5 Waterproof Bags To Keep Your Gear Dry While You Ride
Riding season is officially here, and while you can plan all you want for the perfect ride out of town, there is simply no predicting the weather. Unforeseen drizzle or a harsh downpour can happen any time, so make sure your gear is protected with luggage that is watertight and specially designed for the wet road ahead.
Motorcyclists have plenty of options when it comes to selecting a bag or pack to travel with. Even on a bike equipped with hard saddlebags, there will be a time when you need to pack more items than what they can hold. When that time comes, you’ll be glad to have one of these pieces that are ready to roll. Whether you’re planning a weeklong journey or a quick day trip, be sure to pack your stuff in quality luggage that will keep it all safe and dry.
If you’re heading out of town for an extended run, you’ll naturally be packing more goods than usual.
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson’s Premium Overnight Bag makes stuffing whatever’s needed easy, as this handy piece of motorcycle-specific luggage conveniently mounts to a Tour-Pak rack or upright sissy bar. To make the bag even more versatile, it can also be outfitted with an optional clip-on rider backrest, as well as a premium shoulder strap for easy handling.
The large exterior pockets feature glove-friendly access with contoured zipper pulls and an oversize handle. The bag also comes with an integrated rain cover that has 3M Scotchlite reflective piping for increased nighttime visibility.
This magnetic-mount bag offers a scratch-guard rubberized contact pad to ensure a secure attachment to your tank without messing up the paint.
Joe Rocket
Wind- and water-resistant 1,000-denier nylon construction ensures that a little bit of rain and wind will not put any of your belongings in harm’s way.
A built-in cable access port allows for you to still plug in your mobile device without fumbling around with a zipper on the road. A map window also lets you see the next moves on your phone’s GPS app. With six storage pockets, a key clip, rain cover, reflective tape, and its ability to convert into a backpack, we’d say the Recon 19 is an instant winner.
Available in two sizes (20L and 40L), the Hurricane backpack is 100-percent waterproof, and features electronically heat-welded seams to ensure no stray drops get in.
Nelson-Rigg
The pack is constructed of durable UV-coated 24-ounce tarpaulin PVC, and features a watertight roll closure with quick-release buckles. The Hurricane can seal in two different closure methods—over the top or down the sides—for the ultimate in user-friendliness.
Inside the Hurricane are a sleeve that can house up to 15-inch laptops and quick-release buckles that allow the bag to convert into a handy waterproof tail pack. An integrated front pocket can hold an optional hydration bladder, and the backpack straps are three-way adjustable and padded for comfort. This bag will prove to be helpful on the road as well as on foot, or whenever adventure calls.
The Speedway Travel bag from Velomacchi can be carried as a regular duffel bag, worn as a backpack, or slung over the shoulder, and can also be securely strapped down on a motorcycle or roof rack. The bag is completely waterproof, and with a 50-liter capacity, you won’t have to leave too many of your precious gadgets behind due to a lack of space.
Ideal for commuters and any other rider who requires additional storage for rides of any length, the XKursion XS Cube bag features a removable base pad with a contoured, recessed bottom for compatibility with virtually any passenger seat or luggage rack.
Kuryakyn
The main compartment is large enough to fit a full-face helmet along with a few more accessories, and there’s also a padded storage compartment that can fit up to a 12-inch tablet and other small devices. UV-rated and weather-resistant 1,680-denier textile material protects the bag from the elements, as does the included rain cover. Travel with peace of mind knowing that all your valuables are packed away safe for a road tour of any duration.
