Vel Bikepacking Luggage

As travelling and camping equipment has progressed over the years, the requirement for 40 or more litres of space to remain fed and warm for a few nights in the countryside has disappeared. Modern equipment is far lighter and smaller than it was in the days of bicycle ‘touring’ holidays and panniers. This has led to a situation where with some careful thought and planning, carrying overnight gear using bikepacking luggage needn’t slow you down or hinder the bike’s handling much at all.

All the Vel bags and packs are made using a similar construction, with smart grey waterproof ripstop material and welded seams that provide fantastic protection for the contents. Hypalon patches add structure and abrasion resistance where required with either waterproof zips or roll closures ensuring that any moisture stays on the outside. Reflective branding adds extra low light visibility to all the luggage.

The luggage has been designed with weight in mind, but durability and functionality are also key attributes of the range. Providing weather-proof protection to the contents in all conditions is crucial, whilst Vel’s core values of reliability and quality ensure that you should never be left stranded because of equipment failure.

The Vel Top Tube Bag is perhaps the most useful of all the luggage; it can be used on its own on longer rides or sportives, keeping snacks and a camera accessible on the go or it can be used in conjunction with other luggage on overnight trips. It is a great place to stow a power bank, as the zip opens front to back so that a cable can be run forwards to charge up a GPS or light in use and as the most accessible of the bags it is also the best place to keep a phone and money.

It attaches to the top tube using three Velcro straps which thread through Hypalon loops on the bag. They can be used in a variety of configurations depending on frame size and shape, but one around the steerer and a couple round the frame is ideal.

Vel's Handlebar Pack is the perfect place to stash light, soft items such as spare clothes or a sleeping bag, as its location means that anything too heavy might affect the bike’s handling. As well as having roll closures at both ends, the Handlebar Pack also has an air purge valve that can be used when rolling the bag closed so that the contents can be reduced to the smallest possible size. 

An external bungee allows a jacket to be easily stowed until it’s next needed and there is a slot for clipping a front light to. Long handlebar and head tube straps ensure that it can be fitted to a wide variety of bike handlebars and bike types, preventing the bag from bouncing about on rough ground.

Tucked away behind the rider, the Vel Seat Pack barely affects the bike’s aerodynamics yet can carry 7 litres of luggage. A broad Hypalon and Velcro strap wraps around the seat post to hold the bag securely, stabilised by two further straps that pass through the saddle rails. Hypalon panels down the sides add structure to the bag whilst cinching down the roll closure also provides extra stability and reduces swaying. 

When using the watertight roll closure, the valve allows all excess air to be purged from the bag so that it is as compact as possible. The carefully designed shape maximises storage whilst also ensuring that the bag doesn’t impede pedalling at all. At the back, there is a  Hypalon daisy chain patch that can be used for a rear light or for lashing more cargo onto the bag.

Last but not least, Vel's Frame Bag is the best place to carry heavier items such as tent poles, food or even water, as it keeps them close to the bike's centre of gravity. A horizontal waterproof side zip gives easy access to the contents whilst three wide top tube straps and a downtube strap hold the bag secure and sway-free. There is a handy pocket underneath the zip on the inside to keep a few notes or a credit card in to stop them from getting mixed up with the bag’s other contents. Whilst it might not be as capacious as some frame bags, Vel’s offering leaves space for access to the bottle cages, making it a very practical option.