Best Handlebar Bags for Bike Touring 2026
My pick for the best bike handlebar bag for touring is the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 classic, but there are other good waterproof options for your handlebars if you want something different.
Quick picks (updated October 2026)
Top pick: Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic (my pick) · Premium
- A handlebar bag rated IP54, with a transparent flap case for a phone or GPS map, compatible with Ortlieb and Klickfix mounts.
My own Ortlieb Ultimate 6 is the yellow one in the photo; the link here is to the black Classic version.
| Pick | Best for | Price tier | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic (my pick) | Best overall | Premium | A handlebar bag rated IP54, with a transparent flap case for a phone or GPS map, compatible with Ortlieb and Klickfix mounts. | Check on Amazon › |
| Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack | Best for big loads | Premium | A 15 L waterproof handlebar pack with a two-way roll closure, adjustable width and eight spacers, suited to a sleeping bag and clothes. | Check on Amazon › |
| Vaude Aqua Box | Best for day tours | Mid-range | A welded, PVC-free waterproof 6 L box with a KLICKfix mount, handy for commuting and shorter rides. | Check on Amazon › |
| Topeak FrontLoader | Best quick-release bag | Premium | An 8 L bag that clips on and off the bars and has room for a drybag of kit. | Check on Amazon › |
| Swift Industries Bandito | Best for bikepacking | Mid-range | A small US-made roll bag from Swift Industries, aimed at bikepackers who want a compact, simple handlebar setup. | Check on Amazon › |
| Topeak BarLoader | Best roll-top add-on | Budget | A welded TPU waterproof roll-top bag that suits riders who already use the Topeak mounting system. | Check on Amazon › |
| RockBros Bikepacking Handlebar Bag | Best budget buy | Budget | A waterproof roll-top bikepacking handlebar bag with adjustable 7 to 14 L capacity, five fixed mounting points and three reflective logos. | Check on Amazon › |
Price tiers are our own guide (budget, mid-range, premium), relative to the other picks here, not Amazon prices; check the current price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, davestravelpages.com earns from qualifying purchases.
On this page
- What are the best handlebar bags for bike touring?
- Bike Touring Handlebar Bags vs Bikepacking Roll bags
- Touring Handlebar Bag
- What to look for in a bike handlebar bag
- Best handlebar bags for bike touring
- Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic
- Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack
- Vaude Aqua Box
- Topeak FrontLoader
- Swift Industries Bandito
- Topeak BarLoader
- RockBros Bikepacking Handlebar Bag
- Bike Handlebar bags FAQ
Are you researching handlebar bags for your next bicycle tour in 2026?
In this blog post, I'm going to run through the different aspects of bike handlebar bags and what you should look for so you can choose the right one.
What are the best handlebar bags for bike touring?
Here's a quick list of the handlebar bags I'd consider for cycle touring:
Personally, I have settled on the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 handlebar bag as my go-to bag for bike touring. I took it on my 6 week bike tour in Iceland and it was perfect for the job.
It's waterproof, easily accessible when riding, and is one of the most durable bags you'll find in its class.
I'll go into more details about it later, along with the other handlebar bags that have made the list.
First though, I want to make a distinction between bike touring and bikepacking which is important when it comes to looking for the best bike handlebar bags for touring.
Bike Touring Handlebar Bags vs Bikepacking Roll bags
If we go back 10 or 15 years, traveling by bicycle was known as bike touring or bicycle touring. Generally, this involved a racks and panniers approach to carrying your gear on a bike. A good waterproof bike handlebar bag was generally used in addition for day to day items like snacks, cameras, wallets and the like.
A traditional handlebar bag was designed to be used with both drop bars and straight handlebars. Normally relatively small in size, it is basically a semi-rigid box with a magnetic flip lid.
Then around 2009, the term bikepacking started to become more introduced and ways of stowing kit on a bicycle started to evolve.. This came about from people who wanted to carry less gear on their bikes.
With a backpackers mentality, they wanted to go as ultralight as possible, and so started to develop their own frame bags to stow gear.
A result of this, was that a traditional handlebar bag was too small for their needs, and so roll bags which could fit other bits of kit in started to be used instead.
Fast forward to 2026, and bikepacking with frame bags and the like has really taken off.
Touring Handlebar Bag
An unexpected consequence of this evolution, was that the word bikepacking is almost more commonly used than bike touring nowadays, and it has become interchangeable.
This can lead to some confusion, which may affect what type of handlebar bag you choose to buy.
Typically, a bikepacker will want a setup that does not use a handlebar bag. Instead, they use a waterproof roll bag which most commonly contains camping gear like a sleeping bag, tent, or tarp.
A cyclist with a traditional racks and panniers bike touring arrangement however, will most likely prefer a traditional handlebar bag. They prefer the ease of which they can take snacks, phones, and other daily use items out of the bag as they ride.
This article is mostly about handlebar bags for classic bicycle touring setups, with a few roll bags in the list for bikepackers. I might take a look at bikepacking roll bags separately in a future blog post.
A typical bike touring set up by Mexican on a Bike
What to look for in a bike handlebar bag
So, now we've got a clearer idea of what a bicycle handlebar bag is, what should you look for when choosing one for touring?
- Well, it's got to be waterproof. That's a no-brainer.
- Simple yet sturdy design
- You should have quick access to gear from the top while stationary or cycling.
- It has to be easily detachable with a quick release so you can take it with you when locking the bike and nipping into stores.
- Larger handlebar bags are generally more useful than smaller handlebar bags when touring.
- Large enough to keep all the essentials used in a day like a spare tube, powerbanks, snacks, etc
- The handlebar bag should be long lasting.
- It should have a proven track record.
I'll be upfront with you now - the answer really is Ortlieb! Still, it was fun looking at the other types of handlebar bag available online.
Note: I've been hearing great things about Arkel bags. I couldn't find them on Amazon, hence they are not listed below.
Best handlebar bags for bike touring
Here then are 7 bike touring handlebar bags worth a look. I've put the Ortlieb first because it's the one I use, then the rest in the order I'd look at them. As always I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the article!
Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic
For cyclists outside of the USA, Ortlieb is the number one choice for bike touring bags. This German company produces hard-wearing, incredibly waterproof products that last for years and years.
When it comes to handlebar bags, the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 is their number one offering. This bar bag does come in two sizes which are Medium and Large, but most people find that the medium bicycle front bag is more than adequate for their needs.
Unlike some bags, this is a waterproof handlebar bag due to the materials it is made of. So, no need for additional rain covers. There's also a detachable shoulder strap, so when you do take it from the bike, you can hang it over your shoulder. Useful for going into shops!
The Ultimate6 handlebar bag is compatible with several other systems from Ortlieb, meaning that you can attach map cases and mobile phone holders.
The large storage capacity, and the tried and tested design which has fundamentally changed little over the last 10 or even 20 years makes the Ortlieb one of the best bicycle handlebar bags on the market.
I've personally used Ortlieb bike touring products for many years such as the Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Panniers, and have no complaints. Balance out their slightly more expensive nature against how many years they will last, and you'll end up with a bike handlebar bag that offers great value for money.
Ortlieb Ultimate6 Handlebar Bag Dimensions
height:21 cm
width:24 cm
depth:13 cm
weight:710 g
volume:7 L
If you fancy one, you can check the Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic on Amazon.
Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack
If you carry a lot, this one is worth a look. It is a roll-closure pack rather than a classic box bag, and the width is adjustable. Have a look at the Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack if you want room for bulkier kit.
- A 15 L waterproof handlebar pack with a two-way roll closure, adjustable width and eight spacers, suited to a sleeping bag and clothes.
Vaude Aqua Box
Vaude make a waterproof box-style bag that is aimed at shorter rides. It comes with a KLICKfix mount. The Vaude Aqua Box suits commuting and day tours.
- A welded, PVC-free waterproof 6 L box with a KLICKfix mount, handy for commuting and shorter rides.
Topeak FrontLoader
The Topeak is the quick-release option. It clips on and off the bars, which is handy if you want to take your bag with you. The Topeak FrontLoader has room for a drybag of kit.
- An 8 L bag that clips on and off the bars and has room for a drybag of kit.
Swift Industries Bandito
This is one for the bikepackers. It is a small roll bag made in the US by Swift Industries, for a compact and simple handlebar setup. Here is the Swift Industries Bandito.
- A small US-made roll bag from Swift Industries, aimed at bikepackers who want a compact, simple handlebar setup.
Topeak BarLoader
This is a roll-top bag for riders who already use the Topeak mounting system. It is welded and waterproof. See the Topeak BarLoader if you are already in the Topeak camp.
- A welded TPU waterproof roll-top bag that suits riders who already use the Topeak mounting system.
RockBros Bikepacking Handlebar Bag
Another roll-top bag for bikepacking setups, and the one I would look at for the best budget buy. It is waterproof and the capacity is adjustable. Here is the RockBros Bikepacking Handlebar Bag.
- A waterproof roll-top bikepacking handlebar bag with adjustable 7 to 14 L capacity, five fixed mounting points and three reflective logos.
Bike Handlebar bags FAQ
Thinking of getting new bike bags for your handlebars? Here's some questions that other cyclists often ask:
What is the best bicycle bag?
Ortlieb offer a great range of waterproof bags and panniers for bike touring, including bike handlebar bags.
What is a handlebar bag?
Bar bags attach to the handlebars and act as a convenient location for storing items such as a map, snacks, or your phone while cycling. This is a really useful feature, whether you're going on a long bike trip or just heading into town to shop.
What do you keep in your handlebar bag?
Bike handlebar bags are a very useful place to keep items you may use on a regular basis during long rides on a bicycle tour. Bike tools, snacks, phones, and even spare clothing can be carried in a bikepacking handlebar bag.
Do handlebar bags affect handling?
The bicycle's handling is not affected by a handlebar bag. The bag itself would weigh only 1.5kg, and it is unlikely to be filled with anything that weighed more than 2kgs.
Should a good handlebar bag be waterproof?
Just like any other bags you use for bicycle touring, the best handlebar bag should be waterproof. Most handlebar bags of a high quality will be made out of a waterproof material. A cheap handlebar bag may come with separate rain covers.
Pin this guide to bike touring handlebar bags for later
The bags above are a mix of classic touring handlebar bags and roll bags for bikepackers. You can find these products on Amazon or other bicycle shops near you!
You might also be interested in:
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
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How can you have forgotten carradice? They do the super c canvas(which is signed inside by the woman who made it) and a carradry waterproof one.both are about 7 litres capacity,rectangular,have a solid base and sides,couple of pockets inside,and have a map pocket that's removable on the top,fix to the bike using a quick fix clip that's sturdy and easy to use. The only downside I can see is they're quite expensive,but on the other hand if you can't get on with it,lots of willing buyers will take it off you on eBay.
Completely forgot about Carradice! Can't say I've had any experience with their gear so far. Maybe to make up for it, I'll buy a Carradice handlebar bag to test out later this year!
Dave, I have had a couple of Carradice bags over the last few years, and have found their build quality has gone down from the very high standard they used to boast.
What about Rixen and Kaul?
The Zetom bag is just a renamed Snugpak ResponsePak.
I have one of the Snugpak versions and have been using the poppers to attach it to the handlebars. Sadly they come unpopped over any rough terrain and so the amazon page for the Zetom bag shows it being attached by the clips. This is a solution that stops you from actually using the bag as you cannot get into it if the clips are done up.
ResponsePak is also slightly cheaper.
Great review, thanks! Re: Arkel not on Amazon...
Arkel website (www.arkel-od.com) supports online sales, and in the checkout page lists the following countries for shipping:
Australia, Canada, China, Greece, Hong Kong SAR China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam.
Cheers...
Disconano is a very nice, small, compact handlebar bag. I mostly ride day rides between 10 and 50 miles in good weather. I was looking for something that would give me a little more room than my seatbag (which is full with tools and spare tube). This bag holds my small pocket camera, my phone, my wallet, and a garage door opener with ease and has a very low, out of the way profile. My bike is a road bike with drops and it doesn't interfere with the extra brake levers or any cables.
I would recommend this Oranlife bike handlebar bag to people looking for a medium-sized bike bag that they can use for work and short trips. It can carry everything you might need and be used for errands and daily commutes. It's full dimensions are 10 x 5.5 x 5 inches and has a 3.5L capacity. It was made by waterproof material and shoulder strap included, the burrito shape makes it lightweight and easy to secure onto bars but still allows for bulkier items to be stored inside.
Thanks for the article. Regarding the "Altura Grey-Black Dryline 2-7 Litre Bicycle Handlebar Bag" I have owned one since around 2012. It is infuriatingly good. I want a new one, perhaps the Ortlieb, but the bloody thing won't fail or let me down. It is awesome!
Hi Dave, I just upgraded to the Ortlieb 6 Ultimate 7L from a Chinese brand (i think) that has really served me very well. The reason for the upgrade is i'll be traveling in a more rain prone country soon. So i really wanted a waterproof handlebar bag. I'm really happy with the Ortlieb quality. But sling it over your shoulder / over your head and you really carrying a uncomfortable box. I don't think your review took off-bike carrying comfort into account. (i may be incorrect) Personally this is important to me and i am really disappointed in the bag from this perspective. I guess the sturdy Ortlieb frame makes it less forgiving and lets just say "boxy" and that doesn't fit comfortably against my trim body. If you have a larger frame body i'm assuming it could feel even more uncomfortable. The strap is also very short. I will try a longer one soon. Otherwise the plan is to make a kind of sock for the bag that you can store everything in. And just grab this internal bag/sock to place in a more comfortable foldable day backpack for those longer away from bike times. (sightseeing, walks etc) I do wonder if any well known handlebar bags have a better off bike comfort? My Chinese one was awesome. But certainly not waterproof (yet to prove) and as rigid as the Ortlieb.
I found having a short strap and carrying it with the soft side next to the body was the most comfortable for me. Only thing is, the strap falls off from the hook points every so often! For a day pack, i tend not to use the handlebar bag, but one of the panniers (shoulder strap, soft side against body).