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Tailfin vs Ortlieb – The Best Bikepacking Bags? [Full Gear Test]

Gabriel Rancourt Cycling

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🎬 Tailfin vs Ortlieb – The Best Bikepacking Bags? Full Review & Real-World Comparison

In this video, I put two of the most respected bikepacking brands head-to-head: Tailfin and Ortlieb.

From the Tailfin AeroPack and Bar Bag System to the Ortlieb Seat-Pack and Handlebar-Pack, I test and compare them all in real-world conditions after thousands of kilometers on gravel, trail, and remote backroads.

🚴‍♂️ Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend overnighter or an ultra-endurance race like the Tour Divide, this in-depth comparison will help you choose the best bikepacking bags for performance, durability, and long-term value.

🔧 Covered in this video:
• Tailfin AeroPack vs Ortlieb Seat-Pack
• Tailfin Bar Bag System vs Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack
• Pros and cons of each system
• Long-term durability & real-world repairability
• Bag stability, rubbing issues, mounting systems
• What works best for different frame setups and bikepacking styles

This is not a sponsored video. Just my honest, field-tested opinion after using both systems extensively.

🧭 Tailfin official site: https://www.tailfin.cc

🔗 Follow & explore more
My Instagram: Instagram: gabrielrancourt
My website: http://gabrielrancourt.com
Fuel your rides: http://drinkrocket.ca

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00:00 Intro
0:42 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack
1:27 Tailfin Bar Bag System
2:13 Tailfin AeroPack System
2:55 Ortlieb Seat Pack QR
4:42 Why I don't like traditional seat packs
5:29 Tailfin Aeropack Setup on and off
8:22 Tailfin Top Tube Flip Feed Bag
11:42 How to avoid rubbing
12:19 Dropper Post compatibility
14:00 Biggest Pros of Tailfin / Spare parts
16:15 Fit any bikes
17:56 Final Thought

20 Comments

@onofriofanelli 1 year ago

To be fair you are comparing two different products. I got the quick rack from Ortlieb. It’s Aluminium but I paid 290€ including a thru axle and 2 20L bags. Thanks for showing both systems. ❤

@Churchwardens 1 year ago

Maybe true, but $500 for rack and bag is insanity, no matter how well it does the same job.

@globaljobber 1 year ago

I rode the PCR last year with Tailfin - same bags you have, and they were brilliant. Very happy with all their bags.

@pierrecrokaert 6 months ago

This is the second video you made I watch, and you are again giving all the advices I discovered the hard way doing the mistakes (the other one was buying a Gravel bike instead of sticking to my hardtail mtb with faster tires).

@valdmeri 6 months ago

Thanks for the video! I’m about to buy one, and it really helped me decide.

@daitallon 1 year ago (edited)

I was looking at the flip version top tube bag, looks so much easier to access!

@GabrielRancourtCycling Creator 1 year ago

Let me know what is your favorite bike bags brand !

@pedroblasco4924 1 year ago

Topeak has a fork pack with QR system very affordable. I have been using it off road for weeks and it was awesome and very cheap.

@wazzup105 1 year ago

It bloody well be perfect considering the price.

@chefmarc-antoineblessard 5 days ago

Est ce qu'il est possible de l'utiliser avec un dropper post?

@Bikepacking 1 year ago (edited)

I have tailfin after testing it long term .. i prefer a seatpost bag with built in harness it wont break like a rack or clips and mine never sways the sercret is how you pack the bag…. i have used and tested over 40 bikepacking bags brands over the last 16 years from cottage companies to factory brands .. for sure cottage companies are built to last …if your looking the toughest rack on the market that wont break or fail then look at mountain man racks bomb proof ..iI prefer bikepacking setups to tradation touring setups ie panniers and rack

@hugooop 1 year ago

Tu es un bon vendeur Gab. Je ne fait pas de backpacking mais on dirait que j’ai quand même le goût de m’acheter des Tailfin 😂😂

@jonathanlogan3698 1 year ago

Hey Gabriel, thanks for your videos. I have the same Cutthroat, and just ordered a Tailfin setup today. Looking forward to hearing more about your choice of handlebar... But also, what suspension are you using? It's a drag to take rocky descents in the hoods so slowly

@dougsphoto 1 year ago

Hi thx but would like to see more from the actual trip

@guidofliek5278 1 year ago

Which speaker is that on your bar?

@Spolingen 11 months ago

Uses both Ortlieb and Tailfin bags. Ortliebs fabrics are much more resilient over time. Agree over the fact there is no god way of mounting handelbar packs without rack. How you manage not to rub your knees on the large toptube bag is beyond me thinking of going Apidura insted of mine 1.1liter Tailfin.

@mikascamp 7 months ago

I used the ortlieb handlebar bag but dont use the straps instead I use it with a click fix velo rack everything sturdy no rattle and extra strapping points holds the bag low enough to be away from shifters and cables takes 2 seconds to mount

@MH-js8vb 8 months ago

Gabriel, as-tu fait du hike-a-bike avec les sacoches? Si oui est-ce que c'était dans tes jambes? Je réfléchis à mon setup pour la Silk Road Mountain Race 😁. Je te remercie

@garymanning7376 1 year ago (edited)

Hey Gabriel, Great videos. I am riding a 58 Cutthroat with mainly tailfin gear. I currently have their half frame bag but would love to here you thoughts on the Rogue Panda frame bag and how you carry water now that the bottle holder positions are covered over. Especially if needing to carry 5+ litres. Have you tried the Apidura bladder?
I ride remote often with limited water supplies. I have been considering a full frame bag by either RoguePanda or Bike Bag Dude (local to me and a good rep) and interested to hear your thoughts

@omare_biketonature 10 months ago

In defense of Ortlieb your friend should read the instructions! When mounted and packed properly that saddle bag won’t sway or move, you can actually adjust the angle of the bag in relation to the saddle, it’s dropper compatible and it is a solid option for bikepacking, for me it has 2 major disadvantages that you didn’t mention, one It’s not suspension seat post compatible and two the position of your saddle determines the angle and weight capacity of the bag. The same goes for the handlebar bag I toured rough terrain and never had and issue, the only problem is that it might damage the paint of your bike but you can protect before mounting. I started using Redshift suspension seat post that’s why I sold the saddle bag and a handle bar cradle is more practical/efficient than a bag attached to the bars. So I found better options. But ortlieb is good 👍🏻 Tailfin might be better I haven’t tried myself and sometimes i feel like over engineered, I might have to try it maybe in Kyrgyzstan. Cheers