Help choosing a saddle pack.

[J_Bike12]

Hey All,
Can I please have some help choosing between these three bags:
https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-mid-size/
https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-dry-14l/
https://commutercycles.com.au/shop/ortlieb-seat-pack/

Thanks!

[RonK]

That would be a bit difficult since you don't explain your requirements or your rationale for choosing just those three. All have their pros and cons.

You could toss a coin I suppose. :wink:

Or you could read the bag reviews here.

Bikepacking

[J_Bike12]

Thanks for your reply. I may have been a little vague oops.
I would like a bag that is versatile enough to work on multiple trips with very different loads.
Apdidura saddle pack mid size:
Pros: simple, cheapest, versatile, in between size
Cons: not fully waterproof
Apidura saddle pack dry
Pros: fully waterproof
Cons: expensive
Ortlieb seat pack
Pros: fully waterproof, purge valve to assist packing, more light loops
Cons: probably way too big, won't roll up small enough, expensive

[blaaat]

I own both the Apidura dry (14L) and the Revelate Designs Terrapin system (And tested the Ortlieb seat pack for a while, before I returned it).

The Ortlieb seat pack is huge. I didn't find a way to pack it in a way that it wouldn't touch my wheel on the downhills. It simply bends too easily. Returned it because of this issue.

Happy with the Apidura seat pack, although it's way smaller than the 14L they say it is. (if I had to guess, around 10-11L). You can confirm this by multiplying the outer dimensions mentioned on their website; if it was a perfect cube, it wouldn't fit 14L! On the plus side; this makes it really stable in all directions on your saddle.

The Revelate Terrapin is also 14L by specs (and appears to be really 14L, fits way more stuf than the Apidura).
Pro is that it's easier to remove & pack.

Of your options I would recommend the 14L Apidura saddle pack dry.

[J_Bike12]

Thankyou! I am borrowing a friends Rapha/Apidura collaboration bag which is the 11L size and would like slightly larger so I will go with the 14L Apidura dry.
Thanks!

[KolbyLynch]

That is a very difficult selection to get a straightcut answer. I have done some research and read essay reviews to get to a conclusion. My choice would be the second option but the decision is totally up to you.