What to Pack in Your Handlebar Pack

As with the seat pack, you need to be aware of how much weight you put in your handlebar pack. Putting too much weight on your handlebar can drastically affect handling and steering. As a general rule try to fill your handlebar pack so it ends up weighing about the same as your seat pack. This will help keep your bike balanced.

How to Pack a Handlebar Pack

• Use it for lightweight, cylindrical items: Your handlebar pack is a great place to stow items like a tent or a dry bag filled with clothes. You could also put your sleeping bag and folded sleeping pad in there. Like with the seat pack, most bikepackers will forgo individual stuff sacks and cram these items directly into the handlebar pack to save weight and make use of all available space. If your handlebar pack is not waterproof, protect important items like your sleeping bag and clothes with waterproof stuff sacks.
• Keep frequently used items accessible: Items buried deep in your handlebar pack can be tough to get to, so think about the order in which you pack. If you want to keep your rain gear there but have it handy, put it in last. Some handlebar packs have an outer zippered pouch for stowing a couple small items for easy access, like gloves and a hat.