Po Campo Buyer's Guide

Which bag is right for you?

Whether you bike to commute, run errands, or just for fun, you'll need a way to carry your essentials. From bike handlebar bags to panniers and trunks, Po Campo makes so many stylish and functional options from which to choose!

That said, having so many options can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together this guide to help you figure out how to choose a bike bag.

How to choose a bike bag

By Type of Riding

By Bag Type

By What You're Carrying

How to Choose a Biking Bag: By Type of Riding

What time of riding do you do most often?

Road/gravel/mountain bike rides

This type of riding typically calls for lightweight handlebar and frame bags that attach super securely with good weather protection.
Check these out to help you choose a bike bag:

  • At just four ounces, the Willis Stem Bag features a one-handed drawstring and adjustable 3-point Fixi-Strap® attachments to get a secure fit whether you attach to the left or right of your handlebar stem. The Willis boasts extra external pockets to secure your keys, cash and cell phone. Need more storage? The Willis can be used alongside a handlebar bag.

  • Big enough to carry it all without the added weight. The Domino Handlebar Bag is just right for the days when you need a place to stash some layers after you warm up or you need more than just an energy bar to keep going. It has a 3 point attachment system, water protection and it is easy to open with one hand so you never have to slow down

  • The Tussey Bicycle Phone Bag sits securely on your top tube and has space for snacks and keeps your phone handy for checking GPS or texts from friends. You'll love the easy access one-handed opening!

Riding to School or Work

These types of trips generally call for a safe way to carry your laptop, books, chargers, and other items for a productive day, and should be easy to take on and off your bike and carry with you. Both of these bags require a rear rack.

  • The Bedford Backpack Pannier is perfect for this category! It protects your laptop, organizes your gear, and converts from sturdy pannier to comfy backpack in seconds thanks to the super strong Fidlock® magnetic buckles.

  • The Katy Bike Trunk Bag sits atop the rear rack, fits a tablet with organization pockets for your chargers, and a water bottle pocket and converts to a crossbody bag off the bike.

Not sure if panniers are right for you? Read our blog post "Bike Panniers: Packing, Pronunciation, and Perks" to learn more. Or consider:

Bonus Companion Bag!

Commuting to work or school requires a larger bag to fit everything. But sometimes it’s nice to have a smaller bag for your personal items, or to take with you when you run across the street to get a coffee.

  • The Kinga Handlebar Bag is a perfect companion to a larger bag because it fits all of your essentials and converts into a crossbody bag off the bike.

Recreational Rides

Spending an afternoon peddling around and exploring your area by bike is a ton of fun! On these kinds of rides, you’ll likely be bringing some personal items, some basic bike maintenance items should you get a flat while out and about, and maybe a sack lunch. We’ve divided this section into two parts to help you determine how to choose a bike bag: Easy access handlebar bags and stow-and-go rear bike bags.

Easy access handlebar bags

  • Keep your water bottle or phone in arm’s reach with our Willis Stem bag. Featuring extra external pockets to secure your keys, cash and cell phone.
  • Lightweight and roomy, the Domino Handlebar Bag is just right for the days when you need a place to stash some layers after you warm up or you need more than just an energy bar to keep going. It has a 3 point attachment system, water protection and it is easy to open with one hand so you never have to slow down.

  • The Tussey Bicycle Phone Bag sits securely on your top tube and has space for snacks and keeps your phone handy for checking GPS or texts from friends. You'll love the easy access one-handed opening!
  • Nothing beats our Crescent Bike Basket for keeping things within arms reach! Comes with a zippered pocket and mesh lid to keep things in place while you ride.

Stow-and-go Rear Bike Bags

  • The Vernon Trunk bag sits securely on top of your bike rack with pockets to hold your bike tools and spare tire, with expandable space to fit a snack and a light jacket.

  • The Bedford Backpack Pannier is the ultimate carry all pannier. This bag has a large volume top for supplies and can be removed quickly from your bike and transformed into a backpack if you need to take your bag with you. (Riding an e-bike? The Bedford's bike attachment straps are long enough to fit over thicker e-bike racks like the ones you find on the Rad Power Radwagon).

  • The Orchard Grocery Pannier is more than a shopping bag, it's a no frills-do it all bag. It is perfect for any casual rides with friends, able to hold the full picnic, blankets, sport equipment - whatever you need for a great day. When you get to your destination, you can either easily unhook it from your bike and take it with you or unload it and collapse it flat. (Riding an e-bike? The Orchard’s pannier hooks fit up to a 17” diameter bike rack tube.)

Bonus Companion Bag!

  • OIBTM- What is this bag for? It is all in the name. The “Oops I bought too much!” or OIBTM Packable Backpack stores under your seat and ready to go if you pick-up anything while you are out and about.

Riding with Kids

Biking with kids is such a great way to spend time as a family. Sounds like you have a mix of needs to address in thinking about how to choose a bike bag- both you and the kids could use a little help carrying your stuff.

Bags for Kids

  • A bag for tossing in whatever: The Whoosh Fabric Bike Basket is our largest kids bag and holds stuffies, rocks, a water bottle, and more. There is a slim zipper compartment for keys or extra special treasures.

  • Multi-functional and secure:The Speedy Handlebar Bag splits its volume between an easy access dump pocket for toys and treasures and a secure zipper area. It also includes a shoulder strap for carrying off the bike for those kids longing for their own bag like mom’s and dad’s.

Bags for Parental Guardian

  • A multitasking bag for a multitasking life, the Domino Handlebar Bag has quickly become a family favorite. It easily carries on and off the bike, so you do not have to worry about leaving your valuables behind if you have to hang out at a playground for a while

  • The Bedford Backpack Pannier is the ultimate family picnic bag with large large volume for supplies and can be removed quickly from your bike and transformed into a backpack if your picnic site is away from the bike rack. (Riding an e-bike? The Bedford's bike attachment straps are long enough to fit over thicker e-bike racks like the ones you find on the Rad Power Radwagon).

  • The Orchard Grocery Pannier is more than a shopping bag, it's a no frills-do it all bag. It is perfect for any casual rides with friends, able to hold the full picnic, blankets, sport equipment - whatever you need for a great day. When you get to your destination, you can either easily unhook it from your bike and take it with you or unload it and collapse it flat. (Riding an e-bike? The Orchard’s pannier hooks fit up to a 17” diameter bike rack tube.)

Bonus Companion Bags for Kids and Parents Alike!

  • What is this bag for? It is all in the name. The “Oops I bought too much!” or OIBTM Packable Backpack stores under your seat and ready to go if you pick-up more than you expected on your day out with friends. Maybe you got groceries on the way home or maybe the party favor from the birthday was bigger than the original gift! (it happens).

How to Choose a Bike Bag: By Bag Type

If you know which kind of bag you want but not sure which style is best for you, we help you determine how to choose a bike bag by comparing our various models in this section.

Compare Handlebar Bags

Our handlebar bags are our bestsellers! You can't beat the convenience of having your phone, sunglasses, snacks, and more within reach. We have handlebar bags in both our Core Collection and Kids Collection.

Handlebar Bags for Adults

Willis Stem Bag Kinga Handlebar Bag Domino Handlebar Bag Crescent Basket

Price

$45

$55

$65

$55

Volume

2.2L

2.5L

4.3L

5L

Weight

4 oz.

12 oz.

9 oz.

8 oz.

Size

8" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D

5" H x 9" W x 3.5" D

6" H x 10.25" W x 4.25" D

6" H x 12" W x 5" D

Material

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with plastic hardware

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with metal hardware

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with plastic hardware

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with plastic hardware

3-pt Fixi-Strap® attachments

Has strap to carry off of bike

Stow-away attachment straps

Handlebar Bags for Kids

Whoosh Bike Basket Speedy Handlebar Bag

Price

$40

$35

Volume

4.3L

2.7L

Weight

6 oz.

4 oz.

Size

6.5" H x 9.5" W x 4.5" D

8.25" H x 5.5" W x 3.0" D

Material

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with plastic hardware

Mix of polyester and recycled polyester with metal hardware

Zippered pocket

Has strap to carry off of bike

Compare Trunk Bags

Katy Trunk Bag Vernon Trunk Bag

Price

$85

$95

Volume

11.5L

15.7L

Weight

1lb 4 oz

1 lb 5 oz

Size

10" H x 12" W x 7" D

11" H x 12" W x 7" D

Has off-bike carry strap

Water bottle pockets

Dedicated lock pocket

Compare Pannier Bags

Orchard Grocery Pannier Bedford Backpack Pannier

Price

$75

$145

Volume

26L

25L

Weight

1 lb 9 oz

2 lb 7 oz

Size

17" H x 12.5" W x 7.5" D

17.5" H x 12" W x 6" D

Pannier Attachment Type

Metal hooks with pull-down bottom stabilizer hook

Fidlock® magnetic buckle with pull-down bottom stabilizer hook

Off-bike carry style

Tote handles

Padded, adjustable backpack straps

Built-in raincover

Water bottle pockets

Folds flat for storage

Padded laptop sleeve

Works with helmet harness

How to Choose a Bike Bag: By What You're Carrying

We have a bag to fit your needs no matter what you are carrying. Click below to see recommendations on how to choose a bike bag based on volume. We listed a few items that can be carried comfortably in each bag to give you an idea of the capacity.

Small Amount - Some personal items and/or bike tools

These smaller bags are good if you are only carrying some personal items, like your phone, keys, sunglasses, and maybe some bike tools. Bags are arranged from smallest to largest.

Medium Amount - All the small stuff + food, jacket, tablet

These medium sized bags can fit all your personal items, some tools, plus a pack lunch, tablet, jacket. Organized from small to large.

Large Amount - All the small and medium stuff + groceries, laptops, and more

These large bags fit everything in the small and medium bag categories, plus a laptop and/or groceries.

Thanks for reading our buyer's guide on how to choose a bike bag! Still have questions? Visit our FAQ, fill out our contact form, or pose a product question in the Q&A section at the bottom of each product page.