My Outer Shell Framebags Review
After almost two years of owning these bags and a decent amount of time taking them with me on various trips, it's finally time for an in-depth review of my three Outer Shell bags. They are at the core of all my adventures and I feel I've used them enough to know what they're good for and why you should go the extra mile to buy something that’s handmade and crafted with love. My set is composed of their Drawcord Handlebar Bag, Half Framebag, and Expedition Seatpack. This assortment gives me enough space for my sleeping system, food for two days, my gear, my SLR, and a few rolls of film. Just to clarify: this is not a sponsored article and everything written here is based on my personal experience with the brand. I actually discovered the brand while I was in Japan as they were stocked at my local bike shop (Tempra Cycle)in the “Graphite” colorway and I figured they would look cool on my bike.
Let’s start with the Drawcord Handlebar Bag! It’s the best handlebar bag I have ever used and here is why. Firstly, it’s super light at only 269g and secondly, It’s just much more practical than every other bag I’ve used. Everything is made so you can have a hand on the handlebar at all times while opening it and reaching inside for something in the middle of a ride. I used to put my camera in it for long rides and even if my hefty F100 takes all the available space in it, grabbing it for a quick snap is sometimes easier than with a shoulder strap. However, don’t think about putting your entire camping gear collection in it since it only has a five-liter capacity. I have one minor complaint that concerns the way the bag is prone to sagging as soon as it contains something heavy due to the way it is designed and attached to the handlebars. This is not really a problem since it was initially designed to carry small and light items like a phone, wallet, and maybe some food (it even has a zippered pocket inside for cards and other important belongings one can’t afford to lose during a trip). The sagging can be avoided by strapping something between the handlebar and the bag. For example, sometimes I wedge my sleeping mat in this space. Along with the main compartment, the bag has an additional three pockets: one on the front and another on each side which allow for easy access and organization of the contents. The X-Pac fabric and the storm flap lid make it weatherproof, so one should be okay with a little rain. I never had any problem with my camera gear, even during some seriously bad weather.
My Half Framebag is in size Medium, but I could honestly have gone with the biggest size since I ride 56-57cm frames. Despite not being the largest size, there's still plenty of space to store some of my clothing and cooking gear. The bag is entirely foam padded and there are plenty of straps to perfectly secure it to one’s frame to avoid any rattling sounds one would like to avoid during a ride. There is one pocket on each side, however, the drive side one is the biggest and uses 90% of the space. The non-drive side pocket is smaller, but it makes for easier access if one wants to reach and grab something during a ride. You can see in the pictures that I have a big gap between my seat tube and the tail end of the bag. This is not an issue since Outer Shell provides a long strap that can be wrapped around the seat tube to make everything tight. I usually use that gap to store my rain jacket or just a light piece of clothing I might need fast access to. To top it all off, there are also two discreet pockets inside providing even more space and security for precious Pokémon cards (a bikepacking necessity).
Let’s finish with the Expedition Seatpack. It’s a sixteen-liter saddlebag with a semi-rigid plastic frame with a rubberized surface for contact points on the seatpost and under the saddle. It's large enough to store light but bulky gear like my hammock, tarp, and sleeping bag, plus comes with a roll-up system to avoid any water seeping in. It has a compression strap on top that can also be used to tie down additional gear like your favorite pair of sandals. From my experience using it, it’s pretty water-resistant and the way it attaches to the seatpost feels good and not slack at all like some other bags I’ve tried before. I had issues with other big saddlebags swaying left and right while pedaling and causing seriously scary situations during some downhill descents.
One more thing! Ella and I recently got Outer Shell’s camera strap. I wouldn’t blame you for asking why in the world would anyone get a $58 camera strap. Let me tell you... It is worth every dollar! It’s well crafted, super comfortable and the very user-friendly three-point system is just such a lifesaver since it doesn’t slide along one’s side while riding. Even with the hefty F100, my shoulder doesn’t hurt after a few hours in the saddle. Sounds like a win to me!
Overall, I’m glad I discovered Outer Shell before even thinking about looking up other brands. Particularly with frame bags, it sounds difficult to release something new and revolutionary every year. But when you focus on details, usability, durability, and look, you already have the winning recipe. It’s also handmade by passionate people who want to create gear that will outlast the owner. Here is a little from their About section:
“We stand against disposable culture and make durable gear with a warranty. As a small operation, we have a complete perspective from designing to testing to manufacturing. Each phase is given the same meticulous attention to detail. All sewn products, except for the Dry Bags and t-shirts, are made in our shop in San Francisco, CA.”
And if that wasn’t enough… lifetime warranty, baby!
Outer Shell stands alongside other hardworking, innovative and passionate small companies in the bicycle industry who pride themselves on making quality products for the cycling community. The effort and research that goes into each bag can be noticed from the moment one holds and uses their products. Yes, it might be expensive and if you’re in Europe, be ready to pay some taxes at your door. But for me, it’s just 100% worth it. Their website can be found here!
Thank you @ellaellad for the camera strap (happy birthday to me) and @diegomhx for the mad modeling skills. And the bike?.... Maybe a bike check later, we’ll see. But at least it makes for some nice color contrast.
