As multi-day, self-supported bike racing takes off, Restrap’s new lightweight Adventure Race bikepacking range offers a way to pack in all the gear you need, with a total setup that weighs less than 1000g. We got a sneak peek at the light setup and its feathery body fabric last autumn, but now 4 bike bags and 1 body bag are ready for your next racing adventure.
Update: Restrap sent over a photo of the kit on a scale so you can see the n actual weight.
Restrap Adventure Race lightweight bikepacking bags
Restrap is no stranger to hauling all of your gear, whether with traditional randonneur style loaded touring, Brompton folding bike bags, or rackless off-road bikepacking bags. But their well-built, easy to work with & UK-made packs generally lean towards the heavier side with lifetime durability and plenty of space as key driving factors. But the new Adventure Race series takes that head on, with a much lighter, pared down setup for audax-ing, ultra-endurance bikepacking races, or any light-packed fast riding or competition.
The new light Adventure Race range includes five pieces: top tube, frame, handlebar & saddle bags, plus an expansion musette to throw over your shoulder for overflow goodies when refueling mid race. Much of the secret to the low weight is a light, multi-layer waterproof X-Pac X21 main fabric. But more so than the early prototypes that used the same fabric throughout, the production series carefully mixes in a half dozen more materials to balance weight & performance across the range, crafted with the most advanced CNC & laser-cut tech in-house by Restrap, then all made by hand.
Adventure Race Top Tube bag
The Adventure Race version or Restrap’s toptube bag actually packs in more gear than their normal version and weighs almost twice as much. That seems like a strange place to start for a pared-down setup. But for fast racing, Restrap expects you will stay planted in the saddle, so the 1.5L of quick access storage is key to staying fueled as you ride.
The £60 / $90 / 72€ Adventure Race Top Tube bag is made predominantly from the diamond patterned X21 fabric, weighs 192g and uses a unique Hypalon flap that covers and protects the YKK zipper. Three different, 3-point straps to the bike make for a secure fit, easy to install around any headset/stem setup, and to work with Restrap or other frame packs.
Adventure Race Frame bag
The Adventure Race frame bag complements the toptube bag, coming in at about the same ~35cm overall length. Boxier & a bit bigger than their standard Medium frame bag, the Adventure Race bag offers 4L of carrying capacity, while still allowing two full-size water bottle on medium to larger frames. (Restrap has been the original adopter of magnetic Fidlock mounts to tuck their own bottle tight up to the bag on the downtube.)
The £75 / $112.50 / 90€ Adventure Race Frame bag is also made mostly of X21, weighs 198g and features full-length Hypalon flaps to keep water out of the zippered pocket access on both sides. It uses wide velcro attachments around the toptube, locking nylon downtube straps for universal frame fit, and gets a cable port up front to route charging cables.
Adventure Race Aero Bar bag
The Adventure Race Aero Bar bag takes a lightweight approach to the Restrap ‘holster concept’. A lighter, laser cut X21, plastic internal support & Hypalon structure is strapped securely to your aero bar, then a max 7L drybag is securely strapped inside with a magnetic Fidlock buckle. Internal gear isn’t accessible at all while riding, but when you stop, it is quick & easy to pop out the drybag without having to adjust the attachment to your handlebar. Plus, the holster has bungee straps on the top, so you can attach gear between your aerobar extensions securely as well.
The £100 / $150 / 120€ Adventure Race handlebar bag is oriented to the front for a more aero setup that is also easier to load, just like their saddle bags. Of course the dry bag is 100% waterproof, and the whole setup weighs just 265g. But you can also substitute out the drybag with some other gear or stuff sack you might need to carry.
Adventure Race Saddle bag
The Adventure Race Saddle Bag is the same idea, with its holster hung from you saddle rails and connected to the seatpost with a strap & a foam block stand-off spacer. The X21 + internal support + Hypalon holster and 7L drybag make this close to 1/3 the weight of Restrap’s regular saddle bag while retaining the easy loading & unloading (just 24g heavier than their much smaller 4.5L saddle pack that doesn’t get the holster usability & security!)
The £100 / $150 / 120€ Adventure Race saddle bag weighs 234g and includes laser cut loops to attach a rear blinkie light, in addition to reflective detailing.
Adventure Race Musette
The little packable musette seems like it could have been an afterthought, but adds a lot of off-the-bike usability. Made of a coated waterproof light 6oz nylon, the £25 / $37.50 / 30€ Adventure Race Musette offers a simple way to pick up supplies while out on tour, or in the traditional feed bag function for you to eat your lunch out of after you hop back on the bike. The 70g musette with a snap closure and an adjustable length Hypalon shoulder strap is all about expanding your short-term hauling ability. Then when you are done with it, roll it up with the built-in elastic loop and pop it out of the way into a jersey pocket or one of the bags on the bike.
Restrap Adventure Race bikepacking bags – Availability
All of the new lightweight Adventure Race series bags come in black, with an option for gray for the X21 elements. And all of them feature some small reflective detailing for added visibility.
Update: Restrap sent us an actual weight shot of the five bags on a scale together. And they actually come in almost 20g total lighter, so their claims appear decently conservative.
The bags are in various stages of early production now, and will be available for pre-order at the end of next week (March 20). Initial orders are expected to ship out to customers less than four weeks later, starting in mid-April 2020.
In addition, Restrap has an ongoing partnership promotion now with Komoot, where you get a free region download (€9 value) with every €100+ order or a free global download (€30 value) with every €200+ order. Restrap will automatically send you the free Komoot voucher after you make a qualifying purchase.
