The Best Bike Saddle Bags of 2024

The ToPeak Aero Wedge (QuickClick) is a compact, sturdy, smart-looking saddle bag with room to carry all the tools and spares that most cyclists will ever need on a ride. Available in four sizes – extra small, small, medium, and large – we found that the small provides just the right amount of space for the essentials: a spare tube or tubeless tire plugs, tire levers, a multi-tool, a CO2 inflator, and two cartridges. There’s even just enough room to tuck in a car key, cash or credit card, and a few energy bars or gels.

We like to pack our saddle bags tightly because it keeps the contents from jostling around and creating an annoying racket on bumpy roads and terrain. For us, the 0.66 L capacity of the small-sized Aero Wedge hits the sweet spot, holding everything nice and snug. You will want to size up, however, if you like to carry two large mountain bike tubes, but we found that the small can fit two comparatively smaller gravel or road tubes just fine.

It also offers a popular feature on saddle bags these days – a “QuickClick” attachment that makes it easy to remove the bag and take it with you. This is especially helpful if you ever need to leave your bike unattended, where your bag could be a target for theft. (Trust us: It sucks to come out of a coffee shop and find that your bag was swiped.) The quick-release bracket attaches the Wedge firmly to saddle rails with a single hex bolt and keeps the contents from rattling against your saddle rails over bumpy terrain or cracks in the road.

Other features we like: a stiffened opening flap that is designed to avoid spilling contents when it’s unzipped, a mesh pouch on the inside flap for a multi-tool, a car key or spare cash, a reflective stripe across the back, and a rugged, well-sewn taillight clip. Although the ToPeak Aero Wedge isn’t waterproof, that’s not a big issue for us. We’ve found that few bags are fully watertight and that the essentials we typically carry can withstand a little moisture (just remember to dry them out after a wet ride).

Deuter may be much better known for their backpacks, but the German brand has been growing its lineup of bike bags for everyday riding and bikepacking. The Deuter Bike Bag 0.5 is one such product that is a simple, effective, lightweight, and very affordable option for adding 0.5 liters of storage under your saddle.

The Bike Bag 0.5 L is incredibly simple with a zippered end flap that opens wide for access to the storage compartment. The 0.5-liter capacity is perfect for stashing your spare tube (maybe two depending on the size), multi-tool, and flat repair items, along with a key and card. It’s made from a lightweight but tough-feeling polyamide fabric that helps keep the weight down to a svelte 50 grams.

The attachment system consists of two nylon webbing straps with hook and loop fasteners that loop through the seat rails and pull the bag up tight under the seat. When fully loaded, we found this system to be adequate for keeping the pack stable, even without an additional seatpost strap. Reflective logos on the back and sides add a touch of low-light visibility.

The beauty of the Deuter Bike Bag 0.5 is its simplicity. It performs the task of securing your essentials to your saddle without fuss and at a low price point that we feel makes it a great value. You won’t find any bells or whistles here, but you will find a product that does what it’s supposed to do while barely impacting your bank account balance.

We also had the chance to use the Deuter Triangle Front Bag 1.5 ($25) which attaches discreetly within the front triangle and adds 1.5 liters of storage. This affordable bag combines nicely with the Bike Bag 0.5 saddle bag to add 2 total liters of storage at just $43 for the pair.

The Lezyne M-Caddy QR is everything you’d want in a compact saddle bag that holds the most common, useful tools and spares in a sleek, aerodynamic package. We loved the ingenious features of this little bag, from its rugged, abrasion-resistant construction to its lightly padded walls and a small external sleeve that securely holds a multi-tool for quick, easy access without needing to unzip the bag.

There are also three internal pockets, one for cash or a car key, the others for tire levers and patches. And it still has room for a spare tube, a CO2 inflator, and a CO2 cartridge; even an energy bar or gel if you pack things tightly. A water-resistant zipper has a large, reinforced pull loop that makes opening it a breeze. A nylon reflective strip on the back holds a taillight and reflective Lezyne logos on the sides provide additional reflective accents for low-light visibility.

The QR (Quick Release) version of this pack has a small bracket that mounts to the saddle rails and the pack itself clips right on for a secure and stable hold. The quick-release allows you to pull it off for easier access or take the bag with you during a mid-ride rest stop, although, at 135 grams, it does add a little bit of weight compared to some of the strap-mount options. Still, with no strap around the seatpost, this bag is impressively easy to install and remove.

This is simply an awesome overall saddle bag, especially for those who pack on the lighter side. At just $27, the M-Caddy QR is a solid value in a thoughtfully designed, small package. Lezyne also makes it in a strap-mount version along with a number of other options in their Caddy line of saddle bags.

Although Silca’s Seat Roll Asymmetrico is more of an acquired taste, we think Silca knocked it out of the park with the Mattone Seat Pack, our easy favorite for road cycling that is as functional as it is classy.

With clean lines and a thoughtful, compact design, the Mattone has a smaller, 0.4 L capacity with room for a lightweight road tube or two, tire levers, a multi-tool, and a CO2 inflator. Inside, a nylon divider panel keeps tools separated so that they’re quiet and organized, and the panel itself includes a pocket that’s the perfect size to hold a credit card or car key. The wraparound zipper allows the bag to be opened easily and completely for access to the contents inside. We also like that its narrow profile keeps it from protruding beyond a seat’s edges so that it won’t rub against your cycling shorts.

The Mattone is constructed of water-resistant, ballistic nylon, which, along with the YKK Aquaguard zipper, will fend off showery rain and light road spray. The whole package is wrapped by a wide Hypalon strap to keep it secure and attach easily to saddle rails, and is tightened with a Boa closure system that is far stronger than traditional hook-and-loop straps. While strong and easy to operate, the Boa attachment system and opens-like-a-book style of the pack make it so the whole thing basically needs to be removed to access the contents, however. That said, it’s quick and easy to do with the Boa strap.

The Silca Mattone Seat Pack is a great-looking saddle bag that will complement any bike from high-end road machines to rugged gravel crushers. At $50, it’s on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but like other Silca products, the Mattone is built to last with excellent craftsmanship, quality materials, and a great design. Silca also sells the Mattone Grande (0.74-liter) for those who need a little more storage.

Find out more in our launch coverage of the Silca Mattone Seat Pack.

The Blackburn Grid Seat Bag is a basic and rugged all-arounder that will suit most riding styles, and reliably carry your gear in all conditions. Blackburn even backs it up with a lifetime warranty, which makes the Grid a hard bargain to beat.

The 0.8 L capacity (medium) size we tested has room for two road or gravel tubes or one mountain bike tube, a multi-tool, two tire levers, and an inflator with a spare cartridge, along with space to tuck in a car key and some nutrition. It is lightly padded throughout which helps keep things from jostling around, a lighter-colored material inside makes finding items easier, while a small internal pocket fits most multi-tools.

We also like the corded pull tab on the zipper, which makes opening the bag easy, even with insulated, full-fingered gloves and in poor lighting. The opening flap prevents contents from spilling, and it has a nice taillight clip across the back. One thing that stands out about the Blackburn Grid is its reflectivity, with both side panels and a stripe on the back that look normal in broad daylight but light up in headlight beams. This adds significant visibility in low-light conditions both from behind and on the sides.

The Grid attaches with two simple hook-and-loop straps, one for the seat post and the other for the saddle rails. Although it is not quick-release, we like how the straps allow the Grid to be fitted snuggly under virtually any saddle. However, we’ve also found that hook-and-loop straps can become worn and lose some of their holding power over time, so check to make sure they’re secure and solid before each ride.

The standard Blackburn Grid Seat Bag comes in 3 sizes so you can find one that meets your storage demands. It also comes in a small, “MTB” version with a slightly different shape and layout. And, at $30 (size medium), it’s an affordable option that’ll reliably hold your essential gear until you need it for years to come.

The ToPeak Wedge DryBag is a great bag for any ride, but we give it top honors for its water resistance because of its sturdy, waterproof materials and roll-top design. We tested the 1-liter capacity (medium) size and found it was ideal for riding off-road, with plenty of space to hold a beefy 29-er tube, tubeless tire plugs, multi-tool, inflator with several cartridges, along with an energy bar or two, and more.

Compared to many of the smaller capacity bags we tested the 1-liter volume of the medium Wedge DryBag feels cavernous but it accommodates larger, or multiple, tubes easily. Depending on what you carry, one might even be able to stuff a light, packable jacket inside. Thankfully, it also comes in small (0.6-liter) and large (1.5-liter) sizes, so most riders should be able to find a size that meets their storage needs depending on discipline or length of ride.

This bag handles nasty conditions well, protecting your gear from mud, water, and even slushy snow; and its rigid, sonic-welded, and seam-sealed waterproof shell sheds moisture easily. Two interior mesh pockets help to keep things organized, although we found them hard to see into and access inside the deep, all-black interior. The roll-closure is secured with both Velcro and plastic buckles to keep it cinched down over the roughest terrain. A taillight clip on the back and a reflective stripe add visibility to help you be seen in challenging light conditions.

The QuickClick attachment prevents the bag from bouncing and also allows you to quickly remove the Wedge DryBag and take it with you, making this a nice option for mountain, gravel, or bikepacking adventures with stops in civilization along the way. ToPeak also makes this saddle bag with a more traditional strap mount that looks otherwise identical in terms of design.

As its name suggests, the Blackburn Grid MTB is a fine, compact bag for mountain biking, but we think its real sweet spot is actually for road or gravel cycling when you’re apt to carry a lighter load, with a smaller tube than you would on a rugged mountain bike excursion. Blackburn says it features, “Just the basics. No more. No less,” and that’s evident in its simple design and super light, 31 grams, weight.

That’s a beautiful thing because saddle bags are inherently simple pouches that hold a few essentials under your saddle. This water-resistant bag is made of strong, lightly padded nylon, with a water-resistant zipper and a single interior pocket for storing cash, a credit card, or a car key. It is the lightest bag we tested, yet will still hold a multi-tool, a spare tube, and a flat repair kit along with an energy bar or gel in its 0.4 L compartment.

The single hook-and-loop closure strap fits easily on most saddle rails and allows it to be snugged up tightly under the seat. We found the hook-and-loop closure works fine, however, Blackburn cautions against overloading the bag or leaving it on your car rack while driving.

The Blackburn Grid MTB has a lighter-colored interior to help identify your items more easily and outside it has reflective logos and a tail light clip. Like other Blackburn products, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty, and at $20, is an affordable way to add a small amount of storage to any type of bike.

Like other models we tested, the Ortlieb Micro Bag Two would certainly be a fine bag for all types of riding, but we found it to be particularly great for rides on dirt. Across the huge range of conditions that define off-pavement riding, you’ll appreciate a bag that’s waterproof, easy to open, lightweight, and quick to remove from your bike. One with ample room for all the usual tools, including a spare tube, plugs, an inflator, plus a tire boot, master chain link, your wallet, a set of keys, bars and gels, and a few other knickknacks.

With 0.8 liters of capacity, the Micro Two is up for the job. Incredibly light for its size, it’s also remarkably sturdy and waterproof, and the roll-up opening provides quick access while keeping moisture at bay. While it does not have inner organizing pockets, the wide opening makes finding things so easy that it wasn’t an issue for us. It also comes in a smaller, 0.5-liter size for those who carry a little less on their rides.

We really like the quick-release seat bracket, which feels solid in hand, quiet on the bike, and makes it super easy to remove from the bike when needed. The bag’s only drawback is that it does not have a taillight clip, although it does have a large patch of reflective material on the back.

So, as long as you can mount a taillight on your helmet, seat post, or elsewhere on your bike (or you don’t use one at all), the Ortlieb Micro Bag Two is an excellent choice for gravel, bikepacking, road riding, or commuting where you want to keep your contents protected from the elements and you need a bit more room than a small saddle bag provides.

Designed to hold just the bare essentials in a compartmentalized fashion, seat rolls are an interesting alternative to consider, especially if you’re a minimalist who mostly rides on the roads. Unlike a bag, rolls hold tools and spares in pockets sewn onto a flat piece of sturdy fabric, which is then folded and rolled up snuggly to fit closely against your saddle. 

The Silca Seat Roll Asymmetrico is well-made, with four pockets that have room to store a lightweight inner tube (Silca says it will hold up to 700x45mm, although we found that made the roll feel bulky), two tire levers, a small multi-tool, a CO2 inflator, and one or two CO2 cartridges. Wide rail guards protect your saddle from rubbing, and the Boa closure allows it to be tightened for a super compact, snug, and stable fit under the seat. Although it felt secure on smoother surfaces, it can move around a bit over rough terrain, particularly if it isn’t full or attached tightly enough.

Rolls have plenty of loyal fans, but they’re an acquired taste. Comparatively speaking, they are a bit more cumbersome and time-consuming to deal with because accessing them usually means removing them from your bike, unfolding the entire roll to reach a tool, and remounting it when you’re finished. That’s a lot more steps than unzipping and closing a saddle bag and certainly not the most time-efficient option if you’re in the middle of a race or something. Silca even offers a helpful how-to video for the roll, which suggests how befuddling these can be for new users.

Regardless, if you get along with the seat roll style and prefer to have your items separated into organizational compartments, the Silca Seat Roll Asymmetrico is a solid option to consider. At $50, it’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s made with excellent attention to detail and quality materials and should last you for many seasons out on the road.

You can read more in our launch coverage of the Silca Seat Roll Asymmetrico.

The Evoc Seat Pack Boa is nearly identical to the Topeak Wedge DryBag mentioned above in size and function, with a few differences that are worth noting. The 1-liter capacity of the size small is on the larger side for most daily rides but offers ample storage for larger mtb tubes or an extra layer. The larger sizes, 2 and 3 liters, are geared more towards overnight bikepacking adventures where you want significantly more storage space.

The Seat Pack Boa is solidly built and waterproof, with rigid side panels and a wide, roll-closure opening. The roll-top closure has a single clasp, however, which requires more fiddling to roll up and close the bag tightly. When it was closed, the opening’s edges protruded well beyond the walls of the bag, which gave it a somewhat awkward, less streamlined look.

Yet, we like the old-school hook-and-loop nylon straps that make it easy to fit onto virtually any saddle. A solid plastic seatpost contact works well with both rigid and dropper posts, and the strong Boa retention system secures it to the post.

The Evoc Seat Pack Boa’s rugged design held firmly to our mountain and gravel bikes through nasty conditions, although it tended to bounce around a bit on very bumpy rides unless we were extra careful to cinch it down tightly beforehand. Once you dial in the fit, however, it’s a nice bag that will go the distance in any weather, assuming the larger 1-liter size suits your needs.

Find out more in our coverage of EVOC’s Boa-equipped bike bags.

The ToPeak Aero Wedge (Strap Mount) represents a solid value for a sturdy, aerodynamic saddle bag that will serve most riders for day-to-day use, and also fit virtually any bike. Available in extra-small, small, medium, and large sizes, the small (0.66 L) version has plenty of room for the most useful tools and spares you’ll want on most daily rides.

While it’d be tempting to call this a no-frills bag, it has some thoughtful, extra touches: a large zipped opening that makes accessing tools easy, a stiff opening flap that prevents items from falling out when opened, a mesh pouch on the inside flap to hold a multi-tool, energy gel or emergency cash; a reflective strip across the back and a strong, well-made light clip that will hold a rear light securely.

In fact, this budget pack is identical to our top-rated overall bag, the Topeak Aero Wedge (QuickClick), except that it has adjustable straps that attach it to your seat rails. While they may look a little old-school, we love how these kinds of straps make it easy to dial in a nice, tight fit under your saddle and the plastic buckles keep it relatively quick to attach and remove.

Overall, the ToPeak Aero Wedge (Strap Mount) is a solid saddle bag that’s reasonably priced and will keep your essentials handy and out of your jersey pockets. It’ll fit on virtually any bike or saddle, and the 4 size options give you the ability to choose the right size to suit your storage needs.