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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: MARCH 7th
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Lomo 13 Litre Bikepacking Seat Pack Dry Bag
382g £36.00
The Lomo 13 litre Bike Packing Seat Pack Dry Bag is a super sturdy, wallet friendly model. Waterproof, it’ll swallow a good deal of kit without feeling too cumbersome. Sure, filled to bursting, there’s some sway but thanks to good design, this is less pronounced than I’ve come to expect from the bigger breed.
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Pros: Very solid, waterproof, easy to care for, user-friendly design, light tab, keenly priced.
Cons: Consumes quite a lot of seat post, can sway when fully laden, cargo net missed opportunity.
Before I chat materials, a quick word about sizing. The minimum clearance your bike(s) will need is 24cm (about 9.45 in) between the saddle rails and wheel, preferably a bit more, just in case. It’s a 13-litre model measuring 52cm closed and 67cm open, 20cm tall and 25cm wide. Made from TPU with roll top closure and with RF (explore) welded seams, it is waterproof in the everyday sense, rugged and easy to care for. This is also an important consideration if you’re not running a rear mudguard of some description.
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Being a weatherproof design, we’re talking a single compartment, which is easily accessible but calls for methodical packing. Big post mounted bags tend to sway and bob about a bit. I was pleased to discover internal plates, which are designed so the bag will hold its shape, while helping to minimise unwanted movement.
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More significant are the two beefy Velcro post straps. There’s ample length for bigger diameters and indeed, leach-like tenure to narrower diameters, making it a practical choice for older mountain, cyclo-cross and, indeed, rough stuff touring bikes. I’ve always found two more effective than a large single design, especially on bags 10 litres upward.
Two retro reflective logos and a LED lighting clip are welcome touches for road duties and frankly, being a subscriber to “let bikes do the lugging” thus trumps a rucksack for commuting and general riding duties. The only thing missing from my wish list was a cargo net for capturing overspill - you know, when you’re weary and forgot to load some kit, or your eyes were bigger than your belly at that last roadside stall and just want to hop on and scoot off.​
Mounts
Aside from the well-proportioned post straps, there’s a simple but effective buckle tethering the bag to the saddle rails. This, along with the closure straps are very easy and moreover, quick to use. Nylon webbed straps are pretty much what we’ve come to expect, and these are just as rugged as those models costing considerably more.
Test Bike/Context
Denise, my gravel bike, gravel crosser, whatever label you’d like to apply was the obvious and only host. Genre aside, there was sufficient post exposed to readily accommodate bags of this capacity. Staying with the post a moment, this is 27.0 diameter, slightly narrower than standard but not wildly so. Smaller bags - 6 and 10 litres can bounce and sway a little in my experience, hence Denise’s saddle rails sport this support cradle - technically, I have it the “wrong” way round, especially if I’d wanted to mount bottle cages. However, I’m not and this orientation provides greatest support, and I’ve found it highly effective.
Ours arrived at the close of November and conditions have been decidedly wet, muddy and generally slimy. Denise shuns mudguards, primarily since I haven’t found anything suitable. Being a rim braked build rules out the latest generation of gravel biased guards, most notably the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger . This is significant, since luggage gets blasted by water, mud, dung and anything else thrown up by the rear wheel.
Performance 4/5
I’ve been impressed across the board. Thirteen kilos is a fair bit of kit and it’s important to remember that weight should ideally be carried carefully, which is why frame bags occupying the frame’s main triangle is where you want to be stowing camping stoves and related kit and similar weighty items. Sleeping bags, changes of clothing and other, lightweight items belong in post mounted bags.
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That out of the way, I’ve gone to 5 kilos, since I’ve seen this cited for other, smaller packs. Filled to the brim, sans support mount (and yes, following the proven heaviest stuff at the bottom mantra) I’ve noticed some sway, most notably when accelerating hard and climbing out of the saddle.
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That said, it’s been less pronounced than some around the 10-litre mark, especially those employing a broad, single post strap. This was largely eliminated with the support, although not completely. Waterproofing is again, seriously impressive. Ok, I wouldn’t advocate heading for the nearest deep-water crossing and if truly apocalyptic conditions were promised, I might add a dry sack.
Nonetheless, as these photos illustrate, I’ve been belting along flooded, waterlogged lanes and got it caked in crap.
Regular rides, several hours long and in persistent, moderate rain, everything has stayed bone dry. Much as I’d expect from a design with welded seams, but reassuring, especially given the competitive price tag. After several weeks and a thick layer of accumulated crud, I gave ours a thorough three-minute hosing-down. Again, with the roll top closure drawn tight, water just rolled away and didn’t sneak inside.
Durability/Care 4/5
While we don’t abuse kit, we test thoroughly in real world conditions. I’ve done many a mile through thorny forest trails and bridlepath. Brambles and other prickly stuff has scraped the TPU but no calling cards here, nor so much as a loose thread along the straps. The light mount is simple but similarly effective. On balance, I’d err on the lighter side, but, for reference, I’ve had no issues with those around the 60g mark. Light spatter is easily removed with a damp cloth but heavy, caked on stuff such as this calls for a few blasts of bike wash, a soft-medium stiff brush and warm (not hot) water.
Value 4.5/5
£36 is seriously competitive, especially given the specification. Even if you went for a stabiliser mount, you’d still be ahead financially compared with those with stiffer compartments and bigger price tags. The Restrap Saddle Bag Holster and Dry Bag employs Fidlock magnets and meets IPX6 for waterproofing but be prepared to part with the lion’s share of £120.00.
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Passport Bikepacking Seat Saddlepack is £70 for the large (9.8 litre version). I’m remain a fan of the medium we tested back in 2020. It’s lightweight, yet rugged and straps are highly effective at taming sway. Zefal Z Adventure R11 (now £67.99 rrp) has stiffness in its favour and mine’s still serving faithfully. However, they’re also smaller, heavier, water resistant rather than proof and, while decent value, you could almost buy two Lomo for their asking price. We like Topeak stuff, and their Back Loader Topeak Back Loader Seat Pack | cycling-not-racing range is no exception. However, the 15-litre model, closest in the range size-wise is £87.
Summary
Taking everything into account, the Lomo 13 litre Bikepacking Seat Pack Dry Bag is incredibly difficult to find fault with. Yes, there are some minor points-sway when filled to the brim, but this is less pronounced than some smaller designs and, indeed, comes with the territory when discussing stock luggage of this size. Adding a bag-support largely cures this and still leaves the Lomo cheaper than comparable models. Waterproofing is similarly impressive thanks to materials and welded construction, and, again, steals a march on dearer competition.
Verdict: 4/5 Minor niggles aside, a sturdy and highly waterproof bag with an equally favourable price tag.
Michael Stenning
Lomo Watersport UK. Wetsuits, drysuits and dry bags.
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2025
