Since 1982, German brand Ortlieb has been synonymous with waterproof bike panniers. Like many cycling accessory makers, the company was born out of a need to find a solution, in this case, cycling in damp Southern England. The very first bags were stitched on a home sewing machine, and over the years, perfected to the point of 100% waterproofness.
That’s an amazing claim, one that we can appreciate living on the Wet coast. Ortlieb bags use no impregnation or taped seams. The hardware locks the bag into place, whether it’s a side pannier or an under-the-saddle model.
The visionary who started Ortlieb, Hartmut Ortlieb, has grown this company into a success story with one aim: to keep your gear dry. And with that, Ortlieb’s Canadian rep sent us a couple of seat bags to check out in two different sizes and colours.
[What’s in the bag]
Both bags feature a roll closure made of lightweight nylon, an inner stiffener to retain shape, 3M Scotchlite reflector and a mounting system (with included hardware).
The Saddle-Bag Two is the newer of the two products and comes in 1.6 L and 4.1 L sizes (in Lime/Black, Signal Red/Black and Slate/Black).
Ours has a 1.6-liter capacity and is ideal for storing a spare tube, repair kit, extra batteries for a bike light and other small essentials.
The roll closure secures with two side buckles, keeping your stuff dry and dust-free.
Key Features
– Adjustable snap-lock mount gives a secure fit under the saddle and can be quickly removed
– Hook-and-loop stability strap fits around seat posts up to 34.9mm in diameter
– Contains no protruding plastic components on the inside
– Made from sturdy PVC-free nylon fabric in Germany
1.6 liters, CAD $74.99/USD $54.99
[What’s in the bag]
We also checked out a smaller version of this bag, in a micro, .8 liter size. Like its bigger brother, this one’s easy to mount via the included bracket.
Just roll and clip together to keep out the elements! It’s available in Slate Black, Signal Red-Orange and Light Green-Lime.
CAD $39.99/USD $34.99
Known for its extreme durability, each Ortlieb bag comes with a five-year warranty, is sustainably produced and PVC-free. Visit Ortlieb online for more info, catalog and product dealers. In Canada, visit your local bike shop.
