The problem with the 5L Restrap Switch Pannier is that I have no complaints about any aspect of its design, build or even styling. So now what am I going to talk about? The weather? Oh great, these are waterproof, so even that’s not relevant. Damn you, Restrap, with your thoroughly excellent bags people should just merrily buy.
> Buy now: Restrap Switch Pannier for £58 from Balfe’s
These do exactly what they promise to do – securely carry stuff and keep it dry – and they do it really, really well. They’re very easy to pack and unpack (the bright orange, seam-sealed liner gives good contrast for finding things), plus the roll-top is quick; secure once clipped together; and makes a great handle.
The mounting is excellent too, though it does require bolted bosses on your fork or rack. One half of the injection-moulded bracket goes on the forks with the bolts provided, while the other is already bolted to a large plate inside the bag. The plate spreads the weight and maintains the shape, so your luggage can’t sag towards the wheel or brakes.
The bag simply slides into the fork bracket and locks into a catch, and despite being so easy to remove (push a large tab) it stays solidly, securely in place as you ride. It really is easy to use, and the wide top opening makes rummaging for stuff while the bag’s still attached an absolute breeze.
Switch Multi Mount
As a brief aside, Restrap has thought a little further, and sells the Switch Multi Mount – with a much slimmer ‘accessory side’ bracket – as a standalone for £14.99. The idea is you mount pretty much any bottle-cage type accessory on that half, and fit/remove it as needed. Alternatively, if you have more than one you can almost instantly (and toollessly) customise what’s attached to your frame for each ride.
Due to the width of the Switch’s receiver half, mini-pump brackets can be marginal for clearance, but all the ones I tried worked. Also, while the mount’s 2cm stack height adds useful space between a fork bag and the big spinny bits near the forks (stop me if I get too technical), that extra 2cm is far less useful within the frame. If you run a small frame, or like both a bottle and a frame bag, you may run into clearance issues.
If you’re always changing your accessories to suit different rides, this standalone mount is ideal. It’s more than up to carrying the heaviest extras, and £15 seems fair for the quality and performance. Anyway… back to the main review.
This bag is my bag, baby
I haven’t said much about the bag itself, but again Restrap has left me little to criticise, so yeah, THANKS for that. Sheesh.
The two outer fabrics are tough-feeling and waterproof, while the inner lining (as mentioned previously) is both bright and seam-sealed against water. Restrap says three rolls of the top make it watertight, though obviously you can do more. I found it effortlessly kept rain and spray out, and even shrugged off ten minutes of simulated typhoon under the shower.
Excess air tends to huff out as you roll the top (the stiffener leaves each end open as vents), so there’s no need for a valve to release it. The solid mount means there’s no need to adjust any straps if the bag gets fuller or saggier, either.
The plastic buckle feels tough, and you get four small webbing loops for strapping on further cargo. You might think 5L of internal capacity isn’t that much, but the Switch Pannier is rated to a decent 3kg, and even that is limited by the bolts rather than the bag or mount. Most bottle bosses are only rated, according to Restrap, to 1.5kg per bolt.
To give you an idea, this easily held my spares and tools, a waterproof and a gilet, plus my phone, keys and snacks without being stuffed.
With the bag right down by the axle (depending on your fork bosses, though you get around 2cm of vertical adjustment), the effect on handling is minimal, even if you’re just running one. It’s a great way to carry your essentials and/or more, and the obvious quality of the materials and construction of all its parts means I’ve no concerns over this bag surviving grim conditions, heavy use or crashes.
Oh, and they have Made In UK tags as they’re hand-built in Yorkshire. I’m no mindless flag-waver, but that’s a good thing to see on something so impressive. Or at all. But mostly on something impressive.
Value
You could spend less than £64.99 elsewhere, but for the quality and performance here it’s an entirely reasonable price. You also get a lifetime warranty on the materials and workmanship, so if anything did go wrong Restrap would cover the cost of repair or replacement. Personally, I think you’re getting great value here.
The Topeak Fork Drybag 4L is obviously slightly smaller, but it’s less than half the price at £29.99. It’s entirely waterproof, a nice slim shape and also rated to 3kg. It’s really good. It needs strapping on (and restrapping, ironically…) each time, however, and while it’s shaped to fit Topeak’s bolt-on Versacage, that’s another £24.99 and still relies on you using straps. It takes longer to fit each time, and accessing the bag really requires you to unstrap it.
If you want more capacity, something like the Altura Thunderstorm City Waterproof Cycling Pannier will get you plenty at 20L, though obviously it’s for racks. It’s also waterproof and only £10 more at £75, though our reviewer wasn’t entirely convinced overall.
At the other extreme you could get a reasonable amount of cargo into a handlebar bag, such as Oxford’s excellent Aqua Evo Adventure Daytripper Pack. This is waterproof, really well designed and has a good strong build, and it’s £29.99. At 3.5L it’s a chunk smaller, though it’s still big enough for emergency essentials, an extra layer and some snacks. The Restrap is way easier and more convenient to use, though, and obviously carries more stuff.
Overall
This works really well and is made really well. You can carry a similar amount of stuff for less money, sure, but not with anything like the easy convenience here, and not with the same confidence in its longevity either. This Restrap is excellent.
Verdict
Fantastic design, build and performance make this a very easy choice
> Buy now: Restrap Switch Pannier for £58 from Balfe’s
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Restrap Switch Panniers 5L (must be reviewed with Switch Multi Mount £14.99)
Size tested: One
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?
Restrap says: “Designed for adventure, convenient for the commute, our Restrap Switch Pannier is the perfect partner for those who like to carry more, or simply prefer a pannier system to bikepacking bags. They are also ideal for smaller bikes with less clearance for saddle and bar bags. Simply attach to your fork bosses or any compatible rack.
“The Restrap Switch Pannier combines durable, waterproof external fabrics to create an extremely hardwearing, easy to clean outer. Paired with a fully seam-sealed inner, you can be confident that the contents will stay dry; whether it’s your sleeping bag or work shirt.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
100% waterproof
Roll top closure
Hiplok x Restrap switch modular fitting system
Reflective webbing details
Max load 1.5kg per boss (check fork manufacturer)
Handmade in Yorkshire
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Extremely well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The quality is obviously high and they’re very easy to use.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s around the middle of the range for luggage of this size.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This bag does everything it’s supposed to, and does it really well. It’s very easy to use, performance is excellent, and in the extremely unlikely event it doesn’t last a lifetime, it has a lifetime guarantee anyway. It’s excellent.
About the tester
Age: 48 Height: 183cm Weight: 78kg
I usually ride: Vitus Zenium SL VR Disc My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding, mtb,
1 thought on “Restrap Switch Pannier 5L”
I thought that 616g weight
I thought that 616g weight sounded surprisingly high for a 5-litre bag so I checked the Restrap website and they say 300g including fittings, so I assume 616g was for a pair?
The obvious products to compare to that aren’t mentioned here are Ortlieb’s fork packs, or the Topeak QR fork drybag (not the strap-on version mentioned here).