Topeak Toploader Dry Bag
145g £39.99

The Topeak Toploader Dry Bag is a waterproof top tube bag with two mounting options designed to sit neatly on your top tube bag as part of your bikepacking set up or to carry the vitals for a short ride or a day out in sunny weather. I’ve used it for all, well, touring rather than bikepacking, and it fulfils its function. However, it does have some quirks which you may like or loath.

Pros: waterproof (in most cycling contexts), mounting options, reinforced side-walls and base, toothless zip.

Cons: reinforced side-walls.

topeak toploader tp tube cycling bag pump handlebars

Specification

Made from TPU, with reinforced base and sidewalls, Topeak’s Toploader Dry Bag is fully waterproof in the cycling sense – although care needs to be taken with the zip. It is a toothless zip, effectively sliding the length of the bag, much as a resealable sandwich bag does. In addition, there are two slots that would enable water to get in were they not held tight to the top tube. There is a zip garage to keep the weather out, and a decently sized fob.

Capacity of 1.1 litres is not unusual for a top tube bag, although you can get bigger. Dimensions are 24x10x6cm, which, again, is not unusual. Topeak warn, specifically, against overloading. Take note of that.

The kit comes with a steering tube strap (which can be used at one of two heights) and two hook ‘n’ loop straps for the top tube. These are long enough to cater for almost any tubes imaginable. All can be cut down to size, indeed, I’d say that shortening them is very desirable. Also included area pair of transparent strips to fit around your top tube to protect the paint job, should you wish to do so. A nice thought and easy to replicate if you are going to port between bikes.

A hi-viz pad at the bottom of the bag enhances visibility – although, being removable, it also sheltered my Brooke’s saddle spanner for several frustrating days before I managed to locate the errant tool. It covers two rubber encircled slots which enable the bag to be bolted to the top tube, should you have suitable bosses. You’ll need to provide your own bolts and washers.

Mounting 3.75/5

There are two ways to mount the Toploader; bolt and strap or strap. This is not the place to debate the desirability of bosses on the top of the top tube, partly because I am a bit of an old fogey and partly because none of my bikes have them.

Bolt on. Fortunately, I managed to persuade an up to date acquaintance to allow me to attach bolt the Toploader on to his top tube. We added some washers to the bolts so as not to damage the edges pf the slots. As ever, having a dual-ended L-shaped Allen key made things easier. The steering tube strap can be located at tow heights, in this case the lower of the two.

Mounting with straps on boss-less top tubes is easy, as you’d expect. There’s no doubt that the option for steering tube strap mounting height is very useful. I tend to port bikes between bikes, so it helps there. In that context, straps are a better option than bolts.

The straps, as I have mentioned are long. Once I’d decided which bikes might use the bag – including others in the family – I cut these shorter. Make a good sharp cut to avoid fraying, so making threading through buckles easier.

Frankly, the bolt-on option may give greater certainty of absolute security, I have not found any occasion to think that the Toploader Dry Bag is going for a burton. Hook ‘n’ loop straps have been more than adequate for mixed surface riding.

Care and durability 3.5/5

Usually we begin with cleaning. So, here goes. Just wipe it over with a damp cloth. If you wish, a gentle scrub with your favourite bike wash will do no harm. You can treat the interior in a similar way, of you remove the hi-viz pad. The latter can be cleaned in situ with something like GTechniq’s Tri-Clean.

However, dirt is not the main danger. Nor is undergrowth and masonry. The big issue here is ignoring Topeak’s exhortation not to overload. The reinforced sides do not offer flexibility and toothless zips can be pulled apart if you try shoving that extra bag of jelly beans, or that belt ‘n’ braces mini-pump. There is not the flexibility that you get with, say, the UPSO Tebay Top Tube Bag, with its slightly elastic lorry tarpaulin fabric and toothed zip. Be warned, damage the zip on the Toploader, and it is not easy to fix.

Avoid stuffing and an occasional wipe, and it’s hard to see what harm is likely to come your way.

Performance 4/5

Reiterating the dire warning regarding over-loading, the Toploader Dry Bag will take your toolkit for the day – spare tube, mini-inflator (if you go for those), tyre levers, multi-tool, and your keys, too. You can add a mini-pump, but by that time I was beginning to reach the stage where not much more would fit conveniently. True, I was being cautious – I would have stuffed another inner tube into the UPSO Tebay Top Tube Bag (true it has .4 litre greater capacity anyway, but it is ‘stretchier’).

The Toploader Dry Bag is fully waterproof, in cycling terms – just don’t send it on a solo trip down the river or go base over apex if crossing a river (the latter is discouraged for other reasons, too. Hose pipe, watering can, thundery downpour, and steady drizzle have found no way through.

That has influenced my main use for it. With more reliance on electronic gear (GPS, phone, powerbanks etc.) a truly waterproof bit of gear. Example: I’m getting back into Audax riding this year. GPS has not replaced route card (except in a few cases), but is now most riders’ go to: likewise the Brevet is slowly being replaced by the E.Brevet. Imagine reaching a checkpoint only to find that your phone has run out of charge. Yes, you’ve guessed, I still use both when I can, but those with faith in technology and don’t enjoy he longer break offered by writing things down …….

So, powerbank, cables, have occupied the Toploader Dry Bag, along with a bag of jelly beans and some smaller items. This has proved ideal, with good security maintained when charging a light or phone in the top tube bag, or adding a bit of extra juice to a GPS on the go.

Opening and closing is courtesy of a decently sized fob. Perfect for fingerless gloves and thinner full-finger gloves. Winter gloves may be a bit more of a challenge, so, although possible, I’d probably add a bit extra to the fob.

At first, I found the zip tricky to open and close on the move. However, with a bit of practice I’ve managed to get the perfect seal without having to go hands-free on the bars. On that front, it is worth, every now and again, checking that no minor obstructions have worked their way into the closure. At one point I was getting exasperated by my failure to get the two sides of the opening to hold together: very close inspection showed a tiny sticky bit of jelly bean preventing the two sides remaining close after the zip had been closed. Easily remedied, but noted for the future.

Value 4/5

£39.99 is on the pricier side for a 1 litre top tube bag. However, provided you manage that closure carefully, you do have a truly waterproof storage. Compare it to Restrap’s Top tube Bag, which comes in three sizes, starting at 1.2 litres, comes in at £59.99. It does have some sophisticated features, with mesh side pockets and fabric wings to protect the closure around the steering tube. It has a bolt on option, too. Ortlieb offer a similar model, too, at £64.99. this one has a hooded closure held in place magnetically: Restrap’s has a YKK zip.

There are a host of rivals at around, or thereabouts, the same price. They are more or less waterproof, in the cycling context. I really like the UPSO Tebay Top Tube Bag, now coming in at £38. At 1.4 litres it is lager, and I find it easier to use on the go.

Cycology’s 8 Days Top Tube Bag is described as water-repellent as opposed to waterproof, but these things can blur a good deal. It is considerably cheaper, £20, but also smaller.

Summary

Genuinely waterproof gear can fit your bill perfectly, but is not required by everyone. Moreover, in cycling contexts the lines between waterproof and water resistant and water repellent are not always as sharp as might be assumed. In that light, the Toploader Dry Bag does a very good job in terms of protecting your gear.

Verdict 3.5/5 Waterproof and effective, but awkward to close on the go.

Steve Dyster

PUBLISHED JULY 2025