What are the best Waterproof E-Bike Bags?


With the changing seasons, it’s important to keep your e-bike cargo safe from rain and snow. But with all of the different types of bags on the market, how do you know which bag is best for you?
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite waterproof e-bike bags below!

Bike Phone Front Frame Bag by Opamoo

Top tube bags are a great addition for using your smartphone on the go – particularly for using cycling maps on a touring e-bike or listening to music.

The Waterproof Top Tube Bag is an easy-to-use waterproof bag that rests on the top tube of your e-bike. This bag keeps your valuable smartphone safe while you ride in all weather with its dual zippers, waterproof carbon leather and TPU construction, and it’s handy for riders because it has ample storage space for all kinds of small items you may wish to carry- think of items like charging cables, USB battery banks, keys, sunglasses, coins, wallets, watches, spare flashlight, small hand tools, and more.

It fits on almost any kind of e-bike as it has three adjustable Velcro straps for reaching around the top tube. It also comes with a sun visor, increasing your smartphone screen visibility in very bright, sunny conditions. It also allows you to use wired headphones with your smartphone, even when it’s sealed in the storage pouch – as the wires are routed through the hidden headphone hole in case you want to listen to music or take calls while riding!

Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Panniers (and Variants)

Ortlieb is one of the original “waterproof biking bags” companies. Their panniers have long had a top-notch reputation as a hard,-wearing, “buy it for life” product. Whether you’re riding towards an unfamiliar horizon or navigating to the office in wet weather, Ortlieb has got your back. The Back Roller Classic Panniers are perfect for any type of adventure and even easier to use thanks to their waterproof roll closures and QL2.1 mounts that quickly attach or remove these panniers with a single click from the bike rack. Featuring 3M Scotchlite Reflectors as well as weatherproof fabric, these durable polyester panniers have been a favorite among adventurous travelers since 1972! These versatile touring companions are lightweight but also capable of carrying up to 1220.5 cubic inches (20 liters) per bag, for a total of 2441 cubic inches (40 liters) of carrying volume.

The best use for waterproof bags like these is for essential items that should never get wet, or stay wet- think of items like clothes, electronic gadgets like laptops, books, and your sleeping bag. If you’re travelling to work, they’re ideal for work tools, laptops, notebooks, documents, even spare clothes.

Note that Ortlieb Panniers come in three major variants. I’ve outlined them in a comparison table for your convenience.

Ortlieb Back-Roller ClassicOrtlieb Back-Roller PlusOrtlieb Back-Roller City
Dimensions16.5 x 12.6 x 6.7 inches 16.5 x 12.6 x 6.7 inches16.5 x 12.6 x 6.7 inches
Weight Capacity2x 1220.5 cu.inch or 2x 20 liters2x 1220.5 cu.inch or 2x 20 liters2x 1220.5 cu.inch or 2x 20 liters
Noteworthy Features* When closing the top, the buckle ends clip either to each other or to the shoulder strap, and then to a single strap is be fastened over the top of the bag* Made from lighter Cordura material, which is also more tear-resistant – useful for touring* When closing the top flap, the ends clip into buckles on the sides of the pannier
* Can be attached to the front or back wheels
* Adaptable – you can add a carrying strap, additional inner pockets, a mesh outer pocket or bottle holders
PriceCheck Price on AmazonCheck Price on AmazonCheck Price on Amazon

Handlebar Smartphone Holder

If you don’t require a bike frame bag to hold various small items, and just want to keep your smartphone visible for directions, then a handlebar-mounted smartphone holder is the ideal item for you. It’s particularly useful for exploring new tracks and trails or even alternative routes to the office. There are almost endless products and variants of these online, as a quick look on Amazon or eBay will confirm. For my recommendation, I’ve chosen a popular, well-reviewed model.

The CISID Bike Phone Holder allows the rider to use fingerprint and face ID, even through the outer protective cover. It’s of course waterproof, and shock-resistant, with a sturdy clamp for the handlebars and an adjustable arm that can be rotated in almost any direction you wish, and locked in place with an included Allen key. If you wish to film your journey, this holder is ideal with infinitely adjustable angles on a ball socket, and there is a handy window on the back cover so that your smartphone lens can be used as normal. It fits smartphones up to 7″ which includes larger phones like the iPhone 11, Pro Max Xs XR X 8 Plus 7 6s 6, Samsung Galaxy S10, and more.

Waterproof Backpacks

If you’re the type to quickly stuff your gear for the day into a bag, jump on your electric bike and head off to your destination, then a backpack is the ideal option for you. There’s no messing about with inserting your smartphone into and out of a holder or packing and unpacking panniers in the bike parking area. Simply sling the backpack over your shoulders and off you go, and it’s the same at your destination- whether it’s the office, the supermarket, or a cycling trail. Another great option is to dump the

The Zomake packable water-resistant backpack is a super lightweight water-resistant backpack for biking in the city or on a cycling trail. It packs up and stores flat so you can pack it when not in use, then unpack when you are ready to go out for your bike ride. You can even roll it up into a small size and store it inside another bag- perfect for carrying inside a larger bag. Plenty of room to store all your essentials for day trips including your phone, keys, and wallet. It comes in a wide variety of colors so you’re certain to find one to suit your taste.

For an even more heavy-duty, water-resistant option, check out the Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack. This backpack even floats on water! It also comes with a bonus waterproof smartphone holder, for additional peace of mind. It keeps your valuable gear completely dry while biking. It has a roll-top closure for the top flap and a buckle. The roll-top prevents rain and splashes from entering the top of the bag when you’re out on the trails.

It comes in 35l (approx 2136 cubic inches) or 55l (approx 3356 cubic inches) varieties, and additionally in five different colors to choose from. The bag is made with 500D PVC material for waterproof protection, as well as scratch protection for laptops, tablets, cameras, and other expensive gear. It has an ergonomic back panel- important for cycling- and reinforced contoured shoulder straps provide added comfort. It also includes reflectors, for added safety and visibility after dark. It even includes a MOLLE military-style looping system for attaching the bag to bikes and other mounting points.

Conclusion

There are endless styles of waterproof bags that are suitable for you to use on your electric bike adventures. To help narrow the field, think about the most common items you transport, and how you wish to use them- should your smartphone be visible for maps? Are you just mostly transporting a work laptop? This will help narrow down the type of bag to look for. After that, hopefully, you got some good ideas and inspiration from my list here. All these products are well-reviewed and are fairly reasonably priced for the quality they represent. Yes, you can pay less for cheap knock-off brands, but there is no guarantee they will stand up to more than a few uses. On the other end of the scale, you can pay a small fortune for fancy branded bags, which don’t offer any more functionality than those on this list. So I think it’s a decent compromise between quality, price, practicality, and functionality for the average rider.

I hope you enjoyed this list, happy riding!

Nikolaj Carlsen

Nikolaj loves cycling! He currently owns two bikes. He used to commute to work with a car but switched to an e-bike in 2017. He loves e-bikes and sharing his knowledge on everything cycling related. He has been part of the Amped Cycling Team since early 2020.

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