Best overall bar bag: Outer Shell Drawcord Handlebar Bag — Buy Now for USD90.00 from Outer Shell | Find out more Another factor is whether I’m taking a gravel bike or mountain bike- for the mountain bike, I have limited frame space with weight distribution and stability more important than on the gravel. Sleeping-wise I probably over-did the sleeping bag. It’s a Snugpak something and a bit too bulky for the warmer months when I am likely to be out. I might replace it with something smaller. I used a Trekology mat which seemed to work really well; really comfy although I can’t really comment on it’s cold weather performance. Probably not great. Tools/spares- normal stuff I would take on a ride. I use a One-up pump/tool mounted on the water cage again for access.

The essential waterproof handlebar barrel bag from PODSACS. Made from 500D Tarpaulin with a waterproof welded construction and plenty of fastening options the PODSACS Waterproof 500D Handlebar Bag is perfect for long cycling adventures In use the Front Fellow doesn’t wobble too much; there is a bit of movement up and down but totally within reason. Part of this is due to be the ability to fit it tightly in the first place using the extra strap that goes around the stem. It all feels very sturdy. Accessories- cup, spork, trowel, lighter, banana holder, 2 x midge hoods, midge spray, plier/knife multi tool, toilet paper, hand sanitiser. The Lion Handlebar Harness system’s adaptability to fit different bike and bar types and neat touches such as a small elastic strap on the top help to create an excellent very solid base to attach a drybag to. The initial setup might take you a little longer but once on a trip it stays put, requiring no adjustment. It is more expensive than other harness systems, but it is well very made and helps create a very stable overall setup. Highly recommended.

The CamelChops Blimp 2.0 handlebar bag is inexpensive, looks great and is well made by a small independent business in the UK. There's very little not to love about that. The Restrap Bar Bag Holster, Dry Bag and new, larger Food Bag are an excellent choice for carrying luggage on your road or mountain bike. On or off-road, this rugged, made-in-the-UK solution is practical, looks good and should last you a lifetime. The Wildcat Lion Handlebar Harness can fit various styles of bike, hold dry bags of different sizes, or anything else that fits. The initial setup is not simple and protecting the bike and handlebar from rub is very important but the end result is a very stable system. The Kanga offers multiple attachment points on its webbing ladders for the Velcro straps, and it's versatile. It can also hold luggage higher than the bar, unlike traditional bags, which is a bonus for anyone short of space above the front wheel.

The big problem is that if you epare going to do this frequently/a lot then you will want decent kit that is a) lightweight b) low volume and as a consequence c) nae cheap! Tester Matt writes: “ The Bagel Bag has multiple attachment points and can be placed low enough to allow the use of out-front GPS mounts. It also has an elastic cord for looping around the head tube, although – unlike many similar bags – it's so secure on the Voile straps you may not need it. What really marks the Straight Cut Bagel Bar Bag out is its double zip opening. I was initially skeptical about what it would add, but was won over – Straight Cut says it allows easy access for left or right-handed riders but found the zips generally very easy to open. I have since bought some PlanetX fork bags, but am yet to try them. They look like a good solution and seem to hold quite a lot of gear, although I’ll be aiming to keep those for lightweight stuff. My fork doesn’t have threaded mounts, so I don’t want to overload them & have them slide downwards, or twist into the wheel. The Bagel Bar Bag might be small, but it is the best handlebar bag I have used to date. The Voile straps give a solid fit, the fabric is strong and durable, and the zips are great. It's a great bag, and ideal for gravel bikes with limited space on the bars.” Please Note: We advise placing heli-tape or a similar abrasion protective film between your bar bag and bike to prevent abrasion damage to your paintwork

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This is my bike loaded up for a winter trip – overnight temperatures a couple of degrees below freezing so warmer kit on board. The Podsacs are rated to carry a maximum of 3 kg each, and they have a total capacity of 5.5 litres each. There is a smaller size available, but I opted for the larger size, as I was planning on fitting my Vango self-inflating sleeping mat inside one, and it fits the larger size perfectly. The other one is stuffed full with a fleece blanket, which acts as sleeping bag inner, to help me stay warm on freezing cold nights. Given what I carry in the Podsacs, I’m nowhere near their rated weight limit. The frames weigh around 180g each, and each Podsac weighs 200g, so combined, that’s the best part of an extra kilogram on the bike, even when empty. Waterproof