First Look: Outershell Bikepacking Seatbag

[@z1522]

I distrust any single strap for all install and load tensioning. One could easily slip old tire tubing or tubular webbing over that single strap to provide abrasion protection from the seat rails, generally a good idea anywhere bare webbing might get worn from constant movement under pressure. The semi-hard shell is a far more practical choice over the purist's softer bags which fold, sag, bulge, or otherwise refuse to keep a shape after miles of bouncing and settling.

[@Conversationpace87]

I have the larger expedition bag, which is 16 L but not dropper compatible. I've had their rolltop saddlebag for over a year as well and I absolutely love these bags. The much smaller rolltop saddlebag can hold all the bike tools I need, a small snack AND a spare t-shirt. Their customer service is also great. I recommend all their bags. If you're looking for another great American made bag company check out The Spindle bags in Atlanta.

[@Lemkinizer]

One of the frustrating things I've had in the past with seatbags is mounting it. All the straps and buckles was difficult for me but this seems pretty simple. Will have to give it a look.

[@markflajsner9944]

the quality of fabrication notwithstanding, the price par rapport the limited capacity, 160$ for max capacity of 10L. Relevate, Ortlieb or Geosmina all beat the Outershell bag on price and volume, and Apidura's largest bag is priced similarly but offers a lot more space at 17.5 L. But I agree, the attachment mechanism looks neat.

[@mistersmith158]

looks nice and camo is good too

[@twowheelslater7112]

I do like how it mounts. It has better angles which should wear the strap less. not to bad but pricey.

[@jeffkatzer]

I like that strap system.

[@dklubertanz1]

Looks like a solid bag but $18 to ship to Portland. I’ll stick with my Blackburn

[@dezdawg7126]

I don't mind paying more for American handmade products.I'll be buying it.

[@bbushman]

Nice looking bag-I wanted to pick up a revelatory Terrapin, but I’m also a smaller biker and don’t have the clearance for this. I’m looking at the outer shell and Oveja Negra. Have you looked at the latter of the two? Are there any other seat packs I should look at?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

The Ortlieb seat bag is also small bike friendly. Also check out our vid on the Arkel Rollpacker.

[@jmtubbs7094]

I'd really like to try bikepacking. I just can't find anyone else who has any interest in going with me.

[@mistersmith158]

JM connect with bike packing groups they exist on social media for instance. there is no better way to hone your skills than doing some on your own. I don't know what area you are in, but you can find others if you try. The obvious thought is to try it before you go balls deep into it. Your ability to get others involved could hinge on your enthusiasm from doing it and liking it. Good luck its great fun and you can connect with others if you open yourself to that desire.

[@RideAlongside]

JM TUBBS where are you located?

[@jmtubbs7094]

Ride Alongside, I'm in Alabama.

[@RideAlongside]

JM TUBBS introduce yourself over at bikepacking.net. it's a great resource for connecting. There is also a 28,000 member group you may want to join on Facebook called Bicycle Touring & Bikepacking that Russ and I both post in pretty regularly: facebook.com/groups/FullyLoadedBicycleTouring/

[@ashleythomas9122]

JM TUBBS I'd would go love to go

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

If it attaches to the seat post how is it dropper post compatible?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

+Wild Outdoor Living the seat post strap is small and sits higher up the post. www.outershelladventure.com/shop/b683qwg4xukysyf7wwcy0voh79nbi8

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Ahh I see. I think I would still be nervous about damaging the outer coating of the post.

[@outershell]

If this is a concern, there is a product that is made specifically for dropper seatposts and bags. This bag can be fully optimized using the Wolf Tooth Valais: www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/valais-25

[@AlexxKovacs]

Have you ever used the Topeak Backloader?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Haven't used that one.

[@scottnotscot3637]

Ok....I'm really puzzled here as both you, and the company itself in its photos are mounting it the same way....but SURELY the small strap with the rectangular loops is supposed to pass OVER the saddle rails first, and THEN you pass the side webbing straps through the loops and connect across to the cam buckles? This would then allow the rubberised, reinforced top panel to be pulled upwards properly by the tightening process and actually make contact with the underside of the saddle and rails, and therefore get the benefit of it's grippy, reinforced nature. It would also allow the top strap to help prevent wagging due to it being attached in the centre of the top panel, and therefore the bag would be less able to move side to side once the straps are passed over the rails. It would also prolong the life of those permanently attached side webbing straps which really aren't made to be passed over the rails directly and get all the inevitable abrasion from both the rails, and the underside of the saddle from the slight movements the bag will be constantly making during riding...a job which the short, double thick strap should really be doing. At the moment, the way you're mounting it, that short strap with the loops is almost pointless, as all it's doing is vaguely guiding the side strap to an approximate point on the rails, and then preventing the rails from making full contact with the rubberised panel, as it will now be sitting between the two (as will the rear part of the side strap). If the short strap with loops is only supposed to be guiding the side straps into position, it's pointless mounting it on the top of the bag, and only attaching it centrally. Edit...take a look at the picture of the 'expedition' saddlebag on their website...it's literally hanging from the saddle rails! Then look at the pictures of the saddlebags when they're not mounted...THAT is how the strapping system should look when they're mounted. Someone indulge me and mount one with the short strap OVER the rails, THEN thread the side straps through ONLY the loops, NOT over the saddle rails, then connect across to the cam buckle...I would put money on it all coming together properly then. :)

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

+Scott Notscot I've tried both methods and they work fine. I shot it this way because it is how it is designed. I'd suggest emailing Kyle and asking his reasoning.

[@scottnotscot3637]

I'd certainly be keen to hear the reasoning, as to me, it looks more like someone looked at other designs already out there, made their own version of them....then fitted it wrong. :)

[@scottnotscot3637]

One look at Porcelain Rocket's latest harness shows how this strapping system 'should' be fitted. You can't really take specific, integral parts of tried and tested saddlebag designs, namely the main saddle rail attachment strap, which are there on pretty much every single bikepacking saddlebag, for a very specific reason... use them 'wrongly', and then claim that it's been used that way because 'that's how 'X' designed it'. :) www.bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Porcelain-Rocket-Albert-seat-pack_PRAlbert-29.jpg

[@outershell]

Scott, this was designed to be mounted as such for more versatility. The position of the 'small' strap will move forward and backward based on your seatpost offset and type. This method is much more stable for a larger variety of seatposts. Porcelain Rocket updated his strap system AFTER mine was released for quite sometime. Check his earlier seatpacks that only use one strap per side. I am the first company to use straps that double back in this manner. You can check instagram for proof. I asked Porcelain Rocket if this idea was borrowed from me and he confirmed.

[@scottnotscot3637]

You appear to be completely misunderstanding the part of your design I'm referring to here. It's not the use of a double back side strap that I was drawing attention to. The key point is the fact that the short top straps have always been there on bikepacking saddlebags to pass OVER the saddle rails, not under. The way yours is threaded places all abrasion and stress on the side straps, which are single thickness and non replaceable. It also now makes your short top strap nothing more than a guide for the main side straps. But it's your call.