Seatpack

Small but perfectly formed, the SKS Race Bag XS is an ideal way of stowing the absolute essentials for a ride on your bike. It's simple to fit and remove, sturdy, keeps out the weather and doesn't rattle. Only the size might be an issue for you, but if it is larger versions are available.

This 6x4.5 inch seatpack is new from the peculiarly named manufacturer ExSpider, which is better known for car accessories. It looks like a useful pack for essentials, with enough room to carry tools, a spare tube and a couple of energy bars, plus the additional feature of a built-in LED rear light. Problems began to appear when I fitted it to my bike...

For those riding regularly, riding long miles or just plain forgetful a saddle bag like the Pro Maxi is an essential piece of kit. PRO, the accessory arm of Shimano, like its parent company manages to turn out a large amount of very respectable kit and the Maxi saddlebag is no exception. It's a well-made, well proportioned, securely fitting and water resistant pouch for your essentials.

This is a pretty straightforward seatpack that securely straps in place around your saddle rails and seatpost with easy-to-use Velcro fastenings. Our medium sized version (£14.99) swallows up a spare inner tube, multi-tool, puncture repair kit, tyre levers and even an 18cm mini-pump without much trouble – in other words, all the gubbins you’re likely to need to keep you on the road.

Looking at Moore Large’s own brand seatpack, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d travelled back in time some twenty years. There’s no LED tab, a single, expandable compartment and very basic nylon construction but it remains serviceable enough for budget conscious riders needing a big pack.

Thanks to reassuringly solid construction, nice detailing and competitive pricing, Moore Large’s Outeredge branded three-pocket wedge pack will suit budget conscious road and mountain bike riders seeking well-organised and relatively capacious under saddle storage.

The Lezyne L-Caddy is a smart looking seatpack that's large enough for three tubes at a squeeze but narrow enough to never catch on your thighs. It's a great option for long rides, light touring or day adventures. If you are a rider who likes to jump on a bike safe in the knowledge that all kit is conveniently stored beneath your seat then this would be a great option.

Where most seatpacks are fabric-based affairs, the Ortlief Mudracer has a thermoformed semi-hard shell to keep out the elements. If you've got stuff you need to take on a ride, and you need to keep it dry this is the seatpack for you.

The Mudpack's weather protection starts with a  full zip  protected by a silicon rubber flap which pulls down to keep water and debris out. Inside there's a zippered pocket at the top that's just big enough for a phone, and a soft padded main compartment that'll swallow a spare tube, a basic toolkit and some energy bars.