The new Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag is the company’s first foray into larger, unsupported bags that can be attached at the front or rear of the bike. Featuring an internal aluminum frame, large external pockets, and quality consistent with the rest of their products, this bar bag isn’t just another run-of-the-mill top loader…

If you’re familiar with the family of Outer Shell products, you’ll know they’ve never offered a large, unsupported bag. Save for their basket bag, most of Outer Shell’s product line has focused on smaller offerings that can be run without support or mounting hardware. With the new Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag, the small US-maker is entering the deep pool of large-capacity top-loading bags—but doing it their own way. With an internal, laser-cut aluminum frame, the Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag seemingly has all the benefits of a rack-less saddle bag, but without the hassle or potential danger of a drooping, unstructured bag.

With a main body made of either 1000D Cordura or ECOPAK EPLX600 fabric, the Mega Bar Bag weighs in at 1 pound and 15 ounces, is 8” long, 10” wide, 8.5” tall (with a 6” expandable drawcord section), and has a storage capacity between 10.6 and 18.5L, based on the position of the top flap. Retailing between $280 to $310, depending on your choice of fabric, Outer Shell’s Mega Bar Bag is at the pricier end of the saddle bag market, albeit consistent with those made in the USA.

Having owned a number of their products, it’s good to see Outer Shell expand their product line to a well-trodden design. Adding what appears to be a lightweight solution to a consistent issue with large-capacity top-loaders is the kind of thoughtfulness I’ve come to expect from the small team at Outer Shell, and it’s a genuine difference to what is currently on the market.

Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag

With accompanying accouterments that only add to their design like extra-long extendable straps, a tire clearance cut out with a tire rub skid plate, and D-ring attachments for shoulder straps, it seems like they’ve really considered this product before simply trying to compete with other options. Consistent with the rest of their products, Outer Shell made an in-depth video showing ideal use case, design elements, and much more:

For more on the Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag, visit OuterShell.com.

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