Need to rejig my setup and may lose space on the bike, can possibly review how much kit I need but will still need extra carrying capacity.

don't want to take a rucksack but thinking maybe a waist bag.

Anyone got any experience please and/or any pros/cons and recommendations.

Cheers

I haven't used one but I've long suspected that they're one of those things that once tried you'll wonder how you ever managed without. There is bunch of them here to look at
https://bikepacking.com/index/hip-packs ... kepacking/

Been using a Dakine hot laps for over a year, absolutely superb for carrying waterproof coat, phone, keys and some food. Also on longer days have used it to carry an additional water bottle. Very stable and to be honest never noticed it much. Haven’t missed a backpack at all.

I use one almost all of the time. It's ancient but it just works. Carries a surprising amount of stuff, and then I take one of those thin nylon drawstring bags too, folds up inside when empty, but can be used for carrying bits and bobs for a bit, like when you buy a supply of food but want to carry it for a bit to a nice lunch spot.

I have a few. Bontrager one with a bottle holder in the middle, brilliant if you don't want to carry too much (and nothing long as the two storage pouches are split by the bottle holder). Decathlon one, very cheap and pretty good as long as you don't want to carry water in it (it'll take running soft bottles in each side but they make it unstable). Osprey one with 1.5 litre bladder, my go to for most of my day rides, a bit spendy but I got it reduced on Sportpursuit. Usual Osprey quality and attention to detail although the bladder eats into the storage space if you fill it right up. I still use a backpack sometimes instead though, especially in winter when I want to carry more stuff.

If you just want it to carry clothing, snacks and miscellaneous, these are simple, lightweight, and in the sale:
https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/packs/back ... k/?c=19856

Cheers, Michael.

Using one I've made following a tutorial on bikepacking.com. It carries my snacks / sandwiches / bananas, and sometimes a compact camera, a waterproof jacket, or a lightweight softshell. When not on rough ground it's easy to strap it on top of the handlebar harness and dry bag. The only reason for doing so is sweating, otherwise, very comfy.

I like them. The larger OMM one is very good, as are those from Sierra Designs. Both are around 6L and will carry a surprising amount.

Another fanny pack fan here

Currently using a 7L Osprey, I think it's called a Feral or Seral

The Cumbrian wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:52 pm If you just want it to carry clothing, snacks and miscellaneous, these are simple, lightweight, and in the sale:
https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/packs/back ... k/?c=19856

Yea these are really good

+1 here for terra nova.

I got one dirt cheap after seeing someone post a bargain alert here. It’s very light and I can fit a full waterproof and food / tools. It’s also got these two little side zip pockets which are great for keys and phone.

Yep, another user here. Have several dating from a lovely purple & green 80s number through to my most recent, an Ortlieb waterproof job which is brilliant (purchased following recommendation by Colin [Scotroutes] on here). They add useful carrying space without covering your whole back and are easily twisted around to the front for easy access. Only downside for me is when worn over a waterproof they tend to pull the jacket down at the neck which I don't find particularly comfortable but the plus points outnumber the negatives overall.

Always good to have an alternative dissenting viewpoint - used to have one but gave up because it always felt like I was carrying around a particularly hard to dispense 'motion'. It also felt like it was continually trying to drag me off the back of the saddle, which was fine downhill but disconcerting uphill.

Still, probably all Reg's fault for treating it like an 80L rucksack.

Got this from LOMO, as usual great price for great bit of kit.
https://www.lomo.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000088 ... ml#SID=117

I have a Lowe Alpine one - Flight Hydro or something. Pretty basic but really useful. I basically bought it so I could wear whatever top I like for riding and still have the storage you get in jersey pockets (and keep access to that when adding/removing layers).

I'd definitely go for that Terra Nova one if I was buying now. It's about what I paid for mine, and while I like the bottle option on mine, I use it for a lightweight waterproof as often, and I've considered adding a waterproof cover and some bungee so I can carry my Outdry which is a bit bulkier, or another layer.

Slight tangent: anyone used the 10l Terra Nova rucksack for riding. I have a hydration pack but it becomes a bit unstable with a full bladder and a waterproof/spare snacks stuffed into it. I'd like something that can carry a bit more but still be comfortable and stable. (To partially answer my own question, this guy seems happy, but I guess he would be: https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/p/cycling- ... pack-back/)

RIP wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 8:14 am Always good to have an alternative dissenting viewpoint - used to have one but gave up because it always felt like I was carrying around a particularly hard to dispense 'motion'.

Funny you should say that Reg... after a particularly gnarly downhill in North Devon once, dropping down towards Lynmouth, my waist pack proved to be a perfectly formed shelf upon which the large dog turd that was thrown up by my back wheel (unbeknown to me) deposited itself. You know how sometimes, after a longish downhill, you step off your bike, stretch and rub your lower back.... Mmmm, discovery time

Sorry, I digress. As you were

Also

I can just see it perched there impudently and cockily. Probably insolently thinking "oooh, get me, you guys".

Shewie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:17 am Another fanny pack fan here

Currently using a 7L Osprey, I think it's called a Feral or Seral

Seral, yeah that's the one I have as well.

As above, I have/use an Ortlieb. It's massively over-built but the separate waist-band with "floating" storage bag means it's very comfortable too. I never really notice it when riding, though I do tend to use frame mounted water bottles and tools are usually carried 9n the bike anyway. So, spare clothing, snacks, camera/phone, keys etc. There's even a pocket on the back that'll take a Spot Tracker.

I just checked and the Bontrager one that I have is called the Rapid. I got it after reading positive reviews and it really is good if you want to carry a water bottle. It's the most stable and comfortable of the three that I use (with the caveat that you can't carry anything long in it like a big mini pump or a waterproof jacket rolled long and thin).
https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/accessor ... bag-p17780

The bontrager one is good for short rides or just carrying bits and bobs. I really don't notice mine when I i'm riding. I do think for anything heavier or more water, there comes a point where shoulder straps are preferable for comfort and stability. I've got an old wingnut hyper 2.5 i'm trying out this weekend, and I do think lumbar packs with straps are a good compromise if carrying more water/stuff.

Got a camelbak and i like it for summer [ and bike packing trips] as it keeps a pack of your back and therefore less sweaty

My only gripe is getting the tension correct so that it does not dig in and its not so loose it nips bouncing on rough stuff but fine once you fnd ths sweet spot.

No idea of capacity but mine fits 1 litre water, pump , inner tube tools , and food with a litre of space left over

I don't actually remember the last time I went bikepacking without something on my back - rucksack or waist pack. I love waist packs, I find them so useful. It's nice being able to pop into a shop/cafe/pub and have all the important bits with you

I have three 'proper' ones that get used for different reasons. Most recently I've been using an Osprey Seral 7, which I really like for local rides. I don't use a rucksack for local rides - usually 2-4 hours in duration - so the waist pack is really handy. Carries up to 1.5l of water, snacks, phone, some tools and some bits - FAK, spare layer or two etc

Have a think about whether you want to use a bladder or to carry bottles, although a couple of bags let you choose between the two. I found I wasn't drinking enough when using bottles, using a bladder increased my fluid intake significantly. The ones that carry bottles also let you carry cans or bottles of beer, which is very handy

benp1 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:23 pm The ones that carry bottles also let you carry cans or bottles of beer, which is very handy

I have never used that feature. Nope, definitely not