There’s is not a lot of storage space on a motorcycle. If you want to bring anything with you on your bike, you’d usually want to wear some kind of bag. Riders have lots of luggage to choose from; saddlebags and tank bags, to backpacks and waist bags. Some are more practical than others but one piece of motorcycle luggage is actually a bit better-rounded than the rest.
Motorcycle leg bags are small drop-down bags that a rider can fasten securely to their legs. These bags come in a variety of styles and types. Classic leg bags were made from leather but modern ones are made from strong synthetic materials ranging from canvass to nylon to textile.
Tip: The best motorcycle leg bag for its price is the Cucyma Knight leg bag (Amazon). It has a waterproof compartment, is inexpensive and big enough to fit all your important belongings for the ride.
Why would a rider need a leg bag?
Motorcycle jackets and pants focus on safety and comfort. They don’t necessarily focus on practicality so a lot of jackets and pants, in general, don’t have much storage space. Even a wallet may have some trouble finding room for itself in motorcycle specific clothing. Furthermore, a lot of motorcycle gear isn’t waterproof. Some do have waterproof capabilities and waterproof pockets but sometimes they still leak after a few minutes of riding in heavy rain. I wouldn’t want to keep my cellphone in there. This is where leg bags come in.
A motorcycle leg bag not only adds storage capability but also adds security and utility. Most motorcycle leg bags in the market today are all waterproof. Leg bag manufacturers focus on utility and the practicality aspect of the ride that’s why they guarantee that their leg bags are waterproof. If you get the chance to inspect a leg bag, you’ll see that this is true. A lot of leg bags are constructed with waterproof material. Not only that, but they are also given a waterproof coating to ensure that everything stays dry. Most leg bags have also adopted a roll-top enclosure adding even more waterproof capability.
Also, motorcycle leg bags add security. Unlike a backpack or a sling bag, leg bags give you more security from pickpockets. Since the bag is right beside you (some riders even position leg bags a bit to the front), you’d have eyes on the bag at all times.
What to store in a leg bag?
Motorcycle leg bags may come in a large variety but they are generally small. The largest leg bags can store up to just about 10 liters of space. These bags aren’t for storing huge and heavy items but instead for small to average-sized items that a rider may need constant and easy access to.
Motorcycle leg bags give riders the ability to store and have easy access to small and frequently utilized items like a cellphone, a wallet, a driver’s license, and registration papers. Additional things that are great to have in a leg bag include a small snack, a small beverage bottle, spare change, keys, a flashlight, and even a small first aid kit.
Are motorcycle leg bags safe?
Safety is the number one concern when riding a motorcycle and some people say that because leg bags are something that attaches to the rider, they’re an added risk because the rider would have to constantly be mindful of the leg bag, and therefore may become distracted. This could not be farther from the truth.
Most motorcycle leg bags come with two straps to make sure that the bag is cinched tight and secure. The main strap actually wraps around the riders waist and the other straps tighten around the thigh. This dual strap system ensures that the leg bag doesn’t move and stays securely strapped to the rider’s leg regardless of the driving style and situation.
It’d be quite unlikely that a leg bag would cause a rider any harm but riders should still take caution on what they store in their leg bags. I recall an incident I heard of a rider who had crashed and a screwdriver that he was carrying in his backpack had impaled his lower back.
Leg bag or waist pack?
Another light, simple, and practical type of motorcycle luggage are waist bags or waist packs. These are basically fanny packs for motorcycle riders and are in most ways a lot similar to a leg bag. Both bags provide storage, both bags have the availability of waterproofing, both bags add security, and both bags are great for all motorcycle riders. But which one is better?
Most people would probably tell you that wearing a fanny pack is asking to commit social suicide but you can’t deny the fact that it’s one of the most useful types of bags in the market today.
Waist packs are hands-free
Because fanny packs are in front, it’s like having someone hold your things for you. A leg bag hangs to the side and is only really useful for one hand so some people might think that waist bags are better in this aspect. Waist packs give you the added benefit of being able to use both your hands.
Fanny packs are actually a little more secure than leg bags
Again, because waist packs are in front, it would be pretty hard for someone to sneak up on you and unzip your bag. Though leg bags give you the same security, they are positioned a little bit to the side making you a tad bit more vulnerable than someone who’s using a fanny pack.
Leg bags are bigger
Leg bags are bigger than most waist bags in general. The biggest waist bags would probably only be the same size as an average-sized leg bag. So if waist bags can fit a wallet and a phone, leg bags can fit your wallet, car keys, house keys, phone, tools, iPad, child, motorcycle, pet cat, hiking boots, grandparents, and, well, you get the picture.
Leg bags are more resistance to wear
A large portion of people who use leg bags is involved in some kind of sport or the outdoors. For this reason, a leg bag’s construction is usually more durable than that of waist bags. Most leg bags are made from an extremely durable and lightweight canvass material that, on its own, is already water-resistant. This means that on average, leg bags are actually more versatile.
Check leg bags out
Some of the best leg bags in the market include the Knight Leg Bag from CUCYMA and the Dainese Leg Bag.
CUCYMA Knight Leg Bag
The Knight Leg bag (check features on Amazon) is constructed from a durable canvass material and comes with two cinch straps to securely fit the bag onto your legs. The Knight bag also comes with one main waterproof compartment and two smaller compartments in front. It also has reflective piping for added visibility during night rides.
Dainese Leg Bag
The Dainese Leg Bag (check features on Amazon) is also a great solution for storing your keys, ID, wallet, cellphone, and other essential small items. The Dainese Leg Bag is slim and comes with an organization panel with zippers. It also has soft inserts in the bag to help with organization, an adjustable strap with a belt buckle, a key holder, and reflective inserts for visibility.
Personal experience
I personally don’t use leg bags. I ride my motorcycle wherever I go and motorcycles are starting to become the only form of transport for me. I ride my bike to the mall, the store, to work, everywhere basically. I didn’t wear a leg bag, though. I prefer wearing a backpack on the daily because it doesn’t stand out as much as a leg bag. Given that, I have worn leg bags on longer trips and for me, this is where they shine.
When I started going on longer rides across the country, I started to appreciate the practicality that leg bags give. A backpack is great for commuting around town but when I rode for 4-6 hours straight, my backpack started to feel heavier with each rest stop. I’d have to take my heavy backpack on and off each and every time I wanted to get something inside. I started to use a tank bag on longer trips to relieve my shoulders but tank bags are small so I paired them with a tail bag. Still, I found myself going through the hassle of rummaging in my bag to look for something I needed.
It was at that point that I gave leg bags a try and never looked back. Leg bags are extremely practical on a long trip. There are lots of checkpoints and toll places in my country so having my license, ID, and wallet all in one easy-to-access location was a big help. Whenever I needed anything, I’d just look down and unzip my leg bag; no more rummaging through a crowded tank bag, no more cumbersome backpacks. If I needed something, I had it within seconds.
