What's the best dry bag for bikepacking?
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A dry bag is not just insurance against a British downpour. On a loaded bike, it’s a way of dividing your kit so the sleeping bag stays dry, spare clothes are easy to find and the tools don’t rub against delicate fabric. For a handlebar setup, the Alpkit Airlok Dual 13L is a strong product to investigate; for a saddle-mounted solution, look at a purpose-built waterproof seat pack instead.
Different places on the bike need different bags
| Position | Good starting point | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Handlebars | Alpkit Airlok Dual 13L | Bar width, cable clearance and harness arrangement |
| Behind the saddle | Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR | Saddle-rail compatibility and tyre clearance |
| Inside another bag | Small roll-top waterproof liner | Enough spare material for several tight folds |
The Airlok Dual has a roll-top opening at each end, taped seams and a stated 13-litre capacity. Alpkit specifies a harness as the more stable arrangement, although it can be attached directly in some setups. That makes it particularly useful for bulky, light items such as spare layers. Heavy kit at the ends of your bars can compromise handling, so don’t fill it simply because the volume is available.
Ortlieb’s Seat-Pack QR offers 13 litres in one version and an IP64 waterproof rating. That rating addresses dust and splashing water, not deliberate submersion. The bag also needs correct mounting, and the manufacturer sets load limits. A drooping saddle pack rubbing the rear tyre is more than an irritation; it can damage both bag and bike.
How waterproof is ‘waterproof’?
A waterproof fabric doesn’t guarantee a waterproof closure. Roll tops need to be rolled enough times to seal, and overfilled bags can leave too little material for a proper fold. Zip-lock bags inside a dry bag are useful for small electronics, but they’re not a substitute for correct bag closure.
Measure your bike before choosing capacity. A 13-litre handlebar bag that works on a wide gravel bike may interfere with narrow drop bars, brake hoses or front-wheel clearance on another. Take a tape measure to the bike while it’s loaded, not just on a work stand.
Our verdict
For a bar-mounted sleeping kit, the Airlok Dual 13L is a thoughtful starting point, provided the fit works. For riders who frequently remove rear luggage, the Seat-Pack QR offers a different advantage. Buy for mounting position and closure reliability first; litre figures are only part of the decision.