Restrap Saddle Bag vs Salsa EXP Seatpack

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

The short answer

The Saddle Bag takes capacity, how far it reaches back and tire clearance; the EXP Seatpack takes weight, price and value per litre. The biggest single gap is $67.99000000000001 between them. Which of those you care about depends on the frame you are fitting it to.

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

6 of the 6 things we can measure come out differently.

Capacity

1L more in the Saddle Bag
Restrap Saddle Bag
14L
Salsa EXP Seatpack
13L

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.

Reach behind the saddle

4cm shorter on the Saddle Bag
Restrap Saddle Bag
46cm
Salsa EXP Seatpack
50cm

Length is the lever arm on the seatpost, and the longer lever is what makes a loaded pack sway. Shorter is easier to live with; longer usually means more volume. It is a trade, not a fault.

Depth

2cm shallower on the Saddle Bag
Restrap Saddle Bag
20cm
Salsa EXP Seatpack
22cm

Depth is what competes with the rear tire once the pack sags under load. On a small frame or a big tire this is the measurement that decides it.

Weight

135g lighter on the EXP Seatpack
Restrap Saddle Bag
535g
Salsa EXP Seatpack
400g

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

$67.99000000000001 between them
Restrap Saddle Bag
$207.99
Salsa EXP Seatpack
$140

Manufacturer's price as we hold it.

Per litre

$4.09 per litre between them
Restrap Saddle Bag
$14.86
Salsa EXP Seatpack
$10.77

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.

Restrap Saddle BagSalsa EXP Seatpack
Capacity14L13L
Reach behind the saddle46cm50cm
Depth20cm22cm
Weight535g400g
Price$207.99$140
Per litre$14.86$10.77
Restrap
Saddle Bag
$207.99 · 535g

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Salsa
EXP Seatpack
$140 · 400g

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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