Bikepacking. It’s a growing trend in Europe. Take your mountain or gravel bike, load it up with camping gear and provisions before setting off to explore the road less travelled. Whether that road is light singletrack or wild backcountry, the freedom is all yours to explore and get away from it all for a few days.
Sounds fun right?
It is. That is until your gear gets wet and you end up sleeping in a damp sleeping bag with a wet set of clothes awaiting you in the morning. When this happens, the appeal starts to quickly fade.
Well known for its high quality waterproof bags, German specialist Ortlieb has entered the bikepacking with a complete range of bags aimed at ensuring all your kit stays dry, whatever the adventure.
The new 100% waterproof line consists of four bags – a Seat-Pack, Handlebar-Pack, Accessory-Pack and a Frame-Pack – all of which are available from May with the exception of the Frame-Pack which will follow in 2017.
Ortlieb reckons the Seat-Pack is ideal for an overnighter or mini-adventure on its own, or can be used in conjunction with the other bags in the range for a full on bikepacking holiday.
Spacious and waterproof, the Seat-Pack is designed to fasten securely to the seatpost and saddle rails whilst offering between 8 and 16.5 litres of capacity. Weighing in at 430g, the Seat-Pack retails in the UK for £110.
The Handlebar-Pack holds up to 15 litres and is ideal for soft, stuffable items like jackets and sleeping bags. Twin roll closure ensures easy access and centres the load in the middle of the bars. Additional gear can then be stowed externally using its shock chords and compression straps. Retail price is £85.
The Accessory-Pack costs £45 and weighs in at 206g. The pack offers both secure waterproof storage and quick access for its 3.5 litre loadmaking it ideal for phones, cameras, energy bars or money. It can be used as a standalone bar bag or can be attached to the Handlebar-Pack. The attached shoulder strap also allows easy carrying of the pack when you dismount for the mid-ride lunch stop.
Ortlieb hopes that this Bikepacking range will offer a complete bikepacking system of waterproof and attractive luggage that is both rugged and built to last. Well, we will be finding out, as we have some of the first UK samples heading to our door. We’ll let you know what we think.
Visit lyon.co.uk for more information.
