Apidura Backcountry goes big in eco & dropper

May 06, 2024

Employing a new more eco-friendly waterproof fabric that will roll out across the range, Apidura’s latest Backcountry bikepacking bag addition is a larger 10L Saddle Pack to extend your adventure riding further off-road. Developed to work with dropper seatpost on gravel and mountain bikes, the new bag can haul a lot more gear for multi-day trips off the beaten path.

A bigger, dropper-compatible bikepacking saddlebag has been a recurring request both from Apidura’s own sponsored riders and their customers, so now the Backcountry Saddle Pack adds a new 10L option, in addition to the original 4.5L & 6L versions. Apidura has been filling out the Backcountry range to carry more – from the small end like the new mini Frame Pack for full-suspension bikes to this new biggest pack in the off-road family. They’ve even hinted that their Backcountry Hip Pack & Racing Hydration Vest won’t be their only ways to carry more of your bikepacking gear on your body soon…

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After the big overhaul of the Backcountry series two years ago, the more recent Apidura Backcountry launches have looked a bit less consistent as the brand has been dialing in more materials specifically tailored for different functions, it seems. But now we learn with this new Saddle Pack that part of that is also the brand’s drive to move to more environmentally-friendly materials.

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Apidura is working to phase out PFASs – forever chemicals that have been a big part of waterproof fabrics & DWR coatings for decades. So this new bag is the first to use the new dark gray PFAS-free Hexalon Hex-T fabric. The new Hex-T is a fully waterproof TPU-coated nylon that Apidura says is as light & durable as ever. Plus, it is produced much closer to where the bags are manufactured, further cutting down the impacts of shipping.

Of note, the recent mini Frame Pack did not use any of the older lighter-gray VX21 that is being phased out.

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The new saddle bag is bigger than ever, but still dropper-compatible like the other Backcountry packs. The bigger pack goes to two straps around the upper slider of your dropper (6cm in height on the dropper), with a padded spacer around the upper strap, and the optional 76 Projects Dropper Post Collar adapter.

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Other than that, the new bag features the same welded waterproof construction and the already PFAS-free 420D black nylon reinforcement, plus the familiar roll closure, stability straps, and top bungee lash points as Apidura’s other big saddlebags.

The 30-42cm long x 16cm diameter Backcountry Saddle Pack 10L weighs a claimed 377g.

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The new larger 10L Apidura Backcountry Saddle Pack is available now for £129 / $177 / 147€ on its own or £151 / $207 / 172€ with the dropper adapter bracket included. The 4.5L / 6L packs are still available with the current VX21 from £118 / £122, and will gradually get updated with the new fabric once the current versions sell out.

Apidura.com