Best motorcycle rucksacks

Nobody buys or rides a motorcycle to routinely carry lots of stuff – that’s what cars or vans are for, right? But sometimes it’s necessary. For commuters, tourers and others with an ongoing need for taking kit with them fixed ‘hard’ luggage like panniers or a top box remain the best option, the latter meaning a dependable 30 to 40 litres of space while keeping the bike slim for filtering.
If you’re able to pack light and don’t fancy bolting something to your bike for a quick day out then soft luggage like a strap-on tail or tank bag is an option but for carrying the basics like lightweight waterproofs and a spare set of gloves a riding rucksack remains the most flexible option. As long as they’re relatively small and light – somewhere around 20-25 litres or so - they’re not uncomfortable and don’t impinge on the riding experience. Those designed for bikers usually have waterproof coatings or covers, slick strap systems and lots of pockets and compartments to suit your requirements. But what’s out there? What do they offer, and which are the best? Here are our current five top picks to suit all budgets, in price ascending order, as based on buyer ratings accrued on the UK’s leading online motorcycle store.

Check out the price. That’s right, the QBag 15 is just over twenty quid, making it a steal for a purpose-built biker backpack, especially one with so many features and that’s so highly rated. It’s a waterproof 30-litre backpack with reflective panel, waterproof zips and even a mesh pocket for extra goodies. Although in no way fancy, it’s decently made and performs well. There’s a fully waterproof polyester construction and a large outer pocket with a waterproof zip. It has a ‘roll-top’ rather than zipper top closure, which is a little more fiddly but better for keeping the rain out. There are two side mesh pockets for small items, adjustable mesh shoulder straps and even night-time reflective details.

RST Raid, £39.99

The most highly rated backpack from leading British motorcycle clothing and accessory brand RST. The 20D has a capacity of 22.5 litres and is designed for the ‘touring rider wanting a little extra packing space’ according to RST. It’s made from 20D Jacquard diamond pattern waterproof fabric with PVC backing, has chest and waist straps for stability, multiple internal and external pockets and this time a zipper top fastening. At just £39.99 it’s great value, too.

Held To-Go rucksack, £48.95

This offering from leading German quality motorcycle clothing and accessory brand Held offers a great balance of quality and features for a sub-£50 price. The trade-off is a slightly smaller 12-litre capacity but there’s a 100 per cent polyester outer shell with water resistant PVC coating and 3M Scotchlite reflective details. The price also includes a built-in rain cover, comfortably padded straps, two external pockets with a mesh side pocket plus waist and chest straps.

Oxford Aqua B25, £52.99

British brand Oxford Products is well-respected for its motorcycle clothing, but even more so for its luggage and accessories. Its ‘Aqua’ line is renowned for its quality and waterproofing and the B25 is a 25-litre all-weather backpack with easily accessed carry handles. It has a ‘wipe-clean’ waterproof construction with welded seams, an external pocket for small items, side mesh pockets, reflective detailing for improved visibility, padded straps and back sections for additional comfort and a height and width adjustable waist strap to accommodate all shapes and sizes. There’s a roll-top top closure, compression straps for maximum stability and a wide range of other sizes and styles, although this one is the most highly rated.

Kriega R20, £139.99

We’ve saved the best – but also the most expensive – until last. Kriega is renowned as the Rolls-Royce of motorcycle backpacks with a quality, reputation and, admittedly, price that’s second to none. One of the most popular is this 20-litre version (25-litre and 30-litre variants are also available) which, like all Kriega products, is made from heavy duty, waterproof, 5mm 420D heavyweight nylon rip stop fabric and features Kriega’s unique ‘Quadloc-Lite’ four-way harness system for maximum security. There is also a side access pocket, optional harness pocket and three-litre ‘hydration reservoir’, YKK water-resistant zips, a 3M Scotchlite reflective logo and even an impressive 10-year guarantee. Lightweight and extremely strong, a Kriega may not cheap but does represent glorious quality.