Waterproof and durable – Ortlieb bikepacking bags
5.3.2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
A fad born during Covid, it’s safe to say that bikepacking is here to stay. German manufacturer Ortlieb is a pioneer for all types of bike bags.
There’s hardly a bike better suited to bikepacking than a gravel bike. Whether you’re riding on tarmac, gravel or forest paths, this all-rounder will take you just about anywhere. Unsurprisingly, this versatile bike is popular with adventurers seeking out nature away from the beaten track. The numerous mounting points on the frame and fork allow various bags to be securely attached to the bike. There’s also plenty of room for extra storage on the handlebars and seatpost.
Ortlieb – made in Germany for over 40 years
It was no April Fool’s joke when Ortlieb Sportartikel GmbH officially registered as a company in Nuremberg on 1 April 1982. What began as a one-man operation run by founder Hartmut Ortlieb has grown into a globally active mid-sized company. The brand is owner-managed to this day, employing around 300 employees and manufacturing under the motto «Made in Germany». Indeed, all its waterproof products come from Heilsbronn in Franconia.
Frame-Pack Toptube
One advantage of the Frame-Pack Toptube is that it lets you carry up to three kilos of gear such as tools, a hand pump, food and spare clothing. The four-litre version even has space for tent poles if you’re planning an overnight stop. At the same time, the Frame-Pack Toptube respects the space needed for your frame-mounted water bottle. Both the bag and the zipper are waterproof.
It even works in the limited space of the frame triangle on full-suspension mountain bikes.
Frame-Pack
The triangle Frame-Pack is ideal for heavier gear such as a camping stove or a plentiful food supply. Sturdy Velcro straps make mounting it a breeze. Here too, waterproof nylon fabric and a waterproof zip keep the bag’s contents dry.
The Frame-Pack comes in four and six litres, depending on the size of your frame. Both versions can carry up to three kilos of gear. You can download a template from Ortlieb’s website to determine the dimensions of your frame’s triangle.
Seat-Pack QR
The Seat-Pack QR mounts to the seatpost rather than the frame. The saddle bag comes in two sizes: the 13-litre version holds a maximum load of five kilos. The smaller 7.5-litre version carries up to three kilos. Ortlieb’s patented mounting system even allows the Seat-Pack to be used with a dropper seatpost. According to the manufacturer, it requires just 4.3 centimetres of space on a dropper post.
The pack volume can be compressed thanks to a valve, while elastic cords on the outside can hold additional gear. A protective plate on the underside shields the bag from tyre contact and doubles as a mudguard.
You can find more bike bags for big and small adventures here.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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