Test of the Restrap Saddle Bag 14L

Test video summary

My summary

What use is the Restrap saddle bag?

The saddlebag is the bikepacker’s must-have! Although you can also opt for a luggage rack, the advantage of the saddlebag is that you don’t need to bring any extra equipment: you can attach it to any bike (road, gravel, MTB, VTC…) just when you need it.

This Restrap saddle bag is really well-suited to bike travel, not only because of its capacity (14L is good enough, and it also comes in 18L), but also because of its solid materials and design, with separate waterproof case and bag forming a practical and stable unit on the bike. A real “coup de coeur” for me: in fact, it accompanied me on several bike tours lasting from a few days to several weeks, such as the Elbe bicycle tour, the Vélobuissonnière and the Vallée du Lot bicycle tour.

Features

• Materials: Textured nylon, Cordura 1000D, nylon straps, Fidlock magnetic closure and finished with vegan PU leather label
• Capacity: 14L (also available in 8L and 18L)
• Weight: 535g according to the manufacturer, idem according to our scale.
• Price: €143.99
• Colors: black with black or orange laces
• Length: 45cm
• Height: 18cm
• Recommended height from seat rail to tire: 24cm

To make sure you get the right size, here’s a diagram from Restrap’s size guide, which I find quite clear.

Our full test of the Restrap Saddle Bag 14L

Design

Ok, it’s not the most important point, but it’s still nice to have a bag that you find pretty (especially when you pay the price!), isn’t it? I like Restrap’s design in general, very minimalist. On this bag, only available in black, you can choose whether you want the laces in black or orange.

Bag design

The Restrap saddle bag is designed in two distinct parts:

• a rigid case that serves as a support (bag holder, sort of quiver): it attaches to the seatpost and also to the saddle rails, and can be left on the bike.
• a waterproof bag that simply slides into the case

I find this design really practical, as it allows you to leave the rack constantly attached to the bike and only remove the waterproof bag with your belongings in the evening. It’s lighter to carry and avoids having to reattach everything the next day: a little extra I really appreciate!

Note the lace on the underside of the case. I have to admit that I don’t find it practical to have it underneath: as I don’t have a mudguard, it’s the pannier that gets splashed, and so whatever I put underneath would end up stained… So I don’t use it, but it could be useful for something that doesn’t mind getting dirty.

There’s also a loop for attaching a light to the back of the case.

Bike mounting

The attachment of the Restrap saddle bag to the bike is really solid and very well designed in my opinion:

• A small Velcro fastener attaches the bag to the seatpost.
• A second, much longer Velcro fastener, which passes through a loop, provides a second point of attachment to the seatpost, and a very solid one at that, since the loop ensures that the whole thing is securely fastened.
• Two straps to be passed over each of the saddle rails and clipped in place secure the pannier, preventing it from collapsing on the wheel or swinging about.

The result? First of all, it’s really easy to fasten without having to tighten it like crazy! What’s more, I’ve never had a problem with the saddlebag collapsing and rubbing against the wheel, and there’s very little wobble. Of course, depending on the terrain, it moves more than if you were to use a luggage rack, but I’ve never felt the slightest discomfort.

Bag closure

Here again, I think the fasteners are well designed (when I tell you that this bag is a favorite!):

• The straps passing over the saddle rails close with clips on the lower part of the case, making it possible to close it on the sides (the straps are adjustable, so you can adapt them to the volume of your bag).
• A strap with a practical magnetic fastener (easy to close with one hand, even with gloves!) closes the package. Once again, the strap is adjustable, allowing you to compress it properly and, once again, prevent it from swinging around. A hook keeps excess strap in place.
• Closing the waterproof bag is classic: you roll it up and close it with a clip.

Waterproofing

If I find the waterproofing of the Restrap handlebar bag less than perfect, the same cannot be said here. The Restrap saddlebag is perfectly waterproof, and I’ve never had a wet or damp case.

Durability

Like all the brand’s products, this saddlebag seems very sturdy , and I don’t think it’s going to get damaged any time soon. So far, it hasn’t moved at all in two years of use, and given the quality of the materials, I think it’ll stay that way for a long time to come.

Conclusion

The Restrap 14L saddlebag is my favorite piece of bikepacking equipment. I use it on both my gravel and my road bike and am extremely satisfied: I simply can’t fault it!