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No bags? No budget? No problem! DIY your own bikepacking bags

Biking Places

60,530 views

In this video I'll talk about a way to source bikepacking bags for cheap. It's a popular option for folks just getting into bike packing or for times when you don't want to carry your own bags from home. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Enjoyed the video? Want to support the channel? Leave a comment or join my patreon: Patreon: bikingplaces

A few more gear videos from my channel:
Adding racks, bags and accessories to my touring bike: Adding racks, bags and accessories to my t...
My top 5 bike touring accessories: My top 5 bike touring accessories
Slovenia bike tour: Slovenia Bike Tour

The bigger dry bags I'm using are no longer available but here they are anyway for reference:
10 liter dry bag: https://amzn.to/4954uPb
20 liter dry bag: https://amzn.to/4u0Az3n

One of these should work just about as well:
10 liter: https://amzn.to/48RrjpJ
20 liter: https://amzn.to/4mZXMQl

Other items mentioned in the video:
Thinner dry bag 6L: https://amzn.to/4tg2wmA
Voile straps: https://amzn.to/3NZpJe1
Rear rack: https://alnk.to/aAS8uZT
Panniers: https://alnk.to/deBvdj7
Bike basket: https://alnk.to/fHpKSvc
Cheap frame bag: https://amzn.to/4w27uWi
Bikepacking saddle bag: https://alnk.to/bEmG6W5
Bikepacking handlebar bag: https://alnk.to/b7Cpate

(Disclaimer: I may earn a commission from purchases made through affiliate links)

#bikepacking #biketouring #bags

20 Comments

@biking-places Creator 2 months ago Pinned

My longer video on the Yucatan where I used this setup is now up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYDAuNvmDeg

@funkytucker 3 months ago

oh im kinda obsessed with the simplicity of it all

@MeliacKK 5 months ago

I’m French, so i’m sorry for the translation. I used this method for a 600 km Bike trip with my brother last year. Nothing had moved. It’s top !

@Goenzelsen 5 months ago

Gorgeous. I love the spirit of simple, individualized bikes. My only „expensive“ bike (2.5 k) was considered „budget“ when I bought it. While I enjoy riding it, I actually feel more attached to the vintage steel frame bike I bought for 40 bucks and flipped for maybe another 120. It’s special, not only because it rides great, but because I invested time and love in it. You can buy the parts or a complete bike, but you can’t buy the satisfaction of creating something yourself.

@MattScottMusic 5 months ago

Used inner tubes can be recycled into straps like this to attach stuff. They are super strong and last forever. I’ve threaded old bungee hooks onto mine, but other ways work too.

@Pasequale100 4 months ago

I need more videos like this. Very good idea to rent a bike in the foreign country instead of bringing an own bike.

@Hyposkullyt 3 months ago

simply genius. you proved that it doesn't need to be expensive ❤️❤️

@sothysan-q3d 1 month ago

Simple and convenient

@Bamboodonutz 4 months ago

Thanks for this. I was looking for "budget friendly top tube bags" and your video popped-up! Sometimes the universe knows its role 😂. Often when I'm out in the world I look around and say "stop trying to sell me stuff!". It's very rewarding when we can give "old" things a new life (or a different life) and not have to (over)pay.

@I_wish_I_had_known_that_sooner 5 months ago

Great ideas. I love packing this way. I switched from frame bags to this method two years ago. With two small changes. The 20 l dry bag has its opening on the long side instead of the narrow side, so you can find your stuff much faster without unpacking everything. At the front, there are two cheap carbon handlebar extensions mounted one below the other (one works too); attach two straps to them with zip ties and mount a 13-liter front roll in front. It works great, and the roll doesn’t sit too high. Tent and everything else in the front, clothes in the back, then you can take the dry bag with the convenient opening into the tent.

@here987 4 months ago

This is the video I was looking for to try out bike packing. Thanks a ton.

@DrZeppo 5 months ago

Mexico looks amazing.

@davidgolieri4218 5 months ago

Great video. I have always used dry bags strapped to racks. I strap a 50 liter dry bag duffle on the back because of the larger top opening rather than smaller end opening on traditional dry bags, and a 20 liter dry bag strapped to a front rack. These 2 bags have about the same capacity as 2 20 liter panniers on the back and 2 15 liter panniers on the front at a fraction of the cost and no rattling.

@Jerrodbasketball 3 months ago

This is great. Thank you!

@LinBomb 4 months ago

Thank you so much for the tips and inspiration! Happy bike camping :)

@stevensad38 5 months ago

Yes,I have used a 20 and a 10 l bag for some years, plus a handlebar bag and a small tool bag. If necessary, a small 18 l backpack carries 5/6 days of food. It's cheap, simple, and easy to use.

@primorodolfolamco8475 4 months ago

great classic ,, simple is best technology..

@zevfeistory 5 months ago

All you need is 80L backpack, and a big trashcan plastic to cover the backpack from rain. And you dont need to waste your money to install front rack.

@Destide 5 months ago

Always love divating from {hobby} products. You pay such a premium by looking for activity specific general purpose gear.

@Windingify 5 months ago (edited)

Nowadays, all I use is a dry bag for everyday. It has replaced my backpack and other everyday stuff. Solo because it can be fitted everywhere with a Voile strap. Also it can be packed with all kinds of little modular bags inside. I do however use a saddlebag holster on one of my bikes; but with the same dry bag.