Custom frame bag getting made need some opinions

[trail_monkey]

I'm getting a custom frame bag made by Josh at Broadfork bags. I just mailed the templates for my frame triangle into him today. I see that there are bags that have two zippers on the same side and a horizontal divider separating the upper and lower compartment and then you got the standard configuration with a zipper on each side and a vertical divider down the middle. Can someone tell me as far as a carrying and storage capacity is there an advantage to one style over the other?

[RonK]

I would have thought a horizontal divider a more common configuration that a vertical divider.
My frame bag has a single zip entry to a map pocket on the left and two zips with horizontal divider on the right.
I carry water bladders and long items such as tent poles in the top compartment, and heavier items such as tools and spares in the lower.
I can't see how a vertically divided bag would be workable.

[fotooutdoors]

I'm with Ron; I can't see a vertical divider being anything but a hindrance. Personally, none of my frame bags have any dividers, but I think that is partially because their maker was lazy (aka me). I would at least have a map pocket, but I'm not totally convinced that multiple pockets would do anything but limit how much I can cram into the bag.

[trail_monkey]

I would have thought a horizontal divider a more common configuration that a vertical divider.
My frame bag has a single zip entry to a map pocket on the left and two zips with horizontal divider on the right.
I carry water bladders and long items such as tent poles in the top compartment, and heavier items such as tools and spares in the lower.
I can't see how a vertically divided bag would be workable.

Okay well maybe I'm confused LOL. I only have a revelat tangle bag now and a Blackburn bag on my other bike. They both have zippers on each side and a divider down the middle that separates the bag into halves. I was assuming that was what was meant by a vertical divider. So I have never owned a bag with a horizontal divider before.

[theTallMan]

I made my first bag with a vertical divider (velcro tying sides together) about 5 inches from the seatpost because I didn't know any better and it seemed like a good place to keep the bag compact and out of my pedals.

Otherwise the bag is one big space (lazy and prototype)

Worked out OK and my cooking kit fits down in there nicely.   I can also slip a 1.5 - 2L water bottle in there for some backup.

Next bag will be roll top and I think I'll do something similar.

[Adam Alphabet]

Everyone has their preferences. I like my main to be a left side access dual compartment divided top and bottom. Top compartment tall enough to hold multiple bladders/bottles on their side. The thin map pocket (right side) to only go down as far as the top of the lower zipper so that those thin items don't migrate down to the bottom corner of the bag, if that makes sense. The lower section holds tools, spares, tube, stans, pump, whatever else I can jam in there.

I've designed and made all sorts of bags over the years and the above is what I've come to prefer. I've added two pics of my main bags. They're both virtually identical in usage/function. The camo one uses heavier duty materials that I use for touring and general bikepacking. The white one is cuben fiber that I use for bikepack racing.

Ask the bag builder if they have suggestions/recommendations based on what they've done in the past. Hopefully they can steer you in the right direction.

Good Luck!

[trail_monkey]

It is being made now. I am getting 2 horizontal zippers on drive side with a horizontal divider and a map pocket on left side. Thanks for all the replies.