Waterproof. Durable. Secure. Ortlieb Handlebar Bag Review
Well known for their bike panniers, Ortlieb has been making bomber-grade, waterproof bike packs since 1982. So, it’s no surprise that the Ortlieb bikepacking handlebar bag serves up secure, waterproof storage in a durable and easy-to-use design.
Clean and simple describe the bag well. But it’s far from basic. It’s a minimalist dream and a solid choice for stowing lightweight, soft stuff like your sleeping bag and clothes on bikepacking adventures of any length.
Quality Materials – Fully Waterproof Handlebar Bag
One of the details that make Ortlieb bikepacking gear stand out is the quality of the materials they use and the waterproof welded seam design that they pioneered.
With nearly a thousand miles of rough trail and gravel road bikepacking use, the Ortlieb handlebar bag shows literally no signs of wear. It’s every bit as waterproof, secure and ready for adventure as it was on day one.
Ortlieb was founded on waterproof construction, and their welded designs are the kind of waterproof that holds up to all-day rain. We’re talking durable without feeling overbuilt or too complicated, too. And it’s all made in Germany at Ortlieb HQ.
Thanks to the welded seam design, you can just roll up the ends of the handlebar pack like a dry bag, and ride through any weather assured that your gear will be dry when you arrive at camp.
Secure Strap System – Ortlieb Handlebar Pack
Like most bikepacking handlebar bags, the Ortlieb pack is essentially a fancy dry bag made specifically to strap to your handlebars. Access is easy, with openings at both ends. Traditional dry bag roll closures seal out water and dust. Compression straps tighten the load and let you strap stuff to the exterior.
What sets it apart from other bikepacking handlebar bags is that it’s a standalone design. There’s no mounting bracket or frame to hold it in place or add weight. It simply straps to your handlebar using an adjustable two-part strap system. As a result, it’s one of the lighter weight bikepacking handlebar bag options.
A combination of foam spacers and adjustable webbing straps hold it to your handlebar and create a surprisingly secure connection for such an outwardly simple system. Although our testing was done on drop bars, it works equally as well on flat mtb bars.
Two Size Options to Match Your Bikepacking Needs
The Ortlieb handlebar pack comes in two sizes — 15-liter and 9-liter. Beyond considering the volume that meets your needs, you need to consider the type and width of your handlebar when choosing which size Ortlieb handlebar bag works for best for your bike.
Both sizes will fit any width mountain bike or flat handlebar. If you run drop bars, the 9-liter pack fits 40cm or wider drop bars, and the 15-liter pack fits best with at least 42cm or wider drop bars. The wider your bar, the more you can stuff in the bag and the more clearance you get for your shift and brake levers.
The 9-liter pack is about the right size for a lightweight sleeping bag, plus a lightweight puffy jacket or other low-bulk clothing, depending on how much space your sleeping bag takes up. The 15-liter bag is considerably larger, and it lets you pack a sleeping bag and a number of clothing items.
The 15-liter Ortlieb handlebar bag also includes a valve for squeezing out air to help keep the bag as small as possible. A good squeeze often helps make the difference in fitting between the brake levers on a drop bar.
Compression straps tighten the load and let you strap stuff to the exterior. Ortlieb also makes an accessory pouch that can be strapped to the outside for an additional 3.5 liters of storage space.
Thoughtful Minimalist Design
The Ortlieb Handlebar Pack is the handlebar bag for the minimalist. There’s no hardware, no frame and no brackets to weigh you down. Just a simple, solid design that’s ready to stand up to the elements and the road less traveled.
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack — 9L $150 — 15L $170
Check the availability of the Ortlieb Handlebar Bag
For a look inside Ortlieb, check out bikepacking.com’s story about visiting Ortlieb headquarters and factory in Heilsbronn, Germany
Read our review of the Salsa Anything Cages and check out all of our bikepacking gear reviews
Planning a bikepacking trip? Check out our other bikepacking gear reviews:
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Salsa Handlebar Bag Review
Ortlieb Handlebar Bag Review
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Ultralight Bikepacking Tent Review
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