Top tube bags offer convenient storage for food or gear right behind the headtube and can supplement or replace traditional saddlebags. Topeak’s new Toploader Drybag is a new addition to Topeak’s top tube bag lineup and offers large capacity and a waterproof construction. With a retail price of $54.95, the Toploader Drybag is a large 1L top tube bag. Topeak has used a TPU construction and smooth operating rubber zipper to make the bag fully waterproof. The bag can be bolted on or attached using two bottom straps and one headtube strap. As with other Topeak bags, there is a bright yellow inner liner to help find items inside the bag.
The Topeak Toploader Drybag combines a large 1L capacity with a fully waterproof TPU construction and full length top zipper.
| Retail Price | $54.95 |
| Rating | 9.0 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 122 |
| Likes | + Waterproof design for any weather conditions + Full length rubber top zipper with smooth operation + Bright yellow bottom liner makes it easy to find items |
| Dislikes | – Only offered in black |
| Where to Buy (US) | Topeak |
UNBOXING
The Topeak Toploader Drybag comes directly attached to a cardboard backing with bright white and yellow branding printed on it. Inside the bag itself you’ll find two velcro straps and a warning pamphlet warning against damaging the zipper by pulling the sides apart with excessive force. There are also two 3M clear stripes to help with paint protection as top tube bags can scratch paint over time.
MOUNTING
Topeak has designed the Toploader Drybag to have a dual mounting design that can accommodate both bolts or straps. The front of the bag has a wrap-around strap that is designed to wrap around the headtube and prevent the bag from swaying. There are two bolt spots on the base that allow you to bolt the bag in place on gravel or endurance bikes with mounting accommodations. Both bolt slots have an extended design to help position the bag on different bike setups. Otherwise, you can use the two included straps to attach to top tubes to help hold the bag in place. Given the longer length of this bag, the two strap design helps keep the bag in place. One of the downsides of this dual mounting design is that the rubberized reinforcements for the bolts may scratch frames. We’d recommend using the included clear film or adding wrap to your top tube to avoid long-term paint damage.
FIT & FINISH
The Topeak Toploader Drybag was designed for backpacking with a large capacity and waterproof design. Topeak only offers the bag in a black finish which has a subtle fabric texture on the exterior and reflective Topeak logos on the side. The bag itself is fairly large at 24 x 10 x 6 cm or 9.4 x 4 x 2.4 inches in size with a curved side profile. With one liter capacity, the bag can hold quite a bit of food and gear and has a semi-rigid construction with straight sides. The bag is constructed from a TPU material which is fully waterproof which makes this bag perfect for riding in wet weather or just keeping food and gear protected from sweat.
Inside the bag you have a large single compartment that nearly has a square profile. The bag only slopes near the rear which means you can stack multiple bars and gels upright in most of the bag. One of the nice features of this bag is the rubberized zipper which has smooth operation and keeps water out. The advantage of this design is that it’s easy to clean and doesn’t have ridges or small crevices where crumbs or dirt can get stuck. The bottom of the bag also has a removable yellow fabric base which covers up the bolts and makes it easier to find items inside the otherwise black interior.
ON THE ROAD
For long rides it’s hard to beat the versatility of a top tube bag to carry extra food and gear. It’s far more convenient than a saddle bag as everything is easy to access and the bag can blend into the frame unlike a saddlebag. We’ve actually reviewed quite a few Topeak bags like the FastFuel Bag and have been impressed with the quality. The Toploader Drybag is quite a bit larger at one liter and has a semi-rigid TPU construction that looks premium when installed on the bike. It also has a fabric texture instead of the glossy rubber appearance of traditional waterproof bags.
With the larger size of the Toploader Drybag, the bag doesn’t really blend in as it’s so long and tall. However, the large capacity means you can fit nearly anything in a bag from long tools like the Torq Stick or pack it full of spares and food. The bag is large enough that you could essentially replace a saddlebag if you packed carefully. While the bag is bulky, we appreciated the details like the yellow inner liner and the rubber zipper which has a satisfying smooth operation. For our bikes, we used the strap mounting using both bottom straps to hold the bag in place. The flat Velcro straps are easy to cut to size and do a great job keeping the bag secure over rough terrain.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak Toploader Drybag to be a well designed and high capacity bag. With a TPU construction the bag is fully waterproof which helps keep all the contents protected regardless of the weather. Topeak has incorporated a large one liner capacity which results in a large form factor that can swallow tools and gear with space to spare. We were impressed with the premium touches like the yellow base and the effortless rubber zipper. While the bag is far from the sleekest on the market, the high capacity and waterproof design offer an impressive amount of functionality. As far as negatives, we would have liked to see more color or graphic options than black. That said, the Topeak Toploader Drybag is a high capacity top tube bag that is ready for any weather.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.