Blackburn Outpost Bags

First things first: Ditch the panniers. Side bags make the bike wider (bad for singletrack) and lower the center of gravity, which translates to sluggish handling. The Outpost combo fits within the bike’s shape and size (across the handlebars and under the seat with plastic quick releases), cinches down with compression straps, and offers plenty of protection against both branches and carelessness. “I had no issues with bounce while riding,” says one tester. “The option to expand or collapse the bag depending on what you’re carrying is a handy feature.” Both the 11.5-liter handlebar bag and 11-liter seat pack have roll-top closures for waterproofing and use durable Cordura fabrics. Handlebar roll: $100, 1 lb. 2 oz.; Seat pack: $120, 5.3 oz.