Cycling luggage for beginners: find out the best ways to carry stuff on your bike

Everyone needs to carry things on their bikes, from a tube and multi-tool up to a week’s shopping and more. We look at the pros and cons of your options in loading up.

There’s no single best way to carry stuff on your bike. The right set-up for you will depend on how much you need to carry and for how far, what you need to do with it at your destination, and your personal sense of what works best for you. Let’s look at the pros and cons of the alternatives.

• Bags on your bike are comfortable, and good for long journeys; options range from tiny seatpacks to large panniers with enough room for a week's camping kit

• For short journeys and commuting, rucksacks are the most common choice for the convenience of having your kit just come with you when you get off the bike

• As well as being easy to use, cycling luggage needs to be very water-resistant, and preferably completely waterproof

• Look out for attachment systems that click securely into place so the bag can't bounce off your bike

• For a more in-depth look at luggage check out our guide to racks and panniers and have a read of our guide to the best new-generation strap-on bikepacking bags

The best cycling luggage for beginners in 2021

• Topeak Aero Wedge Small Saddle Bag — from £9.50
• Restrap Saddle Bag Holster and Dry Bag — £105.99
• Carradice Super C A4 Pannier — £49.95
• Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Pannier — £102/pair
• Carradice Super C saddlebag — £81.00
• Osprey Escapist 32 Rucksack —  £84
• Alpkit Gourdon 25 drybag rucksack — £31.99
• Proviz Reflect 360 rucksack — £69.99
• Topeak DryBag Trunkbag MTX — £68.28
• Ortlieb Office Bag QL3.1 — £115
• Vaude Off Road Bag M — £78.68
• Altura Dryline Bar Bag — £69.99
• BOB Yak with Bag — £509

Carrying small loads

You’re almost certainly going to need to carry spare tube, tyre levers, multitool and a pump — but where?

In your pockets

The classic three pockets of a cycling jersey are there so you can carry stuff, so why not use them?

Pros: Very convenient; goes with you when you get off the bike; no need to switch between bikes

Cons: Limited capacity; spoils the line of your jersey; need to find everything to load up so bad for disorganised people

In a saddle bag

There are literally hundreds of small saddlebags on the market, intended to provide a safe home for your tools, spares, wallet and keys. Bigger versions will take spare clothing too if the weather’s changeable or you’re out for an adventure. Lightweight cycle tourers have always used bigger saddlebags; the latest designs to come out of the bikepacking and adventure racing world are big enough to swallow half your gear for an overnight.

Pros: Tidy; contents protected from the elements; always there ready for a ride

Cons: Easily stolen; faff to take with you or switch between bikes

Carrying larger loads

Rucksack

You’ve also got a vast range of choice when it comes to small-to-medium backpacks. Many people simply press into service a hiking daypack, but there are plenty of bags designed for cycling, intended either for commuting or mountain biking. The latter usually have a slot for a drinking bladder, which you’re unlikely to need unless it’s a very long way to the office.

Pros: Flexible – you can carry a little or a lot; goes with you when you get off the bike

Cons: Can be floppy if under-filled; sweaty back; uncomfortable if over-filled

Panniers

The quintessential on-bike bags, panniers sit either side of your bike so a large load is balanced. However, there’s nothing to stop you using just one if all you need is to carry a day’s worth of office stuff.

You’ll need a rack to hang them on, at which point you have to decide whether you want that rack on the back of the bike or on the fork.

A rear rack is traditional if it’s going to be the only place you hang luggage, but there’s a school of thought that says low-rider front panniers are actually better. Very heavy rear panniers can dramatically affect the handling of your bike, causing the back end to wag around. Because the weight is close to the steering axis of the bike, low-rider front panniers have far less effect. You only get that advantage with a low-rider rack though; large, heavily-laden front panniers up high are a bad idea.

Pros: Comfortable; large capacity

Cons: Many are awkward to carry off the bike; easily stolen if left on the bike; negative effect on handling

Trailer

If you want to carry a week’s shopping in one go, load up a lightweight bike for a camping trip, or run any number of errands then it’s worth considering a trailer. You may be able to unhitch the trailer leaving the bike almost bare, which is handy if you’re going to stay at a base and ride out from there

Pros: Capable of carrying large and inconvenient loads up to and including dogs and small children; minimal effect on bike handling;

Cons: Heavy; expensive; an extra thing to lock when parked

Handlebar bag

Associated with old-school cycle touring, handlebar bags are actually one of the unsung heroes of the bike luggage world. A bar bag with quick release mount is a great place for the essentials for leisurely riding such as snacks and a compact camera. Modern bar bags have attachment systems that make it very easy to quickly take the bag off the bike so you can take your valuables with you while you stroll around taking in the sights.

Pros: Handy place to carry on-ride essentials; easy to take with you

Cons: Negative effect on handling if over-loaded; awkward to fit if brake/gear levers have side-exit cables

Recommended bags

With those general points in mind, here's a selection of good bags that illustrate the sort of thing you should be looking for in a range of different applications.

Topeak Aero Wedge Small Saddle Bag — from £10.99

There are vast numbers of small under-seat packs like this around, but Topeak is particularly good at them. Topeak's bags are sturdy, easy to access and the clip-on versions all fit the same mount, so you can easily switch them between bikes, or have different sizes according to how much you need to carry.

This one has a semi-rigid construction with a good quality zip that goes all the way round. There's a reflective patch, and a light loop too. Inside there's enough space for a tube, levers, a tool and a puncture kit.

Find a Topeak dealer

Restrap Saddle Bag Holster and Dry Bag — £109.99

At the other end of the scale from bags like the Aero Wedge are honking great saddlepacks designed for lightweight touring in its new guise of 'adventure riding'. The Restrap Saddle Bag Holster is a great example. It can carry up to 14 litres of stuff without any need for a rack. Unconstrained by frame design or bottle cage placement, it will work for just about any bike.

Assuming black is the new black (again), the Holster is bang on the minimalist, pseudo-military-utility trend in adventure kit. Made from 1000D Cordura wrapped over a plastic hardshell to maintain its shape, swathed in nylon webbing and held together not by stitching but instead tough cord through metal eyelets, the Holster looks like it will take a real beating year after year. At well over half a kilo it's definitely no lightweight, but what price durability and peace of mind?

Read our review of the Restrap Saddle Bag Holster and Dry Bag

Carradice Super C A4 Pannier — £49.95

Carradice luggage has a well deserved reputation among mile-eaters for being tough, no-nonsense and durable. Their Super C A4 pannier, specifically designed - as its name implies - to take A4 files and similarly shaped objects, certainly lives up to that.

As with everything in their Super C range, it's made from cotton duck, a traditional heavy, waterproof waxed cotton fabric. Cotton duck is incredibly hard-wearing and will keep your stuff dry for decades to come. It can be repaired easily by stitching or gluing, and can be reproofed with reproofing wax. A pretty good choice to make bike luggage out of then. It also gives Carradice bags an idiosyncratic retro-look which you either like or you don't. I'm a fan.

The pannier is shaped to take A4 files, and does so well.

Read our review of the Carradice Super C A4 Pannier

Find a Carradice dealer

Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Pannier — £108/pair

A good set of panniers can be an investment that sets you up for many years of happy load hauling. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll see plenty of Ortlieb's Back Rollers on both commuters and grizzled tourists. There's a reason for their ubiquity - they're bloody good.

The Back Roller Classics (please someone, start a band; it's such a great name) take their name from the way they close. They roll up, with a single clip and strap holding them shut. It's basic, but it works very well, the roll prevents water from getting through while allowing enough slack to accomodate larger loads. Total capacity for the pair is 40 litres, which is about as much as you'd want to be carrying.

Where they really score is in the ease of use. The top hooks open and close when you lift the carry handle, which makes attaching and removing them a doddle. The retaining hook at the bottom is easily moved on an elliptical track to suit your rack, as are the top hooks.

Read our review of the Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Pannier

Find an Ortlieb dealer

Carradice Super C saddlebag — £81.00

The Carradice Super C is pleasingly simple, with one main compartment and two side pockets. There is also a waterproof inner pocket, handily sized for maps and route sheets. Internal organisation is nicely straightforward and if you insist on carrying extra stuff there are loops on the lid to bungee it on. Cotton duck is water-resistant and breathable, which means that even if your stuff gets wet in a prolonged downpour it'll dry out eventually.

Any load carrying solution is going to be a compromise between convenience, comfort and capacity. Pick any two, as the old saying goes. The Super C scores for comfort (the load isn't on your body and doesn't affect bike handling) and capacity (23l is enough for a credit card mini-tour) but it loses points for convenience as it's not easy to remove from the bike, and it works best with Carradice's bag support.

Read our review of the Carradice Super C saddlebag

Find a Carradice dealer

Osprey Escapist 32 Rucksack —  £99

The Osprey Escapist 32 is light, well made, stable and stylish, and performs well at what it's designed for: multi-purpose load-lugging.

The first thing that struck me when I picked up the pack was how light it was for such a large volume model (32 litres in M/L back length, as tested). It's mainly aimed at the commuting and mountain biking crowd, but also riders looking to undertake multi-day epics. It's a slick looking pack, with subtle reflective markings on ripstop nylon and stretchable nylon mesh, all attached to a semi-rigid back panel.

Read our review of the Osprey Escapist 32
Find an Osprey dealer

Alpkit Gourdon 25 drybag rucksack — £29.99

If you want super-simple, waterproof comfortable gear-carrying at a bargain price, look no further. The Gourdon 25 has one main 25 litre storage compartment with a buckle-fastened roll top, and a narrow pocket that can accommodate a 1L hydration pack. That's it. It weighs less than 450g.

For a bag that's so simple it's surprisingly comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps are padded, and there's a thin waist strap and sternum strap that keep the bag securely in place when you're in full flow on the bike.

Read our review of the Alpkit Gourdon 25 drybag rucksack

Proviz Reflect 360 rucksack — £69.99

The Proviz Reflect 360 Rucksack is a stunning way of boosting your visibility when riding at night. During the day the backpack is a subtle grey, but when a car's headlights fall on it, the entire bag reflects back the light.

As a rucksack the Reflect 360 fulfils its task well. It's spacious with a 30 litre capacity which is more than enough for a change of clothes, sandwiches and any other stuff you need to transport. There's also a laptop sleeve.

Read our review of the Proviz Reflect 360 rucksack

Find a Proviz dealer

Topeak DryBag Trunkbag MTX — £65.57

Topeak’s MTX waterproof trunk bag is brilliantly designed and a delight to use when paired with the brand’s range of compatible carriers thanks to solid construction and the clever patented quick track mounting system, combining limpet like security and effortless release. Extensive internal padding gives perishables a sporting chance of surviving rutted roads and bridle path alike but I’d stop short of risking cameras and other sensitive electrical equipment. The LED tab could also be improved and incompatibility with other brands of carrier might also be a turn off.

Heavy-duty 300/600-denier sonic welded polyester construction is built to last, offering excellent water repellence-even directing a jet of water from a garden hose over the bag for several minutes hasn’t revealed any weaknesses, so it came as no surprise to find the contents bone dry after several hours riding in torrential rain. 12.1litre capacity is certainly generous (although Carradice offers a 13 litre cotton duck model), the main compartment swallowing tubes, lunch, lightweight waterproof, energy bars, multi tools and pretty much anything else you’d want close to hand on day/training rides. However, some long shackle U locks proved a tight fit.

Read our review of the Topeak DryBag Trunkbag MTX

Find a Topeak dealer

Ortlieb Office Bag QL3.1 — £130.49

The Ortlieb Office Bag QL3.1 has an attachment system that fixes on your rack, with recessed hooks in the bag, so the briefcase looks more businesslike when you're off the bike. Or as Ortlieb put it: 'Flat mounting elements ensure smooth back side.' Yep.

The hooks retract when you lift the bag by the handle, so there's no faffing with catches and cleats when you go to remove the bag from your parked bike: you just pull up by the handle and the bag comes off, one-handed.

The Office Bag is completely waterproof as you'd expect from Ortlieb.

Its capacity is 21 litres, enough for any office-bound commuter's essentials. You could jam your bike tools, spares and waterproof layers in here too. The only downside is that the QL3.1 mounting only fits QL3.1 panniers, so you have to dedicate one side of your rack to it. Fine if you have a dedicated commuter bike but frustrating if your commuter bike does other jobs and sometimes carries different panniers.

However, it's also available for £99.99 with Ortleib's rather more conventional QL2.1 mounting, which fits pretty much any rack.

Find an Ortlieb dealer

Vaude Off Road Bag M — £62.53

Vaude bills this 10-litre bag as an off road bag, but in fact it’s a very good road bike saddlebag for rides where you want to carry a bit more than will fit into a large seatpack. There’s room for a jacket and quite a bit of other stuff, and combined with a handlebar bag it’s even large enough for very light weight bed and breakfast touring.

It clips into place on a Rixen and Kaul Klickfix mount that's fairly unobtrusive when the bag's not there and is easy to take off to carry with you.

Find a Vaude dealer

Altura Dryline 2 Bar Bag — £69.99

This seven-litre handlebar bag is made from waterproof fabric and mounts on a Rixen and Kaul Klickfix widget that makes it easy to put on and take off the bike, and Klickfix makes a computer mount that fits in the handlebar bracket for your GPS.

Find an Altura dealer

BOB Yak with Bag — £480.99

There are alternatives to the venerable BOB Yak trailer, but it's still probably the best all-round single-wheel trailer though it's not faultless. The trailer attaches to a special quick release and can be fitted and removed in seconds. The imaginatively-named With Bag version comes with a big yellow dry bag that will swallow camping gear and clothes for a week away, or several days' shopping.

With only a single wheel it sits tidily in the line of your bike, so for the most part if you can get your bike through, the Yak will follow. You can park a BOB-equipped bike by jack-knifing the trailer and the whole lot will just stand up, though you do have to move away carefully to keep everything upright.

The narrow shape and versatility are the BOB Yak Plus's strong points. We've even heard of people adapting them to carry small-to-medium-sized dogs. (Sorry Great Dane owners, they're over the 32kg weight limit.)

Find a BOB dealer

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