Revelate, originally Epic Designs, the OG of frame bags, was issued a cease and desist letter from Specialized, because Specialized claimed they owned the word ‘Epic’ in the bike world. Epic Designs, to small to fight an international company, changed to Revelate.

Thanks for laying out your experience. I have 200+ days' riding, 14000+ road miles, with Apidura's zippered accessory bag on the front of their handlebar bag. They work very well for me (no zipper problems) but the handlebar bag is difficult to remove/replace, so the Revelate holster style interests me. Ortlieb handlebar bag remove/replace seems easier than Apidura's, and they do support a zippered accessory bag too, and they have the standoff spacers that will probably avoid the abrasion problem I had with my Apidura bag, so I will consider switching to Ortlieb handlebar bag and accessory bag. I have 150+ days' riding on a zippered Ortlieb toptube frame pack, with no zipper problems. Kev, consider the possibility that your zipping technique is overly powerful or insufficiently subtle. I rode with Revelate toptube framepack for a while; I loved its dual side zippers and its inner divider, but it was not waterproof enough for where I ride (across the northern USA). I switched to Ortlieb toptube framepack and added some inner division by getting a couple of cheap cosmetics pouches at Walmart to help organize the contents.

This has put me right off Apidura! Nice to hear real opinions from someone who has clearly used the products in the video. Too many reviews from people who have just taken things out of the packaging. Thank you!

Did you try Restrap? U.K. based company. I'm all with you on the "" harness & drybag" over "stuck to the bike" bags, and am also not charmed by the looks of Revelate...

the biggest takeaway i have from this review is that i chose well in buying a rockgeist roll top frame bag because your experiences with zippers sound like a nightmare

Im very disappointed with Oertlib stuff

Ahhh. I feel you on zippers. It's not just bags. My OR jackets have failed twice because of zippers. I have 2 or 3 backpacks that are done because of zippers. It's now the #1 thing I look for in new outdoor gear: a heavy zipper that will stand up.

Great reviews! I love your critical evaluation of both the customer service and endurance of these products. I've had excellent experience with both Revelate and Ortlieb products (sans zippers). Recently, I've come across Tailfin products and gotta say that for any serious pikepacker or commuter, these have to be considered. Hope you can review some of the Tailfin products.

Tailfin is King. The carbon fiber support eliminates sway when out of the saddle. Plus it has aero gains over other designs. Revolate for food pouch and top tube.

The Revelate Feedbag is also way better.

great to get a non-embassador review, thank you. I think this is the only way forward for unbiased reviews.... 👌

Great review and love the energy you bring. Feels different to other bikepacking channels - very refreshing!

Great honest review. Much appreciated the time you spent on creating this video.

Have an Apidura frame pack from the Expedition series, it lives on my bike permanently. Carries the TexLock, all the tools and a spare tube just in case my tubeless setup completely gives up on me. Then it gets stuffed on shopping commutes, or on longer weekend rides. Haven’t had an issue with the zipper at all. That being said, with the bolt on top tube from the same collection I did have an issue. If the zipper is not closed snug, it will let some water in, which I luckily learned while washing the bike with the bag being empty. Learned how to close it properly and no issues whatsoever. Their racing series has a top tank with a flap like Revelate, and it is hands down my favorite. I replaced it because I wanted my bags to match. On the topic of Ortlieb and zippers, they have a frame pack with roll-top closure that looks great in black with orange details. Also a top tank with a magnetic flap, but damn the thing is ugly!

Great video. Open close, open close. That was killing me. You really nailed it on this break down. Thanks much. I’ve used used both ortlieb and revelate and it’s great stuff

I've seen a few videos of yours by now, and really my compliments! Great videos, love your honest and enthausiastic personality, and a lot of valuable (like I said, honest) information! Thanks!!

A good angle to take for the evaluation, Kev. I agree that Ortlieb has fantastic customer service as they replaced my commuter pannier after it started to unstitch after 4 years. For bikepacking I've gone down the Topeak route which has been pretty satisfactory.

Great video. My wife and I are preparing for our first long bike pack and are researching gear. Your video gives a good overview of the pros and cons of each bag and will influence our purchases. Thanks

Absolutely love the Ortlieb bags. I have the handlebar and seat pack. I use the seat pack for my sleep set up. It fits my bag, pad and pillow easily. Even a puffy coat too. Waterproof, durable... great stuff.

Great review- well-founded, honest and fun at the same time!