Hey There! 👋 The Leg or Hip bag is the most bad-ass-looking bag a motorcyclist can get.
I like to be honest with myself when buying stuff and ask myself- why do I need a particular piece of gear? And with Leg bags – I just like the looks.
The second benefit is – additional storage for your wallet, keys, and replacement GoPro batteries. When I go touring I prefer to have all these items on me all the time.
What if you don’t zip up your leg bag and start riding? I’ve done this a few times and my stuff didn’t fall out. A good leg bag is made so that things don’t drop out even if you forget to zip it. A really great leg bag has two safety features like a zipper and a quick pull-over latch. So, if one doesn’t work, the other one still does.
Contents
Benefits you get from using a leg bag
- Easy Access: Hip bags are easily accessible, allowing you to put small quick access items like a wallet, keys, etc.
- Comfort: Leg bags are designed to be worn around your waist or hips, making them more comfortable to carry than backpacks or other types of bags.
- Versatility: You can wear a hip bag when you’re off your bike, making it a versatile accessory.
- Affordability: Hip bags are generally less expensive than other types of bags, making them a cost-effective option.
Cons of using a leg bag:
- Limited Space: Hip bags have limited space, making them unsuitable for carrying larger items.
- Security: It is still less secure than the internal pocket on your jacket. Unless you left your jacket inside your side pannier while walking to the point of interest on jour journey.
- Piece of Mind: If you are afraid that you’ll forget to close it and will lose your documents, etc – don’t buy it.
criteria to Consider when selecting a leg bag
- Size and Storage Capacity: Choose a bag that has enough storage space for your needs.
- Waterproof Capability: Look for bags that are made from waterproof materials.
- Security Features: Consider a bag that has a lockable zipper or other security features. Also, choose a bag that is hard to leave open without noticing it.
- Comfort and Fit: Choose a bag that fits comfortably around your waist and hips and has adjustable straps for a secure fit.
- Visibility Features: Look for reflective elements to enhance your visibility while on the road.
- Material and Durability: Choose a bag made from high-quality materials that can withstand the rigors of the road.
- Brand: Consider reputable brands known for quality motorcycle gear. If you want to trust your documents, wallet with a credit card, and some cash to a poorly designed bag – you are just creating problems for yourself.
Personal preference, your motorcycle ergonomics, your height and weight, and your riding habits will also play a significant role in choosing the right leg bag.
Overall, leg bags are useful for carrying small-sized valuable items on you when you stop for breaks or at a point of interest.
Best Overall
#1 Genda
Capacity: 2 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + click cover
Pockets: 3
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Jeans-like material is durable and nice looking.
✅ Magnetic click cover goes over main and secondary compartments. So if you forget to close the zipper on these compartments – items won’t fall out as you ride. I like this fail-safe feature.
✅ Main compartment is quite big and will easily fit snacks, a large-screen phone, and potentially even a 0.5L water bottle.
⚠️ No secret pocket on the backside.
⚠️ Not Water-resistant or waterproof. Will soak quickly in light rain.
Biggest Capacity Leg Bag
#2 Jueachy
Capacity: 6 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + quick-release cover
Pockets: 7
Waterproof:⚠️ No but is Water-resistant
Reflective Elements:⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Largest Capacity leg bag. It is 3 times bigger compared to the average hip bag.
✅ Has a Watter bottle carry sleeve that attaches to the belt. Surprisingly this is a super convenient way to carry water on a motorcycle.
Usually, I keep a water bottle in my tail bag or tank bag. To drink – I have to get off the bike and open the bag to get out the bottle. However, when it is on my waist, fewer actions are needed from my side to have a drink. Secondly, if I take a break and walk to a point of interest, I won’t forget my water in a tail bag because it is attached to my belt.
It’s not as handy as a dedicated motorcycle hydration backpack though.
✅ Lots of pockets and double closing with zipper and quick-release cover that is hard to forget to close.
✅ Has a compartment for glasses.
⚠️ Too big for commuting in my opinion. I prefer smaller leg bag and bigger tail and tank bags. However, great for traveling when extra luggage space is always a luxury, even if you don’t use it.
Best For Girl
#3 RainboSee Gothic
Capacity: 1.5 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + cover
Pockets: 3
Waterproof: ✅ Yes
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Looks nice (punk look) and has plenty of adjustment in the waist and leg straps. Will fit various body types.
✅ Waterproof. Don’t put it under water but will keep items inside dry while riding in the light rain.
✅ HAs secret pocket on the inside of the leg.
⚠️ Smaller capacity compared to other leg bags in this list.
Best Expandable Leg Bag
#4 ROCKBROS Hard Shell
Capacity: 3 Liters (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper
Pockets: 2
Waterproof: ✅ Mostly yes
Reflective Elements: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Expendable capacity. Has an additional zipper that allows you to unfold the bag to a larger capacity when you need it. Or make it more compact by zipping it back.
✅ Can be equipped in many different ways (hip bag, shoulder bag, or crossbody bag).
✅ Can be mounted as a magnetic tank bag. This bag comes with 4 removable magnets that can be inserted into specific pockets turning it into the tank bag. Note that magnets won’t work if your bike’s tank is aluminum or plastic. However, It can also be strapped to the bike without magnets. Also, it will scratch your tank’s paint unless you ceramic coat it or apply protective vinyl or other stickers.
✅ Has a hidden pocket on the backside accessible only if you take it off.
⚠️ Zipper is easy to forget to close and start riding leading to the potential loss of valuable items like a waller or phone. I prefer the hip bag to have an additional pullover latch or additional fail-safe that will bounce on air as I ride so I can quickly notice that the bag is not closed.
Best Vintage Leg Bag
#5 Canvas
Capacity: 2 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + magnetic cover
Pockets: 5
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Due to the magnetic cover you won’t lose items even if you forget to close the zipper.
✅ The bag has a sturdy shape that adds to longevity.
✅ The bag has lots of compartments for different-sized items including a glasses compartment.
✅ The bag can be used as a shoulder bag or a fanny pack.
⚠️ The straps are not long enough for an overweight person.
My second pick
#6 Larswon
Capacity: 2 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + velcro cover
Pockets: 4
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Many pockets to organize your items. Has a secret pocket on the backside for important documents. Also, one of the pockets on the front has double closing with a zipper and a velcro cover – I would use this one for my wallet.
⚠️ The leg strap has little adjustment and was found short by many users.
⚠️ Not water-resistant, will soak easily under light rain.
⚠️ There were reports of poor build quality and velcro strap falling off.
Worth Mentioning
#7 SEALINF
Capacity: 2.5 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper + velcro cover
Pockets: 4
Waterproof: ⚠️ No (Water-resistant)
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Zipper openings are smaller than pockets. This means that it is hard to wiggle larger size items inside the pocket even though the pocket is large enough. However, this is a good thing in my opinion since it makes it harder to make items fall out even if you forget to close the zipper.
✅ Good value for the price.
⚠️ Velcro is not very powerful and may open and flap at speeds.
⚠️ Bag is larger than expected in real life. The waist and leg buckles may be too big or small if you are bigger or smaller than average.
Worth Mentioning
#8 AULUDA
Capacity: 2 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper
Pockets: 4
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Reflective Elements: ⚠️ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Convenient for commuting and daily use. Can be used as a shoulder bag.
✅ Has an opening to drive a wire through. Not really useful unless you want to charge your phone inside and use a motorcycle USB charger for that.
✅ Has a secret pocket on the backside.
⚠️ The imprint fades quickly, especially if the bag gets wet.
Worth Mentioning
#9 WOSAWE
Capacity: 2 Litres (approx.)
Enclosure type: Zipper
Pockets: 2
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Reflective Elements: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Simple bag with 2 pockets. Will fit the iPad mini in the main compartment.
⚠️ There are reports of waist straps failing after 2 months of use.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s for an upcoming tour, a casual weekend ride, or your daily commute, pick the leg bag that suits you best from my selection and get the comfort, convenience, and style that come with it.
Leg bag adds the convenience of carrying essential items like wallets, keys, and batteries close by. It gives you quick access to these items while on the move.
While there are a few cons, such as limited storage and less security compared to internal jacket pockets, the versatility, comfort, and affordability of these bags make them a practical and cost-effective tool.
Consider factors like storage capacity, waterproof capabilities, and fit, as well as visibility features.
From the Genda with its balance between size, features, and price. The Jueachy with its large capacity and a water bottle carry sleeve, the RainboSee‘s punk looks and waterproofing, to the ROCKBROS‘s expandability and multiple mounting options, there is something for everyone’s tastes and needs.
Remember, safety and comfort should always be your priority when riding. So, make your choice wisely and ride on!
