A trunk bag is very essential for any touring or commuting session to be productive. Provided that your bike has a rear rack, having such a bag will help in so nay ways. It proves to be ideal for carrying all stuff that you need without having to carry it over the shoulders. These bags are very easy to mount on the bike even though this depends on the bag design. There is a reason why these bags stand out from any other bag including the fact that they are very easy to mount. Still on that, they are mostly made of quality materials that will stand the roughest rides and the harshest weather. Most importantly, most of these bags come with safety features including reflective stripes. There is just so much to enjoy from these bags as far as your safety and that of your valuables are concerned.
The unfortunate thing about these bags is that choosing the one that will suit your riding style seems difficult. Part of the reason for that is that there are so many brands out there that are offering these bags. At the same time, there are so many factors to consider when choosing now that the bags come in different designs. It is for this reason why we compiled this article just to let you know how to go about the selection process. Below is a review of arguably the best bicycle rack bags in the market. Later in the post, we shall highlight important factors to consider when buying. For now, let us get straight into the reviews.
10. BLUETOP Bicycle Rack Bag with a Side Reflective Strip
Opening this review is this bike bag that has been made of strong and water-resistant polyester. The bag has a main compartment, two side pockets as well as a bottle holder. You will therefore find this bike bag ideal for the most demanding biking needs with no compromise at all. It has a capacity of 10L allowing you to have all your essentials easily accessible. You can store things like maps, pens, food, and many other essentials. The bottle slot has a drawstring that secures it in place.
Other than being used as a rear rack bike bag, you can also use it as a shoulder bag now that it comes with adjustable shoulder straps. There are so many occasions that you can use the bag for including camping, skiing, picnic, and many other occasions. Safety is also guaranteed for this bag since it has been enhanced with a reflective stripe and a belt for better nighttime visibility.
Pros
- Constructed from water-resistant and strong polyester for the most demanding biking needs
- It has been designed with the main pocket, 2 side pockets, and a convenient bottle holder
- This is a large capacity storage bike bag with up to 10L storage space
- The bag has been made with a reflective stripe and a belt to increase visibility at night
Cons
- The straps that attach the bag to the rack are inadequate
9. Vuudh Water-Resistant Bike Pannier Bag with a Reflective Trim
Concerning the materials that have been used to make this pannier bag, the bag features water-resistant 600D polyester fabric. This is the material that makes the bag resistant to wear and tear. The other feature that you will appreciate about this bag is the fact that it has a quick attach and remove feature. This, therefore, saves the time that people use to get their bags off the rear bike rack. With its adjustable design, the bag will easily fit most bikes.
Safety is the other aspect that you are going to love about this bag. It has been made with reflective strips on its two sides. For this reason, the bag helps to increase your visibility when you are riding in the dark. This bag also features a rigid back panel to ensure that there is no wear when you are slowing down due to rubs. Last but not least, you need to get this bag since customer satisfaction is guaranteed. In case of any dissatisfaction, you will get your money back.
Pros
- This bag features water-resistant polyester fabric that is resistant to wear and tear
- It is easy to attach and remove the bag from to save time for bike users
- This bag has an adjustable design allowing it to fit conveniently on most bike racks
- Made with some reflective strips on the sides to increase nighttime visibility
Cons
- The bag zippers are not easy to unzip
8. COFIT Bike Trunk Bag, Large Capacity
This rear bike bag has been made with three compartments and a back pouch. You will also appreciate that the pannier bag could be extended all the way to 25 liters. This allows you to store all your essentials as you wish. In short, you will be able to choose your desired capacity. In terms of construction, the bag has been made of quality nylon oxford fabric which is resistant to wear and tear. The bag is therefore suitable for harsh weather and any outdoor condition.
Safety is also a guarantee for this bike bag given that it comes with reflective tapes on each side. This helps to increase your visibility as you are cycling at night or in the dark. The other feature that you need to appreciate about the bag is its simple installation. With its 2 Velcro straps, you will be able to fasten the pannier bag onto the bike rear rack. The bag has been recommended for short trips, daily commutes, and excursions.
Pros
- The rack bag has been made with three compartments and a back pouch to store your essentials
- Made from quality oxford fabric making it resistant to wear and tear and ideal for any weather
- Increased safety with the reflective tapes on the sides of the bag for improving visibility at night
- It comes with two Velcro straps that will securely fasten the pannier to the bike
Cons
- It falls apart after some time
7. Roswheel Waterproof Bike Pannier Bag with Rain Cover
This is yet another bike trunk bag that has quality construction. It features solid and durable 300D polyester that is water repellent and wear-resistant. You will also appreciate that it comes with a strong and thick padding and a rigid EVA foam that has been added at the bottom. This makes the bag anti-skip and resistant to abrasions and also retains the bag’s shape when it is empty.
The capacity of this bag is 7 liters which clearly illustrates that the storage compartment is spacious enough. You will therefore have enough space for all your essentials including tools and accessories. With its 4 durable Velcro straps, you will have an easy time mounting the bag on the bike’s rack. The bag also has reflective elements to make sure that visibility is at its best when you are riding at night.
Pros
- Made of quality 300D polyester construction which is solid, durable, and light in weight
- It comes with a thick and padded board and a rigid foam at the bottom of the bag
- Features a spacious storage compartment for a proper organization of essentials
- Fixed well with four durable straps for easy mounting and fast release
Cons
- Missing rain cover
6. BAIGIO Waterproof Bike Trunk Bag, Black
One good thing about this bag is that there are two ways of using it. Other than being used as a rear bike bag, you can as well use it as a common chest bag when it is not being used with the bike. This bag has been made of quality oxford fabric in conjunction with other quality materials. In this regard, this bag remains resistant to wear and tear not forgetting that it is waterproof.
When it comes to the dimensions and the capacity of the bag, this becomes another add for this product. Its interior space is large enough to accommodate all your essentials and necessities for the short trips. You will have space for repair tools, a water bottle, a camera, and t-shirts. The bag comes with nylon straps at the bottom to help in securing the bag on the bike rack.
Pros
- Made of quality 600D oxford fabric that is water-repellent and wear-resistant for durability
- It has a large interior space that will store all your necessities for a short trip
- The rear bike bag can also be used as a normal chest bag
- It is easy to install and has a reflective logo to guarantee your safety at night
Cons
- The straps are a bit short for some racks
5. ArcEnCiel Waterproof Rack Trunks
One of the aspects that this bag prides itself on is its good waterproof materials. It has been made of some thick PVC cloth which rings it the best waterproof performance. This way, your valuables will be properly protected from both water and dust, generally, the bag is durable and very easy to clean. With the reflective stripes around the bag, you will always have a safe ride at night. This is due to the increased visibility that the stripes bring to the bag.
Closure for this bag is ideally through buckles and roll-ups. There is no zipper in order to prevent water from getting in the bag. The bag also prides itself on excellent airtightness for the safety of the stored belongings. Being light in weight, you will have an easy time carrying the bag on your bike. You will also be happy to learn that the bag’s volume can be easily adjusted.
Pros
- Made using thick PVC that offers the best waterproof performance to protect your valuables
- Its closure is by buckles and roll-ups with no zippers in order to lock out rain or water
- The bag has a lightweight design and an adjustable volume for all your belongings
- Comes with reflective stickers around to give you a very safe ride at night
Cons
- Its durability is questionable
4. Rhinowalk 3 in 1 Bike Pannier Bag
In terms of construction quality, you will appreciate that this bag has been made of 1000D polyester material. It also features some waterproof PVC layers on its two sides. As such, you can only expect that the bag will serve for the longest period ever. Since the bag is wear and tear-resistant, you can only expect your items in there to remain safe and protected.
The other feature that you will appreciate about the bag is the fact that it has a simple installation. It features a quick-release system which makes it very easy to be fixed on the back seat of the trunk rack. It is also worth noting that the bag has a large capacity and can even be expanded to accommodate more stuff. The manufacturers also made this backpack in different colors for you to choose from.
Pros
- Made of quality 1000D polyester that has a waterproof and a durable PVC layer on its two sides
- This bike pannier bag has a very simple installation with its quick-release system
- It has a high capacity with an extendable design to hold much more stuff
- The bike bag comes with a free waterproof cover for use during heavy rains
Cons
- Poor quality zippers
3. WATERFLY Bike Travel Backpack with Rain Cover- 25L Capacity
We begin by acknowledging that this backpack features fully waterproof materials. It features quality polyester that has excellent waterproof performance. On the other hand, its unique zipper will prevent rain from getting inside. The best thing about water protection is that the bag comes with a waterproof rain cover as a bonus. As such, there are so many application areas for this backpack. These include commuting and outdoor sports like cycling.
If you are looking for a bag that has a dual-use design, this one will be the best pick. In case you do not need it when riding, you can use it as a backpack. The bag also prides itself on a quick-release design that makes it easy to install. It will be a great choice for most bikes including mountain bikes. We also have to acknowledge the fact that the bag has a large capacity now that it has multiple compartments. This way, you will be able to keep everything in order.
Pros
- It has a dual-use design where it can be used on the rear bike rack or as a backpack
- The bike bag has been made with fully waterproof material to protect your valuables
- It has a large capacity now that it has several compartments to keep everything organized
- A humanized design with reflective strips for your safety when cycling at night
Cons
- The zipper gets torn after some time
2. TOURBON Nylon Pannier Shoulder Bag
In terms of quality, we can say that this is a quality bike rear rack bag. It has been made of quality nylon materials that will withstand even the harshest weather. This way, you expect the bag to serve you for quite a long time. It has also been made with two convenient hooks that will easily clip onto the back rack of your bike. Regardless of how rough the ride gets, you can be sure that everything will be intact.
The bag also prides itself on two ways of use. When you are not using it on the bike, you can use it as a common backpack. This is why it comes with adjustable shoulder straps that help you to get a customized fit. Its buckle closure also helps to make sure that you have easy and safe access to your essentials. The bag is light in weight to facilitate your short trips.
Pros
- This bike bag has been made of quality nylon material
- There are two hooks that will help to clip the bag onto the back rack
- It has been made with easily adjustable shoulder straps
- There are two color options that buyers can choose from
Cons
- Questionable waterproof abilities
1. ROCKBROS Waterproof Bike Rack Bag
To sum up this review is the RockBros bike trunk bag that has been made of carbon composite leather which is durable. Apart from that, you will appreciate that the bag is very strong and resistant to water that protects your valuables from rain. The bag also prides itself on a large capacity where it can be unfolded with zippers in case you need more storage space.
This bike bag similarly comes with two shoulder straps meaning that you can use it as a messenger bag too. Its portable design brings you the convenience that you need in your travel life. It has also been well-padded inside to reduce shocks as you cycle. This way, your valuables in there will always be safe even during the roughest rides.
Pros
- The bike trunk bag has been made of composite leather that is waterproof and durable
- It has a large capacity that helps you to organize your cycling essentials well
- The delicate bike bags have 2 shoulder straps allowing you to use it as a messenger bag
- It has a thick pad that helps to reduce shock inside as you are cycling
Cons
- Poor quality zippers
Factors to consider when buying bicycle rack bags
Capacity
When you are planning to get a trunk bag, you need to make sure that you keep its capacity in mind. It is only good to make sure that the bag will have enough space to accommodate everything that you need it to. The capacity does not only refer to the main compartment. Ideal bags will be easily extendable and have many more compartments to offer extra storage space. This way, you will be able to store all your essentials and valuables with no hassles at all.
Durability
You also need to consider the materials that have been used to make the trunk bag. Just ensure that the bag features quality materials with the right strength if you want it to last. When you choose a bag that has been made with the right materials, you also expect that it will maintain its shape with time. The bag also ought to be well padded on the inner side to make sure that your valuables remain safe even during the roughest rides. The material used for the bag should also withstand the roughest handling.
Waterproofness and visibility
Bikers can basically cycle in whichever weather. This is especially the case for bikers who reside in areas where bikes are the only mode of transport. When you are choosing, it is very important to choose a bag with waterproof abilities. This will go a long way in making sure that your valuables are safe even with the heaviest rains. In addition to that, make sure that the bag has reflective stripes on both sides. This will help to increase your visibility in dark or low light conditions.
Conclusion
As far as selecting the best bicycle rack bag is concerned, you need to understand that there are so many options to choose from. In this regard, choosing the one that fully meets your needs tends to be a hard task for many. When you consider several important factors when buying, you will have an easy selection time. The good thing is that we have already discussed some of these factors in the buying guide above. We also reviewed the top picks for these bags in the market currently. Provided that you go through the review, therefore, you will have an easy time identifying your best pick. The review gathers products from different top brands to meet different buyer needs. We are sure that you will find something for you right here. All the best!