Restrap have overhauled their long-running & beloved bikepacking Bar Bag with bigger storage and more options for customized setup. The core of the holster-style handlebar pack hasn’t changed much, but now riders can pick from a simplified small bag with up to 14L of storage or a more adaptable large Bar Bag maxing out at 17L…
Restrap Bar Bag, updated 14L or 17L bikepacking pack
UK bag-maker Restrap calls their Bar Bag one of their best-selling & most-loved products. At the heart of their rackless #CarryEverything touring line-up for at least six years, their time-tested handlebar bag concept remains unchanged: Strap the bar holster to your bar, stuff your gear into a dry bag off the bike, then secure the packed drybag into the holster. This makes it easy to get your gear once stopped, and you can compress your storage down securely to adapt to how much gear you need on each adventure.
That original holster bar bag already had an optional top bag, updated again for 2018, but now gets more refinement.
What’s new, v3?
The new Restrap Bar Bag now comes in 2 holster versions that represent 2 sizes – small & large, but also 2 styles of bikepacking.
The new small 14L Bar Bag is a simplified setup with no extra bag attachment points (but still one more liter than the first Restrap Bar Bag we tried). The harness attached to the bar holds a 14L drybag stuff sack, and its top gets a simple crossing bungee cord strap to secure a jacket, gloves, or anything else light. The simplified new idea here is to keep space clear above the bag, especially useful for adventure riders who ride with clip-on aerobars.
The large 17L Bar Bag itself isn’t quite as new, as it uses the same secure Fidlock magnetic posts to secure a top bag for more storage, plus a new extra Hypalon loop for added rough terrain security. But its Food Pouch is now larger with 3L of waterproof storage almost the full width of the holster harness now.
On top of the Food Pouch you get the same bungee cord loop, but there are no loops on the harness, so versatility is limited if you chose to ride without the pouch. (No word if the out-of-stock small 1.5L Food Pouch will be available again.)
New Tech Details
Both new bags have now gotten the slightly larger 14L double roll opening drybag, also made in the UK by Restrap. The two new harnesses also change up their buckles a bit – moving to a new spring-loaded cam-lock for the straps around the bar, standard ladder locks secured around the fork crown, and classic plastic clip buckles around the drybag.
You still get a couple of foam spacers to keep the bag off the handlebar to make room for your fingers on the tops or accessory mounts next to the stem – only forward-facing accessory compatibility with the small bag really.
Restrap Bar Bag v3 – Pricing, options & availability
The updated Restrap Bar Bag is available now direct from Restrap for £100 / $149 / 120€ in the 14L size small, or £120 / $180 / 144€ in the 17L size large that includes the detachable Food Pouch. You can also buy a second 14L double roll dry bag separately for £17 / $26 / 21€.
