A handlebar bike bag is a simple yet incredibly useful accessory for any cyclist. Think of it as a fanny pack for your bike, designed to carry your essentials within easy reach while you ride. It’s built with features specifically for cycling, allowing you to access your belongings on the go, whether it’s your phone, wallet, keys, or a quick snack.
While a handlebar bag might not seem like a life-altering piece of gear, it can significantly enhance your riding experience. Imagine arriving at your destination – be it the office, a social gathering, or even a casual ride across town – without the discomfort of a sweaty back from carrying a backpack. For commuters and recreational riders alike, a quality handlebar bag is a game-changer.
After extensive research, including over 30 hours of interviews with cycling professionals and hands-on testing of numerous models, we’ve rigorously evaluated a wide range of Handlebar Bike Bags. Our goal is to guide you to the perfect bag that not only meets your practical needs but also elevates your cycling adventures. We’ve put in the miles, and now we’re confident that the Ornot Handlebar Bag stands out as the top choice for most cyclists seeking to optimize their ride.
Discover Our Top Handlebar Bag Recommendations
We’ve curated a list of the best handlebar bags, catering to various needs and budgets. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate in convenience, a budget-friendly option, or something with extra features, we’ve got you covered.
Top Pick
Ornot Handlebar Bag
Our Favorite Handlebar Bag for Daily Rides
The Ornot Handlebar Bag strikes an ideal balance between minimalist design and practical functionality. Crafted from durable recycled nylon, this bag offers ample space for your daily essentials while incorporating well-thought-out pockets to keep everything organized and easily accessible during your ride. From your phone and wallet to snacks and bike tools, this bag handles it all with ease. While its strengths lie in its on-bike performance, it’s worth noting that carrying it off the bike isn’t its forte.
Buying Options
$86 from Ornot
Runner-up
Road Runner Bags California Burrito
The Best Versatile Handlebar Bag, Nearly As Good As Our Top Pick
The Road Runner Bags California Burrito offers a generous amount of storage without overwhelming your handlebars. Constructed from robust Cordura nylon, this bag is simple, user-friendly, and capable of carrying all your essential items for a day out or your daily commute. It’s slightly more expensive than our top pick and features fewer external pockets, but its overall quality and spaciousness make it an excellent runner-up.
Buying Options
$110 from Road Runner Bags
Budget Pick
Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag
A Fantastic Handlebar Bag That Won’t Break the Bank
For cyclists seeking a more affordable option without compromising on quality, the Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag is an excellent choice. This sleek and low-profile bag, made from polyurethane-coated polyester, offers just the right capacity for your daily essentials. Its compact design ensures it’s a comfortable companion for all-day use. While the handlebar mounting system could be improved, its overall value and functionality as a budget handlebar bag are undeniable.
Buying Options
$65 from Amazon
Upgrade Pick
Swift Industries Catalyst Pack
The Premium Handlebar Bag That Doubles As A Messenger Bag
If you’re looking for a high-end handlebar bag that seamlessly transitions from bike to off-bike use, the Swift Industries Catalyst Pack is your upgrade pick. Constructed from recycled laminate nylon sailcloth material, this bag is incredibly durable and offers a high capacity, making it suitable for both cycling adventures and everyday carry. It functions almost like a messenger bag, providing both on-bike convenience and off-bike style. The Catalyst Pack comes with a higher price tag, but its versatility and robust construction justify the investment for serious cyclists.
Buying Options
$155 from Swift Industries
Buy from REIMay be out of stock
Also Great
Ortlieb Ultimate Urban
The Best Waterproof Handlebar Bag for All-Weather Cycling
For cyclists who demand ultimate weather protection, the Ortlieb Ultimate Urban is the best waterproof handlebar bag available. This high-tech, quick-release mounted bag is crafted from fully waterproof, polyurethane-coated Cordura nylon, ensuring your belongings stay dry even in the heaviest downpours. Its design prioritizes easy access while riding, making it a practical choice for commuters and tourers alike. Keep in mind that the handlebar mount is sold separately, adding to the overall cost.
Buying Options
$2 from REI
Also Great
Rapha Bar Bag
The Best Compact Handlebar Bag for Minimalist Riders
If you prefer to travel light, the Rapha Bar Bag is an excellent choice. This small, yet robustly built bag, made from polyurethane-coated polyester, is designed for carrying just the essentials. It’s perfect for recreational rides and fair-weather commuting where you only need to bring along your phone, wallet, keys, and a few small items. Its compact size and solid construction make it a top contender in the small handlebar bag category.
Buying Options
$35 from RaphaMay be out of stock
Top Pick – Revisited
Ornot Handlebar Bag – In Detail
Why The Ornot Handlebar Bag Remains Our Top Pick
The Ornot Handlebar Bag’s genius lies in its simplicity combined with smart design features. This tube-shaped bag, crafted from recycled nylon, prioritizes quick and easy access to your gear while you’re on the move. With a 3.1-liter capacity, it comfortably accommodates a surprising amount – think three large burritos plus bike tools, your smartphone, a light jacket, wallet, and keys.
What sets the Ornot apart from its predecessor, the Road Runner Bags California Burrito (our former top pick and current runner-up), are the thoughtfully added exterior pockets. Four accessible and secure stretch mesh pockets, along with an interior zipper pocket for valuables, elevate its organizational capabilities significantly.
Two rear-facing exterior pockets are conveniently positioned for on-the-go access while riding. A side pocket with an elastic cord securely holds a smartphone, and a front pocket offers quick storage for a light jacket or other frequently needed items. This front pocket is exceptionally useful for adapting to changing weather conditions without stopping your ride.
The zipper closure of the main compartment, wrapping across the top and partially down the side, is a standout feature. This design drastically improves access to the main compartment, especially when the bag is fully packed. This clever zipper placement makes the bag feel more spacious and user-friendly than its competitors.
The primary downside we identified is the absence of a dedicated shoulder strap for off-bike carry. Users will need to improvise if shoulder carry is desired. Additionally, color options are limited to three, and the stretch mesh pockets might be susceptible to wear and tear from sharp objects over time. However, these minor drawbacks are overshadowed by the bag’s exceptional on-bike performance and thoughtful design.
Runner-up – Revisited
Road Runner Bags California Burrito – Deeper Look
Why The California Burrito Is A Close Second
The Road Runner Bags California Burrito excels in its effective, elegant, and durable design. This 3.3-liter tube-shaped bag, roughly the size of a six-pack, offers comparable carrying capacity to our top pick but forgoes the exterior pockets found on the Ornot bag.
Its straightforward design features a single, easily operable zipper – even while cycling – and side pockets for quickly accessible smaller items. While the zipper doesn’t offer the wraparound access of the Ornot, the bag remains highly functional. Constructed from robust Cordura nylon, it’s available in a wider range of eight vibrant colors, offering more personalization options than our top pick. A significant advantage is its convertibility into a shoulder bag with Road Runner’s universal shoulder strap (sold separately), enhancing its off-bike versatility.
Budget Pick – Revisited
Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag – Examining the Value
The Chrome Helix: Budget-Friendly Functionality
The Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag boasts a sleek aesthetic suitable for various settings, proving that affordable handlebar bags can still deliver style and practicality. During our tests, its Velcro harness attachment system wasn’t quite as secure as the buckle systems on our top picks. However, for its price point, it offers exceptional value. While some might question considering a $65 bag “budget,” we determined this price range represents the minimum for a bag sturdy enough to prevent bouncing on handlebars.
This 3-liter rectangular bag, roughly the size of two takeout containers, provides easy on-bike access thanks to its rider-facing lid opening – a convenient but not universally common feature. While lacking exterior pockets, it includes two interior mesh pockets for organization. Made from durable, water-resistant polyurethane-coated polyester, the bag maintains its shape even when empty. The inclusion of a stowable sling belt further enhances its off-bike carry convenience.
Upgrade Pick – Revisited
Swift Industries Catalyst Pack – Exploring the Premium Features
The Catalyst Pack: More Than Just a Handlebar Bag
The Swift Industries Catalyst Pack stands out as the only bag that seamlessly transitions between a stylish messenger bag off-bike and a highly functional handlebar bag on-bike. Its rectangular shape and top flap with clip closure, along with an internal cinch closure, mirror the design of a classic shoulder bag. While a significant investment, its thoughtful features make it unparalleled for bike commuting and beyond. Constructed from robust and waterproof Ecopak EPLX400 fabric – a recycled nylon originally designed for sailcloths – it’s built to last.
With a generous 7.5-liter capacity, the Catalyst Pack is the largest we tested. It’s sturdy enough to even consider carrying a small pet, and easily accommodated a 3-liter wine box, jacket, snacks, tools, and a book in our tests. Despite its size, it remains surprisingly lightweight and fits comfortably on most handlebars. The expandable lid is particularly useful for quickly stowing a jacket while riding, adding to its on-the-go practicality.
Also Great – Revisited
Ortlieb Ultimate Urban – Delving into Waterproofing and Functionality
The Ultimate Urban: Uncompromising Waterproofing and Smart Design
The Ortlieb Ultimate Urban handlebar bag might resemble a fashionable lunch box, but it’s packed with features that make it exceptionally cyclist-friendly. Its 5-liter capacity comfortably fits a six-pack of cans plus picnic essentials.
The magnetic lid closure and rider-facing opening allow for easy, one-handed access while riding – a feature unique among the bags we tested. A clear, touchscreen-compatible pocket on the lid allows for smartphone visibility, ideal for navigation. Note that the mounting system is sold separately, but offers versatility for various bike types, including e-bikes, with multiple mounting options. For cyclists prioritizing waterproofing and on-bike accessibility, the Ortlieb Ultimate Urban is a top contender.
Also Great – Revisited
Rapha Bar Bag – Examining the Compact Design
The Rapha Bar Bag: Small Size, Premium Build
The Rapha Bar Bag, while offering lower capacity, showcases exceptional craftsmanship. Its meticulous construction and high-quality materials are evident throughout, from the interior lining to the securely attached straps. The rigid polyurethane-coated nylon material prevents sagging, a notable feature in smaller bike handlebar bags.
The main compartment offers remarkably easy access while riding, thanks to zippers that are the smoothest and most user-friendly of all bags tested. Two interior mesh pockets and a zippered exterior pocket provide organization for smaller items. Best suited for recreational riding or light commuting, its compact size is perfect for carrying essentials without bulk.
In conclusion, choosing the right handlebar bike bag depends on your individual needs and riding style. Whether you prioritize capacity, waterproofing, budget, or premium features, there’s a perfect bag for you on this list. Consider what you typically carry on your rides and select the bag that best aligns with your cycling adventures.
