THE HOLSTER, OUR DESIGN CLASSIC

At Restrap, we’ve been making bikepacking luggage for a long time; since 2010 to be precise. Over that time we’ve introduced new products, refined, innovated, learned and tweaked. But, if you compare our first bikepacking bags and our most recent, you will see more similarities than differences, and a clear lineage between the two.

HOLSTER UP

Since those early days, we have been strong believers in using a holster-style system for both our bar bag and saddle bags. It’s something that we have stuck with; partly because we believe in the real world benefits and partly because the more we use it, the more we are convinced by those advantages. 

But for the uninitiated, what is a holster? In many ways it’s easier to show than explain, but in short, a holster is a system of straps and supports that is designed to attach to your bike for the duration of your trip. It securely holds a drybag that can be taken on and off – quickly and easily – along the way. 

WHY HOLSTER?

So now we know what a holster system is, why do we believe it’s the best approach? Well, for a number of reasons…

  1. Less faff. There are lots of times during a bikepacking trip that it’s necessary to take bits and pieces off your bike. If you are staying in a bothy, tent, hostel or even a five star hotel, it’s likely that your bike won’t be right next to you when you retire to your chosen form of shelter. But… you will want your spare clothes and other odds and ends with you. Instead of having to take your entire bar or saddle bag off your bike (or carry loose items) you can simply unclip the dry bag and off you go. Come the morning there’s no having to completely refit your luggage… just clip the drybag into place and off you go.
  2. Security. Similarly, this approach means it’s easier to keep valuables with you at all times.
  3. Redundancy. While we manufacture our drybags in-house to be durable and resilient to scrapes, there’s always a chance that a crash could puncture or tear any bag. The advantage of a drybag is you are more likely to be able to find a suitable temporary replacement while you are on the road. And don’t forget our lifetime warranty when you get home. 

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HOLSTER

While the holster system is simple and easy, there are a few tips to follow to make the most out of it. 

Bar bag: aim to balance your load. Make sure the dry bag is evenly packed (no oddly shaped or heavy items on one side). And take a little time to make sure you place the drybag symmetrically within the straps. Tighten straps sufficiently and double check them after a short time riding. 

Saddle bag: loosening side straps slightly makes removing and replacing the drybag easier. Make sure to snug them back up when riding though. Loading heavier gear nearer the bottom of the bag (so closer to the seatpost) will make the bag more stable when riding. 

All dry bags rely on rolls to keep their contents, er, dry. Make sure that you don’t overfill the dry bag and have three complete rolls of fabric when you close it. 

We want you to be confident in our commitment to quality and reliability. Our materials, components and design features are chosen for their durability, resistance to the environment, and ability to withstand wear and tear, ensuring that our products are built to last and perform at their best in any situation. This is why all our products are sold with a Lifetime Warranty.