Blackburn Outpost Elite Frame Bag – Is it really waterproof?! I found out the answer the hard way! Specs
Capacity
3.65L (Medium Short), 5.15L (Medium Tall)
Dimensions
406.4 x 279mm (Medium Short), 406.4 x 304.8mm (Medium Tall)
Mounting Options
Hook and loop straps
Product Weight
246 grams
Water Resistance
Waterproof I had high hopes for the Blackburn Outpost Elite Frame Bag but unfortunately it failed in two pretty big ways. So I thought I would make a video in hopes that it might save someone from the same frustrations I experienced. So my next Frame Bag will be a custom made bag from a company called Rogue Panda, stay tuned for that!
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Blackburn Outpost Elite Frame Bag – https://www.blackburndesign.com/p/outpost-elite-medium-bike-frame-bag/350170000100000071.html
10 Comments
Too bad for the Blackburn frame bag. Good to know though for those who might have considered buying one. By the way, I fixed my Apidura saddle bag with the help of customer service and bought a carbon seat post to replace my Redshift suspension seat post for my trips. The 35mm travel of the seat post was mostly responsible for the collapse of the nose of the bag. My Apidura should be good to go now. If not, in a near future, I will buy the Revelate Design Terrapin 14l. I had a fantastic exchange with one of the owner via emails. Anyway, I thought you would appreciate the outcome. Take care Dean.
I had a Blackburn non Elite frame bag and top tube bag a few years ago, both failed when the zippers broke. I may have been a little too rough on the gear but never really thought about getting anything Blackburn again.
I made my own frame bags for a while now. I think a custom fitted frame bag looks so neat. But to be honest my zippers also broke, so I am thinking about having a roll top frame bag made.
I never had a truly rainproof frame bag. Would be great. I tried some ultralight dry bags but they can’t handle a real downpour or a night out in the rain.
Cheers, Dennis.
I love my Rogue Panda frame bag. Yes it was expensive. It does have 2 compartments on the drive side and a skinny one for like phones, snacks maps whatever. I'm glad I got the Rogue Panda bag! it saved a lot of time just getting that bag so I didn't have to try a whole bunch of bags like you did. Thanks for all you videos buddy!!
I have never been a fan of frame bags, and this serves to explain one reason why. Other reasons include that I would absolutely hate to have a bulging bag between my legs, and I much prefer to carry a couple of good sized water bottles and my frame pump inside the frame triangle. Also I would absolutely avoid using anything with a zipper to hold anything that I valued. I have seen many zippers fail and/or leak when used on outdoor gear and all of my kit is Ortlieb which has no zippers at all (apart from a couple of internal slit-pockets with zippers).
I just watch a guy that had there seam sealed bags and one completely fell apart after just 3 days touring in Alaska he had to tape up with grollia tape .. i have about 7 bags from different brands all seam sealed failed only 2 brands survived over the last 8 years …
For me small cottage companies that make custom frame bags are the best exsmaple bike bag dude jpacs and meritgear in Europe . There gear last forever
A good review and very useful. I use an Apidura frame bag but have no issues with it being waterproof. It stands up to heavy rain here in Thailand even in Monsoons and keeps everything bone dry. It has two flaps that cover the zips for extra protection. I also have a frame bag with two compartments and the Velcro is super strong and does the job of keeping the two compartments separated very well. Take care and have a great time in California. JP
I had Relevate Ripio full frame bag and I also got some water in the bottom of the bag after heavy rain. My guess it could be from water splashing from the front wheel (which is usally a high pressure especially when descending) in the bottom of the bag (not even fender can help protect that area).
Great review Dean, its always a real pity when bags just don't cut it. My budget paniers are really bad, as you'd expect – they work for me on day rides but my Ortlieb are awesome for keeping the rain out. I still put electronics inside a ziplock but that's just added insurance!
Bob…
I love my revelate designs frame bag. All I usually carry in it is my apidura triangular water bladder. I have a shallow pocket on the non drive side that carries my phone. Mine also has that “Velcro divider” that also doesn’t work, but I never wanted to have compartments. Mine has been bombproof.