I was in the market for some dry bags for my bikepacking setup. So I could use them for storing stuff and attaching them to my front fork cage. And also potentially getting one to mount to the handlebars as a handlebar bag with the help of a bikepacking harness.
I wrote a complete article about some of the best bikepacking handlebar harnesses, if you are interested in that go check it out. Then in a article about some of the best fork cage mounts, I touched on a couple dry bag options that you can use. But in this post I wanted to take that a step further and dive deeper into bikepacking dry bags and really see what the best options are out there. The great thing about dry bags as the name suggests is that they are waterproof. Which is a important factor when it comes to bikepacking and keeping your gear bone dry.
When I was looking for dry bags I was also concerned with the abrasion resistance of such bags. They are no doubt going to get abused and warn down from the demands of adventure cycling. So I asked bikepackers what dry bags they have been using and what they can recommend. There was some concerns with a couple bags, especially some of the Sea to Summit line. They make so many products and are great, but on of there cheaper bags didn’t hold up so well. But you can be sure that all these dry bags in this article are recommend by practitioners and people who actually use these products and can give you some confidence that they are going to stand up for your needs on the road.
Some seat bags are designed to have a harness with a dry bag attached at the rear. We are going to exclude this type of product from this article as. Most of these saddle bag harness/mounts are designed to fit very specific dry bags that are sold with the seat pack system.
I was considering Alpkit but they used to make very durable stuff years ago, but the current ones are thinner and definitely not as strong or abrasion resistant.
Especially when it comes to strapping these types of bags to a bike they are exposed to abrasion and the likes, so having highly durable bags is super important.
Revelate Design
They are always making some the best in the industry. They offer a handlebar bag named the SaltyRoll Handlebar Pack which has dry bag properties and designs. it has roll down closures on both sides. You can use it with a handlebar harness or some other carrying system. It has webbing daisy chain allows for a multitude of strap placements. Slot the straps on the Harness through the loops to keep the bag centered. has a 7″ diameter, 24″ maximum length (3 rolls of closure each end). And weighs 6.2 oz or 176 grams and gives you up to 15L storage capacity. Priced at $38
For a front fork dry bag option from Revelate Designs you can get something like the Polecat Fork-Mounted Dry Bag. This bag and most of high quality dry bags are reinforced. This bag particularly with Hypalon urethane to protect it from bolt heads and abrasion from the cage. Adding an extra 3.5 liters each dry bag to your bikepacking setup. And weighing in at only 3.7 ounces or 105 grams. Priced at $42 each.
Sea to Summit
I did mention that S2S had some dry bags to look out for, as they didn’t hold up to wear and tare of bikepacking. But rest assured these Big River Bags are recommended by many of the bikepackers I asked, and they stand up to the heavy while bike traveling. You get so many options form colors and capacity. From 3L to 65L with many different capacities in between to suit your purpose for these dry bags. If you are after some for your cargo cages/fork cages then something like the 3L or 5L or even up to 8L would work well. They are priced from $24.95, $29.95 and $32.95 . These bags do feature hypalon attachment points to secure the sack to your cargo cage. Depending on how much space you ant you could run a 12L dry bag in your handlebar harness or even try for something bigger maybe get 15L or even 20L?
Aqua Quest Rogue Dry Bags
Rogue dry bags have been recommend from a bikepacker that said “they have 3 options, light, medium and heavy duty. They are great bags”. The Rogue dry bags keep your valuables safe from rain, snow, dirt, dust, or sand, and even quick temporary submersion. Fully waterproof and built to protect against the harshest elements, the Rogue is your choice for tactical, bushcraft, camping, and survival storage needs. The come in sizes 10, 20, 30, 60, 100 L and with a lifetime warranty. Priced from $59.99
Frogg Toggs Dry Bags
The 10L bags would be ideal for cargo cages, and are said to be tough as nails from some bikepackers who use them. Made from a high-frequency welded PVC Tarpaulin. With a roll-down, click-lock closure. Adjustable over-the-shoulder carrying strap and includes a removable, insulated cooler insert. Prices start from $24.99
Exped Endura Dry Bags
These Exped Endura heavy duty packsacks made of supple laminated fabric and useful features. In addition to durable fabric, the Fold Drybag Endura is built with sturdy aluminium carabiners to lock the roll-top closure. These allow the roll-top to be closed conventionally or vertically by clipping into the lateral daisy chains.
WOHO XTOURING Dry bag 7L
Woho make some nice style bags, this 7L dry bag is perfect for your fork mounted open cage and also Fits WOHO Handlebar Harness. Priced at $48.62
Ortlieb Dry Bags
Ortlieb make some great quality products. They offer a huge variety of dry bags. I have some Ortlieb panniers and other gear and it lasts forever. Sp these dry bags are another great choice.
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