Evoc Bikepacking Collection: Let’s take a look! Evoc top tube and frame bags put to the test

Sun cream, energy bars, tools, head torch – frame and top tube bags usually have room for small items, whilst a warm jacket for the night and a sleeping mat are stowed in the saddle bag or handlebar bag. Ideally, frame bags should be easy to fit, sit securely without wobbling, be waterproof and easy to use.

Evoc has recently unveiled its new bikepacking collection – including the Top Tube Pack Ultra WP 2 and the Framebag WP 3.

We tested the rucksack on a three-day hike without staying in guesthouses – together with the Saddle bag (arse rocket) Seat Pack Ultra WP 7 - You can find the test here >>Seat Pack Ultra WP 7 review<<. The Handlebar Pack Boa WP 5 was too small for the multi-day stage and stayed at home – but we also put it through its paces on day trips.

You can find the rest of the bags here

• ​Framebag WP 3 frame bag
• ​Top Tube Pack Ultra WP 2 top tube bag
• ​Handlebar Pack Boa WP 5

What good frame and top-tube bags need to be able to do, and what Evoc’s bags can do

1 ​They must fit within the frame. It fits! Bag too big, frame too small – yes, that does happen. The Framebag WP 3 (47 cm long at the top) fitted easily into my 56 frame, and there was still plenty of space to spare. So the bag should also fit into smaller frame sizes. There’s also a smaller alternative: the Evoc Frame Pack WP 1.5, which is just 30 centimetres long. It’s a similar story with the Ultra WP 2 top-tube bag. The bag measures 45 centimetres and therefore fitted onto the top tube with ease.

2 It must be easy to assemble. There’s room for improvement! Evoc supplies frame protectors for both the top tube bag and the frame bag – that is, transparent adhesive strips onto which the fastening straps are attached. The straps don’t make the best impression: they aren’t elastic enough, which makes them a faff to fit. The fastenings also look as though the frame protectors are absolutely essential to prevent the hard plastic from rubbing against the frame. In short: for both bags, the straps aren’t ideal, as they’re not stretchy enough and are therefore fiddly to use. There’s room for improvement here.

3. She has quite a lot to pack away. Check! Neither the Toptune nor the frame bag is designed to hold large or numerous items. With a capacity of two or three litres in the frame bag, you can fit in the essentials and have quick access to them. The Toptube-Ultra WP2 also features a divider that can be removed using a Velcro fastening. The zip opens all the way – no complaints there.
The Framebag WP 3 also ticks all the boxes when it comes to practicality. On the left-hand side, there’s also an additional zipped compartment, for example for money or other flat items.

4. They must be waterproof. Check – both bags are waterproof. Even the zips can withstand a shower without letting any water in.

5. It must be robust and long-lasting. The finish looks high-quality. Unlike the seatpost bag, the material does not need to be creased or folded. We therefore expect these bags to be very durable. However, only a long-term practical test can provide absolute certainty.

In a nutshell: Toptube Bag Ultra WP 2:

• ​Capacity: 2 L
• Dimensions: 5 cm x 45 cm x 10 cm
• Colour: black
• Material: 50% polyamide, 50% polyester
• Weight: 183 grams (BIKE measurement); Evoc states 140 grams
• Price: 70 euros >> available here

​Quick & Concise: Framepack WP 3:

• Volume: 3 L
• ​Dimensions: 5 cm x 47 cm x 12 cm
• Colours: sand and black
• Material: 100% polyester
• Weight: 268 grams (as measured by BIKE), Evoc states 200 grams
• Price: 80 euros >> available here

Conclusion on the two Evoc bags: Framebag WP 3 and Toptube Pack Ultra WP 2

The two bags do the job – and do it remarkably well. Both the Framepack WP 3 and the Top Tube Bag Ultra WP 2 have room for the essentials: energy bars, a mini-tool, a pump, money and the inevitable tangle of cables. They’re straightforward to use, and the build quality gives the impression of high standards.

There is, however, one criticism: the hard plastic fastening straps. Softer materials would make fitting noticeably easier – and the included frame protection films would then be unnecessary. The prices of the two bags are reasonable.
Laurin Lehner, Tester