The Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag is very compact, but also very tough. It’s designed to hold an inner tube plus a few essential tools on top for roadside emergencies. It has impressive waterproofing and its wide Velcro strap stays put, but those using wider inner tubes may need a larger size.
> Buy now: Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag for £20.04 from Lord Gun Bicycles
The Zefal Z Road Pack is very well made. The Polyester 420DD is the same stuff used for other, more obviously waterproof things, like kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and dinghies. It’s got very tough stitching throughout and the toggled, waterproof zip feels strong.
There is a second layer of waterproofing on the inside, as well as a little divider to keep pokey tools away from inner tubes, as well as a little elasticated area for really slim stuff such as puncture patches, tweezers and cash. The Velcro on the hook and loop strap is also generous. It’s all very high quality and I think it will last a long time. Certainly, there was very little wear in the few months I was testing it.
With a capacity of 0.35 litres, space in the Z Road is very tight. With a 20-28mm range inner tube – which is very narrow in today’s era of ever-fatter tyres – I just about managed to include a slim multitool, one tyre lever, one CO2 cartridge plus inflator, and a few patches. Zefal says I should also be able to fit two levers, but I felt this was straining the zip too much, so opted to keep one of them in my pocket.
You could fit a couple of very compact TPU tubes, such as the small Tubolitos, plus tools.
If you are using a bigger inner tube, such as a 28-38mm, then that size of tube will fill up the entire saddlepack. You’ll then need to compromise by shifting either the tube or the tools to your jersey pocket. In that scenario, you are better off going for the next size up in the range. Fortunately, Zefal does a bigger size, with 0.6 litres of space. It’s called the “off-road” version, but many road bikes use tubes over 28mm these days.
The Z Road is impressively waterproof. Zefal states it is 100% waterproof – a bold claim. I was careful to make sure the toggled waterproof zip was deep in its little zip garage hidey hole, and I didn’t detect a drop of water ingress over the course of some really grotty, mudguard-less rides. I even added some tissue paper and kept it under a running tap for a few minutes while washing my bike. Amazingly, it remained dry. It also wipes clean in seconds. There’s no need to remove it from your bike when washing or hosing it down.
Weight wise, at 86 grams, It’s a teeny bit heavier than other, comparable, but not as waterproof bags. I think the few grams extra weight is well worth it for the waterproofing.
The wide Velcro strap stays put in use, so long as you don’t overload the pack with too big a tube or so many tools that it starts bulging. The Velcro is a nice generous length too. I’m normally pretty paranoid of single loop packs coming loose, but I had no issues.
The Zefal logo on the bag looks like it’s reflective, but actually isn’t, which feels like a missed opportunity for an easy safety feature. It’s got a flat surface that would take some 3M reflective tape easily enough for you to add your own though.
Value
The Z Road offers great value, considering how well made and waterproof it is. Looking around, you can certainly spend considerably more.
> Cycling emergency essentials: the 10 things you should take with you on every ride
Neil found the Silca Mattone (£45) had the best fastening system he’d ever tried, with a BOA dial, but it wasn’t fully waterproof.
Stu liked the Restrap Tool Pouch for its durability and build quality – another pricier option at £32. I’ve owned this one myself and it will carry a bit more than the Z Road. I was able to fit several CO2 cartridges and a chain breaker as well. However I think the Z Road has better waterproofing and a much better Velcro strap.
The Topeak Elementa Seatbag M is probably the closest competitor with a similar form and strap. We tested the 0.5 litre version and found it a tough little seatpack and it’s good value at £20.
Conclusion
The Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag is tough and well made with superb levels of waterproofing, and represents great value compared to its peers. However, if you need to carry inner tubes wider than 28mm then you’ll struggle to fit much else in. The lack of reflectives also count against it a little.
Verdict
Tough, good value saddlebag with impressive waterproofing, but short on internal space
> Buy now: Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag for £20.04 from Lord Gun Bicycles
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag
Size tested: 0.35L
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Zefal Z Road Pack is a very compact, but also very tough little saddle pack, designed to hold an inner tube plus a few essential tools on top for roadside emergencies. Zefal claims it to be 100% waterproof. I was keen to test out what I could fit in its compact form, whether the single velcro strap would stay put, and if it was truly as waterproof as claimed.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Wide hook-and-loop strap,
Waterproof Polyester 420D TPU construction (The same stuff stand-up paddleboards, tents and life jackets are made from)
Waterproof zip and zip garage
0.35 litre capacity
Max load 1 kilogram
Very well made. The Polyester 420DD is the same stuff used for waterproof things like kayaks, stand up paddleboards and dinghies. There is very tough stitching throughout and the waterproof zip feels well made. The Velcro on the hook and loop strap is pretty generous. There is a second layer of waterproofing on the inside, as well as a little divider to keep pokey tools away from inner tubes, as well as a little elasticated area for the likes of puncture patches, tweezers, cash etc.
It’s all very high quality and I think it will last a long time. There was very little wear in the few months I was testing it.
Only narrow inner tubes, or TPU tubes can be used, if you want to fit tools in as well.
If you are using a bigger inner tube, such as a 28-38mm range, then that size of tube will fill up the entire saddlepack. You’ll need to comprimise by shifting either the tube, or the tools to your jersey pocket. In this case you are better off going for the next size up in the range – Zefal do a bigger size, with 0.6 litres of space. They call it the “off-road” version, but many road bikes use tubes over 28mm these days.
The Z Road is impressively waterproof. It wipes clean in seconds.
The Velcro strap stays put, as long as you don’t overload the pack with too large a tube or too many tools.
The Zefal logo on the bag looks like it is reflective, but actually isn’t.
Feels extremely durable, with a very tough 420D TPU construction so it is very tough. There is a generous amount of Velcro, which showed no signs of wear during testing, and it can be snugged up very tightly. Very well made.
At just 86g I didn’t notice it. Its a tiny bit heavier than less waterproof alternatives, but I will take the extra waterproofing any day of the week.
I never noticed it on the bike, so full marks here.
Excellent value, especially for how rugged and waterproof it is.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
As long as you keep to narrow inner tubes, i.e. in the 20mm to 28mm range, or TPU tubes, then appropriately chosen tools will also squeeze in. Bigger inner tubes will take up too much space though. Go for the “off road” version if you need more space.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The tough construction, the exceptional waterproofing, and the great value price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
It is compromised if you’re trying to fit bigger inner tubes in. Modern road bikes seem to feature ever wider tyres, so inner tubes will in many cases be too big for the Z Road. Consider the next size up if you regularly carry tubes for wider tyres over 28mm.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The Z Road is great value for how well made and waterproof it is. Looking around, you can certainly spend considerably more. Neil found the Silca Mattone (£45) had the best fastening system he’d ever tried, with a BOA dial, but it wasn’t fully waterproof.
Stu liked the Restrap Tool Pouch for its durability and build quality, another pricier option at £32. I’ve owned this one myself and it will carry a bit more than the Z Road. I was able to fit several CO2 cartridges and a chain breaker as well. However, I think the Z road has better waterproofing and a better Velcro strap.
The Topeak Elementa Seatbag M is probably the closest competitor to the Zefal Z Road with a similar form and strap. We tested the 0.5 litre version and found it a tough little seatpack. It’s good value at £20.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Only if they have a road bike that takes thinner size tubes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Zefal Z Road Pack is well made, with a rugged construction that handles the worst weather. Waterproofing is superb, and as long as you only use inner tubes up to 28mm wide, you can fit in some useful extra tools. Those with more modern, wider tyre road bikes, may need to consider the next size up.
About the tester
Age: 43 Height: 181 Weight: 92 Kilos
I usually ride: GT Grade My best bike is: Boardman ASR 8.9
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Zwifting, Mywhoosh
