9 Best Bike Handlebar Bags for 2022

Sometimes, getting from point A to point B with cargo on a bike can be a chore, and choosing the right bag might seem daunting.

With thorough testing mounted to a variety of bike types and lifestyles, from commuting to overnights, we’ve compiled a list of the best bike handlebar bags for 2021 in a variety of categories. 

We found the best overall bag to be the ROCKBROS bikepacking bike handlebar bag, with its durable construction and large capacity in a price range most can afford. 

It’s not only the one on our list. We tested smaller bags for commuting, looked for a bag on a budget, and even found one to appeal to the retro-loving rider. 

You can also look at our other handlebag guides:

1. Top Tube Bags

So read on for our 9 best bike handlebar bags for 2021 and our breakdown for which one would fit the best on your bike.

The Best Bike Handlebar Bags Line-up: 

• 1. ROCKBROS Bikepacking Bike Handlebar Bag (Best Overall)
• 2. Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag (Overall Runner-up)
• 3. REI Co-op Beyonder Handlebar Bag (Best for Commuting)
• 4. Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll Bag (Best for Touring)
• 5. WARNERS WHEELS Bicycle Handlebar Bag (Best for Retro Bikes)
• 6. Kulie DayTripper 8L Bicycle Handlebar Stem Bag (Best for Carrying Tech)
• 7. Oranlife Bike Handlebar Bag (Best for Budgets)
• 8. ROCKBROS Waterproof Handlebar Bags Bikepacking Bags (Best Large Bag)
• 9. Lumiere & Co. Bike Handlebar Bag (Best Small Bag)

Best Bike Handlebar Bags Reviews

After thorough research and testing, here are the “˜best of’ reviews for our picks of the best bike handlebar bags of 2021. 

Choose the category that fits your lifestyle, or read through the whole list and pick the handlebar bag that fits your needs best.

ROCKBROS Bikepacking Bike Handlebar Bag (Best Overall)

The best overall bike handlebar bag balances price, function, and features to appeal to the largest possible audience. 

Whether you prefer to go bikepacking overnight or cycling during the day, the ROCKBROS Bikepacking handlebar bag has everything you need, including the ability to adapt to different bikes. The capacity of this bag is dependent mainly on the space available on the handlebars of your bike. 

If your bike doesn’t have ample space between the handlebars, just roll it shorter to fit in small spaces without compromising on security. 

The waterproof and tear-resistant nylon bag connects securely at five different attachment points, so it stays put for the whole ride and keeps your possessions safe.

At its total capacity, this handlebar bag can fit a 3-person tent, sleeping bag, and clothing without weighing the bike down or making it unstable.

Features: 

• 7-14 L capacity
• 640 g weight
• Nylon with velcro enclosures
• Two extra straps included
• Waterproof and tear-resistant

Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag (Overall Runner-up)

Maybe you don’t need a full 14 liters of storage space. If that’s the case, then the 8 liter Topeak FrontLoader has all the qualities of an excellent handlebar bag in a smaller, lighter body. 

Mounted using an included harness and rubber spacers, this burrito bag made of polyethylene has a low profile and streamlined design that increases stability on the bike. 

While the mounting equipment does add a bit of extra weight, that’s offset by the adjustability of the mounting hardware allowing it to fit most bike designs, including straight and drop handlebars.

Separate your items using the large internal and smaller external side pockets and keep everything safe with a roll-top compression closure. 

The FrontLoader can also double as a dry bag. It’s waterproof and has an air release button to keep clothes and camping gear dry in harsh weather.

Features: 

• 8 L capacity
• 600 g weight (includes mounting gear)
• Made of high-quality rubber and polyethylene
• Roll-top compression
• It fits almost every bike

REI Co-op Beyonder Handlebar Bag (Best for Commuting)

This is one tough handlebar bag, rugged enough to live up to daily commuting regardless of the weather, standing up to snags and pokes. 

It also uses materials that won’t be tough on the environment. 

The Beyonder bag, made from bluesign® approved nylon, assures the purchaser that the manufacturer has done its best to produce a sustainable fabric. 

Securely transport your phone, keys, snacks, even an extra set of shoes, and any essential documents wherever you happen to go, whether it’s cycling to and from work or school.  

Features: 

• 1.5 L capacity
• 142 g weight 
• Environmentally friendly, sustainable nylon
• Converts to waist bag or cross-body bag
• Water-repellant, puncture, and tear-resistant

Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll Bag (Best for Touring)

Using an included mount plate to fix the bag to the bike means this bag will fit most types of bikes, including e-bikes with flat, riser, or drop-style handlebars. 

The waterproof and airtight design includes sturdy seam construction to keep clothes, camping equipment, or provisions dry and fresh. 

The Outpost Elite is more than just internal storage. The added external straps and loop elastic webbing gives a place to store wet or dirty items, so you don’t have to keep everything together. 

Or, use the extra storage for items that require quick access, like bike water bottles. 

Features: 

• 14 L capacity
• 795 g weight 
• Attach extra items to the outside with elastic webbing and straps
• Secures onto a fixed mount plate
• Welded seam construction is waterproof and tear-resistant

WARNERS WHEELS Bicycle Handlebar Bag (Best for Retro Bikes)

With multiple mounting positions, this retro-looking handlebar bag makes an ideal bag for personal effects on your commute and can be shown off on the hand bars, on the stem, or a combination of the two. 

The water-resistant canvas protects against rain, and the included strap easily converts to a cross-body bag, so there’s no need to move everything from one bag to another when you stop at a coffee shop or arrive home after a long day. 

The Warners Wheels handlebar bag would also be a perfect gift for a cycling enthusiast who has embraced the lifestyle. 

Features: 

• 1.5 L capacity
• 472 g weight 
• Retro aesthetic
• Converts to a cross-body bag
• Water-resistant canvas and vegan leather

Kulie DayTripper 8L Bicycle Handlebar Stem Bag (Best for Photographers)

With the Kulie DayTripper 8L bag, photographers can take their favorite stand-alone camera on their day trips out into nature without worrying that something will get broken. 

This handlebar bag is one of the most secure, owing the extra support to its attachment at the stem and the individual handlebars. 

For easy mounting on and off the bike, you must purchase the KlickFix bike adapter, sold separately. 

Thanks to waterproof panels and a rattle-proof frame, delicate equipment will be safe inside regardless of where you go. A clear top allows you to interact with the touchscreen underneath while keeping it dry. 

Features: 

• 8 L capacity
• 997 g weight 
• Clear touchscreen responsive panel
• Mounts and unmounts easily without tools (after adaptor is mounted)
• Waterproof and rattle-proof panels with durable seam construction

Oranlife Bike Handlebar Bag (Best for Budgets)

For day trips or just packing light, a handlebar bag doesn’t have to be expensive. 

This offering from Oranlife gives a total 3.5-liter volume, and its burrito form adapts to almost any bike, even those with a small space between the handlebars. 

The water-resistant polyester will keep a small spare set of clothes clean or a work lunch and paperwork safe from the weather. 

After taking it off the bike, which happens without any fuss, the bag quickly becomes a waist bag by using the attached strap.

Features: 

• 3.5 L capacity
• 639 g weight 
• Adapts to all bikes and motorbikes
• Converts to waist bag
• Water-resistant PVC and polyester

ROCKBROS Waterproof Handlebar Bikepacking Bags (Best Large Bag)

This is the bag for long or shorter trips where a lot has to be packed. 

Technically, it’s two bags that stack together and then mount to the bike, but this way, the load is more evenly distributed, and both bags are made of the same anti-stain and easy to clean material. 

Even with a combined capacity of 20 liters, the options for mounting are plentiful and require no additional hardware. You can roll up the larger bag to accommodate the smaller space on drop-hand bikes, although rolling will reduce capacity. You can also use the two bags separately. 

A great choice for long, overnight trips, the bags have reflective logos, which increase night visibility and the larger bag’s secure construction allows it to be used as a dry bag. 

Features: 

• Max 20 L capacity (5-6 L + 14-15 L)
• 838 g weight (combined)
• Anti-stain and easy to clean
• Reflective logos increase night visibility
• The larger bag is waterproof. It can double as a dry bag. 

Lumiere & Co. Bike Handlebar Bag (Best Small Bag)

For quick trips across town to grab a snack or visit a friend, sometimes all that’s needed is a small, secure place to store a phone, keys, and wallet. 

The Lumiere & Co. handlebar bag is an attractive option for the essentials that conveniently converts to a waist or cross-body bag for off the bike. 

It’s water-resistant for light splashes and rain but try not to drop it into a deep puddle. Attaching the bag is simple with quick-release Velcro straps that hug securely to the handlebars even over bumpy urban terrain. 

Available in several colors, including white and black. 

Features: 

• 1.5 L capacity
• 381 g weight 
• Made from durable nylon and quick release velcro
• Converts to a stylish waist bag or cross-body bag
• Water-resistant for light splashes

The Bike Handlebar Bag Buying Guide

There are many things to consider when choosing the best bike handlebar bag. After evaluating what you need for your lifestyle, use this guide to help you decide on the best option for you. 

Capacity

How do you use your bike? A commuter bag is going to look very different than one for overnight camping trips. 

Picking the correct size capacity can be difficult. 

However, you can determine capacity and storage space by how light you pack, the size of the items you want to bring with you on the road, and a general space guideline. 

As a general rule, a handlebar bag under five liters works best for commuters and day trips where packing will be light. 

Over five liters works best for moderate packing, and overnight trips with camping gear should aim for bags that can hold at least 14 liters. 

Choose handlebar bags labeled as “˜for bikepackers’ if you’re unsure. 

Durability

Waterproof, water-resistant, tear-resistant, or easy to clean, these are all terms to look for if the items you’re carrying need to be protected from the elements and for easier clean-up.

Nylon and polyester are rugged, and treated leather is durable and easy to clean. 

If you’re traveling with fragile tech that must be kept safe and dry, pick a bag that has a solid hard frame rather than a roll-top compression bag. 

Lifestyle

Most handlebar bags are meant to mount and unmount easily from the bike with little to no hardware needed. 

This portability keeps the cyclist from having to move everything from one bag to another and makes it simple to switch between bikes. 

As a bonus, many bags also offer the ability to convert from bike mounted to a cross-body or waist bag using either an attached strap or one sold with it that can be connected. This is an essential feature for commuter bags that may only carry a wallet and phone. 

You can sometimes convert larger bags into a gym bag or duffle, a bonus for weekends you can’t go bikepacking. 

Budget

Lastly, the price will depend on added features like the ability to double as a dry bag and materials like anti-stain treatments. 

Make sure to include other necessary equipment like harnesses and mounting plates that may be sold separately. 

Larger bags will generally be more expensive than smaller, however, branded and specialized gear may cost even more. 

Final Thoughts

It’s a small piece of equipment that makes a big difference. 

Try our pick for the best bike handlebar bag, the ROCKBROS Bikepacking Bike Handlebar Bag, but if you only need a small bag for essentials, try the Lumiere & Co. Bike Handlebar Bag. 

Either way, enjoy your time outside, knowing what you need is safe and close at hand with a bike handlebar bag.