Brompton Waterproof Bag Comparison

Brompton Metro Waterproof Large vs Brompton Borough Waterproof Large vs Brompton Ortlieb bag
We had a request - could we compare the features of the Metro (the black one) vs Borough (the blue one) large waterproof bags - we thought we would throw in the previous champion - the O-bag (the Orange one)
The video started out as a comparison of features then we decided to also see how they performed in the rain
So the video has the following parts:
0:00 | Intro
1:10 | Rain test of the waterproof bags
We did an initial test - leaving the bags out on a rainy day ...
Originally (a week earlier) we were going to leave the 3 bags on the 3 bikes - it started raining (for about 5 seconds) then stopped - we were later reminded that leaving the bikes out in the rain could be seen as Brompton abuse!
So - we left them out without bikes
We are uploading an hour of relaxing rainy day Brompton bag video - with a special appearance by our friendly robin
You can see it here (complete with robin)
• Brompton bag relaxing ...
Even this gentle rain for an hour showed that the zip on the front of the Metro bag isn't reliably waterproof (or we didn't do it up enough!)
3:57 | Extremely wet rainy day ride test
Then the forecast for the following day was for heavy rain - so we decided to re-do, get wet and give them a real test!
If you would like to see 40 minutes of getting wet riding around local roads - we could also upload that!
5:44 | About the three waterproof bags
6:27 | Rear pockets / storage
All three bags have two rear storage pockets - perfect for a thermos flask or bottle of water
They are all roll top so very waterproof
The Ortlieb winds here - the bags can be removed and used as smaller carry bags away from the Ortlieb mothership!
7:23 | Shoulder Strap
Metro bag - fixed
Borough bag - removable - but a bit fiddly
Ortlieb bag - removable - easily
8:38 | Borough waterproof bag features
Including:
Roll top
Webbing straps on the front for attaching .... stuff
Large (orange) interior
13 inch laptop sleeve
Zip up net pocket inside
10:23 | Metro waterproof bag features
Two fasteners on the front - with different settings
Zip pocket in front flap
Pen holders
Two pockets under the front flap
Orange interior
13 inch laptop sleeve
Zip up net pocket
11:50 | Brompton O bag features
Laptop sleeve with velcro fastener
Keyring holder
Pens holder
Two zip up pockets
Two velcro sealed pockets
13:12 | End
Thanks for watching
13:40 | Outtakes
Sorry - we went wrong on some takes!

[@danieljames2718]

I found this site informative, witty and entertaining. A massive thumbs up to the presenter of this video. It was perfect. And I loved it. Keep posting please.

[@brilliantbikes]

Wow, thank you so much, we really appreciate it, and thank you for watching!

[@captainchang8565]

What a brilliant idea for comparison, Miss Brilliant!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much and thank you for watching

[@bredemeijer9648]

Bought a Borough and Brompton. Thanks!! Very useful

[@handsonbrompton7875]

You are Brilliant! Complete! And funny. Thanks for this review

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you much for your lovely 😊 comment and for watching.

[@user-ps6wp5fr5g]

thank you, great review xx

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching!

[@johnjensenteo2351]

Thank you for the comparison 👍 Looks like the Metro may be better for daily use being much more convenient to open and get access to your stuff in the main compartment. Although the shoulder strap on the Metro cannot be removed, perhaps it might stay dry if it was tucked into the main compartment under the main flap? Brompton really should have designed a rain flap over the zipper in the main flap, or perhaps put the zipper on the underside of the main flap? The Metro and Borough bags might benefit from some discreet reflective trims as, unlike the other bags in the Brompton range, these do not have brightly coloured rain covers with reflective trims. When riding in heavy rain, I think that’s the time we really need some help to be more visible to other vehicles. Thank you so much for braving the rain to test these bags for us.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching - and sharing your great thoughts We always liked the reflective qualities built into (for example) the older S-bag's - just catching enough light to help cars see you (that's the reason for the bright jacket - which apart from being high viz in day time is very reflective at night) The rain ... pfffff - the right clothes help! (and the mudguards!)

[@johnjensenteo2351]

@@brilliantbikes Perhaps in a future video, you can share with us your favourite rainwear you would recommend for wet rainy weather, especially for torrential downpours. I recently got drenched in a torrential downpour recently and have been thinking long and hard about how to be better prepared. Aside from the waterproof bag, which your video is immensely helpful, I’ve been thinking also about what to wear to stay dry when riding to and from the office. Also, what do you do to take care of your Bromptons after a ride in the rain like this? Thanks much. Love your videos.

[@kavanobrien6547]

Another good video in the bag.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you! Slightly soggy work that one!

[@Quesjer1]

I do have 3 bags, older style Touring bag, with an raincover built in, an C-bag, and that rugged O-bag. No need to update but thanks so much for cheering up this rainy day.....

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching, and glad it cheered up your rainy day 😊, it was a fun rainy ride

[@rolfschattschneider]

A very serious question is answered, thank You very much for Your help.😉

[@brilliantbikes]

You're welcome 😊 (and thanks for watching and the kind comment)

[@GarfieldConnolly]

I really enjoy your videos.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much, so glad you enjoy then. Thank you for watching

[@ditch46uk]

The Metro is a good bag, and I've used mine a lot in some pretty atrocious conditions. For me, the front pocket has been pretty waterproof unless I didn't push the zip head fully into the little rubber zip "holder" provided. The main issue for me with the bag, is that like the old Timbuktu messenger bags of old, if you're not careful, the top edges of the bag by the straps can poke out under the flap, allowing water to trickle down inside the back of the bag. It needs a bit of velcro at the top each side to make sure you can pinch the edges closed so they don't gape out - especially important if the bag isn't fully loaded. Having been spoiled by Timbuktu and Crumpler, I think Brompton could also do a better job on the shoulder strap - but now I'm just being picky :)

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks so much for the comment! And thank you for watching

[@acey850]

The large Metro Waterproof Bag is my second go-to bag in these rainy days of cycling. Plus it does look sleek when in the city.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching - and for commenting We use it as our camera bag - and the main compartment has never let in water (yet!) It's east to get access to the camera - the Borough bag is probably slightly more waterproof but access is slightly more difficult

[@QuestingQueer]

I’m a college senior and I commute to class instead of living on campus. I bought this bag after I got my first paycheck from my summer job and I don’t regret it at all! I put my water bottle or thermos of coffee (depending on where I’m headed!) in one of the back pouches of my large metro waterproof bag. In the other back pocket, I have a package of deodorant wipes to freshen up after reaching my destination, and on top I put a small folding umbrella on those rare occasions when it’s raining hard enough I decide to take public transit instead of biking! At the end of a day of using the umbrella in the rain and sticking it back in the pouch before I go into a building, I have to tip the bag upside down because the pouch is so waterproof the water from the umbrella will just collect and fill up like a small pool. I keep my computer and charger in a padded sleeve within my bag just in case, but that makes it too thick to fit in the laptop pouch which doesn’t have much room to stretch, especially if something is also placed in the mesh compartment (like a few extra N95 masks in a ziplock bag). So I put a folder or two of papers where the laptop should go, which helps keep them from getting bent, and the laptop goes in the main compartment. The main compartment also gets to hold my mouse in its case, my notebook for class, my pencil bag, my textbook for class, and sometimes a rain jacket. The two little pouches on the front have my snacks and my bottle of Tums. And the zip pouch on the top flap is where I keep my keys, my sundry items (tissues, lip balm, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, bandaids, phone charger, earbuds, etc) all in little translucent mesh bags. The waterproofing means I never have to worry about the rain ruining my homework as I ride to class.

[@brilliantbikes]

Wow that does sound like you have al the things you need in their place, thank you for letting us know the capacity in real life. And thank you for watching

[@jonathanleach3914]

V good as always. I’ve used an O bag for years. V hard wearing and waterproof, even if the shape means that it can carry less than the old C bag.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you. We do love our O bags! Many travels with them, but yes they make you focus on what you need to pack!

[@ianjenkins8058]

Thank you for a very helpful comparison of the waterproof offerings from Brompton. I notice that Carradice have Brompton specific bags and it would be interesting to have a comparison of these with some of the Brompton bags. I use a T bag for touring the one thing that would make it better is to have it in a brighter colour, such as red, for visibility to other road users. Black, especially at night, is unhelpful albeit there is a Brompton logo reflective patch. Thank you again for such s good video

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching! We will add further comparisons to the list!

[@antonydennis6585]

Brilliant video, thank you sooo much! I love your style. What is the orange jacket you are wearing… I’d like one!

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for watching and for your nice comments! It’s a Proviz jacket, great at being waterproof and visible! A bit hot if you’re riding hard, great for a commuter jacket!

[@sennengomes]

Applauding your rigorous testing regime and you didn't get a soaking!! Hope Brompton are looking are recruit you as an advisor to their QA dept. If so, I suspect their bike will be bomb proof after you've had your say! Loved the video, so a 👍🏼

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching! I actually managed to stay more or less dry thanks to some fab waterproofs, even had dry feet! Just let down by my lovely vented helmet - which is now cleaner 😊

[@maxpower7735]

Another great video, thank you very much! Could you make a video what can be done to make an autumn/winter ride more safe? Are they grippier tires for slippery roads?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for the suggestion! We were chatting about this a a great idea last night!

[@newzealand_thamilan]

Great comparison

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you and thank you for watching.

[@stuartmanuel3698]

I have the metro waterproof bag. Have been using it several months now come rain or shine. I wish I had got the roll top bag as sometimes the metro isn’t quite big enough for my needs. As regards the strap I keep it stored on the inside of the bag as I rarely use it. I would say that during very heavy rain I have noticed water ingress along the seam where the ‘lid’ of the bag is stitched to the rear back panel. Not enough to get anything inside wet but you can see it as the orange inner gets wet in that area. Also the rubber loops that you use to feed the metal clasps through to close and secure the bag are showing signs of beginning to tear.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching and the great feedback.

[@BELLAPHONTOO]

2:41 the mother of all #gasphorror moments, and rather endearing as well. The cameraman is yet again a lucky geezer!

[@handsonbrompton7875]

😂

[@brilliantbikes]

I know I was rather surprised it leaked! Was not expecting proper droplets! Thank you for watching 😊

[@mrmaiemij]

you did a hard job for the tests, especially for the rain test. Thank You for that! I really wanted to know, if the lack of the zipper from the metro bag was a production failure or if it lacks on all bags. Greetings from Germany to the UK :-)

[@brilliantbikes]

Hello! Greetings back from the UK. Thank you for watching!

[@newzealand_thamilan]

To showcase how the bags perform in rain, you cycle in rain the patience to wait till rainy season and making this video is really appreciated. Are you working for Brompton?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks so much for watching and for the question. No we don’t work for Brompton, just want to help people who have Brompton.

[@christopherhood9241]

interesting video - as someone whom takes part in Ultra cycle events i'd put my trust in a roll top bag city riding or not (need to keep my tie dry !).

[@iandann6196]

As a Kayaker some of this technology is familiar to me, the roll over top system of the Borough bag, this system works well, and can get a little leaky if fully submerged but even then it’s not a massive amount, but enough to keep kit in zip seal bags, but for a bike as you found should work well. I also have a little experience of the zip type on the Metro, these are only partly water proof, better than a standard zip, what they could have done to improve this is an over flap with Velcro fastening, and the small amount you experienced could possibly be avoided.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching! We are impressed at how waterproof they are in general! It really really rained on the test (I was soaked), but they were really good (except that one zipped pocket!)

[@tomc8854]

Nice❗️Although I don’t ride in the rain often I was in California yesterday for a rare , for them, rainy day with hail! Even though my contraband days are way behind me the orange one does have some nice features , but the sail has that brilliant feature that is quite an oxymoron, the clever Knob❗️😁 I do really like the bottle bags. Hey I recently got a leather Brooks saddle, should they be covered in the rain? do they make covers for them that you recommend?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for making us giggle! Yes Brooks do recommend the saddles are covered in the rain, and they do covers. Although some people just use a shower cap 😊

[@KennethWuAU]

I really dislike the shoulder pads that come with the metro bags. They get in the way when adjusting the length of the straps. I've since unstitched and removed them. The other issue with the metro messenger is the strap locks. The lock tends to slip an inch after you throw it over your shoulders. Brompton should make the lock tougher and tighter like the old Crumpler messenger bags. I actually prefer the the non-waterproof metro bag. I can easily do modifications and add-ons to it. If I need to keep my things dry, I simply line it with a plastic bag. The softer cordura fabric is also more comfortable and less noisy. I also find the buckles to be less fiddly, great for quick access to things. The non-waterproof metro also has a velcro hook and loop to keep the flap closed without needing to do up the buckles at all, great for quickly getting things in and out.

[@toma6797]

cool!

[@DasEmily]

Love the videos! I saw the new Brompton pump by Lezyne was announced. Is it possible to do a video on this and bike pumps? I found that some bike pumps can be difficult sometimes with the Brompton Electric hub, so it would be nice to know which ones work and don't.

[@brilliantbikes]

No problem at all, coming up soon 😊. Thank you for the suggestion and for watching

[@ainik20]

The contraband pocket is the key winner XD

[@brilliantbikes]

😂 and it’s useful for washing it 😊. Thank you for watching

[@14phgerard]

I actually put the shoulder strap of the metro inside the bag. Keeps it dry in the rain.

[@brilliantbikes]

That’s a very sensible idea! Why did we not do that…. Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@spertisainz]

We just bought a couple of Bromptons, thanks for all your advice and tips. My wife wants your pink handlebar grips... What brand is it please?!

[@brilliantbikes]

Ah they are Ergon GA2, in Berry Crush, I can’t see them in pink, but purple? brilliantbikes.co.uk/handlebar-grips/4112-ergon-ga2-handlebar-grips-purple-reign.html Thanks for watching!

[@9625blackcat]

Hello, What are the weights of these three bags. I cannot find any information about the weight on the web.

[@mramazingtroy]

Has anybody got experience in how waterproof other Brompton bags are? I'm looking at bags like the Barbour tarras, Brompton game bag and Carradice waxed canvas bags for the Brompton.

[@davidscott3292]

Heresy.

[@yodhamheaven]

can the laptop pocket fit my macbook 16 M1 with width around 36cm?

[@amonster8mymother]

👍👍

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching !

[@amonster8mymother]

That's a nice mid your wearing what is that?

[@draddy1909]

any tips for modifying these bags for electric battery?

[@brilliantbikes]

So sorry we have not tried that! Let us know if you do how you get on.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

You should apply for a stunt double!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks she does make an appearance sometime ms. Thank you for watching

[@yannd.8703]

What bag do you recommend for grocery shopping ?

[@brilliantbikes]

I’d go for the basket bag! Easy to chuck stuff in! Thanks for the question and for watching!

[@yannd.8703]

Hello, thank you for your answer but which one is it?@@brilliantbikes

[@petekadenz9465]

You mentioned how many litres the Metro bag is, but not (I think) the Borough bag.

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks, if we missed it sorry! The capacity of the Borough large waterproof is 25 litres! It is quite a large capacity! Thank you for asking and watching

[@noeliepollie1973]

Using nappies. No man would have thought to be so logical. Brilliant 😂

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you! And thank you for watching

[@noeliepollie1973]

@@brilliantbikes 👍🏼😎

[@tonylock1108]

i want to know what make the orange coat is?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching The jacket is made by Pro-Vis, great because it really picks up light from cars and glows making me very visible on dark morning commutes

[@Pesmog]

I have one of the reversible Pro-viz jackets. Its Orange one side and reflective material the other and am very pleased with it. They are not cheap, but in the dark with the reflective side outwards they are almost painful for car drivers to look at they are so bright. 😀 Thanks for the Brompton large bag comparison, excellent as usual and you got proper wet !!

[@sheilastallard]

Good for carrying nappies then! Stay Safe!

[@brilliantbikes]

😂 yes! Thank you for watching and stay safe as well 😊

[@RichardReeve_K1W1]

Why would you need to put a water bottle inside a warerproof rear pocket?

[@brilliantbikes]

Good question, we sometimes just pop them in there if we don’t have a bottle holder in the bike, also trying to show a bit of perspective on how big the pockets are.

[@thorstenwidmer7275]

where do I get the ortlieb bag?

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for the question and for watching. So sorry the Ortlieb Brompton bag has been discontinued. So the best chance is somewhere like eBay (sorry)!

[@thorstenwidmer7275]

@@brilliantbikes thank you. which one of the others do you prefer?

[@thorstenwidmer7275]

@@brilliantbikes cannot believe it, but I got one 😊

[@hearddg]

Bags look much better than mine from 20 years ago but i wonder who needs 4 pens on a bike ride?

[@brilliantbikes]

You ever know what colour you might need to use to write that note! Thank you for watching!

[@oal2928]

Water came from the zipper as you unzipped, compressing the fabric

[@bytesabre]

First?

[@brilliantbikes]

If you mean have you posted the first comment, then yes and thank you for watching 😊

[@skepticalmechanic]

Why do the British call EVERYTHING BRILLIANT???

[@brilliantbikes]

Surely it’s because it’s better than good 😊.

[@skepticalmechanic]

@@brilliantbikes but everything???