Top Bags for Mountain Biking

Top 3: Best Mountain Bike Backpacks

Top 3: Best Mountain Bike Belt Pack Bags (aka Fanny Packs)

Top 3: Best Mountain Bike Saddle Bags

Conclusion

We’ve discussed the best mountain bike bags at different price points, as well as what to look for in a bag that is durable and will last. We have partnered with some of the best brands in the industry to provide you with a wide selection and high-quality products. Whether you need an ultralight bike pack, or want something that can hold all your gear for an extended trip, we are confident you will find what you’re looking for here.

For Further Reading: Mountain Bike Bag FAQ's

What are the different types of mountain bike bags?

There are many different bags on the market, but depending on what you need them for, there are a few types to consider.

There are saddle packs, backpacks, and even vests. Saddle packs will have enough room for a light lunch and extra water. They're also pretty comfortable to wear while riding. Backpacks can carry much more than a saddle pack or vest, but they might not be as comfortable when you're riding uphill. Vests can be tough to find a good fit because most of them were designed to be worn over your cycling clothing; they might also restrict your movement when you're pedaling up steep hills.

For mountain biking, you'll find the most use with a hydration pack. These usually hold 30-liters or more in roomy pockets and have a water bladder that lets you drink while riding. They're also ventilated to keep you cool while pedaling hard through the woods.

If your rides take place primarily on the road, then you might want to look at backpacks instead of hydration vests. The main reason is that most water packs are insulated and meant to keep the liquid cold; they're also a hassle when riding in warm weather. Instead, try a regular backpack with large compartments for food and clothing; make sure it fits your body well and has a waist belt to help keep it in place.

Bike saddle bags are small, sit under your bike's seat, and attach to the seat itself and the seat post. They have one or more pockets to keep light items such as a tube patch kit, snacks, spare inner tubes, cash, or a couple of extra folded clothes in. These saddle bags are usually waterproof, so they're great to keep your phone or camera safe from sweat.

There's also bike frame bags, which attach to the frame of your bicycle rather than its wheels. They're usually large enough to hold a full-size spare tube and tire, a small tool kit, multi-tool, energy bars or snacks, a portable camera, and a cellphone charger.

How do I choose a mountain bike saddle bag?

If you're not sure what you need from a bike saddle bag, there are a few things to take into consideration when choosing what will be the best saddle bag for your needs.

Size is an important factor in whether or not a saddle bag will suit your needs. If you don't want to carry too much stuff with you on the bike and would prefer something smaller, then a smaller saddle bag might work for you.

If, however, you want a little more carrying capacity to accommodate some basic survival kit as well as spare clothes and food for an overnight camp, then you might need something a bit bigger.

It is also worth mentioning that many mountain bike bags can attach smaller saddle bags to the outside of their main compartment. If this is something you're interested in, take a look for this feature on the bag. Some bags may even come with a smaller bag included.

What do you need in your mountain bike saddle bag?

Riding to work is a great workout, but you can't forget your lunch. That's where a seat bag comes in. There are lots of different options for what you can put in it, and most come with a rain cover to keep everything dry. Some people like to put their phone and wallet, so they don't have to worry about it during the ride, while others just use the bag for snacks or lunch. The choice is up to you!

How do I choose a mountain bike backpack?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right mountain bike backpack for you. The first and foremost is what type of rider you are. If you're a single-track rider, then a more streamlined pack that can accommodate your hydration needs would be appropriate. Likewise, if you're an enduro rider with long rides in remote areas, then some extra compartments to hold food and other supplies will be necessary.

Secondly, it's important to consider volume requirements. Whether it's for fitting all of your gear or just enough water to last throughout the day, understand the amount of volume that you need and purchase accordingly. Thirdly, don't forget about how much weight the pack you're purchasing can carry. You may find that the bag you like can't carry much weight, hampering your ability to bring all of your stuff with you.

Another aspect to consider is the performance of the bag as a whole. Make sure that all straps and zippers are of high-quality construction and have a good warranty behind them. Specifically, check out if there is any extra padding where your back will make contact with the pack itself, which can go a long way in cutting down on any discomfort you might feel on longer rides. Also, consider the presence of loops and accessories to hold water bottles, tools, a helmet, or other convenient items in place.

Finally, don't forget about style and color! Style is subjective, but there are many options out there that make use of different colors and designs to help distinguish your bag from everyone else's.

It's important to also consider the conditions in which you'll be riding since this can make a big difference in regards to how many supplies you need to carry with you. For example, out in the desert, it would be wise to bring as little weight as possible. In contrast, bringing along extensive amounts of rain gear is necessary if you're going to be riding in a wet, rainy area.

How do you pack a mountain bike backpack?

Before you get started, decide how much gear you want to bring. Different mountain bike bags aren't created equal, and some can carry more than others. Packs with side pockets are best for carrying items you need to quickly access, such as your cell phone, snacks, or sunglasses. Packs without side pockets are best for heavier items like a jacket or spare tire in rainy conditions. Here are some further tips:

1. Pack the items you will need more frequently in the front of the bag, where they will be easily accessible.
2. Pack your heavier and bulkier items in the back of the bag, where they will be less likely to get squished when riding over rough terrain.
3. Use a waterproof sleeve/bag for anything you don't want to get dirty. To avoid the bag being dragged around by your handlebars, attach it with a carabiner to an anchor point on your bike.
4. Pack soft things (like clothing) loosely to prevent them from getting too compact and wrinkled.
5. Pack your heavy items (like food) such that they will be as low and close to the center of the bike as possible. This will help you minimize leaning over so much.
6. Don't bring too many things with you, or else you'll have to take a break from biking sooner than you would like!

What is a bike pannier for?

A bike pannier can be used to carry cargo on a bicycle. It is an item of luggage that can be mounted on the front or rear of a bicycle and usually provides storage capacity for tools and kits, spare parts, clothing, and other important items. Panniers can also be mounted on luggage racks.

Eventually, what you want to go for is a pannier bag mountain bike. A pannier bag mountain bike comes with a rear pannier rack that fits all bikes and allows you to carry more stuff when cycling. 

Purchasing the correct size of the front and rear pannier racks is very important, especially if you are going on a long journey with your bike. There are specialized shops that deal only with panniers and bicycle accessories across the globe. These shops will help in determining the correct size of pannier bags to purchase for your mountain bike.

Panniers come in two different styles. The first type is just a hard shell with no suspension or support features on your back. These hard shell panniers are very useful for short-term bike trips and light loads, up to about 20 pounds in weight.

However, if you're planning to go on long journeys over rough terrain, you definitely need the second type of pannier, the fully enclosed pannier bag. This type of pannier has a suspension system that suspends from your bike's front forks and can carry heavier loads for longer distances.

Can you bike with a heavy backpack?

In most cases, yes. While it may be difficult for you to bike with a heavy backpack, if you're not too far away from your destination and have easy terrain to bike on, then it's quite possible to carry your heavy backpack while biking. If you are biking with a heavy backpack or any sort of load that's weighing between 15 and 20 lbs, take it easy if you can — the terrain doesn't have to be difficult for you to get where you need to go.

The reason why it's recommended that bikers with heavy backpacks take it easy is that when you bike, the backpack will be suspended from your body. So any unnecessary jerks or movements can make for an uncomfortable ride and even hurt yourself.

How do you carry heavy things on a bike?

One way to carry heavy things on a bike is to use a back rack and attach that to the bike. Another way would be to get a trailer.

Some people have also been able to come up with creative ways of attaching things to their bicycles that are not originally intended for such purposes, such as bungees. However, such techniques are very specific and may require you to make modifications to your bicycle or the things you're attaching.

There are also several types of bags which have been made for carrying heavy items on bicycles, such as children. These can be attached with straps or clips to the sides of a regular bicycle, or one can be fitted specifically to your mountain bike.