How to Choose a Carradice Saddlebag

Stuffed with a sandwich and jacket for a commute to work. Carefully loaded with enough gear for an overnighter. Packed with the usual odds and ends for that long-awaited audax. 

Putting backpacks to one side, saddlebags are arguably the easiest way to carry gear when riding. We’re proud that our copious selection of saddlebags covers almost all riding requirements. But with so many variants available how do you choose the right Carradice saddlebag? 

In this guide, we aim to showcase the different attributes of our saddlebags, namely, capacity, waterproofness, weight, and attachment. And if that doesn’t send you in the right direction we’ve put forward some suggested saddlebags for commuting, bikepacking, audax and touring. Read on, it’s the Carradice guide to bicycle saddlebags.

What is a Saddlebag?

As the name suggests, a saddlebag is attached to a bicycle at the saddle and it is designed for carrying small to medium items while riding. Saddlebags come in a variety of fitment types and sizes. Some are waterproof, while others prioritise weight. 

Some saddlebags will have extra features such as loops for adding lights, reflective elements for extra visibility or even external pockets for organising gear.

These days, most bicycle saddlebags are mounted parallel to the saddle and are attached via the rails of the saddle and secured at the seatpost. Small saddlebags like the Carradice Carradura Mini - often referred to as saddlepacks - are just the ticket for stowing a multitool, a spare tube, tyre levers and a puncture repair kit. 

Larger saddlebags (sometimes referred to as seatpacks) have become popular in the world of bikepacking. Without care and attention when mounting and packed, seatpacks like this can suffer from a pendulum effect when riding, especially if packed with heavier items.

However, we’ve long been advocates of saddlebags which run perpendicular to the saddle. Attached via a sturdy Bagman support, bags like the Super C Audax Saddlebag are arguably easier to fill and organise, plus out on the road their shape makes it easier to locate items. 

It’s not just their utility (and quality manufacturing) which makes our saddlebags so popular. Their classic look continues to draw as much appeal as they did when they became available nearly 100 years ago. And the really fantastic thing? Carradice saddlebags age like a fine wine. The gentle wear tells the story of thousands, if not tens of thousands of miles of service.

Should I buy a rackbag instead of a saddlebag?

If you’re searching for a saddlebag, especially one big enough to carry enough gear for a day at work or an overnight trip, you’ll probably have come across an alternative - the rackbag.

Thanks to their fixed position and extra support from the accompanying pannier rack, rackbags outperform saddlebags when it comes to rigidity and weight-bearing capacity. For example, adding a heavy D-lock to a saddlebag even with a support can cause the odd issue.

That said, saddlebags have the edge over rackbags in relation to compatibility. Rackbags require a suitable pannier rack to attach to and as such, you could run into issues with your current bike not having the requisite mounts to attach said pannier rack. 

Irrespective of which bag type you choose, an important consideration is to know how much clearance you have between the seatpost and your rear tyre or pannier rack. If your saddle is mounted near to the frame a saddlebag could rub on the rear tyre, whilst with a rackbag you might find there’s not enough room to fit the bag between the pannier rack and the saddle.

Carradice Saddlebag Capacity

Carradice saddlebags range from 1L to 26L. That’s a lot of variance. So how do you decide what’s best for you? As is the case when buying any cycling accessory, it’s a sensible idea to consider the type of riding you aim to undertake. 

For short rides, an hour or less, a small 3.5-litre saddlebag like the Zipped Roll, will easily swallow a waterproof jacket, a set of repair tools, a phone and a wallet - even a water bottle too, if required. Head out for longer, or plan on pedalling to and from work, and you’ll need more space for more gear. 

Here’s a simplified table of Carradice saddlebags ordered by capacity from small to large. 

Carradice Saddlebag Waterproof Rating

Carradice saddlebags are made from one of two materials; either Waxed Cotton Duck or Cordura. Waxed Cotton Duck is 100% waterproof, whilst Cordura is somewhat water resistant. Below, we’ve added a clear table identifying which Carradice saddlebag is made from which material - alongside its basic waterproof rating.

Carradice Saddlebag Weight

Lugging a laptop to the office. Hauling an extra water bottle around on a long road ride. Hump around enough sandwiches to feed a small army on an Audax. 

However fast or however far you're riding, weight is a consistent thorn in the side of cyclists. Every gram or pound saved in gear can be worth its weight in gold when the miles start to rack up or the road starts to rise. Of course, the weight of a saddlebag is a juggle between bulk and capacity. There’s little point having the lightest saddlebag available, if it doesn’t fit what you need inside it!

Carradice saddlebags start at just 150 grams (0.3 lbs in old money) and rise to 1kg (2.2 lbs). The table below lists Carradice in weight order, from lightest to heaviest.

Carradice Saddlebag Attachment

Carradice saddlebags differ from regular saddlebags and newer bikepacking seatpacks with their use of the accompanying Bagman supports.

Attached to the rails of the saddle, this steel supports cradle saddlebags gently, distributing the weight inside the bag and preventing the bag from swaying during riding. 

One final table for you to consider. This illustrates the fitment options for each of our saddlebags.

Best Saddlebag for Commuting

Looking for a large saddlebag for commuting or if you don’t have much clearance between your saddle and your rear tyre, consider the Lowsaddle Longflap Saddlebag. Made from 100% waterproof 18-ounce cotton duck fabric, the reduced depth doesn’t inhibit the bag's capacity. 

Lowsaddle Longflap owner Spencer Trivit says it best in his review of the bag: “Shoes, slacks, undershirt, dress shirt, rain jacket, deodorant, hair brush, sunglasses case, flat repair kit, coffee thermos, water bottle, snacks. And this is all WITHOUT the flap extended. Extend the flap, and it can also fit: a lunchbox, gloves, balaclava, and book.”

Best Saddlebag for Bikepacking 

Whilst we could have plumped for the Colorado Seatpack in this category, our selected saddlebag for bikepacking is the 17L Cambrian Lightweight Saddlebag. 

Using the classic Carradice design blueprint, it offers enough space for essentials without adding excessive weight to your bike. Paired with a handlebar bag and perhaps a frame bag too, you could easily undertake a bikepacking weekend, or depending on your sleeping arrangements an even longer trip.

Best Saddlebag for Audax

Our vote in this category goes to the Super C Audax. At 9 litres capacity, this is our Goldilocks bag - not too small, not too big. Without unnecessary bulk, this bag can easily swallow a jacket and all the long-distance paraphernalia a long-distance ride like an Audax brings. The two side pockets offer enough room for emergency snacks or emergency tools! 

As Super C Audax owner, Alister Dale-Evans notes in his review of the product, this bag delivers much more than just riding an Audax. “Training after dark, day rides for sightseeing, picnic rides, group rides, and long rides to visit friends and family - This fits everything you could want.”

Best Saddlebag for Touring

Looking for the best saddlebag for touring, or even a long ride, our go-to is the 23L Super C Saddlebag.

This saddlebag offers plenty of space for your gear, and its timeless design makes it a perfect match for any bike. Constructed from 18-ounce cotton duck, the Super C Saddlebag is completely waterproof and exceptionally tough. 

Its self-sealing seams keep your items dry, no matter how harsh the weather. Equipped with leather straps for a secure fit and metal buckles, the 23L Super C saddlebag provides a trustworthy and long-lasting fastening solution.

That marks our comprehensive guide to Carradice Saddlebags. For a complete comparison, our table guide is another useful resource.