Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC vs Topeak MidLoader 4.5L

Two frame bags, measured against each other on the figures that decide whether they work on a bike.

The short answer

The Topeak MidLoader 4.5L is ahead on capacity, weight, price and value per litre. Nothing measured here goes the other way.

Assembled from the differences below rather than written over them. Every figure is a published measurement or computed from one — nobody here has used either one.

Where they differ

4 of the 5 things we can measure come out differently.

Capacity

0.5L more in the MidLoader 4.5L
Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC
4L
Topeak MidLoader 4.5L
4.5L

The maker's own figure. Worth reading alongside the dimensions below rather than on its own — two bags of the same litreage can want very different frames.

Weight

55g lighter on the MidLoader 4.5L
Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC
250g
Topeak MidLoader 4.5L
195g

Empty weight as published. Worth holding against capacity rather than alone — the lighter bag is not the better one if it carries a third less.

Price

$72 between them
Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC
$150
Topeak MidLoader 4.5L
$78

Manufacturer's price as we hold it.

Per litre

$20.17 per litre between them
Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC
$37.50
Topeak MidLoader 4.5L
$17.33

Price divided by the maker's capacity. A crude measure that still catches the case where the dearer bag is also the bigger one, which the price alone hides.

Side by side

Including the rows where they are level.

Ortlieb Frame-Pack RCTopeak MidLoader 4.5L
Capacity4L4.5L
Frames it fits346 of 347 sizes — 100%347 of 347 sizes — 100%
Weight250g195g
Price$150$78
Per litre$37.50$17.33
Ortlieb
Frame-Pack RC
$150 · 250g
Topeak
MidLoader 4.5L
$78 · 195g

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