First published August 2023; last updated September 2026

Burrito-shaped bundles strapped to the handlebars were one of the first means of carrying gear on a bike. Intrepid world cyclists used some of the first handlebar rolls in the late 1800s, and they were perhaps most famously used during the Buffalo Soldiers’ (25th Infantry Bicycle Corps) groundbreaking 2,000-mile ride from Missoula, Montana, to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1897. At that point they were made from heavy but durable materials such as waxed canvas and leather, but they got the job done.

Fast-forward more than 100 years to 2009, and Revelate Designs reimagined those designs with the first iteration of their handlebar harness, which was influenced by using the zippered lid from a backpack as a handlebar bag with a strapped-in dry bag. Not long after, they released their Sweet Roll, which offered an all-in-one design with an integrated waterproof dry bag, foam anchor points, and a technical construction. Most modern designs can largely be credited to Revelate Designs’ early work.

Since then, four main types of handlebar bags have evolved and become popular: rolls, harnesses, top-loaders, and cradles. We’ve already covered top-loaders in our Gear Index here and put together a list of rigid handlebar cradles here, but even after all these years of innovation, rolls and harnesses still have their place. These cylindrical bags attach directly to the handlebars—usually with velcro or webbing straps—and keep the load tight to the front of the bike. The goal of both styles is to limit impact on handling, provide space for bulky gear, and offer a better sightline on technical terrain than bulkier top-loading bags. Not to mention, they usually take up less vertical space, which works with suspension forks and smaller bikes. They are usually our first pick for riding singletrack-heavy bikepacking routes.

Harness or Roll?

We’ve already compared harnesses, rolls, and top-loaders in great detail here, and keeping with the theme of this Gear Index, we’ll focus on harnesses and rolls. In short, a handlebar roll is an all-in-one system with an integrated dry bag and handlebar attachment. They typically have a roll-top closure at either end, are waterproof or highly water-resistant, and attach to the handlebars and headtube using simple straps. They are one of the most straightforward off-the-shelf options for storing gear on the handlebars, but you often need to pack them on the bike since removing them can be time-consuming. A handlebar harness uses a semi-rigid holster that attaches to the bike the same way a roll does, but it has two or three straps to secure a removable dry bag in place. Harness systems can accommodate any old dry bag and pack away from the bike, but they require vigilance when packing to ensure stability.

Deciding what type and size of handlebar bag suits your needs best will ultimately depend on how much gear you need to carry, your handlebar width and lever/cable location, and how much clearance there is above your front tire, especially for riders running front suspension. Some systems, such as the Rockgeist BarJam and Rogue Panda Canelo, use brackets and carbon struts to provide ample room for cables and controls, while some sit closer to the bars and use small foam blocks to provide a little space.

Handlebar Harnesses and Rolls for Bikepacking

In this Gear Index, we’ve included key information to help you pick the right handlebar harness or roll, including volume, the attachment system, weight, and price. As always, those we have first-hand experience using are marked with a hexagonal “T” icon and are listed first.

• $249CAD

  Arkel Rollpacker

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Cradle
  • Volume: 15-20L
  • Made in: Quebec, Canada

  The Arkel Rollpacker exists in a league of its own. It uses a nifty aluminum hanger that both supports and allows for quick installation and removal of the main bag. It has a sealed liner, making it 100% waterproof, and has a dual-ended main bag with an additional front pocket for quick-access items. Like all of Arkel’s bags, the Rollpacker is handmade in Canada. Since we reviewed the Rollpacker, Arkel has ditched the 25L version for a 15L and 20L option.

  Highlights

  • Hanger provides stability and support, maintaining consistent clearance above tire and headtube
  • Quick to remove/install bag onto hanger at camp
  • Two generous sizes available
  • Mostly made in Canada
  • Oversized roll-top closure makes it easy to pack bulky gear into
  • Waterproof

  Drawbacks

  • Both sizes are tall, leaving limited room above the front tire, even with the hanger
  • Very heavy
  • Pricey, considering the weight
  • Hanger system works but isn’t as clean as comparable designs

  • Weight: 1.03 kg (2.26 lbs)
  • Price: $249CAD (25L)
  • Place of Manufacture: Canada
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $175

  Dispersed Handlebar Roll

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Voile Straps
  • Volume: 9L
  • Made in: Utah, USA

  The Dispersed Bikepacking Handlebar Roll uses a unique dual-bag system optimized for efficiency. It consists of an outer handlebar roll-style bag that stays attached to the bar and a secondary lightweight and waterproof dry bag that nests inside it. The Handlebar Roll is more than just two dry bags. The exterior roll is made from Challenge Outdoor’s ULTRA 200x fabric, a mix of woven Ultra-PE and polyester, laminated to a polyester film. It is said to have about four times the abrasion resistance of other 400d U-PE fabrics and excellent overall durability.

  For quick-access storage, there’s an integrated front pouch with a drawstring cinch sewn directly to the roll, made from a lightweight and tear-resistant UltraStretch fabric. The inner bag is made from Challenge Outdoor’s TX ULTRA fabric (an ultralight laminated ripstop polyester with cross-ply reinforcement fibers), has taped seams for a waterproof construction, and features roll-top closures at both ends with standard plastic side-release buckles.

  Highlights

  • Two-part bag system is easy to pack and solid on the bike
  • Integrated stretchy front pocket is the real unsung hero
  • High quality and intentional fabric choices
  • No proprietary parts and limited potential failure points
  • Bounce/wiggle-free when packed correctly
  • Waterproof

  Drawbacks

  • Requires a tightly packed inner dry bag for a proper setup
  • Not useful outside of bikepacking
  • Still not as easy to pack as a true harness or cradle
  • Pricey
  • Sits directly against headtube

  • Weight: 325 grams (11.5 oz)
  • Price: $175
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $149

  JPaks Refugi Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 5-30L
  • Made in: Colorado, USA

  According to Joe at JPaks, the design objective for the Refugi was to make a lightweight, stable, and secure harness to allow modular load carrying possible with varying sizes of roll-end bags. They also set out to minimize water ingress with a single-seam roll-end bag that can be made fully waterproof (for an upcharge).

  The Refugi shares a similar mounting system with their Supreme BarritoPak. Both the Refugi and BarritoPak are spaced outward from the handlebar using custom-shaped replaceable foam blocks. The blocks push the harness about 1.5″ away from the bar, providing just enough clearance for your hands, lights, or GPS devices. On either side of the stem, two webbing straps with side-release acrylic buckles loop over the bar, and the tail is then cinched down using an additional ladder lock buckle on top of the foam block. There is a smaller third foam block near the bottom of the harness that is pulled up against the head tube thanks to a small piece of shock cord with a cord lock. To protect the headtube, JPaks includes their Eye Patch with a smooth side-facing the harness to allow it to slide when the bars are turned and a grippy fabric and velcro strap against the bike to hold it in place. Find Miles’ review here.

  Highlights

  • Stable and wiggle-free
  • Made in Colorado
  • Lots of thoughtful details, including D-hooks, foam spacers, and mounting system
  • Clearance for hands and accessories on the bars
  • Solid price point

  Drawbacks

  • The roll-top bags I tested aren’t waterproof as standard, and are a little small
  • Some movement in headtube attachment due to shock cord
  • Eye patch has some compatibility issues
  • On the heavier side

  • Weight: 295 grams (10.4 oz)
  • Price: $149
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $109

  Kokopelli Durango Handlebar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 20L
  • Made in: China

  The Durango Handlebar Bag and Harness addresses the challenges of riding with packrafting gear with two integrated paddle sleeves for carrying four-piece paddles and a simple harness system for carrying a rolled up packraft or any other cylindrical gear. The Durango Handlebar Bag uses two FidLock Magnetic Stealth V-Buckles to safely secure all gear in the harness, webbing straps with foam spacers to attach the system to the bars and head tube, and includes a 100% waterproof double-ended roll-top dry bag to keep gear dry and protected. Read our review here.

  • Weight: 651 grams (23 oz)
  • Price: $109 (Harness)
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• €59

  Musguard Handlebar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: TBD
  • Made in: Slovenia

  The Musguard Handlebar Harness is meant to hold a dry bag on your bars and uses a unique one-strap design that wraps around the stem and handlebar to ensure the load stays firmly in place. The harness itself is made from recycled 0.8 mm polypropylene. An aluminum/acetal G-hook with cam keeps the dry bag secured in place, and two silicone-backed straps (with included EVA spacers) attach it to the handlebars. There are slots in the harness for an additional head tube strap, but according to Musguard, they found it wasn’t needed for a tight setup, so the head tube strap and spacers aren’t included at this time. The harness weighs in at just 148 grams, which is among the lightest we’ve seen—only around 10 grams heavier than the Revelate Designs Pronghorn harness. Musguard doesn’t currently provide a dry bag, and the weight limit is unknown, but at just €59 (~$67 USD), it’s competitively priced. Read our complete review here.

  Highlights

  • Lightweight
  • Competitively priced
  • Reasonably stable with the additional head tube strap in use and everything tensioned properly
  • Locking buckle doesn’t loosen over time and is nice to use
  • Several clever details and roll-away feature

  Drawbacks

  • Some side-to-side play
  • Awkward to install around certain cable/cockpit setups
  • Plastic is slippery when paired with lightweight dry bags
  • One-strap design takes up handlebar accessory space on either side of stem

  • Weight: 148 grams (5.2 oz)
  • Price: €59
  • Place of Manufacture: Slovenia
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $170

  Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Velcro
  • Volume: 9-14L
  • Made in: Germany

  The Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack is a waterproof handlebar roll with roll-top closures at both ends, radio-frequency (RF) welded construction, 9L or 15L size options, foam spacers and velcro straps. It’s compatible with their accessory bags, and has a lot of nice details that sets it apart from other handlebar rolls.

  From Logan’s review: On first inspection of the bag, the feature stood out most was the burly two-layer handlebar strap system, which is part of what makes this bag unique. The inner velcro strap is secured to the bag around an internally sealed 11” plastic strut that runs horizontally to stabilize the bag. The part of the velcro strap that contacts the handlebar has a rubberized coating that helps keep the bag from moving laterally. And the outer strap is comprised of a nexus side-release buckle, a ladder lock, and bright orange webbing, an accent that adds a nice aesthetic pop on both the Seat-Pack/Handlebar-Pack combination. The inner velcro strap is a great feature as the bag can be easily mounted before really clamping it down with the outer webbing straps. That said, both sets of straps are a bit long for mountain bike handlebars, but can be easily trimmed down.

  Highlights

  • The buckle system is truly genius; it works flawlessly and makes for the easiest release of an accessory pack that I’ve seen to date
  • The size of the handlebar roll is near perfect for general use; not too fat and not too slim. Plus it is equally at home on drop bars as it is on a mountain bike
  • The handlebar strap system is significantly more rugged than any I’ve seen
  • The charcoal and orange color combo is pretty slick

  Drawbacks

  • I wish that the rear straps on the Accessory-Pack were removable; they add a little extra bulk when not in use
  • The head tube strap should be a buckle instead of velcro
  • It’s a bit heavier (426g) that other handlebar bags on the market (the Revelate Sweet Roll weighs about 360g). And it’s also priced a little higher
  • The bag is slightly too big for use with long travel suspension forks, especially with larger tires

  • Weight: 420 grams (14.8 oz)
  • Price: $170 (14L)
  • Place of Manufacture: Germany
  • helpWe highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:  Ortlieb USA  REI
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $95

  Outershell Handlebar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing / Voile Straps
  • Volume: 4-9" cylinder
  • Made In: California, USA

  The Outer Shell Handlebar Harness is now in its second iteration and is based around an entirely new system. The harness itself is made from a durable semi-rigid plastic sheet, similar to a thin plastic cutting board, with various slots that allow for simple adjustment depending on your setup. Two beefy 32″ XL Voile Straps wrap around both the dry bag and over the handlebar—a combination that provides much more holding power than the original version and other harnesses available.

  There are locking cam buckles, which ensure the harness stays in place when removing the dry bag, and foam spacers are integrated on the bar and head tube attachment points to prevent interference with brakes, brake levers, and cables. Make sure to review our complete review here.

  Highlights

  • Handlebar harness is simple and effective
  • Competitively priced
  • Made in USA
  • Impressively stable on rough trails
  • V2 updates are thoughtful and well executed

  Drawbacks

  • Plastic harness can get in the way of some hoses and cables
  • On the heavier side compared to other minimal harnesses
  • Drawcord Handlebar Bag isn’t 100% waterproof

  • Weight: 295 grams (10.4 oz)
  • Price: $95 (Harness Only)
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $95

  Revelate Designs Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 20L
  • Made in: Alaska, USA

  Originally introduced in 2008, the Revelate Designs Harness has now seen four major revisions and is somewhat of a bikepacking classic. It was one of the first true bikepacking bags Logan invested in and is by far his most used. Cylindrical items as small as 4.5” in diameter can be cinched down in the Harness, which makes it useable with a standard suspension fork or even a long-travel 160mm fork. It’s semi-rigid and designed to carry drybags, packrafts, stuff sacks and other cylindrical shaped objects. It uses a flexible, reliable connection and a three strap design that allows for balanced and easy bag mounting. Find Logan’s review here.

  • Weight: 425 grams (15 oz)
  • Price: $95
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • helpWe highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:  REI  Campfire Cycling
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• $75

  Revelate Designs Pronghorn Holster

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 7.5-23L
  • Made In: Alaska/Oregon, USA

  Designed to be fast and light, the Pronghorn Holster was personally tested and refined by Revelate designer Dustin Eroh during his 2018 Arizona Trail Race 750, and on an individual time trail on the Oregon Timber Trial. Consisting of just a simple holster and a dry bag, the Pronghorn is bare bones. And that’s what makes it special. The 4.8 ounce (135 gram) holster is constructed out of two layers of X-Pac with a small, 8″ (20cm) fiberglass internal stay. The strategically placed stay is tied into both the handlebar mounting points and the two front drybag attachment webbing straps. This position and integration provides the system’s stability.

  The Pronghorn’s dual cam handlebar straps loop over the bars, through a hitch buckle, then back over the bars to secure at the front, providing a double wrap for strength. The dry bag straps clip in at the top of the holster and provide a locking cam for added security. Find our complete review here.

  Highlights

  • Fast and light. Both the harness and dry bags are incredibly svelte and quick to attach/detach
  • Surprisingly stable considering its simplicity
  • Works well with drop bars or flat MTB bars and has options for different sized dry bags
  • Waterproof and ultra-lightweight, which doesn’t always go hand in hand

  Drawbacks

  • Price doubles with optional dry bag

  • Weight: 139 grams (4.9 oz)
  • Price: $75 (Holster Only)
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • helpWe highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:  Campfire Cycling  Angry Catfish
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $330

  Tailfin Bar Bag System

  • Type: Handlebar Bag
  • Attachment: Hardware/Quick-release
  • Volume: 9.1-18.9L
  • Made In: Taiwan

  The Tailfin Bar Bag System is a highly engineered, premium take on the handlebar bag concept. The system is built around a rigid mounting bracket and quick-release mechanism that prioritizes usability. When we reviewed it, the system stood out for its rock-solid stability, waterproof construction, and refined adjustability, with a dual-axis mount that allows riders to precisely position the bag to avoid cables and optimize cockpit fit. The X-Clamp cam system make it easy to install, remove, and keep the load completely secure—even over rough terrain.

  In use, the system is versatile and thoughtfully designed, with multiple size options in both drop- and flat-bar variations and expandable storage that adapts well to different trip lengths. Features like external mesh storage, accessory mounts, and a compression system add to its practicality, making it a strong choice for both racing and extended bikepacking trips. However, this level of refinement comes at a cost: the system is notably expensive and slightly heavier than simpler alternatives, which may deter riders focused on minimal weight or budget.

  Overall, the Tailfin Bar Bag System as one of the most polished and user-friendly options available—particularly for riders who value stability, ease of use, and a polished cockpit setup. While it may not be the most minimalist or affordable solution, it represents a top-tier, “buy once, cry once” approach that delivers on performance and long-term durability.

  Highlights

  • Very stable, waterproof system with four well-planned volumetric sizes
  • Mesh pocket storage is a clever addition that’s more streamlined than an accessory pocket
  • Handlebar mount is cleverly engineered to allow two-axis vertical and fore/aft adjustment to perfectly position the bag
  • X-Clamp cam design that we love on the panniers translates well as a quick-release mechanism for the bar bag system
  • Innovative, useful details like the WaveLock closure system on the drop-bar version are ingenious for maximizing space between the drops

  Drawbacks

  • Not as lightweight as many other handlebar gear-carrying solutions
  • Clamp rotation might be an issue when riding very rough singletrack when tightened at or below the specified 5nm spec; any clamp rotation that does occur could be dangerous with carbon bars
  • Only comes in black
  • Expensive

  • Weight: 860 grams (30.3 oz)
  • Price: $330 (Mount + Large Pack)
  • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $202

  Venture Delta Handlebar Bag

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing/Velcro
  • Volume: 13L
  • Made in: Colorado, USA

  The Moab Handlebar Bag is made up of three components: the harness, main bag, and optional front pocket. First, the ultra-minimal harness is secured on either side of the stem with two velcro straps, leaving two alloy buckles free to secure the main bag. The main bag has roll-top closures on each end with two slick surface mount buckles and webbing straps to secure the bag once it’s packed. The alloy buckles on the harness wrap over the main bag, hooking into the bartacked loops from the bottom of the harness. All cables and hoses are tucked neatly away towards the centre of the bag, towards the bike’s headtube, excluding the front brake line, which is better positioned outside the main bag. Additional velcro loops found near the ends of the main bag are also secured on the handlebar to provide additional stability.

  Note: The version we tested was made by Bedrock Bags, but it is essentially the same bag.

  • Weight: 368 grams (13 oz)
  • Price: $202
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $55

  Alpkit Deluge

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 3-20L
  • Made in: China

  The Alpkit Deluge is a simple 100% waterproof handlebar roll made using RF welded fabrics, an integrated harness system with stiffener board for added stability, dual roll-top closures, and wrap-around webbing attachment. It comes in three sizes: 20L, 13L, and 3L.

  • Weight: 390 grams (13.8 oz)
  • Price: $55 (20L)
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• £12

  Alpkit Joey

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Velcro
  • Volume: 20L
  • Made in: UK

  The super affordable Alpkit Joey is perhaps the simplest harness out there. It’s made from 222D polyester with a 3 mm closed cell foam, has a semi-rigid construction, and has a length of daisy chain along the back with two simple velcro straps for the handlebar. There are two additional lower straps designed to secure to the fork crown for more stability.

  For a slightly more sophisticated option, check out the Alpkit Kanga. It has more attachment points, more straps, and a tapered profile.

  • Weight: 65 grams (2.3 oz)
  • Price: £12
  • Place of Manufacture: UK
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $164

  Apidura Backcountry Handlebar Pack

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 7-11L
  • Made in: China

  Designed for technical trails, the Apidura Backcountry Handlebar Pack is an all-in-one system for carrying bulky, compressible items. It has roll-top closures on both ends, a simple two-point webbing attachment, and comes in two sizes: 7L or 11L. The pack is compatible with their Accessory Pocket, it’s made from Dimension-Polyant VX21, and the entire bag is welded for a 100% waterproof construction.

  • Weight: 270 grams (9.5 oz)
  • Price: $164 (11L)
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $228

  Apidura Expedition Handlebar Pack

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 9-13L
  • Made in: China

  The Expedition Handlebar Pack features a clamp-free design that promises stability without heavy hardware, while also freeing up handlebar space and enabling flexible capacity options. The handlebar system features Apidura’s BarSpace Modules, which move the pack away from the bars. The modules connect directly to the Handlebar Pack via the integrated BarSpace Plate.

  Dedicated three-prong mounting points on the BarSpace modules allow for the system’s GPS mount and Accessory Arm to be mounted off the bars. The handlebar system also has an Expedition front cargo mesh and an Expedition Accessory Pack. These optional components expand carry capacity and can convert into wearable, on-body storage. The Expedition Handlebar system comes in both 9 and 13L options and weighs 436 and 448 grams, respectively.

  • Weight: 436 grams (15.4 oz)
  • Price: $228 (9L)
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $68

  BarYak Talon Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Made in: USA

  The BarYak Talon Harness is designed to work with their BarYak Expedition and BarYak Ultra cross bars, but is also compatible with standard drop bars and flat bars. It’s made from 210D Gridstop, weighs just 196g, and can be modified to fit different accessory pockets as long as you contact BarYak before ordering.

  • Weight: 196 grams (6.9 oz)
  • Price: $68
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $60CAD

  Bikepackers Foundry Loop Bar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Velcro
  • Volume: TBD
  • Made in: Alberta, Canada

  Handmade by Bikepackers Foundry in Alberta, Canada, the Loop Bar Harness is an ultralight harness system designed for Jones-style handlebars. It’s designed to carry a wide range of bags using 2″ webbing straps that secure gear under the loop of the bar, while an elastic cord section up top provides additional storage. All in, the Loop Bar Harness weighs about 150 grams.

  • Weight: 150 grams (5.3 oz)
  • Price: $60CAD
  • Place of Manufacture: Canada
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $150

  Brooks Scape Handlebar Roll

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 9-11L
  • Made in: England

  Built specifically for off-road bikepacking, the Scape Handlebar Roll is a two-piece harness system made to securely hold its own adjustable, waterproof dry bag. The bag has two internal compartment, foam spacers, and aluminum hardware, and can accommodate different accessories up front.

  • Weight: 670 grams (23.6 oz)
  • Price: $150
  • Place of Manufacture: England
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $70

  Decathlon Bikepacking Handlebar Harness ADVT 900

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 15L
  • Made in: China

  The Decathlon Decathlon Bikepacking Handlebar Harness ADVT 900 appears to be quite dialled considering its $70 price tag. It has large shaped rubber spacers for the handlebar, a mix of metal and plastic hardware, a structured harness that looks fairly rigid, and three locking straps to keep your favourite drybag in place.

  • Weight: 492 grams (17.4 oz)
  • Price: $70
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• €195

  Dyed in the Wool Harness and Dry Bag

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Velcro
  • Volume: 5-15L
  • Made in: Poland

  Made-to-order in Poland, the Dyed in the Wool Harness and Dry Bag are designed to be durable and functional. The harness is made from your choice of of EcoPak, Cordura, or an Ultra fabric, has an HDPE liner for extra stability, and attaches to the handlebar using two velcro straps. The included dry bag is made from a lightweight Ultra composite fabric and the harness comes in variety of colors.

  • Price: €195
  • Place of Manufacture: Poland
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $150

  Evoc Handlebar Pack Boa WP

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: BOA
  • Volume: 5-9L
  • Made in: China

  The Handlebar Pack BOA WP is a waterproof handlebar bag with a BOA Fit System and molded contact bracket much like the original that keeps the bag off the bars and provides space for cables — and fingers on drop-bars — to pass behind. Shock cord along the front provides an option for lashing light items like jackets to the outside. It’s available in smaller 5L and larger 9L sizes, which further suggests optimization for drop-bars.

  • Weight: 260 grams (9.2 oz)
  • Price: $150
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• €189

  Gramm Handlebar Roll

  • Type: Roll
  • Attachment: Bracket
  • Volume: 10L
  • Made in: Berlin, Germany

  The Gramm Handlebar Roll is handmade in Berlin and uses a unique mounting system. Unlike most roll bags, it uses a quick-release handlebar bracket for an adjustable and stable setup. The bag is made from recycled X-Pac, includes two adjustable straps, but the bracket is not suitable for carbon handlebars.

  • Weight: 553 grams (19.5 oz)
  • Price: €189
  • Place of Manufacture: Germany
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $119CAD

  MEC Provincial Handlebar Roll

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: TPU Straps
  • Volume: 11.5L
  • Made in: Vietnam

  The MEC Provincial Handlebar Roll is an all-in-one roll with dual-ended roll-top closures, TPU attachment straps, a zippered front pocket, and welded seams to keep your gear dry. The top and bottom panels use a rugged and waterproof TPU-coated 3-layer 300-denier polyester, and the body is a strong 210-denier recycled nylon with a TPU coating, creating an extremely water-resistant bag that can shake off rain and road spray.

  • Weight: 490 grams (17.3 oz)
  • Price: $119CAD
  • Place of Manufacture: Vietnam
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• €126

  Miss Grape Tendril

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 14L
  • Made in: Italy

  The Miss Grape Tendril is a fully-waterproof handlebar roll. It’s made from a nylon/polyester blend fabric, customized polypropylene straps, and plastic hardware. There are roll-top closure at either end of the bag and is produced in Italy.

  • Weight: 240 grams (8.5 oz)
  • Price: €126
  • Place of Manufacture: Italy
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $60

  Oveja Negra Front End Loader

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 8-20L
  • Made in: Colorado, USA

  The Oveja Negra Front End Loader is a US-made harness designed to accept 8-20L dry bags, uses two simple webbing attachment points on the bar, a lower webbing strap for stability, semi-rigid construction, and can also work alongside their Lunchbox handlebar bag for additional storage. The Front End Loader is made from a durable Cordura fabric and comes in black or their fun Wack Pack option that vary in color and pattern from bag to bag.

  • Weight: 192 grams (6.8 oz)
  • Price: $60
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $90

  Paper Roads Ranger Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 14L
  • Made in: New Zealand

  From Paper Roads in New Zealand: This is the third iteration of Paper Roads’ back-to-basics bikepacking harness to hold a front roll (or two). V3 is now made of polypropylene plastic, is lighter (240g) and more fail-proof. Price includes a pair of universally popular 32″ Voile straps (RRP $22.90 each). The Ranger Harness has an incredibly stable grip on your front roll as long as you pack it stiff like a log. A harness allows you to pack your roll properly off the bike and remove your belongings to take away from the bike.

  • Weight: 259 grams (9.1 oz)
  • Price: $90
  • Place of Manufacture: Auckland, New Zealand
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $170

  Restrap Holster Bar Bag

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 14L
  • Made in: United Kingdom

  The Holster Bar Bag is a more robust version of Restrap’s Race Bar Bag. It features a tough textured nylon holster, robust webbing straps, foam spacers, two lower retention straps, and is finished with some shock cord up front for lashing items to. A double-ended 14L drybag is included and the system comes in two variation: small or large. The large version come with an additional front pocket and an additional 3L of storage.

  • Weight: 480 grams (16.9 oz)
  • Price: $170 (Small)
  • Place of Manufacture: UK
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $190

  Restrap Race Bar Bag

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 7L
  • Made in: United Kingdom

  Designed for ultra-distance riding and racing, the Restrap Race Bar Bag is a two-piece system with a hardshell holster and an included 100% waterproof dry bag. Instead of two roll-top ends, like most dry bags, Restrap uses a top-opening design and has two stretchy pockets on either end of the bag for stashing small items. The Race Bar Bag is offered in two versions/sizes: a Drop Bar model optimized to fit between drop bars, and a wider flat bar option. Both include a 7L dry bag.

  • Weight: 320 grams (11.3 oz)
  • Price: $190
  • Place of Manufacture: UK
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $50

  Rockgeist Loop Bar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Velcro/Voile Straps
  • Volume: 8-30L
  • Made in: North Carolina, USA

  The new Rockgeist Loop Bar Harness is essentially a variation of their Barjam Harness with modifications to be compatible with the Jones H-Bar (flat and riser versions) and the Surly Moloko bar. It’s made from VX45 X-Pac with webbing strap guides to keep the included Voilé straps in place; and, when unbuckled, they remain attached to the harness for easier removal. The harness is affixed to the bar with two small velcro tabs and then fully secured with the Voilé straps, which wrap around a drybag and the entire handlebar. Customers have a choice of either 25″ or 32″ Voilé straps for various sized dry bags; the drybag is not included.

  • Price: $50
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $100

  Stealth Bar Roll

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 7.5-9L
  • Made in: New Zealand

  The all-in-one Stealth Bar Roll secures to the bike using two buckles with ladder lock adjusters and is further secured with a strap around the stem, steerer tube or fork. It’s constructed from tough 500D and 1000D Cordura, it has an integrated and removable plastic stiffener, and comes in two sizes: 9L or 7.5L.

  • Weight: 360 grams (12.7 oz)
  • Price: $100 (small)
  • Place of Manufacture: New Zealand
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• £80

  Straight Cut Design Handlebar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 3-20L
  • Made in: Edinburgh, Scotland

  Like most other harnesses, Straight Cut Design’s Handlebar Harness uses a series of webbing straps and buckles to secure itself to the handlebar, creating a cradle for a dry bag of your choosing, but unlike other harnesses I’ve used, the webbing is routed in a way that not only looks a bit more secure, but also holds the load slightly further away from the bike’s head tube, an issue Straight Cut set out to solve. The back of the harness is reinforced with HDPE, and additional webbing is secured to the crown of the fork, which should offer a little more space for cables and hoses.

  The body of the harness is constructed from 500d Cordura, with closed cell foam in between for padding, and is bar tacked at all attachment points for added strength. The minimum distance from the handlebar to fork crown is 190mm (7.4″) and the maximum is 250mm (9.8″), for the harness to function properly. Right now, the handlebar harness is only offered in black, but Straight Cut offers custom builds to match the rest of your kit.

  • Weight: 135 grams (4.8 oz)
  • Price: £80
  • Place of Manufacture: Scotland
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $120

  This is Farewell Handlebar Roll

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Voile Straps
  • Volume: 23L
  • Made in: New Mexico, USA

  The made-to-order This is Farewell Handlebar Roll is a classic roll with roll-top closures, sealed seams, and an X-Pac construction. There are two wrap-around webbing straps for attaching tent poles and other gear to, foam spacers are included, and it attaches to the bar using two Voile Nano straps. The roll comes in a few different fabric colors and has a 1-2 week turnaround time.

  • Weight: 255 grams (9 oz)
  • Price: $120
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $109

  Topeak Frontloader

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: 8L
  • Made in: China

  The Topeak Frontloader is a two-piece system that includes a harness and a removable drybag. The harness is secured to the handlebars using webbing straps and buckles, includes a number of spacers to make room for cables, and two lockable webbing straps hold the drybag in place. The 8L drybag is waterproof and has an integrated air purge valve to make packing down its contents easier.

  • Weight: 319 grams (11.3 oz)
  • Price: $109
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • helpWe highly encourage you to buy from a local shop when possible, but if you're going to buy online, you can use our affiliate links. We'll get a very small kickback that will help support this site. Available at:  Backcountry
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• €105

  Vaude Trailfront

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Rubber Straps
  • Volume: 14L
  • Made in: Vietnam

  The Vaude Trailfront is made from waterproof hf-welded materials, includes a 13L double-ended dry bag, and secures to your bar using rubber straps and foam spacers. Both the harness and dry bag are made from recycled materials, they are PVC-free, and have a Green Shape label which guarantees environmentally-friendly products made from sustainable materials, resource-efficient production and fair manufacturing.

  • Price: €105
  • Place of Manufacture: Vietnam
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $190

  Venture Handmade Kilo Handlebar Bag

  • Type: Handlebar Roll
  • Attachment: Webbing/Velcro
  • Volume: 12.5L
  • Made in: Colorado, USA

  The Kilo is a full-size handlebar bag that combines large volume, ease of use, and a very solid ride. The Kilo is designed for any bike with drop bars (gravel or road bikes), any bike with swept bars (Jones H-Bar style), or flat/riser bar bikes with longer stems. The Kilo is available in five stock colors, but can also be made-to-order in your choice of fabrics/colors.

  • Weight: 396 grams (14 oz)
  • Price: $190
  • Place of Manufacture: USA
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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• $37.50

  WOHO XTOURING Handlebar Harness

  • Type: Handlebar Harness
  • Attachment: Webbing
  • Volume: TBD
  • Made in: China

  The WOHO XTOURING Handlebar Harness attaches using two webbing straps and foam spacers, is made from 1000D ballistic Nylon, and includes two of their grippy WOHO Straps that grab onto your drybag securely. The harness is compatible with their Add-on pack and Add-on pack DRY model.

  • Weight: 180 grams (6.3 oz)
  • Price: $37.50
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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Parting Thoughts

Selecting a harness or roll system that works for you ultimately comes down to personal preference and your specific setup. If routing cables or not having enough handlebar real estate is a common issue, consider a dedicated bracket that spaces the load away from the handlebar. If you regularly ride in wet conditions, we generally recommend a harness with a removable dry bag, as it’s much easier to pack away from your bike and can accommodate bags of various sizes. It’s hard to go wrong with any options from Revelate Designs, who has been dialing in their harness longer than anyone else, but every bag marked with the hexagonal “T” icon is a safe bet when starting your research.

We did our best to include as many options as possible, but we likely missed a few. If you have a favorite harness or roll that’s not included, please let us know in the conversation below.