Testing the Restrap Bar Pack 10L handlebar bag

Test video summary

My summary

What use is the Restrap 10L handlebar bag?

The Restrap Bar Pack 10L handlebar bag is a bikepacking bag. In my opinion, it offers a good compromise between weight and capacity, as well as being waterproof and very sturdy. It won’t suit those looking for the lightest bike possible, but will be a good choice for those who want to invest in sturdy panniers that will accompany them on long bike rides.

It can also be interesting for those of you who, like me, have a fairly small bike (size S), as its width and height are limited. On my bike, it fits easily between the handlebar grips of a road or gravel bike, which is far from being the case with all handlebar bags, which are often too wide for small bikes, and it doesn’t rub the wheel either. Of course, this depends on your bike and the space you have between the handlebars and the wheel (see size guide below).

Features

• Materials: waterproof textured nylon, with nylon lining and finished with a vegan PU leather label
• Capacity: 10L
• Weight: 558g according to the manufacturer, 560g according to our scale. The same 😉
• Rigid structure
• Price: €144.99
• Colors: black, orange, olive green
• Width: 25cm (if you fill it a lot, it can be a bit more at the bottom)
• Height: 24cm
• Recommended height from handlebar to top of wheel: 22cm

To help you find your way around, here’s the size guide provided by Restrap. If you’re worried about the height and the pannier coming slightly over the wheel, there’s a handy little trick: the bumper sold by Restrap lets you push the pannier up and away from the front wheel. I had it on my previous bike, and it worked perfectly.

Our full test of the Restrap Bar Pack 10L hanger bag

Design

Not the most important from a technical point of view, but as long as we’re investing in quality equipment, we want our bikes to look good too, don’t we? 😉 Personally, I like the Restrap’s sleek design, with its nylon shell and simple little label in vegan leather.

Bike mounting

Three straps are used to attach it to the bike: two adjustable straps with cam lock buckles that attach to the handlebars, and a Velcro strap that wraps around the head tube. As a general rule, if you have exposed brake cables, be careful where you put the straps, so they don’t block the cables or the movement of the handlebars.

The buckle straps aren’t ultra-long, which is good enough for me, but I’ve read that some people have problems attaching them because the waist is too short. Nothing to report with my bike in this respect, but I do find the ease of fastening quite variable. Some days I can thread the strap through the buckle in a few seconds, and others I struggle for long minutes… All in all, I think the system is really good, especially as I usually fix it once and for all for my whole bike trip, but if you have to put the bag on and take it off very often, it’s not ideal in my opinion.

Velcro adds stability to the whole, and once attached, the pannier doesn’t move at all. It’s also worth mentioning that the straps are on a rigid support at the rear of the bag. In fact, it’s super stable even on gravel-type trails, and I’m really pleased with it.

However, beware of rubbing: although I never had any problems on my first gravel bike, it only took me 3 days on the new one to damage the paint on the head tube without realizing it… I’d probably put the saddlebag on wrong, but I’d recommend protecting the head tube just in case! In the photos, you can’t see the foam pads I’ve lost, which also provide extra protection for each clamp.

Bag organization

The bag includes 4 different compartments:

• Spacious main compartment with rigid bottom reinforcement
• A front pocket, not huge but into which you can slip quite a few things. There’s a light slot on the front closure.
• A space for a small U-shaped anti-theft device just behind the small pocket (I confess I’ve never used it, and even discovered its existence only belatedly!), with the front pocket closure blocking it.
• An elastic tightener on the top of the bag, so you can always have your rain jacket close at hand.

Overall, it’s well done. Just don’t be tempted to open your pannier while riding, as the main compartment’s side buckle fastening makes the operation impractical. On the other hand, I’m able to access the small front pocket quite easily while riding (that’s where I keep my supplies!).

Bag closure

The two pockets are closed by rolling the fabric over itself, then with a large velcro flap for the small pocket and side compression straps for the main compartment. Practical for compacting your load!

Waterproofing

Restrap claims that the bag is 100% waterproof. It’s true that it’s generally waterproof, and that’s fine in most cases, but it’s not as waterproof as Ortlieb-type panniers, for example. I’ve had a lot of rain with it, notably when cycling the Elbe, and the interior never got soaked, but was often damp. So I’d advise you to put your water-sensitive stuff in an extra plastic bag (well, personally, that’s what I do with all my panniers…).

Durability

It’s impossible to predict the future, but I’ve been using this saddle bag a lot for 2 years now and it hasn’ t aged a bit. It seems really solid and durable, just like the Restrap saddle bag I already told you about.

Conclusion

The Restrap Bar Pack 10L handlebar bag is a good bike bag, solid, durable and practical to use. I highly recommend it!