SHOOTOUT
Seatpacks
A trio of medium packs for race days and long stints in the saddle
01 Zéfal Z Adventure R5
Volume 5L
Weight 400g
£56.99
● ZÉFAL’S ADVENTURE R5 has a robust TPU plastic, polyester and Hypalon (synthetic rubber) construction that’s hardwearing and resilient to muck and moisture. The base has a rubbery layer to add extra spray protection, there’s a light loop, and several reflective elements too. Its saddle rail and seatpost straps keep this compact pack perfectly stable, plus adjustable straps neatly secure each side of the roll closure. The red, heat-sealed interior is waterproof, and ideal for a couple of extra layers, plus a spare inner tube or two. Two Velcro straps on top allow you to carry a little more behind the saddle as well. Overall, this pack is nicely made (including reinforced areas at the mounting points), easy to use and a bargain price.
02 Evoc Seat Pack Boa
Volume 3L
Weight 218g
£124.99
● THERE’S NOTHING STANDARD about this compact seatpack, including the price. The rigid plastic nose has a ribbed rubber seatpost-gripping insert, secured by a Hypalon strap, and a cord that tightens with a BOA dial. The load space has reinforced but flexible sides and wraparound Velcro straps hold it solidly to your saddle rails. The tough single-layer polyurethane body material has welded seams and an integrated waterproof lining, closing with Velcro tabs, before rolling up to be secured by a quick-release webbing strap. Although the need for a BOA is hard to justify and helps hike up the price, the whole pack (which is the smallest here) works brilliantly, offers incredibly fast access, and doesn’t budge when riding.
BEST ON TEST
03 Restrap Race Saddle Bag
Volume 7L
Weight 253g
£119.99
● MADE IN THE UK, this bag has a semirigid holster that attaches by threading Nylon webbing through two buckles, which is fiddly, but once fitted, can be left in situ. A locking rubbery Hypalon strap holds onto the seatpost, and dense foam blocks separate the holster from your bike. A good-sized roll-top waterproof drybag looks after your gear brilliantly, but without an air-release valve, needs squeezing to keep it from ballooning. With the drybag compressed, and the rear webbing strap passed through its looped closure, it can’t slip off. Its Fidlock magnetic buckle provides security and rapid access, and with everything tightened, the 253g Restrap barely wobbles.