The Best Bike Handlebar Bags of 2024

Organization is also top-notch, ensuring that all essential items have a dedicated space inside. A small zippered exterior pocket is positioned on the left side of the main compartment and is useful for storing keys, or other small items that won’t need to be accessed frequently. Inside the main compartment, a mesh panel helps keep larger, heavier cargo, like a compact 4:3 camera or multitool stable and quiet.  

The Mini Handlebar Bag is also built to last and ready for adverse weather conditions. The exterior features 840D Ballistic Nylon Carbonate fabric, which is abrasion-resistant and water-repellent thanks to an environmentally friendly DWR treatment. While not fully waterproof, the Mini Handlebar bag will easily fend off mud, road grime, and light rainfall. Inside, orange Robic 210 Baby Ripstop fabric makes it easy to quickly spot the item you’re looking for. Lead Out! is committed to sustainable practices, partnering with the best ethical factories around the world, sourcing only environmentally friendly materials, like Bluesign or OKEO-TEX certified fabrics, and treating them with 100% PFC-Free DWR.

The zipper pulls are made of paracord, making it easy to open and close the Mini Handlebar Bag with one hand while riding. Heat shrink wrapping around the zipper pulls keeps the Mini Handlebar Bag quiet on rough roads. The Mini Handlebar Bag is available in black, gray, and orange, and a reflective stripe adds visibility for oncoming motorists in low-light situations.

At just $50, the Lead Out! Mini Handlebar Bag is a smart choice for the road cyclist who wants additional storage, or to carry little to nothing in their jersey pockets. The Mini Handlebar bag is ready to meet the demands of your most epic rides, with fuss-free performance and elegant minimalist style.

The dark gray fabric of the Mini Bar Czar is subtly decorated with a matte black Arundel badge, giving this bag a humble but business-oriented look. Its flattened oval shape not only helps the magnetic closure system to operate more easily but also keeps the weight of the contents closer to the handlebar, which minimizes bouncing on rough sections and fits a surprising amount of gear for its capacity. 

Arundel’s Mini Bar Czar is a great example of minimal design, not only in terms of its aesthetics but also its function, as it manages to eliminate the zipper thereby making getting in and out a much simpler and quicker task. At $70, the Mini Czar Bar Bag isn’t as affordable as most bar bags of its size, but it outclasses and outperforms most competitors. 

On the road, the Toro impressed us with its stability and did not affect the handling of our bikes at all, thanks to its low weight of just 140 grams. Stability is also bolstered by an internal frame sheet stiffener that helps the Toro retain its barrel shape at all times. We found the 1.7-liter capacity to be pretty ideal for everything we need from short loops to all-day rides. To help keep noise to a minimum, the Toro features an internal clip that easily secures your keychain. For those with larger storage capacity needs, Mission Workshop also makes the Toro Grande that holds 4.68 liters of cargo.

Operating the YKK zipper is easy to do with one hand while riding, even when the Toro is empty. The zipper track is reinforced and rigid, but the zipper glides smoothly and consistently in both directions. In keeping with Mission Workshop’s design principles, the Toro’s branding is minimal, with a subtle laser-etched logo incorporated into the black trim on the front of the bag.

Available in 13 colors, the Mission Workshop Toro will add plenty of charisma to the cockpit area of your bike and can compliment just about any paint scheme or overall bike aesthetic. At $105, the Toro doesn’t come cheap but is a premium handlebar bag with zero compromises and a great investment in making your epic rides a bit easier to manage. 

YKK water-resistant zippers are used throughout the West Coast Burrito, as well as the entire Roadrunner bar bag lineup. The only limitations of the West Coast Burrito are that it will likely not suit bikes 50cm and below, or handlebars less than 42cm in width. In the former case, because it’s 6” tall, the bottom of the bag could conflict with the front tire. In the latter, because it’s 11 inches (28cm) wide, The West Coast Burrito’s outer edges may rub against the thumbs when riding with hands on the hoods. It may also be a bit too big for those times when you aren’t carrying that much gear.

Assuming your cockpit and front-end stack height are not an issue, the West Coast Burrito bag is a gloriously tidy and easy-to-use bag that can simplify your least predictable adventures and elevate the style of your bike. At $125.00, it’s a premium piece of kit, but lives up to its price and then some. 

Using the Lil Presto out on the road only enhanced our perception of its quality. The YKK Aquagard zipper is a joy to operate single-handedly, with no resistance to closing and a smooth gliding action, and allows the Lil Presto to protect the contents from the elements for hours on end. The side pockets and front daisy chain both work effectively for stashing small items and mounting accessories like clip-on lights. Inside, a brightly colored liner made it easy to distinguish contents for quick access. 

Another nice touch is the inclusion of foam spacers that allow the bag to be mounted further away from the handlebar, freeing up room for cables, fingers, or bar-mounted accessories. The only minor quibble with the Lil Presto is the anchor cord, which connects the back of the bag to the frame head tube or stem. It doesn’t stretch like a bungee and isn’t quite long enough to use on one of our bikes which has a 120mm stem. Of course, it’s not actually part of the bag, and could be easily replaced with something more accommodating of longer stems, if needed. While other brands have switched to a Bungee-style strap, Wizard Works is sticking to a static cord because they provide a tighter hold when riding on rougher surfaces. 

Wizard Works also offers the Lil Presto in a “small” version at 1.8 liters in volume, which, like its big sibling, is still fairly spacious in the context of barrel bags. So, if weight is a concern and 3.5 liters sounds like too much, then the small Lil Presto is worth a look. 

Overall, the Wizard Works Lil Presto is a super-classy bar bag that prioritizes high quality, durability, and easy operation while signaling to the world that its users have great taste. You’ll be happy to look down at it time after time, as you reach for the next delicious snack or layer to keep you warm.

The 2-liter main compartment has two internal mesh pockets and a quick access pocket, allowing you to separate items based on how quickly and frequently you’ll need to access them. In addition to the main compartment, a small zippered compartment graces the lower face of the bag and in true Rapha style is lined with bright pink fabric with an inspirational, “Pack Light. Travel Far” printed in silver. The Rapha Bar Bag also features a daisy chain on the front that allows easy lashing of accessories like a headlight or hand pump. The material is reflective and adds a significant amount of low-light visibility. 

On the road, the Rapha Bar Bag is quiet, stable, and easy to zip with one hand. While the strap position is not adjustable, the spacing is optimal for mounting accessories to the handlebars and leaving space for thumbs on top of the handlebar when climbing. 

Relative to its competition, the Rapha Bar Bag is moderately priced at $70 and offers some flexibility in terms of mounting options and off-the-bike shoulder carry. It’s also highly water-resistant, built to last, and has the timeless style of all things Rapha.

Mounting the Kestrel to the handlebar is easy and quick, using the included rubber Swift Straps and stretchy shock cord. Getting the Rando Pocket and Sidekick Stem Pouch connected is also straightforward, and it’s clear that Swift Designers approached this additional modular storage as an essential part of the Kestrel, not as an afterthought.

Despite not having an internal frame support like the Bandito bag, the Kestrel is rigid enough to make one-handed zipper operation consistent and easy. On rough surfaces, even when all three optional pieces are loaded up, the Kestrel system stays quiet and stable. 

Like all Swift Industries products, the Kestrel isn’t cheap. Starting at $120 for the main bag and topping out at around $220 including the optional Rando Pocket and Sidekick Stem Pouch, the Kestrel a piece of kit that will keep you organized and prepared on epics rides or bikepacking adventures and signal to the world that you appreciate quality design and sustainable production. 

With a 2.4-liter capacity and 7.5″ x 5″ dimensions, the Signature Bar Bag falls into that “just-right” size range that avoids being too large or too small and it doesn’t dominate the front of the bike. In the main compartment, a mesh pocket helps secure heavier items like a camera lens or smartphone. On the user-right side of the Signature Bar Bag sits a large zippered compartment for small, less frequently accessed items like keys or a credit card. Out front, a daisy chain offers additional mounting positions for a headlight or mini pump. 

Available in six lovely colors, the Signature Bar Bag will coordinate easily with any bar tape or frame color. At $65, this full-featured bag is a solid value that will keep your jersey pockets free, and your gear organized, while elevating the look of your bike’s cockpit area. 

The low weight of the Smuggler belies its rugged construction, which feels like it is ready for all kinds of punishment, thanks to its Challenge EPX200 material. This gave us the confidence to stuff whatever we didn’t want to carry into it quickly and get back to riding our bikes fast. In addition to its low weight, the Smuggler takes up minimal space in the cockpit, leaving ample room for all the important things you might need on your handlebars, including your thumbs when climbing with hands on the bar tops. It also doesn’t catch a huge amount of air, thus minimally affecting aero efficiency.

If you want to free your jersey pockets and lower back from the lightweight items that you shed throughout the day, and appreciate minimal, but rugged design, then the reasonably priced Smuggler by Orucase is a great handlebar bag for you. 

The Blackburn Grid uses a well-padded structure to retain its shape well, although it’s not a fully rigid cylinder like some barrel bags. The Grid’s interior fabric is bright red, which helps quickly identify the items you’re looking for. While the Blackburn Grid has a subdued gray color and minimal branding, it is also the only bar bag we tested with robust reflective visibility. The entire face of the bag is reflective and lights up super bright when hit with light from oncoming cars. This makes the Blackburn Grid a great choice if your rides tend to start early or end late, and you ride in an urban setting with lots of motorists. 

At just 106g and $45, The Blackburn Grid is a highly reflective, low-volume, and high-performance bar bag that’s also budget-friendly. 

At the base of the face, a small mesh pocket holds small items that need to be accessed easily on the ride. It’s not designed for valuables like keys or credit cards but is useful for bars, gels, or wrappers. There is no dedicated pocket or internal compartment for things like keys, earbuds, or multitool on the Handlebar Czar, but the bright orange inner lining makes it easy to find the item you’re looking for. 

On the road, the Handlebar Czar worked flawlessly, staying quiet and accommodating all kinds of things easily, from food to clothes, to a compact 4:3 camera and two lenses. Everything stayed quiet and dry, even on rough roads. 

At $80, The Handlebar Czar is priced close to some stiff competition, but competes admirably and is worth a hard look by riders who want something a bit different and and appreciate its elegant look. 

Two simple hook and loop straps make attaching the Mini super easy and the elastic tether cord ensures stability over imperfect pavement or rough gravel roads. The 1.15-liter volume is a great size to keep essentials like snacks, a phone (Ornot claims it fits an iPhone Max), keys, or a light, packable layer. There’s also an internal zippered pocket to keep your keys and credit card extra secure. A webbing strap across the front of the Mini has a reflective strip to add a hint of visibility and creates attachment points to clip smaller items externally.

The Ornot Mini Handlebar Bag – ECOPAK sells for $54 and is available in three colors, Coyote, Black, and White, and it also comes in a standard version that sells for $10 less and comes in several different color options. It’s a great choice for road and gravel cyclists looking for a little extra convenient storage because it won’t weigh or slow you down while keeping your ride essentials in arm’s reach. 

The straps are one of the best features of the Lowland Crafts Handlebar Bag. While their narrow width and small buckles require a bit of touch to position and adjust, the benefit is that they are super-low bulk and don’t interfere at all with riding, and the super soft surface won’t affect the frame paint on the head tube. 

While the Lowland Crafts bar bag exudes a cheerful and casual vibe, it’s ready for fast-paced road rides and epic adventures. The wrap-around zipper gives easy access with one hand, even while riding, and the very soft and flexible material stays quiet over rough road surfaces. 

The Lowland Crafts Bar Bag is simple, but it gets the important things right. It’s easy to get into with one hand, stays quiet on rough roads, and the straps give your hands plenty of space while providing excellent stability. At just $55, with custom colors, the Lowland Crafts bar bag is a great way to free your jersey pockets and add some pizzazz to the cockpit of your bike. 

The Bandito has one main interior compartment and no external pockets. While this does limit organization options, it helps keep the Bandito lightweight for its size and simple to use. The 400D Packcloth interior lining is a gray color that does not offer super high contrast but is light enough to easily spot the item you’re looking for. The Bandito is available in four beautiful colors – Coyote, Black, Redwood, and the gorgeous teal color that we tested. An optional foam spacer kit sold separately allows the Bandito to be positioned further away from the handlebar to open up access to a secure and powerful grip on the top section of the handlebar, or to make space for other bar-mounted accessories. 

At $95, The Swift Industries Bandito is a premium bar bag that will last ages and make your long rides more enjoyable. With all the storage space The Bandito provides, you’ll never have to sacrifice carrying an essential item or ride with overstuffed jersey pockets again.

At $80, the Rapha Explore Bar Bag is up against some stiff competition but does have an edge in water resistance. The lightweight recycled nylon shell is DWR-treated, the seams are taped, and the interior is coated with polyurethane to keep all but the worst rain from creeping in. The zippers are also recessed within the shell to further mitigate water ingress. 

The Explore Bar Bag not only converts to shoulder carry but also works great as a hip pack, whether or not you’re on the bike. When not in use, the straps tuck away behind the Hypalon backing, staying quiet and invisible, albeit a bit fiddly to stuff back in there. If you’re looking for a versatile, virtually waterproof, and durable bag with a beautiful and understated aesthetic, the Explore Bar Bag is a great pick. 

The 1.2-liter volume is on the smaller side but is perfect for conveniently holding essentials like a phone, nutrition, gloves, or a packable layer in arm’s reach while freeing up your jersey pockets. The main compartment holds the bulk of the volume and features an internal mesh pocket to help keep things organized. On the outside of the bag, a zippered pocket on one end and a mesh pocket on the other fit smaller items while a daisy chain on the front is available for clipping on a light for those twilight rides.

Available in six lovely colors, the Compact Bar Bag will coordinate easily with any bar tape or frame color. At $55, it’s $10 less than the Signature Bar Bag from ALMSTHRE but offers half of the storage space. We feel that the Compact Bar Bag is, therefore, a smart choice for riders who want to keep their load light, while preserving space around the bars for easy hand movement, and minimizing the aero penalty of using a bar bag. If that sounds like you, then this full-featured bag is a solid value that will keep your jersey pockets free, and your gear organized, while elevating the look of your bike’s cockpit area. 

The Helix features a different zipper design than most bar bags. The zipper wraps around the upper edge of the bag and faces the rider, allowing the top to open wide for clear and easy access to all contents. We liked this for adding and removing items while at a stop, but while moving, the Helix lacks the structure to allow for one-handed opening and closing of this wrap-around style zipper. 

The Chrome Helix is a great bag for the right situation, but that’s something other than a fast-paced road ride. For riders who are commuting or cruising around town, and want to be able to take their gear with them off the bike, the Helix is a great option. It could hold a huge camera, a handful of cold beverages, or loads of packable clothing. At $45, it’s an inexpensive way to keep a lot of gear organized on days when your adventures involve not only cycling but also spending some time on foot. 

While RockBros shows the handlebar bag as able to mount vertically to the seatpost or along the frame top tube, we found that in both these positions the bag wasn’t stable and constantly interfered with our legs while pedaling. When mounted to the handlebar, however, stability is relatively good, and noise is kept to a minimum.

The Rockbros Handlebar Bag is available in Black and Dark Green, both colorways feature classic woven fabric that will age gracefully and conceal the inevitable smudges and dust that collect on handlebar bags when used in wet or dusty conditions. While it isn’t quite as refined as any of the other models we tested, at $21, it’s half the price of the next least expensive option, making it an affordable choice for the infrequent user or the rider on a super tight budget.