Test bikepacking bags: 8 bikepacking sets for your next gravel tour

The article was first published in 2025 and was updated in May 2026.

To start with the test: The price range for a set consisting of a saddle, frame, top tube and handlebar bag extends from 215 euros at Topeak to almost four times the price at Tailfin. The lightest sets weigh less than a kilo and come from Cyclite and Restrap; Evoc and Ortlieb are hardly any heavier. Most of the bags are waterproof and well made. The biggest differences are in assembly, attachment and handling. The cheapest set comes from Topeak and costs 215 euros.

Bikepacking bags: As different as the requirements

The choice of bag set is an important decision for any bikepacking tour, be it short or long: it determines whether your mobile household is organised, whether the bag contents are well protected and whether the luggage is stored on the bike in such a way that riding enjoyment and safety are not compromised, even under difficult conditions. Eight manufacturers took part in our practical test, each with a set consisting of four bags for mounting on the handlebars, top tube, saddle or seat post and in the frame triangle.

We turned all 32 individual bags inside out and gathered numerous findings. One of them is that bags with roll-top closures are more reliably waterproof than those with zips or lids, which always remain susceptible to water and dust ingress despite the sealing lips or overhang.

If you are travelling for a long time and want to transport a lot of luggage on your bike over hill and dale, it is important that the bags neither wobble nor rock and, if possible, do not creak or creak. The contact surfaces of the bags and the bike as well as suitable mounts on the handlebars and seat post are crucial.

Weight also plays an important role. Bag sets that weigh less than one kilogramme in total set the standard, but also cost a few euros more. Details such as compartmentalisation inside the bags help to keep things tidy; cords or tabs on the outside of the bags open up additional transport spaces with quick access, for example for a wind waistcoat or sun protection.

The price range of the eight test sets is wide. At 215 euros, Topeak marks the entry into the cycling transport business with solid quality. At the other end of the scale is Tailfin; the British manufacturer's bag set for 805 euros emphasises stability and durability, but places less emphasis on low weight.

Bikepacking bags differ in terms of handling

The biggest differences between the sets are in the mounting and fastening. Fixed mounts, such as those offered by Tailfin and Revelate Designs, are unique selling points in a market otherwise dominated by straps and Velcro fasteners.

Although the products mentioned require a little more time for the initial assembly, this time is saved on the road because attaching and removing the bags only requires one movement.

Bags with a separate holder are somewhat heavier overall, but score points with a secure fit even on bumpy surfaces, which is particularly appreciated by frequent, long-distance and off-road cyclists.

If you are looking for an easy-to-fit bag set for the occasional bikepacking tour, you will find suitable bag sets for just over 200 euros from suppliers such as Topeak and Acid (the accessories brand of bike manufacturer Cube).

Particularly light, particularly robust, particularly practical - bikepacking bags for all kinds of requirements

We summarise: The market offers a pleasingly wide range of bag sets with very different features that can fulfil a wide variety of requirements, depending on whether the luggage ensemble needs to be particularly light, particularly robust or particularly practical. The next bikepacking adventure with your gravel bike can definitely begin!

Acid bikepacking set

• Cube Acid Saddlebag Pack Pro 15
• Cube Acid frame bag Pack Pro 3
• Cube Acid Handlebar Bag Pack Pro 15

• Set price: 285 Euro
• Volume: 33.7 litres
• Weight: 1.9 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,5

Conclusion

Acid is Cube's own brand and offers a lot of bikepacking bag for the money. The saddle bag and handlebar bag with roll closure can be removed from the holster, which is practical and shortens loading times. At just under two kilos with a volume of 34 litres, the set is one of the heaviest in the test.

Cyclite Bikepacking Set

• Cyclite Saddle Bag / 02 >> available here
• Cyclite Top Tube Bag / 02 >> available here
• Cyclite Frame Bag XT / 02 >> available here
• Cyclite Handle Bar Roll Bag / 02 >> available here

• Set price: 525 Euro
• Volume: 29.8 litres
• Weight: 0.9 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,3

Conclusion

Cyclite - the German manufacturer's claim is lightweight construction. The set weight of 900 grams for 30 litres of storage space does full justice to this. Many good and well thought-out details.

Evoc Bikepacking Set

• Evoc Seat Pack Boa WP 8 >> available here
• Evoc Frame Pack WP >> available here
• Evoc Top Tube Pack WP >> available here
• Evoc Handlebar Pack Boa WP 5 >> available here

• Set price: 410 Euro
• Volume: 17.3 litres
• Weight: 1.1 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,9

Conclusion

The Evoc set is one of the lightest bikepacking bags in the test, but offers less storage space. The short assembly time is great; the complete set is on the bike in a maximum of ten minutes. The Boa fasteners are practical, but offer little traction.

Ortlieb Bikepacking Set

• Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11 L >> available here
• Ortlieb Frame Pack RC Toptube 4 L >> available here
• Ortlieb Fuel Back >> available here
• Ortlieb Velo Sling >> available here

• Set price: 420 Euro
• Volume: 19 litres
• Weight: 1 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,6

Conclusion

The bikepacking set from German bike bag pioneer Ortlieb is in a similar league to Evoc in terms of price, weight and storage space, but protects the contents a little better thanks to its perfect roll-top fasteners. The frame and top tube bag fall slightly short in terms of handling and grip.

Restrap Bikepacking Set

• Restrap Race Saddle Bag >> available here
• Restrap Race Frame Bag Large >> available here
• Restrap Bolt-On Top Tube Bag 1L >> available here
• Restrap Race Bar Bag >> available here

• Set price: 468 Euro
• Volume: 19.4 litres
• Weight: 0.9 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,8

Conclusion

The bikepacking set from Restrap weighs less than a kilo, is very flexible, but does not offer as much storage space as the Cyclite set of the same weight. Assembly is quick and easy; good equipment details such as magnetic fasteners or the compartmentalisation of the frame bags. The material rustles.

Revelate Bikepacking Set

• Set price: 695 Euro
• Volume: 36 litres
• Weight: 1.8 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,7

Conclusion

Robust and well thought-out set from the USA; due to its design, the Revelate set is comparatively heavy, but with plenty of storage space. Thanks to the Spinelock mount, the saddle bag cannot wobble while riding. The frame and top tube bags could protect their contents better from moisture and dust.

Tailfin Bikepacking Set

• Set price: 805 Euro
• Volume: 35.1 litres
• Weight: 2.3 kilogramme
• Set note: 1,4

Conclusion

Although the bikepacking set from Tailfin is the most expensive and heaviest set in the test, it seems indestructible and made for continuous use. Even when fully loaded, the bike remains very stable and the luggage is well protected. Requires more time for initial assembly, but then convinces with very easy attachment and removal of handlebar and rear bag.

Topeak Bikepacking Set

• Topeak Backloader X >> available here
• Topeak Midloader 4.5 >> available here
• Topeak Fast Fuel Dry Bag II >> available here
• Topeak Frontloader >> available here

• Set price: 215 Euro
• Volume: 38.3 litres
• Weight: 1.5 kilogramme
• Set note: 2,2

Conclusion

Topeak's complete set is tightly priced and a recommendation for the first or only occasional gravel escapes; holsters for the saddlebag and handlebar bag make handling easier. In the long run, details such as the bulbous frame bag when fully loaded, the slightly wobbling saddle bag or the sometimes snaggy strap fasteners can be annoying.

The test procedure

For the overall rating of the bag sets, we weighted the individual bags differently. Due to its complex design, the saddle bag has the largest share with 40 per cent, followed by the frame bag and the handlebar bag with 25 per cent each and the top tube bag with 10 per cent. We weighted the four product criteria of waterproofness, features/workmanship, assembly/holding and handling equally with 25 per cent each.

Watertightness

The sets of bags were each watered with a defined jet of water for ten minutes. Paper handkerchiefs inside served as a moisture indicator. The roll-top fasteners - minimum impact three turns - all held tight, while water penetrated zips or glued seams on frame and top tube bags.

Equipment / Processing

Most of the bags were well made; we found minor flaws in some of the handlebar bag fastenings or in the seams of the top tube and frame bags. Equipment details such as additional straps on handlebar or saddle bags, compression valves or useful fastening parts were rated positively.

Mounting / Hold

During the initial assembly of the sets, we measured the time from unpacking to the fully equipped bike. This is very quick with Evoc, for example, while the adapter assembly for the handlebar and saddle bag from Tailfin requires skill and patience. In return, the set impresses with the best grip in any riding situation and on any terrain.

Handling

With some manufacturers, it takes more practice than with others to get used to using them. Ortlieb's frame bag with roll closure, for example, has an easily accessible loading compartment, but is slightly bulbous and interferes with your knees when pedalling. The quick-release fastener on the Tailfin is practical, allowing the bag to be unlocked and removed with a lever.