Odyssey Saddlebag - 26L

Has held up for hundreds of miles and is the perfect saddlebag for any voyage. So adaptable, spacious and convenient. For an avid tourer or bike-packer this bag should be the first thought.

I would love to let you know but I still haven't received the product. There was a delay at the border but I was only informed about it when i repeatedly called, emailed, emailed again, filled in the form on the website and finally when I used the chat function. On your website it states you'd be informed about delays and that doesn't seem to be the case. So far the customer service has not been the best in my experience. But hopefully the product is good.

This bag is perfectly designed, and includes all the details that Swift misses (handle, zippered inner pocket, larger side pockets, and a slot for your support bracket so it doesn’t bounce). I sold my Swift bag and never looked back after this one.

I love the fact that the bag expands to your needs. The stability panel in the bottom makes it sit better on my bagman, as does the sleeve on the bottom. Unless loaded right up I really don’t notice it’s there and it’s now my go to bag.

I own three other Carradice saddlebags and while I love all of them they each have their quirks. I bought the Odyssey XL to take over day-to-day commuting and touring duties from a well-worn Super C. The design of the Odyssey XL makes a number of small improvements to the Super C, together they add up to make it probably the single most useful item of cycle luggage I've ever owned.

The combination of the stiffening board on the base of the bag and the properties of the fabric itself mean that the XL keeps its shape remarkably well when half- or even less full. This solves one of my main frustrations with cotton duck saddlebags. The fabric and therefore the bag is also much lighter. The side pockets are smaller than the Super C, which makes them more useful in my opinion—I ordinarily only use them for a tool bag and inner tubes, and am happy to trade here for more usable space in the main compartment. The pocket for the Bagman is another great addition and helps the back feel more secure. Lastly, the D rings for attaching a shoulder strap are positioned at the sides of the bag and not on the back, which makes it far more comfortable to wear on the shoulder—essential for a commuting bag.

In particular though it is the expandable volume and extra long flap which really makes this bag excellent. There are always times on tour or just stopping at the shops on the way home where you find yourself wishing you could somehow find a tiny bit more room in your bag.

My only criticisms are very small ones. The fabric loops for attaching the strap which loops around the Bagman and the rear light are quite thin and not very tight, and you are liable to find your light flings off if you are too vigorous opening the top flap. And the appearance is a bit underwhelming. With it's angular lid the Super C has a more interesting silhouette (and a fancier patch)—I normally prefer a black saddlebag but here I went for the camo as I thought the black looked a bit plain. Perhaps some more colour options, or a redesigned patch would help. And there is just something about cotton duck which speaks to you in a way synthetic fabric will likely never. But I really am splitting hairs here, it really is a fantastic bag.