Alpkit Koala v Apidura Saddlebag? has anyone had chance to compare them? which one would you recommend?

I have the Apidura handlebar bar and the Alpkit custom made frame bag along with a couple of other bits from Alpkit and am really pleased with the quality from both manufacturers. My main concerns are having the bag wobbling around and the straps coming lose when off road.

Thanks Andy.

ps 1st post so apologies if this has been asked previously..and hello everyone!!

Both are great.

Just got my new Apidura kit for the ride through France I have coming up. It looks the business!

However, Alpkit stuff is very well made with the added bonus that you can get direct contact with them very quickly in the highly unlikely event that you need to speak to their very good customer service team!

Difficult question to answer.

If you need lots of space then the 18L Apidura monster ... however, it is likely to move a little.

I've not played around with the latest AlpKit Koala but the first generation one is great. For me it proves an ideal size and very secure. I believe the seatpost straps have changed recently but I don't know if that makes them better or worse.

If you're comparing like for like with regard to size, then I think it comes down to personal preference rather than practicalities.

I dont find the Apidura moves AT ALL despite being fully loaded and with a large capacity

I dont find the Apidura moves AT ALL despite being fully loaded and with a large capacity

What, even the biggest version?

Perhaps I'm unlucky but with a light load in Finland my Koala was fine. On my Lurcher on a multi day ride across wales it came loose repeatedly driving me nuts. I've not tried an apidura but I'm not sure I'd buy another koala.

Perhaps I'm unlucky but with a light load in Finland my Koala was fine. On my Lurcher on a multi day ride across wales it came loose repeatedly driving me nuts. I've not tried an apidura but I'm not sure I'd buy another koala.

I'm thinking the straps on my pre-production one might be different to what's generally available?

My main concerns are having the bag wobbling around

My answer to this issue was firstly less stuff which sort of helped, and then the Wildcat Tiger which is really solid, more so than the trad bag type, as well as encouraging taking a bit less than a full trad seat bag (but still plenty for most I think)

Was talking to Beth today about some more stuff for my new bike,

Tigers are in stock for immediate dispatch

s8tannorm wrote:

I dont find the Apidura moves AT ALL despite being fully loaded and with a large capacity

What, even the biggest version?

Same goes for the Viscacha...if you pack it and strap it right, it won't shift.

Greetz

S.

I know it's gonna sound a bit fanboy and I am biased but I can't recommend the Tiger enough.

I used a Revelate one on my London to Wales trip and also used a BP one. (not used the Apidura)

The problem I had with both of those is that even though they are big you have to put your stuff in a dry bag inside the bag to keep it dry. The dry bag roll and then the seat pack roll take up space.

The beauty of the Tiger is that it holds your dry bag so no need for a 2nd dry bag, you can also change the capacity of it (just use a different size dry bag)

It's also rock steady.

s8tannorm wrote:

I dont find the Apidura moves AT ALL despite being fully loaded and with a large capacity

What, even the biggest version?

Yes. I was very surprised how stable it is particularly given its size. No wag or sag

I have the viscacha

I like the bag idea, rather than holster approach, though only having tried the former, as the option to dry bag the contents is a strength

I can, and have, put important stuff in a dry bag, and other bits not in a dry bag but still inside the seat pack, so i can separate dry and wet stuff in one bag. For example tarp/waterproofs or drinks/liquids separate from normal seat pack contents like clothes, food, cook kit etc

I'd be very interested in seeing a 4 way "seatpack-off". AlpKit vs Revelate vs WildCat vs Apidura.

I'd be very interested in seeing a 4 way "seatpack-off". AlpKit vs Revelate vs WildCat vs Apidura.

If Revelate would like to send me a pack, I'll happily oblige.

However, I believe Dave 'sweary' Barter did something similar in the last edition of the CTC magazine?

s8tannorm wrote:

I'd be very interested in seeing a 4 way "seatpack-off". AlpKit vs Revelate vs WildCat vs Apidura.

If Revelate would like to send me a pack, I'll happily oblige.

However, I believe Dave 'sweary' Barter did something similar in the last edition of the CTC magazine?

You might need to add in the bikepack one as well for a fair(ish) comparison, given the price point

I think the only option for the Porcelain Rocket one is to import it?

Stu, you can borrow my one if you want to do a test? It's the older version though, doesn't have the clips for the spocket

I'm really liking my wildcat kit! Beth is great to deal with and the UK made gear is top notch quality!

I tested the Wildcat, Alpkit, Revelate and Blackburn seatpacks. I will put up a PDF link to my findings soon as the CTC normally publish online a few months after the article.

I liked the Revelate design it sits well on the seatpost due to the reinforced bits, but it was the least water resistant of the three integrated bag models. For me the internal compression strap and top fixings were the most useful features, but it is pricey. The Koala was also a great bag, I was not sure about the durability of the seatpost straps though. Wildcat holds the stuff the best by a country mile and would be my choice unless I had to keep stopping and getting to stuff in the seatpack. The Blackburn kit was cheap but it showed and my bag came loose after a 13 mile ride.

thanks for the replies, I think im swaying towards the wildcat tiger!
cheers

Dave Barter wrote:I tested the Wildcat, Alpkit, Revelate and Blackburn seatpacks. I will put up a PDF link to my findings soon as the CTC normally publish online a few months after the article.

Any chance of a link to the PDF re: the above test? I'd be interested in a "seatpack off" as I'm currently looking to grab a seatpack but still procrastinating.

Saw the handlebar roll review for the Blackburn effort in CTC this month but nothing else.

Basically I've decided I'll be using anything cages / gorilla cages on the forks to hold cooking kit on one side, sleeping mat on the other. My tent's in a drybag on the bars. So need a seat pack for clothing and sleeping bag, I've just no idea which one to go for.
Blackburn outpost = Cheap, accepts separate bag.
AlpKit Koala = Second cheapest, looks nice, good customer service.
WildCat Tiger = Best reputation or so it seems, accepts separate bag, but is more expensive.
Apidura = Quite expensive, looks nice, is massive.
Revelate = Very expensive, seems similar to the Koala / Apidura, not really sure what the benefit is, other than oldest (most refined) design?

The tapered airlok is the cheapest - any reason why you've ruled it out?

No, I've not ruled it out, it's being purchased as we speak. I'm just not particularly confident about how solid it will be. So doing research on 'proper' seat packs in the mean time.

I've seen a few of the alpkit koalas on my various travels recently and you can spot them a amile off - flapping madly side to side! Maybe operator error but not convinced. Revelate terrapin is mega dear but an excellent piece of kit