MCN's guide to the best motorcycle backpacks with our tried and tested favourites

From time to time, you will need to carry things with you when you head out on your bike, there are a number of motorcycle luggage options including tail packs, top boxes, tank bags, saddle bags or panniers and one of the most convenient is in a motorcycle rucksack.

It works on any motorcycle as it is fitted to the rider and not the bike, so even on a sportsbike with a seat cowl fitted for that extra clean streamlined look, you can easily carry the essentials with you. It’s easy to get on and off, easy to take with you when you get off the bike and you can tailor the fit to get it just right for you. There is a huge range of motorcycle rucksacks available, from cheap to expensive and everything in between.

The most common type is soft fabric backpacks where the fabric they are made from is flexible allowing some flex in the shape when stuffing all of your things in, they often have external stretch pockets for water bottles and zip pockets for easy access to items like wallets or keys. The second type is a hardshell rucksack, which is made to have a rigid outer shape to help protect the items internally, increase durability and help with aerodynamics.

Things to consider when buying a motorcycle rucksack

Comfort

Consider the design of the section that sits against your back; some motorcycle rucksacks may have engineered sections with padded air cooling mesh. This helps to cushion your back and allow airflow so that you don’t get a sweaty back. Similarly, look at the straps and consider how they will fit you and your jacket. A strap that links the shoulder straps together across the chest will help spread the weight across your chest and not just your shoulders, making the rucksack weight more comfortable to carry over distance but also ensuring they don’t slip down while you are riding, creating an unwanted distraction.

Size

Think about the size that you require, if you’re heading off for a long weekend, you may want 25-litres or more to be used in conjunction with some panniers or a tailpack, whereas if you only intend to carry a few bits to work, a smaller capacity may be sufficient. Also think about the layout of pockets and compartments, you may want a specific compartment for say, a laptop computer or other bits and pieces to keep them organised and if so, there are plenty of options for you.

Construction

Consider weatherproofing; you probably want a waterproof bag, as no one wants to pull their change of clothes out to find that they are soggy from a wet ride or worse, their laptop. So check to see if it is made of a waterproof material or at least comes with a rain cover. Consider whether you might want to mount the rucksack to your motorbike at some point as some have mounting straps available to be used as a tail bag. You might want to carry a helmet on your back instead of lugging it around, some have expandable sections to allow this, though they can get a bit ungainly.

Some of the best motorcycle rucksacks we’ve tested

Expert rating:

5.0
Tried and tested by Justin Hayzelden for six months and 3,350 miles

"I opted for the biggest bag in the collection, the B-30 motorcycle backpack, as it has the option to be used as a rucksack or tail pack. Thanks to a well thought out ergonomic design it’s a comfortable thing to carry even when fully loaded, but that flexibility comes in handy if you want to expand on its 30-litre capacity with other bags in the modular range."

"On a daily basis, the B-30 is my go-to rucksack and has more than enough internal storage to transport laptop, lunch and a change of clothes to the office. The outer construction is a tough but flexible rip-stop fabric with a kind of rubberised reinforced base, that feels like it’s been built to last. Inside is a removable waterproof dry bag, and as a neat touch extra bags can be added using the same hook and loop fastening to create separate compartments."

Pros

  • Fully waterproof
  • Tough construction
  • Innovative modular features

Cons

  • Sternum catch can be tricky to undo
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Construction Zoned 420D PU backed polyester ripstop, 1000D PU backed polyester
Capacity 30 litres
Waterproof Yes
Warranty Lifetime guarantee
  • Magnetic Speed Lock sternum strap
  • YKK Aquaguard® zips with glove-friendly pullers
  • 3-point adjustable roll top opening
  • 4-point adjustable shoulder straps
  • Under seat security strap
  • Direct vent system creates a breathable back channel
  • Detachable 100% waterproof lining
  • Hydration bladder pocket with tube routing
  • Quick access rear and side pockets
Tried and tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick for five months and 2,600 miles

"Firstly, Kriega’s luggage is designed by bikers, for bikers. This is my third of their back packs over the last 20 years and I’ve never had one break. Even tumbling down the road in a 50mph crash, my ageing R35 escaped with a single scuff. They are so well made and will likely last a lifetime. The R22 then (taking its name from its capacity) has a waterproof 18-litre main compartment, lined with a removable, washable lining and a simple roll-top closure.

There’s a 4-litre non-waterproof front pocket (that doesn’t actually let water in), the two providing enough room to take my laptop, lunch and gym kit on my daily commute. The Quadloc-LiteTM harness does an excellent job of distributing weight evenly so that even on a recent 500-mile, 15-hour ride I didn’t have any fatigue across my shoulders or upper body. The moulded, padded straps and air-mesh back panel make it extremely comfortable to wear and with light loads I barely notice I’ve got it on."

Pros

  • It's spacious
  • It's genuinely waterproof
  • Lots of adjustability
  • It's rugged and hardwearing

Cons

  • It's pricey, but it is worth it
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
Construction 420D Cordura and Ripstop nylon
Capacity 18 litre main compartment and 4 litre extra pocket
Waterproof Yes
Warranty 10 years
  • 17" laptop pocket
  • Quadloc-Lite harness transfers shoulder weight to chest and body, giving all-day riding comfort
  • Air-mesh back panel for rider comfort
  • Removable waist strap
  • Four compression straps help keep the load stable
  • Optional hydration reservoir compatible

Expert rating:

5.0
Price: £132.99 (was £139.99)
Tried and tested by Michael Neeves for 13 months and over 10,000 miles

"It's secure and comfortable to wear on and off the bike, thanks to its padded, vented and shaped shoulder straps, which have reflective strips around the front. There’s also a buckled waist strap and a chest strap that moves up and down on a rail, so you can get it in the perfect position. The chest strap has a neat magnetic fastener that can you flick open with one hand wearing gloves. All straps are adjustable."

"I prefer the AMP-7’s clean, sleek looks over a bulkier canvas-type rucksack with their plethora of straps, buckles and drawstrings."

"Over my 22-year MCN Road Testing career I’ve tested waterproof rucksacks, practical ones with lots of handy compartments and many have been comfy and easy to wear, but none have managed combine all those good bits and more, like the Alpinestars AMP-7. It does everything you want from a rucksack, but it’s fully-opening front flap, handy internal bag and neat waterproof cover are its highlights."

Pros

  • Comfortably standing the test of time
  • Light and easy to wear
  • Full of useful features
  • Easy to pack
  • Handy removable inner bag
  • Neat waterproof cover

Cons

  • Expensive, but well worth it
  • Practicality
    5.0
  • Looks
    5.0
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Verdict
    5.0
Construction Padded polyamide and Polyester outer shell with Polyester lining
Capacity 22 litres
Waterproof Rain cover included
  • Adjustable waist and shoulder straps
  • Vented and padded shoulder straps with reflective strips
  • Adjustable chest strap with magnetic fastener
  • Zippable main and lap top compartments
  • Zippable internal and external pockets
  • Waterproof cover stored in a zipped compartment
  • Removable inner zipped storage back with mesh front pocket
Price: £123.29 (was £141.99)
Tested by Ben Clarke for two months and 600 miles

"The Shad SW45 Rucksack is a little bit like a roll bag that’s been transformed into a highly effective waterproof motorbike rucksack with a few adaptations".

"The Shad SW45 has incredibly plush shoulder straps with a link strap across the chest that allows you to relieve a little shoulder pressure. t’s incredibly comfortable to wear under normal circumstances, but the lack of a waist strap makes it feel heavy on your shoulders if you’ve got a heavy load in it. "

"I really love the ‘stuff it and go’ practicality of the SW45, it’s got IPX5 100% waterproofing you can really trust and I much prefer that to needing an external cover like on some luggage.
40 litres is an absolutely monstrous payload, too, and if you need more than that for a trip you really ought to be looking at luggage that straps to your bike, anyway. Because there’s plenty of externally accessible pockets, you don’t have to worry about losing the stuff you need most often in the bottom of the main space."

"On top of that, the bag comes with everything you need to fix it to the back of your bike should you wish and there’s a novel flap that can be used to carry your jacket off the bike."


Read our full Shad SW45 review

Pros

  • Completely waterproof
  • Comfortable to wear on your back
  • It has a massive capacity
  • Doubles as a tailpack
  • Jacket flap
  • External pockets are convenient

Cons

  • A little shapeless unless full
  • No waist strap
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    4.0
Capacity 40L
Construction Three-layer tarpaulin and mesh
Waterproofing IPX5 100%
External pockets Two
Warranty Two years
  • Waterproof
  • Two external pockets
  • Doubles up as tailpack
  • Chest strap
  • Jacket flap
Price: £40.35 (was £49.99)
Tested by Gareth Evans for six months and 3000 miles

"For one reason or another I’ve been through three motorcycle rucksacks quite recently and this unassuming item from RST is by far the best of the bunch. For me and my lifestyle, it’s perfectly-sized, seriously comfortable, and practical. "

"The 42.5-litre capacity features a laptop pocket, while a trio of zipped smaller pockets hold stuff like disc locks or earplugs. But it’s the thick, highly adjustable chest and waist straps and breathable back protection that make this bag a joy to use. Plus, it’s taken a battering over the last six months and remains in perfect nick. "

"For the money, I can’t see how luggage gets any better than this."

Pros

  • Practical
  • Comfortable
  • Chest and waist straps
  • Breathable back protection

Cons

  • Hard to find stock
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Capacity 42.5-litres
Construction 1680D polyester with PVC backing
  • Polyester construction
  • PVC backing
  • Multiple internal and external pockets
  • Additional laptop pocket
  • Chest and waist fastening straps
Tried and tested by Richard Newland for four months and 4,150 miles

"There are rucksacks, and there are Kriega rucksacks. I’ve been using them for almost 20 years
and, whenever I’m asked what luggage I’d really buy with my own money, Kriega always feature in the answer – their products have proved time and time again to near-faultless. And this new Trail 18 is no exception."

"It’s comprised of three main sections: a zipped compartment that holds seven litres, a waterproof roll-top compartment that’ll take another 11 litres, and a netted outer cover. The heavy-duty YKK zipped compartment isn’t waterproof, but it does have a one-litre waterproof pocket inside, which is great for things you need to keep dry and have easy access to."

"It’s sublime in terms of comfort too. Kriega changed the game when they introduced their Quadloc harness, and the T18 uses the ‘Lite’ version. The way it magically spreads the load being lugged is incredible; no digging-in of straps, no sore shoulders or pulled neck muscles, it’s like being gently hugged."

Pros

  • Superb build quality
  • It has great features
  • Very hardwearing

Cons

  • Expensive but good value
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Construction Ultra-durable 420D Cordura Lite Plus and Hypalon
Capacity 18 litre
Guarantee 10 years
  • Air-mesh back panel for rider comfort
  • 100% waterproof 1-litre internal pocket
  • Internal zip pocket with key clip
  • 2L and 3.75L hydration reservoir compatible
  • External Hypalon net with elastic cord adds useful extra storage
Tested by Justin Hayzelden for two months and 1000 miles

At less than the price of a full tank of petrol, this waterproof backpack from Q Bag is cheap, cheerful and surprisingly good. It’s essentially a dry bag, the kind of thing you’d lash to a canoe or stow on a yacht, adorned with a simple pair of adjustable shoulder straps. There’s a genuine 30-litre capacity to play with and it easily swallows a change of clothes for the office or gym, leaving plenty of room for a laptop, packed lunch and drink bottle.

The roll top closure has proved perfectly effective in keeping the wet out, even in the worst motorway spray, and I really like the fact that the tough ‘rubberised’ construction makes it easy to wipe clean. The additional waterproof zipped pouch is big enough for wallet, phone and a spare pair of gloves, whilst the mesh side pockets make a convenient space for carrying visor cleaning kit.

Pros

  • 30-litre capacity
  • Rubberised construction

Cons

  • Not the most stylish
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Storage capacity 21 - 30 litres
Construction Waterproof polyester
  • Waterproof polyester outer construction
  • Large outer pocket with waterproof zip
  • Roll top closure prevents water ingress
  • Two side mesh pockets for small items
  • Adjustable mesh shoulder straps
  • Reflective details for low light conditions

Rrp: $199.95

Price: $179.95
Alternative Retailers
Walmart
$199.95
Tested by Alison Silcox for 18 months and 2500

"For me, a rucksack should be practical, comfortable and fully waterproof. This 23-litre bag from Alpinestars meets all these requirements. With welded seams and a roll-top closure, the bag is split into two sections, with a specific, padded section to fit my laptop. There’s also a handy, fully waterproof outer pocket, perfect for keys."

"For comfort, there’s a back pad plus the shoulder straps are also padded. There’s an adjustable waist strap, along with a magnetic fastener at the sternum. After 18 months it shows no signs of wear and tear, plus it’s never let wet in. Quality is top-notch, but it’s expensive compared to others."

Pros

  • Comfort and quality
  • Practical and waterproof

Cons

  • Expensive to purchase
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    3.0
Capacity 23-litres
Construction Waterproof fabric
  • Waterproof
  • One external waterproof pocket
  • Quick release roll-top closure
  • Adjustable shoulder harness
  • Quick release magnetic centre buckle
  • Semi-rigid foam back
Price: £74.99 (was £99.99)
Tested by Gareth Evans for over one year and 3000 miles

"This was my first foray into the world of more fashionable luggage, following a number of more functional items, and the moment I put it on I noticed the difference. This bag is seriously comfortable thanks to its padded shoulder straps, which can be connected via adjustable chest and waist straps to keep the bag in place while you’re riding. I was impressed with the quality of the materials too – both inside and out. The waterproof liner is removable in case you need to clean it, while there’s a laptop pocket and a good-sized main compartment for your odds and ends."

"The outer shell is a soft water-repellent waxed cotton and canvas arrangement featuring an external zipped pocked with poppers on the front. The roll-top closing is secured at both sides by metal clips and adjustable ‘compression’ straps so you can tailor the bag’s capacity to the size of your luggage. The whole roll-top is then also secured using the two large metal buckles, which are my only real complaint with the design – they’re fiddly and never feel particularly secure. This is not a single point of failure though, as mentioned above, so I never felt concerned."

"In fact, I never had a single problem with this bag. It was a brilliant companion for nights away or days out of the office with the laptop. The price is a little indulgent, but there are deals available right now if you shop around."

Pros

  • Contemporary and fashionable
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Quality of materials

Cons

  • Roll-top buckles don't feel particularly secure
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Value
    3.0
Capacity 21 - 30-litres
Construction Water repellent waxed cotton
  • Heritage waxed cotton back pack
  • Easy grab carry handle
  • Water resistant top closure
  • External and internal pockets
  • Wipe-clean, waxed cotton construction

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a regular rucksack when riding a motorcycle?

There’s nothing stopping you from using a regular rucksack when riding a motorcycle, but it’s important to keep in mind they’re not designed for motorcycle use. Motorcycle backpacks often have rated impact absorption or abrasion resistance, waterproofing, mounting straps, or an aerodynamic shape, and having any of these features make them much more suitable for motorcycling.

What is a good size of rucksack for motorcycling?

Motorcycle rucksacks can range anywhere from 10 to 40+ litres in volume, and which size you go for really depends how much stuff you want to carry with you. 25 litres is a good average size, and can work well for day-to-day commuting, small trips to the shops, and short weekend trips away, but your mileage may vary.

If you’re unsure what size will suit you, it’s best to pop in to your local kit shop and try them on for size. If you need to carry more than just one backpack with you, it’s best to take a look at some panniers and top boxes to expand the storage on your bike.

How MCN tests rucksacks

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, motorcycle rucksacks must have been worn for thousands of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their backpacks for a variety of things, both subjective and objective. Factors assessed include the rucksacks adjustability and fit, how comfortable they are with weight in, what pockets and compartments they have, how heavy duty they are and if they include details such as a waterproofing, bike mounting straps or expandable capacity.

We cover thousands of miles with these rucksacks and regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

If you can’t see a review against a rucksack on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These rucksacks will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

Here’s a brief run-down of the star rating system we use, and what each score means:

  • 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A helmet with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
  • 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A helmet with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement. It might be lacking safety features, be poorly built or far too expensive to recommend.
  • 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A helmet with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
  • 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A helmet with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
  • 5 stars – A helmet has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more about our kit testing, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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