Last Updated: February 21, 2022
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Best Motorcycle Backpack: For Everyday And Travel

Need a motorcycle backpack? You’re definitely in the right place! Our detailed review features seven of the best motorcycle backpacks, with options for everyday carry and travel.


At A Glance: Best Motorcycle Backpacks


We’ve included waterproof backpacks, large capacity bags with lots of external attachment points, and small bags that are so lightweight and comfortable you can safely wear them while you’re riding. So, no matter what exactly you want, there are plenty of great backpacks for you here!

Top Product Overview

Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack, Stealth Black, One Size
Most Versatile Motorcycle Backpack
  • Very comfortable back system
  • Lots of pockets and compartments
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OGIO No Drag Mach 3 Backpack, 19' H x 12.5' W x 6.5' D, Black
Best Everyday Motorcycle Backpack
  • Weather resistant exterior
  • Expandable capacity
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Nelson-Rigg SE-3020 20 Liter Gear Hurricane 20L Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack
Best Motorcycle Backpack For Travel
  • Multiple sizes available
  • 100% waterproof
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Goldfire Motorcycle Helmet Backpack Bag, Large Capacity Motorcycle ATV/UTV Cycling Riding Helmet Backpack Military Helmet Molle Storage Bag,Waterproof Tactical Backpack for Men
  • External helmet storage
  • Comfortable back system
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Seibertron Waterproof Large Capacity Molle Motorcycle Helmet Holder/Cycling Helmet Storage/Hiking Helmetcatch Bag/Backpack Also Fit Basketball Football Soccer Backpack Black
  • Versatile helmet storage
  • MOLLE attachment points
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Badass Moto Motorcycle Helmet Backpack. Compact Motorcycle Backpack Helmet Holder.  Motorcycle Helmet Bags. Airline Approved Travel Backpack Motorcycle
  • Multiple internal and external pockets
  • Versatile mesh storage for helmet
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Motorcycle Backpack Carbon Fiber Hard Shell Turtle Bags Waterproof Large Capacity Cycling Helmet Storage Stealth Black
  • High quality durable materials
  • Multiple pockets and sleeves in the main compartment
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Top Products


Most Versatile Motorcycle Backpack

Oakley Men's Kitchen Sink Backpack

Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack, Stealth Black, One Size

The Oakley Kitchen Sink backpack is a popular option because of the excellent quality and durability of the bag. It features a waterproof exterior with a hardside top shell that does a great job at keeping the contents of the bag safe and dry in all weather conditions.

This backpack also boasts thick padding in the backpanel with multiple foam inserts for great ventilation, as well as comfortable and ergonomic shoulder straps. The sternum strap and hip belt help transfer the load away from your shoulders, so you are more comfortable carrying the bag at full capacity.

Another great thing about this bag is the abundance of pockets and external attachment points. That’s a big upside because the bag lacks dedicated helmet storage. You can attach it with a carabiner to the outside of the pack and you can even put it in the main compartment. But you don’t get a special compartment for the helmet.

The zippered side pockets are spacious enough to hold water bottles and other smaller necessities, while the front compartment features an organizer panel. The main compartment is very roomy with a padded sleeve inside and more than enough room to fit several days’ worth of clothes. And the backpack also has a separate laptop compartment in the back, which can easily fit 17” devices.

If you can go about your day without dedicated helmet storage, this is a great bag worth considering. But if that’s one of your must-have features, I recommend you check out some other packs featured in the rest of this review.

Pros

  • Very comfortable back system
  • Lots of pockets and compartments
  • Durable materials

Cons

  • No dedicated storage for helmet
  • Pricey

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 20” x 14” x 8”
  • Capacity: 34 liters
  • Material: 100% Other Fibers
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Best Everyday Motorcycle Backpack

Ogio Adult No Drag Mach 3 Backpack

OGIO No Drag Mach 3 Backpack, 19' H x 12.5' W x 6.5' D, Black

The Ogio backpack is great for everyone who likes to stay organized. It has multiple internal pockets and sleeves that let you find a dedicated spot for every piece of your gear. That includes a padded laptop sleeve, a tablet sleeve, a fleece-lined phone pocket, a hydration bladder compartment, and even shoe pockets.

It’s also worth noting that the zipper for the main compartment is in the back and all of the sleeves are on the interior side of the backpanel. This is much more convenient for quickly getting stuff out of the pack, but it might take some time to get used to it if you’ve mostly owned classic front-loading bags so far.

The overall capacity of the backpack is 22 liters and it can be expanded to 24 liters. Additionally, it is possible to attach a helmet to the exterior of the bag – one of the lower straps simply pulls through the helmet, for ultimate carry convenience.

This Ogio backpack is made from a mixture of different materials including 420D dobby polyester and PU. It is very durable and weather-resistant; so much so that you don’t even have to worry about the bag deforming from strong gusts of wind.

And it’s a comfortable backpack to carry thanks to thick padding in the backpanel and harness. There’s no breathable mesh on the backpanel though, so it might not be the most breathable bag out of the bunch.

It has a sternum strap and a hip belt, which will do a great job at securing the backpack to your body. It won’t budge an inch while you’re riding, plus the hip belt helps distribute the weight more evenly so you barely even feel it.

Pros

  • Weather resistant exterior
  • Expandable capacity
  • Great organizational features

Cons

  • Pricey
  • No external pockets

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 28.4 x 19" x 12.5"
  • Capacity: 22 liters (can be expanded)
  • Material: 420D Dobby Polyester
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Best Motorcycle Backpack For Travel

Nelson-Rigg SE-3040 Motorcycle Backpack

Nelson-Rigg SE-3020 20 Liter Gear Hurricane 20L Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack

The Nelson Rigg backpack is great if you want something resistant to all weather conditions. It is made from Tarpaulin PVC, which is the same material used for outdoor tents. That should give you a good idea of just how waterproof the bag is.

Also, this pack features a one-way waterproof purge valve that allows for easy compression. It is also a comfortable bag to wear thanks to the thick padding in the backpanel and harness. The entire back system is covered with breathable mesh for great ventilation, so you can wear this bag for hours at a time without getting sweaty.

And you get a sternum strap and a hip belt, so you can easily secure the backpack to your torso. It will stay put no matter how much you move around and you won’t really feel the weight of the bag thanks to the hip belt.

The backpack is available in sizes of 20 and 40 liters. The smaller bag is best for people who need an everyday carry bag but go with the larger pack if you want something you can also use when traveling. Both backpacks are made from the same materials and have the exact same feature – the only difference is in the capacity of the main compartment.

The main compartment is top-loading and it features an internal laptop sleeve, as well as a couple of smaller pockets. It’s not the best in terms of organizational features though, so bear that in mind. If you don’t need different pockets for every other item you should be fine with this bag.

It also has external water bottle pockets and MOLLE attachment points for bulky gear. The external front compartment is secured to the body of the bag with buckles, and you can make it as wide as you need. It is wide enough to fit a helmet, which is the most important thing anyway.

Pros

  • Multiple sizes available
  • 100% waterproof
  • Padded and ventilated back system

Cons

  • Not the best for organization
  • Heavy

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 16.5” x 17.2” x 2.9”
  • Capacity: 20/40 liters
  • Material: Tarpaulin PVC
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Goldfire Waterproof Motorcycle Backpack

Goldfire Motorcycle Helmet Backpack Bag, Large Capacity Motorcycle ATV/UTV Cycling Riding Helmet Backpack Military Helmet Molle Storage Bag,Waterproof Tactical Backpack for Men

The Goldfire motorcycle backpack is one of the best affordable options. The pack is under $50, which is surprisingly affordable for a motorcycle bag. It might have an attractive price point, but it’s definitely not a cheap bag in any other sense.

The Goldfire pack is made from water-repellent nylon, for excellent performance in all weather conditions. If has a padded backpanel that’s covered with breathable mesh, as well as ventilated and comfortable shoulder straps.

The back system also features a waist belt and a sternum strap, which will secure the backpack to your body. The bag won’t move an inch, so you can get away with wearing this even while you’re riding.

This backpack has one roomy main compartment and a bunch of external pockets and attachment points. There’s even a sleeve behind the backpanel – it can fit 17” laptops easily, but it can also work as a hydration compartment.

On top of that, this motorcycle backpack features an abundance of MOLLE attachment points, allowing you to attach any bulkier gear to the exterior of the backpack. But this isn’t something I would recommend for rides, especially if you intend to wear the bag. The attached items aren’t stable, and they could make you uncomfortable.

It’s also worth noting that the Goldfire backpack has dedicated storage for a helmet on the front panel. This compartment is adjustable, and you can use it for helmets of different sizes. Overall, this is a really good deal for not a lot of money, and certainly one of the first packs you should check out if you’re on a tighter budget!

Pros

  • External helmet storage
  • Comfortable back system
  • MOLLE attachment points

Cons

  • Not entirely waterproof
  • Not a lot of internal capacity

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 20.71” x 14.8” x 3.86” (flat)
  • Capacity: Not specified
  • Material: Water repellent nylon
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Seibertron Motorcycle Backpack

Seibertron Waterproof Large Capacity Molle Motorcycle Helmet Holder/Cycling Helmet Storage/Hiking Helmetcatch Bag/Backpack Also Fit Basketball Football Soccer Backpack Black

The Seibertron backpack is a good large-capacity option that can work everyday and travel. The total capacity of this bag is 37 liters, but a large number of external attachment points lets you secure lots of bulkier items to the MOLLE panels on the bag.

This pack is made from waterproof fabric, but it doesn’t have waterproof zippers. That means that while the body of the bag might do a great job at protecting the interior from getting wet, it’s likely that water will seep in through the zippers. Therefore, this isn’t a bag I would recommend for heavy rains or snow.

The back system of this bag is padded and ventilated, for great carrying comfort. Both the sternum strap and the hip belt do a great job at transferring the load of the pack away from your shoulder, ensuring that you don’t feel burdened by your luggage when you’re riding.

Also, there are several compression straps on the sides, which let you adjust the size of the bag. When it’s only half full you can tighten those straps to make the backpack more compact and stable, but loosen them up when you want to fill the bag to the brim.

The front panel features an adjustable helmet compartment as well as a smaller zippered pocket. The main compartment is spacious with multiple pockets inside and enough space for a 17” laptop. There’s also a hydration sleeve in the back and its’ possible to adjust hands-free hydration with the backpack, but a reservoir is not included in the purchase.

Pros

  • Versatile helmet storage
  • MOLLE attachment points
  • Padded and ventilated back system

Cons

  • Zippers are not waterproof
  • No side pockets

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 20.24” x 12.76” x 2.36”
  • Capacity: 37 liters
  • Material: 900D waterproof fabric
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Badass Moto Backpack

Badass Moto Motorcycle Helmet Backpack. Compact Motorcycle Backpack Helmet Holder.  Motorcycle Helmet Bags. Airline Approved Travel Backpack Motorcycle

The Badass Moto backpack is an affordable, small-capacity bag. It’s a great everyday backpack for people who don’t carry a lot of items with them and don’t need a big bag. It has multiple internal and external compartments, stretchy side pockets, and a mesh compartment for a helmet.

The mesh on the front panel is great because it’s super versatile. It’s like what you have in basketball backpacks and it can safely store lots of different items and not just a helmet. This bag also features mesh all over the backpanel and harness for excellent breathability and ventilation. The entire back system is heavily padded for great carrying comfort.

However, it’s important to note that the backpack doesn’t have a sternum strap or a hip belt. Because of that, I would not recommend it for people who want a bag they can wear while riding. It is small and lightweight so these features aren’t necessary – with such a small capacity, the bag can’t get so heavy that you actually need something to transfer the load onto your hips.

But the lack of a hip belt and a sternum strap means you can’t fully secure the backpack onto your body and that it might move or bounce around while you’re riding. That is not recommended for perfectly safe rides, so it would be best to just secure this bag onto your motorcycle.

Pros

  • Multiple internal and external pockets
  • Versatile mesh storage for helmet
  • Padded and ventilated back system

Cons

  • No hip belt or sternum strap
  • Not enough compression straps
  • Not waterproof

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 15.5” x 15” x 3”
  • Capacity: Not specified
  • Material: Not specified
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Cucyma Motorcycle Backpack

Motorcycle Backpack Carbon Fiber Hard Shell Turtle Bags Waterproof Large Capacity Cycling Helmet Storage Stealth Black

The Cucyma motorcycle backpack is a very durable bag made from excellent materials. It features a hardside carbon fiber front panel of the main compartment. This compartment opens with the zipper in the back to expose its spacious interior with lots of sleeves and pockets.

The backpack has a dedicated laptop sleeve, a separate tablet sleeve, and several smaller pockets for easy organization. The main compartment also features a special internal design for holding a helmet, including a protective cover for the helmet lens.

However, storing a helmet inside the main compartment would take up most of the space in the bag, so it’s not a great idea if you want to carry quite a few items inside the backpack.

That’s why it’s great that you also get the option of storing the helmet on the exterior of the bag. It’s just a simple strap you loop through the helmet, so it wouldn’t work for storing other items as well.

This bag has thick padding in the backpanel and harness for good carrying comfort. It also features a sternum strap that lets you secure those shoulder straps in place so that the bag stays put while you are riding. There’s no hip belt though, which could be an issue if you pack heavy items in the backpack.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the Cucyma backpack has great water resistance. PU and carbon fiber are both highly water repellant, and with the strategic positioning of the main zipper, it is highly unlikely that anything inside the main compartment will get wet.

Pros

  • High quality durable materials
  • Multiple pockets and sleeves in the main compartment
  • Comfortable back system with sternum strap

Cons

  • No hip belt
  • Internal helmet storage takes nearly entire main compartment

Product Information

  • Dimensions: 21” x 14.5” x 6”
  • Capacity: 30 liters (expandable)
  • Material: PU, carbon fiber
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What To Look For

How Are You Carrying The Backpack?

Do you plan to carry the backpack on you when you’re riding, or do you want to put it in the trunk? Maybe you just want to attach it to the motorcycle? In any case, you need to look for features that will suit your type of backpack carry.

While there might be lots of debates about whether it’s actually safe to wear a backpack when riding, lots of people do it. The key to staying safe when riding a backpack is to get a bag that won’t impact your balance or get in the way of you enjoying the ride. Which means no dangling straps and nothing so heavy that it will bother you.

Go with a small and simple bag that can fit all your necessities without getting too heavy. On the other hand, if you want a backpack you can use for travel on your motorcycle, feel free to grab a large-capacity bag with lots of external pockets and attachment points.

But you shouldn’t ride while wearing such a heavy bag – a fully packed 40-liter backpack is very heavy, and it can significantly impact your balance when riding.

Additionally, if you plan to secure a large backpack to the exterior of your motorcycle, it’s important to ensure that straps don’t hang too low. You can tie them together with a Velcro strap or a zip tie so that it’s not possible for the straps to get caught in the motorcycle chains.

Quality Materials

Motorcycle backpacks should be exceptionally tough and durable, but also resistant to various weather conditions. You want a backpack that will just shed the rain and snow, as opposed to letting everything inside get soaking wet. Especially if you want to have it on your back and not in the trunk when you’re riding.

All of the backpacks featured here are water-resistant to a degree. Some are only suitable for light rains and others are made from fully waterproof materials that could get you through a blizzard. You should pick up a bag that’s suitable for your needs – if you barely ever ride a motorcycle in rainy weather, then there’s no need to pick up a waterproof tarpaulin bag.

Helmet Storage

All the bags featured here have an option for helmet storage, but it differs from pack to pack. Some backpacks have a stretchy front panel, others have compression straps that secure that helmet in place and there are even a few backpacks that just have a single strap you pull through the helmet.

The type of helmet storage impacts the versatility of the backpack. Front stretchy panels are much more versatile than a single compression strap since they can be used to store other times. Which means you can use the motorcycle backpack for other purposes.

Best Motorcycle Backpacks: Our Top Picks

Not quite sure which of these backpacks is the right option for you? Go with one of our top picks, depending on the size and type of motorcycle backpack you need!

If you just want a simple everyday backpack go with the Ogio No Drag Mach 3. It’s a waterproof bag with excellent organizational features and more than enough space for your everyday necessities. The bag also features thick padding in the backpanel and harness, for great carrying comfort.

OGIO No Drag Mach 3 Backpack, 19" H x 12.5" W x 6.5" D, Black
  • Streamlined single shot molded exterior is water resistant and will not deform from wind shear. Shoulder gasket conforms to body and increases aerodynamics. Capacity: 1,350 Cubic Inches expandable to 1,475 Cubic Inches
  • Bolstered back foam profile increases air ventilation. Soft neck shoulder straps increase comfort while riding and will not scratch helmet exterior. 360-degree retro reflective safety piping and logo.

Those of you that would prefer something more versatile might enjoy the Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack. The only thing it lacks is dedicated helmet attachment points, but there are many ways to carry a helmet in the bag. It has multiple compartments and pockets including two laptop sleeves, and it’s so durable that neither weather nor daily wear will easily put a dent in the bag.

Sale
Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack, Stealth Black, One Size
  • Versatile backpack featuring padded side-access sleeve for 17" laptop and brushed media pocket at top for protective storage
  • Front organizer panel and mesh optics pocket

And if you want a backpack you can use for travels on your motorcycle, the 40-liter Nelson Rigg SE is what I would recommend. The tough waterproof exterior of the bag will keep your belongings safe from the weather, while the roomy interior has the capacity of a classic carry-on suitcase.

You also get external pockets, an internal laptop sleeve, and external pockets for those smaller items you want handy.

Nelson-Rigg SE-3040 40 Liter Gear Hurricane 40L Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack , Black
  • Made from durable UV coated 24oz Tarpaulin PVC, with electronically heat welded seams
  • One-way waterproof purge valve makes for compression easy

Head over to Amazon to see the exact prices and more photos of the bags featured in this review.

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