Which bikepacking bags should you choose for a multi-day adventure?

Bikepacking is all about the freedom to head out on an adventure without constraints. But that freedom doesn’t come without preparation. Choosing the right bikepacking bags is essential to balance your gravel bike, protect your gear, and ride with peace of mind—even over several consecutive days.

In this article, we share our field-tested expertise, technical recommendations, and a checklist to help you set off fully equipped like a gravel pro.

Why is choosing the right bikepacking bags so important?

On a gravel bike, every gram matters. Unlike traditional cycle touring, bikepacking focuses on lightweight setups, aerodynamics, and a smart distribution of load.

A poor bag setup can affect handling, cause sway, or worse—make your journey uncomfortable. That’s why you need to think in terms of volume, weight, accessibility, and weather resistance.

Which types of bikepacking bags should you choose for a multi-day adventure?

Photo : Restrap

Here are the essentials, tested and approved in real conditions by the GravelUp team:

1. Saddle Bag

• Capacity: 7 to 18 L

• Use: clothing, compressible sleeping bag

• Advantages: large capacity without a rack (attaches directly to the seatpost)

• Tip: choose a model with sturdy, anti-sway straps—or consider a stabilizer. For more tips, check out our article "First Gravel Adventure: Essential kit list".

2. Frame Bag

• Capacity: 2 to 8 L

• Use: heavier items (tools, batteries, food)

• Advantages: keeps your center of gravity balanced, ideal for stability

• Watch out: check compatibility with your water bottles and frame size!

3. Handlebar Bag

• Capacity: 3 to 14 L

• Use: sleeping bag, lightweight tent, sleeping pad

• Advantages: perfect for light but bulky gear, easy access

• Tip: avoid overloading—it could affect your steering.

4. Top Tube Bag

• Capacity: 0.5 to 2 L (mounted above the frame)

• Use: phone, snacks, power bank

• Advantages: easy access while riding

• Tip: go for a waterproof model with one-handed opening.

Our bag partner: Restrap, the go-to brand for gravel adventures

At GravelUp, adventure is what we live for! We take you into wild, remote places, in all kinds of weather. That’s why we trust Restrap, our official bikepacking bag partner.

Why Restrap?

• 🇬🇧 Handmade in England, using tough, high-quality materials

• 100% waterproof, thanks to welded seams and a zip-free design

• Modular and reliable, ideal for trips from 3 to 7+ days

• Ethical and sustainable, with a real environmental commitment

Our ideal setup for a 5-day bikepacking trip without luggage transport: Restrap 14L Saddle Bag + 4.5L Frame Bag + 7L Handlebar Bag + 1.2L Top Tube Bag.

Which bag setup is right for your adventure?

Short adventure (2 to 3 days, staying indoors)

• Recommended bags: Saddle bag + Top tube bag

• Benefits: Maximum lightness, simple setup, ideal for trips with hotel or guesthouse stops

Mid-range adventure (4 to 6 days with bivouac)

• Recommended bags: Saddle bag, Frame bag, Handlebar bag, Top tube bag

• Benefits: Good autonomy, balanced between comfort and performance, compatible with light camping gear

Long adventure (6+ days in full autonomy)

• Recommended bags: Full setup (saddle, frame, handlebar, top tube) and Fork bags mounted on cages.

• Benefits: Maximum carrying volume, ideal for tent, cooking gear, food, and water
  — perfect for journeys with little or no resupply.

Gear check before departure

✔️ Bags securely fastened, no rubbing
✔️ Even weight distribution (front/rear)
✔️ Accessible and organized content
✔️ Loaded test ride (at least 2 hours) before the trip

Expert tip from GravelUp

The right choice of bikepacking bags is the one that adapts to your route, your autonomy, and your riding style. The goal: to ride smoothly, keep the joy of gravel biking, and focus on what really matters—the adventure.

And if you join us, we’ll take care of advising, testing, and adjusting everything together, with our expertise and the best products on the market, like those from Restrap.

Unique trip: bikepacking initiation around Mont Ventoux

Why not take your first bikepacking rides in a landscape as legendary as it is wild?

GravelUp, expert in gravel trips, and Restrap, a leading bikepacking bag brand, will take you to the heart of Provence for 5 days of bike travel initiation around Mont Ventoux.

👉 For info and registration
👉 Want more destinations? Download our brochure