In this article I will share my experience with the Craft Cadence Waterproof Seat Pack. This is a saddle bag from Craft Cadence build from the same material as their well known Essentials Case. The inspiration of the wide attach loop and closure system might come from the Silca Mattone saddle bag. The Craft Cadence Seat Pack is designed with an e-pump in mind.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Features Craft Cadence Waterproof Seat Pack
On the product page of the Craft Cadence Seat Pack you can read the following description of the saddle bag and its waterproof capabilities:
“A capacious modern seat pack that is actually waterproof.” by Craft Cadence
The Craft Cadence Seat Pack is a modern update on the traditional saddle bag, designed with the needs of today’s cyclist in mind:
- Dedicated compartment for epump
- Seam welded waterproof base to resist dirt and water
- Large loop to attach rear radar lights
- Capacious yet stealthy shape to minimise drag, Optimised shape for modern bikes
- Internal organisational compartments
- Secure dial closure system
I have some experience with the excellent waterproof capabilities of Craft Cadence products: Craft Cadence Essentials Case and the Craft Cadence Backpack Rolltop. The Seat Pack is no different and build from 600D polyester with waterproof TPU lining and YKK zippers. The dimensions of the Craft Cadence Seat Pack are: 140mm x 80mm x 55 mm and my kitchen scales measure a weight of 112 grams.
A very good design feature is the internal compartment, that reminds me a bit of the internals of the Silca Mattone saddle bag. However the compartmentalization has of the Craft Cadence has an epump in mind. But you can also use it to keep the Topeak P30 mini-multitool separated from the spare TPU inner tubes (gravel or MTB). It is spacious enough to stash a ton of spare parts in the Craft Cadence Seat Pack.
Just like with the Craft Cadence Essential Case there is a key hook in this internal compartment. So it can be a useful feature if you are not carrying your keys in the Essental Case or jersey pocket. Also the zipper loop is similar to the Craft Cadence Essentials Case. This allows for easy openeing the waterproof seat pack (even with thicker gloves).
There is a loop on the backside, where you potentially can attach (read clip on) a blinking rear light. Personally I’m using the Sigma Nugget II Flash Rear Light or the Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar, so this is a function I will not use on the saddle bag.
If you are looking for a compact and foremost lightweight saddlebag, than please check out the totsi minimalist and lightweight saddle bag.
Craft Cadence Hypalon Straps
Size, material and organization options are important for a saddle bag. However a critical aspect is also the attachment to the saddle rails. In most cases a velcro strap is used like for example with the. Arundel Pico Seat Bag review or the Scicon Elan 210 Carbon. Where the advantage of the Arundel Seat Bag is that the strap is wide (compared to some other brands).
The Craft Cadence Waterproof Seat Pack comes with a Hypalon Straps, which is a wide Arundel like-strap from the same material as the seat pack which has not a velcro closure but a “Boa Fit System-like mechanism“. This system is easy to use and gives you the ability to really get a good and firm fit to the saddle rails. The Silca Mattone saddle bag is using a similar mechanism, and with a Boa Fit System that we know from many cycling shoes.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Craft Cadence Waterproof Seat Pack is around € 47,00 which is not particularly cheap. But when one of the design criteria is accommodating an e-pump, than waterproofness and protecting such a valuable e-pump is the most important.
I really like the wide Hypalon Straps and the Boa Fit System-like mechanism to have your waterproof saddle bag well connected to the saddle rails. Second organization is key for the most important items you want to cary on the go:
- Prototipo Works Valve Adaptor Presta to Schrader
- Craft Cadence TPU Inner Tube for Road and Gravel
- Cyclami TPU Inner Tube for Gravel, Road & MTB
- RideNow TPU Inner Tubes for Road and MTB
- Schwalbe Tire Levers with rim clip
- Topeak P30 mini tool
Regarding Craft Cadence ….
- Do you know Craft Cadence ?
- Have you used any of the Craft Cadence products? Which one and why?
Please let me know in the comments below. Here are reviews of other Craft Cadence products:
- Craft Cadence TPU Inner Tube for Road and Gravel
- Craft Cadence Essentials Case review
- Craft Cadence Backpack Rolltop – Ortlieb Velocity on steroids
Other saddle bag reviews can be found here. For other quality reviews you can check out the different categories below:
