate 6 Classic

Best bicycle touring handlebar bag

From 45$

Ortlieb Travel Ultimate 6 Features:

• Weight: 1.57 lbs / 800g
• Materials: PD620/PS490 Waterproof Polyester

Dimensions:

• 8.3×9.4×5.1″ / 21x24x13.5cm
• Vol: 7L

Ortlieb doesn’t need any introduction. This German brand is leading the bike touring bags market for decades. The Ortlieb Ultimate 6M Classic has been tested by thousands of long-distance cyclists on countless bicycle tours.

Made of waterproof polyester, it includes a top reinforced with magnetic closure and the proprietary Ortlieb locking system that provides stability and security, once the bag is fixed to the handlebar, both the top and the bag can be secured with one hand.

Wallet, id, and keys can be safe inside the interior compartment with a zipper, which incorporates also a carabiner for the keys, while a detachable shoulder strap allows you to carry the bag with total comfort when off the bike.

The bag is suitable for bars of up to 31.8 mm and tapered handlebars but unfortunately not suitable for carbon bars. The front carries a 3M Scotchlite reflective element. It’s compatible with Ortlieb maps and mobile covers. The bag comes in two different sizes.

This is for sure one of the best handlebar bags for bicycle touring on the market, but the price is almost double the second most expensive one.

Ibera Bike Mini Camera Pack Handlebar Bag

A bike handlebar bag designed for cameras

From 40$

Ibera Mini Camera Pak Features:

• Weight: 1.45 lbs
• Max Load: 11 lbs (5 kg)
  • Water-resistant 1680D nylon
• Internal divider
• Click System

Dimensions:

• 9×6.5×7″ / 23x16x18cm
• Vol: 4.5 L

Specifically designed for DSLR cameras the Ibera Bike Mini Camera Pak is the small version, a bigger version is also available for those carrying more lenses or bigger DSLRs. The stored gear can be easily accessed.

The bag has a sturdy click mounting system which makes it suited for extended bike tours, besides daily commutes and day trips.

It fits large DSLRs, lenses, and additional camera accessories which are sure to stay in place thanks to the padded removable divider, with reinforced sides to protect fragile items.

The lid is angled with a clear map sleeve for easy viewing of maps or even a phone.

With multiple compartments, external bungee cords, a padded shoulder strap for off-the-bike use, reflective trim to add to low light or nighttime safety, and an all-weather rain cover shield, this bag looks like great value for its price.

Vaude Aqua Box waterproof handlebar bag

From 105$

Vaude Discover Box Features:

• Weight: 650 g
• Materials: PVC-free tarpaulin material

Dimensions:

• 28 x 17 x 19 cm
• Vol: 6 L

Another king brand when it comes to bicycle touring and outdoors, in general, is Vaude. The Aqua Box is a great single-compartment handlebar bag, made of fully waterproof  PVC-free tarpaulin material and featuring a strong and reliable Klick-Fix adapter.

It features reflective elements, an inner removable zip pocket, and a shoulder strap. The quality is very close to the Ortlieb but the price tag is lower.

Thule Shield Waterproof Handlebar Bag

Biggest handlebar bag on the market

From 60$

Thule Shield Features:

• Weight: 1.8 lbs \ 800g
• Materials: Nylon, plastic, steel
• IP54 welded waterproof construction

Dimensions:

• 9.3x12x7.3″ / 28.5x18x20.3cm
• Vol: 10L

Here comes the King-Size of handlebar bags. This compact but huge waterproof bag allows bike expeditioners to keep important items close at hand when traveling or commuting.

It keeps your phone and map visible and dry in the clear map sleeve, features a phone pocket, and keeps contents dry and dust-free due to the IP54 welded construction and the roll-top closure.

The visibility is increased thanks to reflective accents, and safety is added by the integrated attachment point for safety light. Quick access to snacks or other small items is made easy by mesh side pockets.

Note that some sellers do not include the mounting piece in the shipping, which must be purchased separately.

Axiom HBAR WP Monsoon H-CORE 9+

From 122$

Axiom HBAR WP Monsoon H-CORE 9+ Features:

• Weight: 0.45 lbs / 202g
• Materials: 600D Hydracore polyester
• Waterproof polyurethane coating
• Strap mount

Dimensions:

• 13×9.5×2.5″ / 33x24x6.4cm
• Vol: 7 L

Every bag in the Axiom family uses a new fabric called Hydracore, which guarantees 100% waterproofness.

The red interior liner improves internal visibility, the mounting system consists of lightweight straps and buckles.

The zippered main compartment opens towards the rider. A zippered internal convenience pocket for keys/phone, a bigger external compartment, and a shoulder strap are included.

Classic Style VS Bikepacking Style

The new generation of bikepacking handlebar bags is mostly rolled waterproof bags using a harness to attach them to the bars. They are generally used to store a sleeping bag or even a small tarp tent.

Although I find this style cool, good-looking, and maybe more aero-friendly, I think there are a lot of disadvantages that make the handlebar bag lose its original, and in my opinion most interesting feature.

These front bar bags usually, if not always, open on one side, making this almost impossible to reach the gear while cycling, most of the time will be necessary to untie the bag from the bars.

You may argue that there’s no reason to access your tent or sleeping bag while cycling, and my answer will be “so why are you storing it in the most accessible place?”.

Traditional handlebar bags, on the contrary, open from the top, usually with a lid on the side of the rider, this way allows easy and quick access to what’s inside.

Why you Should Consider a Handlebar Bag

This ease of access to some of the gear is just great. Having what you might need while riding within hand reach, taking it out without dismounting from the bike it’s a huge game-changer.

Besides that, most handlebar bags have a quick-release system that allows you to take them off the bike with a single movement and bring them with you as messenger bags using the included shoulder strap.

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FAQs about bike handlebar bags

Check also

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• 20 expedition bikes under 2,000$
• Bikepacking Bags! The Best For Each Category from CHEAP to TOP

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