Updated March 2023 (originally published July 2020)
Attaching a basket to your bike as a means of hauling stuff is hardly a new idea, but basketpacking is a style of touring that’s returned to popularity over the past several years. Given a basket’s forward position and the added weight of the rack required to support it, it’s not a setup we’d recommend for riders choosing twisting, technical singletrack as their bikepacking mainstay, but it’s a practical option for riders who consider dirt road touring to be more their style, especially when combined with a lightweight framebag and seatpack.
One of the great things about bikepacking with a basket is that it’s an exceptionally cost-effective way to haul gear. Though we’re focusing on handmade bike basket bags in this Gear Index, keep in mind that any bag can be a bike basket bag if you have a bungee cord or cargo net to keep it in place, whether that’s an old gym bag, a thrift store find, or even a canvas grocery store tote. Another side perk of basketpacking is that it plays nicely with brake and cable housing, which isn’t always the case when running a handlebar roll. And you can lash all kinds of things to a basket–both on top or underneath–should the need arise.
Why Basketpacking?
Here are three reasons we occasionally enjoy using bike basket bags for bikepacking:
Ease of Packing
Unlike needing to strategically pack handlebar rolls and other bikepacking bags, using a bike basket bag means you can simply toss items in, cinch the bag down, and ride off. The ease of packing and unpacking with a basket bag is almost revelatory for anyone who has spent time devising a system for accessing items carefully tucked away into a handlebar roll.
Adds Some Fun
Nothing says, “I’m not out here to set any records,” quite like a loaded basket. Riding with one can be a good reminder not to take yourself or your ride too seriously, and it can be to be a good conversation starter when you roll into a town. Plus, the extra capacity helps justify splurging on extravagant food and drinks to haul back camp.
Off-Bike Utility
Most bike basket bags can easily double as practical bags for everyday use. When you’re not bikepacking, they come in handy as a duffel bag or carry-on, for example, especially bags with an optional shoulder strap or built-in handles. They’re a useful accessory for day-to-day life, and most blend in well enough for use around the office or coffee shop.
Some Notes on (Wald) Baskets
There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about Wald baskets other than the fact that they’re ubiquitous and inexpensive. For around $25, they’re hard to beat. The Wald name is synonymous with baskets, which comes as no surprise, given that they’ve been producing baskets in their Maysville, Kentucky, facility since 1924. As the de facto standard for modern bicycle baskets, their 137 and 139 models are the baskets into which all of the following bags are designed to fit.
The Wald 137 is the smaller of the two, weighing about 550 grams and measuring 15″ side to side, 10″ front to back, and 4.75″ deep. It tapers slightly to 13″ x 8″ at the bottom. The larger Wald 139 measures 18″ side to side, 13″ front to back, and 6″ deep. It tapers down to 15.7″ x 10.5″ at the bottom. Both baskets are available in zinc-plated or gloss-black finishes. Note that the technical names for these baskets are 1372 and 1392, respectively, and there are versions with or without mounting hardware. We prefer the version without hardware as it’s a little cleaner and works best when supported by a rack, regardless. There’s also a “half heigh” version out there that’s cut down to be only half as tall, as well as a few more colorful painted versions.
We’ve heard it said many times that the 137 is a tad too small and the 139 is a little too big, and we agree. The difference in size between the two is quite substantial, and it’s worth taking some time to figure out which of the two sizes is right for your basketpacking needs before investing in a bike basket bag. And we can only hope that someday Wald will split the difference and introduce the 138—the perfect basket!
Despite all this talk of Wald, they don’t have a monopoly on bike baskets. Countless other companies make them in a broad range of shapes and sizes, many for less money (and some others for substantially more). If you end up with a basket with dimensions that differ from those of the Wald 137 or 139, we recommend using a bag that’s slightly too big for your basket and tucking in the excess fabric to give a little extra padding rather than using a bag that’s too small for your basket and might have a tendency to shift around.
List of Bike Basket Bags
Without further ado, here’s our full list of bike basket bags designed to fit the Wald 137 and 139 baskets. We’ve tested a good number of the 30+ bags we’ve found through our research and reader recommendations. As is the case with all of our Gear Indexes, the bags we tested are denoted by a “T” icon in the right-hand corner.
$168CAD
Tested by Lucas Winzenburg (@bunyanvelo)
Made in Montreal by Narek Papian, the Atwater Atelier Rambler tote bag comes in sizes that fit the Wald 137 or Wald 139 baskets. I tested the smaller Wald 137 size in a custom green/tan colorway. The Rambler is one of the more interesting options on the market at present, as it attaches to a basket using quick release buckles on either side, like a conventional basket bag, but with just two clicks it transforms into an everyday tote with comfortable handles for carrying off the bike.
It’s a single-compartment design with a bright orange interior lining for added visibility inside the bag. Outside, the smaller exterior pocket has a cleverly designed upper hood that keeps items from bouncing out. There’s a loop inside the outer pocket for securing keys, though I’d love to have the option for a zippered closure for added peace of mind. A zippered pocket on the inside of the bag would be even better. On the subject of zippers, the Rambler has a super chunky main zipper and oversized pulls that’ll surely run smoothly for years to come.
After using the Atwater Rambler for a month of running errands around the city, I’m sold on the tote-style basket bag for its versatility and practicality. While some of the other bags on this list have more attachment points, the two-point attachment system on the Rambler seemed more than enough to keep the bag in place when bouncing along bumpy dirt roads and alleyways. That said, this likely isn’t the bag I’d take on a full-on basketpacking expedition.
As with everything I’ve seen from Narek’s small studio, the Rambler is exceptionally well made and it has several unique touches that set it apart from similar bags. My only regret with this bag is not getting the larger Wald 139 size, as I’ve gravitated toward a larger bag for daily use as the smallish Wald 137 basket and bags can be somewhat limiting.
Price: $168CAD
Place of Manufacture: Montreal, Canada Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$110
Tested by Jenny Barr and Patrick Murphy
The Carsick Designs 1 Three 7 bag seamlessly integrates with the Wald 137 basket to boost carrying capacity and protect cargo. The 1 Three 7 is handmade in Durham, California, and available in a trio of rugged fabrics: 1000 Denier Cordura, Waxed Canvas, or Terrain X-Pac. Throughout the spring and summer, the basket bag has proven to be a solid hauling option around town or getting away from it.
The bag is well built with thoughtful design elements for streamlined functionality. External front and rear pockets are ideal for quick grab and go, and closed cell foam provides internal structure that protects cargo and cuts down on rattling. An included shoulder strap adds off-the-bike versatility for commuting, or more likely in times of pandemic, grabbing groceries or takeout. Unrolled, the bag expands to 14 x 8 x 18″ for stack-it and strap-it large load hauling. Four internal pockets are stitched into the 400 Denier Pack Cloth liner, which helps to cut down on chaos and avoid the abyss effect.
Price: $110
Place of Manufacture: Durham, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$130
Tested by Justin McKinley (@jjjjustin)
The Trinity Rambler from Ellum Bag Works is a purpose built Wald 137 basket bag. It’s made to order and is constructed from 1000D and 500D Cordura fabric, which means it’s available in many of your favorite pack colors. The interior of the bag is lined with a bright orange nylon to illuminate the contents. There is an exterior pocket on the front for small items, and the pocket is trimmed with a reflective material. When fully unrolled the bag boasts a 28L capacity made secure by two adjustable nylon straps over the top.
This is a soft-sided bag with no real structure, designed to take its shape from the basket. It does, however, contain a very thin layer of closed cell foam to protect your stuff from vibrating around. A shoulder strap is sold separately if you’re the kind of person who likes to remove the bag from the basket and carry it like a duffel. One of my favorite features of the Trinity Rambler is how secure the bag is to the basket. Accessing the bag’s contents doesn’t require loosening any of the straps that fasten your bag to the basket, which means there’s minimal fuss to getting at your precious cargo.
Price: $130
Place of Manufacture: Dallas, Texas Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$200AUD
Tested by Lucas Winzenburg (@bunyanvelo)
Made in Sydney, Australia, Hungry’s Tote Bag comes in sizes to fit the Wald 137 or 139. There are several materials available, but I opted for the beautiful 11oz proofed canvas in khaki, which is more of a pale green. The straightforward single-compartment design has a whopping 43L capacity, which makes it easy to overfill while on the bike, but a handy size for general use. A zippered outer pocket provides quick access to items like keys, a cell phone, and—in this day and age—a mask. Hi-viz lining throughout the interior compartment makes small items easy to find.
After a few months of daily use, my Hungry Tote is holding up exceptionally well. The canvas is breaking in nicely and the burly zippers are running as smoothly as the day I received them. I can’t find a single stitch that’s coming loose, and the overall fit and finish is quite impressive, as I’ve come to expect from Harry at Hungry.
Probably my favorite feature on the Hungry Tote Bag is its attachment system. The simple “B. Keeper” strap stays securely attached to the basket, meaning there’s just a single buckle to unclip to grab the bag out of the basket. I typically like to bring my bag inside with me when using a basket in commuter mode, and the Hungry Tote’s design makes doing so incredibly easy. Its wide, comfortable handles also make it super versatile as an everyday tote bag, whether or not you’re on the bike.
A couple of little upgrades I’d love to see in a future version of the bag are a small interior pocket with a zipper for storing valuables, along with a small loop to clip a key ring onto in the outside pocket. Beyond those, the Hungry Tote offers everything I need in a basket bag.
Price: $200AUD
Place of Manufacture: Sydney, Australia Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$170
Tested by Cass Gilbert (@whileoutriding)
The Outer Shell Adventure 137 Basket Bag is super stable, with two easily adjusted straps that run through two lengths of daisy chains to anchor it in place. If tackling especially rambunctious, rocky terrain, I’d advise using the side straps too; although they’re designed to compress the bag to make it less boxy for carrying on your shoulder, they also serve to offer extra support when cinched down through the framework of the basket. Either way, the bag is quick to remove and with an optional shoulder strap, convert into a really nice camera or general tote bag.
The bag isn’t just limited to baskets though. In the interests of saving some weight, I also experimented with fitting it on a Rawland Demiporteur rack – see images directly below. The size is absolutely perfect but as expected, this lighter configuration is better suited to mellow dirt roads, as it sits a little less securely than within the confines of a basket.
As for the bag itself, it features a number of useful storage spaces, including a zippered compartment to the front and rear, side sleeves, and a clear plastic top. Accessed from the inside, the latter has proved resistant to UV degradation so far and is especially handy for a map, a notebook, a cycling cap, a pair of sunglasses etc… The front pocket works especially well if you’re running a dynamo hub and charging batteries – it teamed perfectly with my Sinewave Beacon I have mounted on the front of my rack. The bag also features a catch-all drawstring skirt, which ensures nothing can work its way out and helps protect from the elements.
Build quality is particularly good and there’s a sense of human craftsmanship that’s often lost in mass-produced bags. There’s also a whole range of appealing colours to choose from for those who want to customise their ride, as well as a couple of materials – mine is the Graphite X-Pac version, which incurs a $20 upcharge, and is considered to be more waterproof than Cordura.
Price: $170
Place of Manufacture: San Francisco, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$85
Tested by Brenda Croell (@brenduhgayle), photos by Spencer Harding (@spencerjharding)
My past basket routine involved laying down a thrifted throw blanket, tossing in my goods, strapping it in place with cords, and crossing my fingers that nothing would break. Spoiler alert: this system did not work. The RAL WB Loader by Simworks is probably the simplest bag solution to quell my anxiety of hitting a pothole, beer then bursting in my basket only to spill all over my Magic the Gathering cards. A true nightmare.
The WB Loader looks like an unassuming tote bag, but it fits perfectly in a Wald 137 basket. If there’s one thing I hate about bicycle bags, it is how many straps many makers manage to throw onto them, leaving me in a tangled, confused mess of knots. The WB Loader has four straps. That’s it. That is all you need on a bike bag in my opinion. The velcro straps on the side keep it in place when you want to take the rowdy way home. I also appreciated that the bag would fold down if I had not loaded it up to its max capacity of five frozen pizzas and other assorted health foods.
This bag’s padding can not only cradle my groceries from getting bruised beyond forgiveness, it can also safely transport my computer from my home to the coffee shop where I’ll say I’m doing work for three hours but in reality I just want an excuse to drink coffee made by someone who knows what the hell they’re doing. If you’re wanting a simple but hardy handlebar bag that can function well on and off the bike, the WB Loader is a great way to go.
Price: $85
Place of Manufacture: Santa Barbara, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$90
Tested by Miles Arbour (@milesarbour)
Originally made by Scott Felter of Porcelain Rocket in Calgary, Alberta, the Meanwhile basket bag is how made by Greg Hardy and company under the Rockgeist name. It’s constructed with welded seams, offering a 100% waterproof construction that’s quite uncommon in the handmade bag world. It uses a simple roll-top closure that clips down to buckles that are looped under the basket’s rails, providing a secure connection that can be rolled as tightly or as loose as its contents require. The Meanwhile comes in two sizes, designed to fit Wald 137 and 139 baskets, and is made from a super durable double-coated 420D fabric. There are two webbing straps on the top of the bag that can be used as carry handles while in tote-made, and the buckle attachment means it can be removed quickly without fuss.
I’ve used the larger Wald 139 Meanwhile through snow, rain, and pretty much anything else you can throw at it, and its contents were always bone dry. In fact, the Rockgeist Meanwhile is the only basket bag in this list that can claim 100% waterproof status, which is going to be very important for all-weather commuters and hardcore basketpackers. I also appreciate that it weighs just 320g for 137 size or 415g for 139 size, which doesn’t add much to the weight of a front rack and basket.
Price: $90
Place of Manufacture: Asheville, North Carolina Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$180
Tested by Lucas Winzenburg (@bunyanvelo)
Sewn by Adam Nicholson in Winter Park, Colorado, the San Util Design 139 Tote has a number of unique touches that aren’t available on most other handmade basket bags. I’ve been using one for around six months now, and while it started as a dedicated basket bag on my commuter, it’s since taken on double and triple duty as my go-to bag for travel and daily errands off the bike. Most recently, I bought it as my carry-on bag while traveling abroad.
San Util Design offers a range of materials (X-Pac VX21, VS21, 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas) and colors for the 139 Tote, and buyers can can design their own bag by picking the primary, secondary, wedding, and cord lock pull colors. I opted for a dark brown waxed canvas, and it’s been breaking in beautifully. Outside, there are two zippered pockets, doubling the usual outer storage capacity for things such as keys, a wallet, or a phone. Inside, the front and rear are lined with six super handy mesh pockets that help create a little order and make items easier to find. It has a 200D packcloth liner and burly YKK Vislon zippers that run smoothly. Buyers can also opt to forgo the main zipper, though I would always recommend one for use in a basket.
Beyond being incredibly well made and packing in a number of clever touches that add versatility whether you’re on or off the bike, I think San Util Design nailed the dimensions of this bag to fit nicely in a Wald 139 basket while not having too much excess roll-top fabric to make it unweildy for throwing over your shoulder for other applications. This Colorado-made bag gets two thumbs up from me, and I’m excited to follow the relatively young brand’s progress and future products in the years ahead.
Price: $180
Place of Manufacture: Winter Park, Colorado Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$175
Tested by Cass Gilbert (@whileoutriding)
Designed specifically around Wald’s 137 wire basket – also available through the Swift website – the aptly named Sugarloaf resembles a plump loaf of freshly baked bread. It’s anchored in place with two elasticated straps that slip under and over the sides, making for quick and easy attachment and removal.
A waterpoof YKK zip runs along the top of the bag to access the main, padded compartment within, along with a magnetic closure front pocket and a zippered rear one, both good spots for stashing extra snacks, cutlery and the like. Inside, there’s another zippered sleeve, a handy area for a passport, money, keys, along with a series of open sleeves for a pen, papers etc… Bearing in mind this bag is designed for commuting too, these are all useful features. As we’ve come to expect from Swift, the Sugarloaf is beautifully built with obvious labour and love.
Constructed primarily from X-Pac (or Cordura, depending on the colour), I’d describe the bag as relatively water resistant rather than 100 per cent waterproof, given its exposed seams. With this in mind, I packed a lightweight waterproof rollbag at the base of the bag in case I was caught in a downpour.
As for day to day use, the Sugarloaf is a joy to use. For the most part, it’s been my go-to method of hauling my laptop around town (an 11in Macbook Air in Sea to Summit’s Traveling Light Laptop Sleeve), along with a lock, layers and food, without the need to resort to a backpack. When pressed into service for weekend campouts, I’ve used it to carry my DLSR camera, protected on a bed of clothing. The padded structure of the bag means that it’s well suited to hauling pretty much anything you choose – food and a potset, for instance. What’s more, its ease of removal makes it especially convenient to bring into your tent at night, or even just detach and drop down whether you’re planning your al fresco dinner. Compare this to a softbag bikepacking setup, where everything tends to be strategically stashed across the bike: great for handling but often a pain to access during the day, or to remove quickly when popping into a cafe or restaurant.
Things I’d like to see? For the price, the inclusion of Swift’s shoulder strap would certainly be welcome, given how useful it is from a day to day perspective. To help thwart water ingress, a lightweight, elasticated waterproof cover would be a handy accessory too. Bearing in mind my personal use is more demanding than some, I’d also welcome a series of daisy chains underneath the bag to further secure it to the basket, that can be used when it doesn’t need to be regularly removed.
Price: $175
Place of Manufacture: Seattle, Washington Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$79
Tested by Ben Hovland (@benjovland)
I’m picky. If I’m looking for a new piece of gear I’ll typically research it exhaustively to be 100% certain it’s the best tool for my task before purchasing. When I was asked to test and review a basket bag for this site, I was skeptical. What use would I have for an item for which I wasn’t actively searching?
Well, here I am to tell you about Troutmoose’s small rolltop basket bag, designed and fabricated in the humble state of Wisconsin. I’m going to skip the basics, which are covered in the specs below. The sparknotes: Troutmoose’s bag is cheaper compared to other basket bags but accordingly lacking in bells and whistles. Functional design that requires a basket/rack to hold its form and not much beyond that.
So, what’s left to say? The defining feature of the bag is that it’s one large container; there aren’t any velcro subdividers, laptop sleeves, or MOLLE webbing. But, if you’re like me, and already generally adhere to some kind of organizational method, this won’t be a problem. The main items I carry in the Troutmoose–camera equipment and camp food/drinks–are easily packed into modular systems. My go-to payload is my Yashica film camera, coffee setup (plus a snack or dozen), a collapsable sitting pad or hammock, and a book.
While the design is simple, there are a couple of subtle features that increase functionality. One is the buckles, which are reversed male/female on each side. This lets you clasp the top buckles to form a carrying handle for off-bike transport. If you’re handy, you could even sew a shoulder strap with extra buckles and a strip of fabric. I tend to overpack, and on the occasions I’ve overstuffed the Troutmoose, I’ve found the thin strips of velcro along the lip of the bag extremely useful in keeping the contents from spilling out. It’s a nice touch and super handy when I decide to bring an extra layer at the last minute.
If you’re like me and love the simplicity of a front rack or Wald basket, it’s hard to go wrong with the Troutmoose rolltop bag. If I were to nitpick, I would have appreciated a couple bits of webbing that’d let you strap extra items on the outside. However, for $79 it’s a decently priced complement to any basket setup. Mine was designed for the smaller Wald 137 basket, but André makes a larger version for the Wald 139 as well.
Price: $79
Place of Manufacture: Madison, Wisconsin Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$150
Tested by Lucas Winzenburg (@bunyanvelo)
Jessica at Tunitas Carryall makes a variety of Wald basket-specific bags from her workshop in San Francisco’s Mission District, among a range of other products. I tested the Basket Bag 137 in X10 Cotton, which I think is among the best looking basket bags on the market. The X10 fabric has a traditional cotton duck look, but with the durability and water resistance of a more modern fabric. There’s also a standard (and slightly less expensive) Cordura version available for the Wald 137, as well as Cordura and X10 options to fit the larger Wald 139.
It’s a single-compartment bag, but it features three exterior compartments for additional organization and storage. The main interior pocket uses a dual roll-top / drawstring closure, providing nearly endless options for the size and shape of cargo you can securely carry, and also greatly expanding the overall volume when necessary. A fully padded bottom and sides give the bag structure, plus some added cushioning for delicate items like cameras and laptops. A shoulder strap is available for purchase for an extra $14, which goes a long way to expanding the bag’s practical uses.
I’ve been really impressed by my Tunitas Carryall Basket Bag, both in terms of how it has held up to months of regular use, as well as the clever design details that make it do what it does exceptionally well. And it exudes quality in its overall craftsmanship and quality of the materials used in its construction.
If I could make any changes to the Basket Bag, I’d love to see a zippered pocket on the outside for storing valuables, since the side and back pockets are shallow enough that I could easily see a cell phone or keys flying out when hitting a bump. I’ve mostly left them unused for that reason, beyond storing a small folding lock in the side pocket. I’d also love to see a couple of additional attachment points where the bag can be connected to the basket for a more secure fit—such as a couple of velcro loops at the front and back corners or a daisy chain on the bottom—which would make me feel a bit better about leaving it on the bike unattended.
Price: $150
Place of Manufacture: San Francisco, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$125
Tested by Ben Elias (@eltucsonense)
The Velo Orange x Road Runner Transporteur Bag is a simple roll-top bag with just enough security to pack some essentials away while wrapped up in a basket. This waterproof basket bag has a solid 29L volume and a handy front accessory pouch. I mostly stow my sunglasses, multi-tool, mini pump, and U-lock just in the front pouch, and stash my laptop sleeve in the main compartment, filling the base of the basket. I regularly use my bike to run errands and often end up with a bottle of wine and a bag of coffee beans in addition to whatever else I’m hauling, typically with plenty of capacity to spare. I tend to overfill my bags but have been breaking this habit with the Transporteur Bag.
Maximizing the full useful space of the bag can be achieved with a standard Wald 137, but you can also overstuff or overpack it with it bumped out into the slightly larger Wald 139 basket. It also has webbing and straps to mount on a variety of setups on a standard Porteur rack, but shines in a wire basket. The bag is on the less structured scale of basket bags, but the Cordura material will hold up well over time for a decent amount of abuse, and the liner is easy to pop out and clean if needed.
I didn’t dislike anything about the Transporteur’s design, but after considering the wide range of similar bags, I would appreciate a little more structure, support, or padding on the bottom end of the bag. This would allow for a little more security when tossing in more delicate items like a camera, without needing a separate camera bag. Given its sizable capacity, I tend to get by with it as my only bike bag, which has streamlined my commuting setup.
Price: $125
Place of Manufacture: Los Angeles, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
£165
Tested by Miles Arbour (@milesarbour)
Loaded with witchcraft and wizardry, the Alakazam Basket Bag is handmade in London, UK by Wizard Works. The Alakazam comes in two sizes, designed to fit Wald 137 and 139 baskets, and is available in a wide assortment of made-to-order colour and fabric combinations. Although Wizard Works may have a reputation for bright colours, the Alakazam I tested was made with a much more classic pairing of rust cordura and olive X-10 X-Pac.
The Alakazam uses a single large roll-top closure, with a massive expandable capacity from 9L to 36L for the smaller Wald 137 model. A large top flap keeps things in place via a secure velcro attachment, while two aluminum g-hook buckles attach the bag itself to the Wald basket. There’s a single zippered pocket on the top flap, as well as two sleeves on the back, facing the rider.
The floating interior liner is brightly coloured, to avoid losing small items, and assists with the overall weatherproofness of the bag. High density foam on the base and sides of the bag helps protect its contents and keep its shape. Although the seams aren’t sealed in any way, the water-resistant fabrics, floating liner, and burly construction have done a great job at keeping out some pretty awful weather. Overall, I’ve been very impressed with the Alakazam and believe it provides a great look into the attention to detail and superb craftsmanship Wizard Works has to offer.
Price: £165
Place of Manufacture: London, England Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$79
By far the most traditional of the basket bags listed here, Acorn Bike bags are made by a husband and wife team in Southern California. Their goal is to keep traditional bag making alive with materials like waxed canvas and leather. Their Basket Bag is designed to fit the Wald 137, and it features a roll-top + velcro closure, a small inside pocket, leather handles, and leather loops that snap onto the basket.
Price: $79
Place of Manufacture: Gardena, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$100
Dark Realm’s Austin-made Basket Bag comes in a variety of unique colors at different price points, from classic coyote, to hand-dyed X-Pac, to drip camo. They offer both Wald 137 and 139 sizes, both of which feature high-density closed-cell foam in the areas that come into contact with the basket, adjustable buckles to secure to racks or baskets, a roll-top closure, and hidden internal handles that turn the bag into a tote when used off the bike.
Price: $100
Place of Manufacture: Austin, Texas Manufacturer’s Details: Link
€180
Munch-based Dyed in the Wool is a relatively new addition to the handmade bag scene, and their Basket Bag looks to be quite impressive. A few unique features make it worth a second look, including the interesting zippered upper flap, mesh pockets around the lower portion, and bold colors. They make versions for the Wald 137 and Wald 139 basket and offer them in Cordura, X-Pac, and Dyneema.
Price: €180
Place of Manufacture: Munich, Germany Manufacturer’s Details: Link
Made from 14oz waxed canvas, 1000D Cordura, or X-Pac VX21 in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Field & Forest Bike Basket Bag is a no-nonsense option for Wald 137 and 139 Baskets. It has a roll-top closure, aluminum G-hook attachment, water-resistant liner, internal pocket, and shoulder strap. Several optional customizations add functionality, including a zippered top, front pocket with snap or zip closure, and even custom sizing. Field & Forest offers an extensive range of more than 30 color options, allowing you to mix and match the main body and pocket color if you choose to add one.
Place of Manufacture: Vancouver, Canada Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$100
Made in a cabin in Maine and named after Vermont’s dreaded mud season, the Fifth Season Squall Sack from Analog Cycles is a waxed canvas bag designed to fit the Wald 137 basket. It has a straightforward design that features a simple roll-top closure with a brass clip, side loops with brass snaps for securing to the basket, and a fabric loop that can be used to attach a shoulder strap. The Squall Sack is available in around 20 color combinations to suit a variety of tastes.
Price: $100
Place of Manufacture: Maine, USA Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$249AUD
The Commuter is designed for commuters. Like the Sight Seeker, it is designed to fit a Wald 137 basket, but multi-functional is the name of the game as it can act as a shoulder bag, tote, and backpack when it’s not strapped into your basket. It has two massive side pockets with drainage holes, detachable backpack straps, and an internal padded laptop pocket. It features all of the same padding and webbing details as the Sight Seeker, and also uses the same large velcro straps to secure the base to a Wald basket. It features the same construction, and the Carbon version pictured comes with your choice of hardware or custom fabric.
Price: $249AUD (Carbon)
Place of Manufacture: Melbourne, Australia Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$249AUD
Framework Designs is a one-woman company based in Melbourne, Australia, and the Haul All is her Wald 139-specific bag. It features a durable canvas exterior, a foam padded bottom, several internal and exterior pockets, an adjustable carrying strap, and unique metal hardware.
Price: $249AUD
Place of Manufacture: Melbourne, Australia Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$269AUD
Framework Designs is a one-woman company based in Melbourne, Australia, and the Sight Seeker is her Wald 137-specific bag. It features a durable canvas exterior, a foam padded bottom, several internal and exterior pockets, an adjustable carrying strap, and unique metal hardware.
Price: $269AUD (Carbon)
Place of Manufacture: Melbourne, Australia Manufacturer’s Details: Link
€80
Made in Italy, the Korikohri Kirabo is a roll-top bag for the Wald 137 basket made of ripstop fabric with a weatherproof membrane. It features a semi-rigid bottom, front and rear pockets, a waterproof zip, a wide shoulder strap, and a couple of hi-viz touches. It measures 34 x 20 x 17 centimeters and costs 80 euros.
Price: €80
Place of Manufacture: Italy Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$175
Makeshifter Canvas Works is a one-woman canvas bag company based in Portland, Oregon, known for beautiful and colorful bags built from canvas and wool. The Basket Case is designed to fit the Wald 137 basket and is available in three different color combinations. It features a double-slide zipper, two outer pockets, three inner pockets, and a bright internal liner. An optional cross-body strap connects to the bag for easy carrying when off the bike.
Price: $175
Place of Manufacture: Portland, Oregon Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$155
Outer Shell calls their California-made Everyday Tote “a luxurious tote with style and grace,” and from the looks of it, they’re not being overly flowery. The Outer Shell Everyday Tote is a unique two-in-one bag that morphs to fit a Wald 137 or over your shoulder by unclipping its side buckles, changing from a bowling ball bag shape into something more narrow and tall. It has ultra-soft double rope handles for easy carrying and features a waterproof lining and tons of pockets inside and out.
The Everyday Tote weighs 18.7 ounces (530 grams) and has a 10L volume. Side straps affix it to your basket while in motion, and a foam padded bottom and inner laptop sleeve protect your cargo. The main body is made from DWR-treated 1000D Cordura and the liner is cut from ECOPAK EPLX200 with an RUV laminated film backing and DWR finish on the front. We haven’t had a chance to try this one just yet, but it’s high on our list.
Price: $155
Place of Manufacture: San Francisco, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$125
The PTAP Designs 137 Basket Bag is designed to work in conjunction with the Wald 137 basket (not included) and is what maker Dan Doggett calls “the perfect on-the-go bag for errands, commutes, or even the occasional bikepacking trip.” After many iterations, PTAP Designs has finally landed on this functional and user-friendly design.
The 137 Basket Bag can expand to be a fully upright tote when needed or can easily cinch down using the side buckles. It features water-resistant YKK Aquaguard zippers, front and rear pockets, protective closed cell foam padding on the bottom, an orange packcloth liner for interior visibility, and a shoulder strap for off-bike carry.
Price: $125
Place of Manufacture: Baltimore, Maryland Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$129
Made in Philadelphia, R.E.Load’s Deluxe Waldo is designed to fit in the Wald 137. The fabric, trim, and thread colors are all fully customizable. The Deluxe Waldo’s design features three inner pockets, a brightly colored interior lining, tote handles, a detachable shoulder strap, and a roll-top closure with a metal strap for added security.
Price: $129
Place of Manufacture: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Details: Link
Built from waterproof, rot-proof cotton from Scotland, the Connecticut-made Sackville ShopSack from Rivendell Bicycle Works is a modern classic in the world of basket bags. It features a military spec webbing handle, a zippered internal pocket for small essentials, a reflective strip, and a shape that’s wider than it is tall. The ShopSack is available in seven colors and two sizes to fit the Wald 137 and Wald 139 baskets. It doesn’t feature any basket-specific hardware or straps, making it ideal for use as a tote bag off the bike.
Place of Manufacture: Connecticut, USA Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$119
The Singapore-made Wald 137 Basket Bag from Six Rolling Wheels is available with a 1000D Cordura or X-Pac VX21 exterior in a broad range of color. It has a roll-top closure and a tapered shape designed to maximize storage space. It features a foam liner in the bottom and lower sides, a removable base stiffener, a zippered outer pocket, and adjustable straps to attach it to your basket. A simple shoulder strap is included. The bag weighs 650 grams, has a 10-20L capacity, and measures 31.5 x 19 x 16-45 centimeters.
Price: $119
Place of Manufacture: Singapore Manufacturer’s Details: Link
The To Go Box from Bend, Oregon-based bag maker Take a Trip is a two-part basketpacking accessory that consists of a form-fitting liner and a hinged lid for Wald 137 and 139 baskets. Constructed from 1000D Cordura and 18oz vinyl-coated polyester, the Take a Trip Liner and Lid are designed to work equally well in tandem or independently. The Lid keeps items inside your basket and features a water-resistant pocket that’s great for small items like a wallet or keys, and an upper shock cord adds another option for lashing items on top. There’s a rigid plastic stiffener sewn into the Lid, which allows larger items to be stored on top without it deforming. Rear camp straps enable you to raise and lower the Lid to accommodate different loads.
The Liner fits neatly inside your basket and protects cargo from grit being kicked up from your wheel. It attaches via six snap hook and features an elastic interior pocket made from 400D Recycled Bag Cloth. An off-center drain hole in the bottom helps liquids escape while limiting the chance of anything splashing up from the wheel below.
The To Go Box Liner and Lid are both offered in an array of eight colors, making for a total of 64 possible color combinations to suit your style.
Place of Manufacture: Bend, Oregon Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$175
San Francisco-based Tunitas Carryall’s Basket Pack is the only basket bag in this list that doubles as a backpack. Made to fit the Wald 137 basket, it features a padded back and bottom, front zippered pocket, backpack straps that stow into rear pockets when not in use, a roll-top closure, and D-rings / daisy chains for attaching additional items to the outside of the pack. It’s available in four different colorways.
Price: $175
Place of Manufacture: San Francisco, California Manufacturer’s Details: Link
$150
The OneThreeSeven is Connecticut-based Yellow Bird Thread Works’ bag designed to fit the, you guessed it, Wald 137 basket. The lower is constructed from a combination of Cordura and X-Pac that features foam insulation between the inner and outer layers. The X-Pac upper has a roll-top closure with a daisy chain for secure closure. A bright interior lining adds visibility inside, and four points of attachment connect it firmly to the basket with durable, high-quality metal clips.
Price: $150
Place of Manufacture: Chester, Connecticut Manufacturer’s Details: Link
The Best Front Racks for Baskets
There are a lot of excellent front racks on today’s market, from ultra-minimal to overly burly. The ideal rack for your basketpacking setup will depend on several factors, including the mounting points on your fork and how much weight you plan to haul. It doesn’t take much to support the weight of an unladen basket itself, but we recommend a rack with a generous weight limit that comfortably exceeds the combined weight of your basket, bag, and its contents. Keep in mind that an overloaded basket will significantly detract from your bike’s handling. Also note that carbon forks aren’t built to support the weight of a basketpacking setup, and we don’t advise using them for this purpose. You can find a few of our favorites below:
RatKing RIP Rack
The most expensive but only handmade option in this list, the Seattle-made RatKing RIP Rack is purpose-built to hold a Wald 137 basket or function as a standalone platform. Its unique design feature is custom-machined hardware that secures the basket to the rack’s three strongest rails, eliminating the need for zip ties. The RIP Rack mounts to the fork crown and mid-blade eyelets and measures 198mm x 205mm (7.8″ x 8.1″). It doesn’t have an official load rating.
~600 grams / $225+ at We Are Stunt Doubles
Surly 8-Pack Rack
Surly’ 8-Pack Rack has a 270mm x 160mm (10.6″ x 6.3″) platform, adjustable mid-blade and fork crown struts, and is made from 4130 Chromoly Steel with stainless steel hardware. Although it’s designed to work best with Surly’s rigid forks, it should be compatible with most tire sizes and forks with mid-blade and two fork crown bosses. It’s rated to carry 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds) and has proven to be an impressively durable and stable platform for hauling a loaded basket.
~640 grams / $130 at Campfire Cycling
Velo Orange Flat Pack Rack
The Velo Orange Flat Pack Rack is designed to be adaptable and strong, and it just so happens to have a timeless look that fits great on all manner of frames. All three of its mounting points are adjustable, making exceptionally versatile for mounting on various frames. It has a 275mm x 203mm (10.8″ x 8″) platform, and its rear tombstone is removable and can be replaced with a decaleur receiver for use with rando bags. It’s rated to carry 7.7 kilograms (17 pounds).
~708 grams / $180 at Velo Orange
Tumbleweed T Rack
Originally designed by RatKing, the Tumbleweed T Rack is a simple Chromoly steel rack that features “three-pack” triple bottle mounts on each main strut and a 300mm x 120mm (11.8″ x 4.7″) top platform that can be used to support a large handlebar bag, basket, or to secure a drybag in lieu of a seat pack when used as a rear rack. It can clear large tires (up to 29 × 3.5″ or 26 x 4.75″) and is rated to carry 25 kilograms (55 pounds), making it perfectly suited for dirt-road touring or bikepacking.
~500 grams / $130 at Tumbleweed
Rawland Rando Rack V4
The fourth iteration of Rawland’s popular steel Rando rack (also offered in titanium) is an exceptionally well-designed and practical rack that’s sturdy enough for off-road riding and looks great on a variety of bikes. It’s designed to attach to the fork crown and rack mounts and is compatible with disc, cantilever, and some caliper brakes. It has a 113mm x 202mm (4.5″ x 8″) platform with a 101mm (4″) tombstone at the rear. It’s rated to carry 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
~470 grams / $130 at Rawland Cycles
Installing Your Basket
Depending on how frequently you plan to take your basket on and off, there are several handy ways of attaching it to your rack. The most common are zip ties, Voile straps, and cam straps. Using zip ties is the cheapest option and also the most secure.
For a more permanent installation, we recommend using criss-crossing zip ties in the four corners of the rack, plus at least a few other spots where the rack and basket come into contact. Once installed, make sure the basket is firmly attached and there isn’t any play. Be sure to check in on your zip ties occasionally, as they’ll degrade over time in the elements and need replacing.
If you plan to remove the basket regularly or need easy access to your rack, Voile straps and nylon or leather cam straps (toe straps) can also be used to make a secure connection between the rack and basket. Make sure the straps are nice and snug before loading up your basket.
Useful Basket Accessories
If you’re only using your basket for commuting duties on mellow paved roads, you might be able to get away with not using any kind of retention strap to keep the bag in place. But, to be on the safe side, we advise using some kind of strap or bungee to prevent your bag from moving around in your basket, or worse, ejecting the moment you decide to hit a section of singletrack. Find some of our favorite options for securing your bag inside your basket and a couple of other handy accessories below.
Take a Trip My Little Bungee: A clever adjustable bungee cord for keeping your bag in your basket, available in several sizes and colors.
Gramm Tourpacking Toe Strap: A high-quality, inexpensive, extremely strong toe strap that’s made in the EU and available in 100cm or 75cm lengths.
PDW Cargo Web: A high-visibility take on the classic basket net, available in a variety of colors.
Atwater Atelier Cell Pouch: A handy pouch for adding extra storage to the outside of your basket.
Captain Hook Basket Net: An inexpensive basket net sold by Rivendell and availalbe in two colors.
Austere Manufacturing Cam Buckles: Very likely the nicest cam buckles/straps in the world!
What’d we miss? If you know of a handmade basket bag that’s designed to fit the Wald 137 or 139 that should be on this list, please share it with us in the comments below!
