Stem Bags are an incredible bikepacking invention. They are the perfect little extra storage option for those other bits and pieces. They are great for storing things like snacks, a speaker, your phone, or used food wrappers. Quick and easy to access. Especially if you have a handlebar bag that is a little more difficult to get into while riding.
My motivation behind writing this article was my misfortune. Let me begin by stating that you get what you pay for and I spent only $10 for a couple of stem bags from AliExpress. Yes, I know! And only just yesterday one of the stem bags was holding a nice cold bottle of Kombucha, and I was riding some gnarly off-road sections. From all the stress and moving about, the attachment point to the stem on this really bad bag broke and left me dodging my bottle of Kombucha and preventing it from getting caught in the front spokes. So I have warned you! It is probably in your best interest to invest in some better quality bags than what I did.
What to look for in an excellent stem bag or feed bag for bikepacking?
Some better stem bags will give you more storage options than just a generic main compartment section. They also offer outside pockets and mesh designs that are very useful for storing extra stuff and keeping things organized.
Also, the materials of the better bags will be of higher quality. Generally, something like Xpac. Yes, you most likely have to pay more money for a nicer and more durable bag. But that is the thing. It is going to be so much more worth it in the long run.
Having all that said, I went out and asked some bikepackers what stem bags they use and can recommend, and this is what they approve.
- REI Co-op Junction Stem Bag
- Sturdy Bag Designs Feed Bag
- Revelate Mountain Feedbag
- TreadLite Stache Bag
- Apidura Backcountry Food Pouch Plus
- Rockgeist Honeypot Feedbag
- Randi Jo Fabrications Bartender Plus
- Wizard Works – Re-Use Re-Purpose Voila! Snack Bag
- Oveja Negra Chuckbucket
- The Spindle 40oz Crusher
- Sturdy Bag Designs Feed Bag
I thought it would be worth mentioning that you could get by without getting a stem bag. Yes, they can sometimes be expensive. You might want to look into getting a chalk bag that is used for rock climbing. As some bikepackers have claimed that they work just as well as these stem bags.
REI Co-op Junction Stem Bag
If you’re after an affordable stem bag with great reviews, I highly recommend REI’s Junction Stem Bag! A cupholder for your handlebars, it can hold snacks, tools, sunglasses, or even a 32 oz. Nalgene within reach, mounting on either the right or left side. Easy drawstring closure can be opened and closed with one hand, making for perfect on-bike access. Featuring a rain flap to help secure contents and provide increased weather protection. For the environmentally minded, it meets bluesign® criteria, (the world’s leading system for managing the environmental and human health impacts of textile manufacturing.)
Swift Industries Sidekick Stem Pouch
Keep your snacks, your smartphone, or repair supplies close to hand with the Swift Industries Sidekick stem pouch. It mounts on your bike’s stem or a compatible pack from Swift Industries, thanks to the MOLLE straps. The updated design features more attachment points for mounting the Sidekick to your stem, making it more stable and secure. Sized to fit a wide-mouth water bottle.
Revelate Mountain Feedbag
This Revelate Feedbag has been redesigned so it can be used with single-handed access, thanks to an innovative drawcord system. It is safe to say that this is the original feed bag. Back ten years ago, is when Revelate Mountain Feedbags started the entire category of stem bags. Designed to be an on-the-go aid station for endurance riding.
It is slightly larger than the previous version, allowing you to easily fit your beloved 1L Nalgene bottle, camera lens, and more. It even has an additional outside pocket for storing wrappers, sunscreen, granola bars, and other small items.
TreadLite Stache Bag
TreadLite Bike Bags are based in Adelaide, South Australia. Owned and operated by Scott and Mary Hawn, they are the dream team offering some high-quality, handmade bike bags for your next bike adventure. I have personally tested and used their Stache Bag, and nothing but positive feedback.
A lightweight bag design with the durability expected from rough bikepacking adventures in harsh conditions. It held up tremendously well for all the adventures I have taken it on thus far. Holding my big Nalgene water bottles. They also have loads of color options to match your personality.
Apidura Backcountry Food Pouch Plus
The Apidure Backcountry Food Pouch Plus is like the original, but it has a few upgrades. Again like most stem bags, this bag attaches to the bike with a three-point secured system. The exterior mesh pockets are helpful for catching empty wrappers, while a mesh drainage hole helps to keep the interior dry.
Also featuring a one-handed opening and closing system. The bag is made from tough body fabric, and a padded interior makes sure that valuables stay protected. The material that makes up this bag is waterproof, but due to the design, the bag is not waterproof. Which is not necessary for a stem bag. Available in a large 1.2 L capacity option.
Rockgeist Honeypot Feedbag
The Rockgeist Honeypot feedbag works well with Nalgene, Hydroflasks, bike bottles, or other large circular items. Well designed with a Dyneema® reinforced drawcord channel, an X-Pac™ collar, and closed cell foam in the body panel. So you can have confidence that this product is going to last. A lot longer than my super cheap stem bag. A well-thought-out design with a full-circumference daisy chain to get the best fit to your specific cockpit.
Randi Jo Fabrications Bartender Plus
These Bartender Plus bags are made from Waxed canvas, Coated nylon ripstop lining, and Foam Insulation. The capacity is 1.27 L volume (77.68 cubic inches) and a weight of 3.2 oz, 3.6 oz with straps. And yes, it fits a 32oz Nalgene bottle!
Wizard Works – Re-Use Re-Purpose Voila! Snack Bag
I love the direction Wizard Works has gone with these bags. And well, I love the idea of re-using and creating something that will get some great use out of something that was going to be thrown away!
They take the iconic Thomson® bags that their precious components come in and re-purpose them as new bags. Plus, 1 for the planet, and well, they also look fantastic. They also make some in a Maxxis design. This is probably my favorite only because, well, I grew up as a kid with Maxxis tires on all my bikes. Priced at £59.99, you save the environment too; it’s a win, win!!
Oveja Negra Chuckbucket
Trust me, these stem bags not only made it in this blog post only because of their name! Many bikepackers back them I asked for this article. Enabling fast access to goods while you’re in the saddle. Purpose-built around a 1L Nalgene and 40 oz. Klean Kanteen. The ChuckBucket has more than enough storage for everything you need to store in this cool stem bag, like, plenty of volume to handle snacks and water bottles. Again another one of these stem bags that feature a one-handed opening and closing lets you stay in control of your bike. Priced at $55
The Spindle 40oz Crusher
Recommended by a couple of bikepackers, not the biggest bikepacking bike bag brand out there. Named the 40 oz as it is capable of housing 1.18L water bottles. At the same time, including an elastic mesh pocket gives you security and additional space for your belongings.
Sturdy Bag Designs Feed Bag
These Sturdy Feed bags are made from either 1000D Cordura, or Xpac outer with black ripstop liner and closure. The attachment points are to the stem, handlebar, and under-fork crown, making it super stable on the bike. A capacity for 32 oz or just under 1 liter for each bag. Includes 4 pockets on the outside of the bag for snacks/trash.
Stem Bags are one of the best extra storage solutions for bikepacking. Allowing you to access food on the go when you need it easily. At least you can count on these bags to stand up to the demanding use of bikepacking. And completely prevent a bottle of Kombucha from messing you up on a gnarly downhill trail.
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