kona sutra ltd

10 Best Budget Friendly Bikepacking Frame Bags

 I know finding budget bikepacking frame bags can be a hassle, so I put this list of the 10 best budget friendly bikepacking frame bags to help you on your search.  

A bikepacking frame bag is going to be one key piece of gear for you adventures and it’s a great location to store all of your heavier gear. Storing the heaviest items within the main triangle of your frame helps to lower the center of gravity on your bike which makes the ride easier to handle.

Also consider getting a bag that has 2 compartments because it will allow you to keep your gear a little more organized.

A frame bag is designed to fit into the large triangle of your frame, consisting of the area between the top tube, down tube, and seat tube. Bikepackers often place the heavier items in the frame bag to help distribute the added weight on the more evenly. This helps keep the center of gravity low, in turn, making the bike easier to handle. 

Here are 5 main factors to consider when you are looking for a frame bag.

Fit: In general, you want a bag that fits well into your frame. There are lots of off the shelf options that work for many and these bags are much more budget friendly. Many small independently owned makers offer custom made bags designed to fit perfectly on your bike. Just email them a few pics of your steed and in a few weeks a handmade top-quality bag is delivered to your doorstep.

Size/Volume: There are two different options here, the full frame and the half frame. The half frame bags take up the top half of the frame triangle leaving you room to keep water bottles in their normal location, attached to the lower portion of the triangle.  The full frame bags, you guessed it, take up the entirety of the frame triangle allowing you to store plenty of gear. Just be mindful of where you are going to store water if you go this route since your water bottle mounts will be covered and the space taken up by the bag.

Pockets: Some frame packs have one large pocket that takes up the entire triangle and others have up to 3 different compartments. Makers will often divide the bag into 2 sections, an upper and a lower, then also add a smaller pocket on the opposite side for items much smaller such as a map, keys, wallet, phone etc.

Waterproofing: Most all bags are not waterproof but there are a few custom bag makers such as Porcelain Rocket that produce roll top closures similar to those found on waterproof backpacking bags. Though the fabric used on a lot of bags is waterproof, moisture still finds its way in thru the zippers. Its best to store gear that you wont mind getting a little wet in frame bags.

Price: Custom made bags are of the best quality but are also the most expensive, some can cost as much as $300 for a fully equipped handmade bag. There are many budget options as well for as little as $40 or even less. But as with anything, you get what you pay for in terms of quality. The budget bags probably won’t last nearly as long as their more expensive counterparts, but custom bags usually come with a great warranty and excellent customer service from their makers.

If you find that some of these frame bags are unavailable or know of some I should add to the list please let me know by clicking here and sending us an email.

Weight: 13.1 ounces

Pros:

  • Water-resistant
  • Adjustable to fit nearly any bike size
  • Side pockets for additional space

Cons:

  • Some complaints about the size not matching the description
  • Some complaints about the bag not withstanding the rain
budget bikepacking frame bags

Available in three different sizes, the Blackburn Outpost frame bag is made of 70-denier rip-stop nylon and has polyurethane zippers for even better protection from the elements. Ride with confidence with this storage bag because it is the perfect size and is water-resistant to protect everything on the inside. It even comes with a hose port in case you want to include either a water reservoir or a cache battery.

Big Kent

Weight: 12 ounces

Pros:

  • Made of high-quality nylon
  • Super easy to install

Cons:

  • Some complaints about the zipper being low-quality
  • Some complaints about the bag ripping easily

The Big Kent full-frame bag is water-resistant and extra durable. The Velcro straps allow you to install the bag and enjoy a perfect fit. Suitable for both short and long rides, the bag has several compartments for you to store everything from snacks to keys and so much more. It also is the perfect size so that your leg will never brush up against the bag as you ride, making for a much more comfortable ride.

Roswheel Attack

Weight: 11.7 ounces

Price: $44.52

Pros:

  • Made from durable, waterproof materials
  • Large capacity
  • Lightweight and easy to install

Made of a very tough nylon, this bag is waterproof and super sturdy, and you can have it fully installed in minutes. It’s a four-liter bag that is big enough to fit numerous items and it is lightweight yet strong enough to take a lot of abuse. With its black and turquoise design, it is an attractive bag as well; of course, its main advantage is its ability to provide you with a comfortable, reliable bag that you’ll find handy every time you ride.

Moosetreks

Pros:

  • Available in three different sizes
  • Water-resistant
  • High-quality zippers

Cons:

  • Some complaints about the overall quality of the bag

This bag is available in three different sizes so you’ll find that it fits any size bike perfectly. It is super durable and built to last a very long time. It has new zippers that are extra-durable and designed to keep the contents inside of the bag secure and dry. Best of all, the rip-stop nylon bag is able to accommodate all types of bikes and attaches securely to the bike, thanks to the high-quality Velcro straps.

Bushwhacker Fargo

Weight: 5 ounces

Pros:

  • Four-point mounting system
  • Very reasonably priced
  • Reflective trim for extra visibility

Cons:

  • Some complaints about it tearing and ripping
  • Some complaints about the overall weight of the bag

Made of 600-denier polyester rip-stop material, this very sturdy bag is able to withstand a lot of abuse and keep on going. The four-point mounting system makes sure that it is completely secure once it’s installed. There are two exterior pockets and one interior pocket secured by zippers. You can keep all types of items in the bag and it comes with reflective material so that you are kept safer when you’re riding at night.

Ibera

Pros:

  • Durable and lightweight nylon construction

Cons:

  • Some complaints about the zipper breaking
  • Some complaints about its inability to hold heavy items

This full frame bag is made of heavy-duty 420-denier nylon for extra longevity and comes in two different sizes. Its materials and design minimize wind resistance and the bag never gets in the way of your legs as you ride. The Velcro straps make for a perfect fit every time and it is super easy to get access to all of your belongings, thanks to its unique shape and overall size.

Weight: 7 to 10.75 ounces

Pros:

  • Four different sizes
  • Drain holes for when things get wet

Cons:

  • Some complaints about the zippers being difficult to use

Available in four different sizes, the Blackburn frame bag can accommodate bikes of all sizes and designs. The waterproof zippers allow for extra security when it’s damp outside and you even get a hose port in case you want to add either a cache battery or a water reservoir.

Specialized Burra Burra

Weight: 7.5 ounces

Pros:

  • High-quality materials
  • Six-point attachment
  • Weather-resistant nylon materials

The urethane-coated zippers on this bag prevent most water from getting inside of the bag and the coated nylon construction makes the bag extra strong even though it is lightweight. There are two welded side pockets for extra storage space and it even has some reflective material on the outside to help others see you whenever you’re riding at night. Every inch of this bag is made of high-quality materials so this is one frame bag that you can count on enjoying for years.

Oveja Negra Superwedgie

Weight: 7 to 8.2 ounces

Pros:

  • Available in two sizes and six different colors

The Oveja Negra frame bag is available in colors such as blue, gray, and camouflage and the two different sizes mean that you are guaranteed to find one that fits your bike perfectly. The fabric used is abrasion-resistant and the zippers are made to take a lot of abuse and keep on going.

Revelate Designs makes high-quality frame bags to fit all bike riders’ preferences and tastes. With nearly a dozen bags to choose from, Relevate Designs offers something for everyone, and they even have one model that is specially made for kids. Regardless of what you’re carrying with you to your next outing, these bags can accommodate you, making each ride much easier in the end. The bags come in a wide selection of sizes, designs, and even colors so even the fashion-conscious bike-rider will be pleased with the variety. Furthermore, the bags are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider how long they last and how much quality you get in return.