The British Brand That Revolutionized Ultralight Adventure Cycling Through Innovation and Technical Excellence
In the rapidly evolving world of bikepacking and adventure cycling, few brands have had as profound an impact as Apidura. This London-based company has established itself as a global leader in precision-crafted bikepacking equipment, setting new standards for waterproofing, weight reduction, and technical innovation. From sponsoring the world's most challenging ultra-endurance races to supporting weekend adventurers, Apidura has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in bikepacking equipment design.
Company Origins and Founding Story
Apidura was founded in 2013 by Tori Fahey and Pierre Coeffe. Frustrated by the lack of technical gear available compared to other areas of cycling, Tori decided to bridge the gap herself by applying a 'precision-crafted' approach to bikepacking luggage.
The inspiration for Apidura came from a deeply personal place. The idea for Apidura started in 2011 when founder Tori Fahey prepared to race the Tour Divide. After pushing her limits on a bike, touring from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific; through Patagonia; Egypt to South Africa; Turkey to France; through Central Asia, and the Tour Divide, Tori wanted to share the ethos of bikepacking and what it allows you to do and experience with a wider audience. From her kitchen table in a rented flat share, she launched a brand focused on exploring how the packs she was using could be improved through technical materials and precision production.
The company name itself reflects the founders' vision and values. Apidura is a portmanteau of two Latin words that represent key elements of our brand. 'Api', for bee, and 'dura', for durable. Bees hold personal significance for Tori, who used to race bikes dressed as a bee, but are also a strong symbol for cyclists – able to swarm together or travel alone, and an industrious force for good, which we hope to mirror at Apidura. 'Dura' represents our focus on creating packs and a business that are Built to Last.
We have offices in the UK and France and a supply and distribution chain that spans most continents. The company has grown significantly since its humble kitchen table beginnings, now employing around 15 passionate individuals with extensive bikepacking experience.
Revolutionary Approach to Bikepacking Equipment
From the day we founded Apidura, we have striven to do things differently and challenge the status quo. At a time when bikepacking bags were a cottage industry, we decided to embrace a precision-crafted approach. This philosophy has come to define everything the company does.
Industry-First Innovations
Apidura has consistently been at the forefront of technical innovation:
2016: In 2016, we launched the world's first waterproof bikepacking bags.
2018: In 2018, we launched the world's first ultralight race-focused packs, designed in partnership with Kristof Allegaert.
2022: In 2022, we unveiled the world's first aerodynamically optimised packing system – packs that make the bike faster.
Environmental Leadership
In 2015, Apidura pioneered the transition to the use of TPU coating as an alternative source of water repellency in bikepacking industry and subsequently succeeded to eliminate PFAs from its supply chain entirely. This commitment to environmental responsibility has positioned Apidura as a leader in sustainable manufacturing practices.
As a result of their ongoing sustainability efforts and B Corp commitments, Apidura has been 100% PFA-free across all materials and production since 2021. They've converted all their product packaging to recyclable materials or recycled inputs and published the full details of CO2e impact for every product on their website to help consumers make more informed choices.
Comprehensive Product Portfolio
Apidura's product range is organized into three distinct collections, each designed for specific riding disciplines and requirements:
The Backcountry Series
The Backcountry Series is where Apidura began almost a decade ago, but despite the passage of time, it continues the process of continuous innovation of English brand's series. Apidura Backcountry is optimised for mountain bikes. The Backcountry Series is optimised for gravel, singletrack and mountain trails.
This series is designed for riders tackling technical terrain and off-road adventures where durability and abrasion resistance are paramount.
The Expedition Series
The EXPEDITION series has been created for on-road and long distance riding. The Apidura Expedition collection is constructed from a lightweight and waterproof material. This series is possibly the best choice for the toughest conditions when travelling on a bike.
The Expedition Series is created for road riding and long distance tours. These bags strike a balance between durability and weight, making them ideal for extended tours and challenging conditions.
The Racing Series
Ultra-endurance cyclists spend long hours in the saddle on open roads, not only in competition, but also during the many hours of training before the event. The Apidura Racing Series will allow them to pedal light and fast. The Apidura Racing Series aims to provide accessible and uncomplicated storage space for ultra distance cyclists.
The Racing Series is designed for the specific demands of ultra-distance competition and audax and represents the pinnacle of weight reduction and aerodynamic optimization.
Key Product Categories
Frame Bags: Available in multiple sizes to accommodate different frame geometries, Securely attaching to the inside of the frame, the Expedition Frame Pack helps to centre carried weight, enabling more natural bike handling.
Saddle Packs: Ranging from compact tool bags to large capacity touring bags, all featuring Apidura's signature compression systems and waterproof construction.
Handlebar Bags: Designed for maximum volume-to-weight ratio while maintaining bike handling characteristics.
Top Tube Bags: Offering convenient access to frequently needed items during rides.
Accessories: Including fork packs, downtube bags, and specialized pouches for tools and food.
Technical Excellence and Material Innovation
Advanced Materials
Working with some of the planet's best long-distance cyclists gives us an unrivalled understanding of the challenges faced by fellow bikepackers around the world. This collaboration has led to significant material innovations.
The recently released (seam welded) Dry Series (which we are testing) uses a proprietary fabric that Apidura developed directly with the mill. Other than a darn good balance between abrasion resistance, waterproofness and weight, the fabric happens to be "greener", as it has no DWR coating
Waterproofing Technology
While most manufacturers offer just some individual bags that are completely waterproof, companies such as ORTLIEB or Apidura offer complete waterproof systems with welded seams. This comprehensive approach to waterproofing sets Apidura apart from many competitors.
Weight Optimization
Apidura's bags are some of the lightest on the market. Still everything feels robust. The company's commitment to the "every gram matters" philosophy is evident throughout their product range.
Competitive Advantages
Race-Proven Performance
Mark Beaumont used their bags to break the Cairo to Cape Town speed record and they boast several other high profile athletes as ambassadors, including Transcon winner and all round legend Emily Chappell. This elite-level endorsement provides real-world validation of Apidura's performance capabilities.
Superior Build Quality
The first thing that struck me was how well thought through these bags are. Apidura is a fairly new company founded 2013 but the gear felt like it came from a company that been in the business for a long time. Seams, zippers and buckles all looked amazing and performed excellent.
Innovative Features
Intuitive to attach, well built and well designed with nice little touches like zip tags you can operate with one hand and interiors that are bright yellow so you can find stuff easily.
Design Philosophy
We believe in designing to solve specific problems and adding only the features that bring functional benefits and enhance the usability of our products. This is balanced with removing complexity to ensure designs work as well when you're mid-adventure as they do for the commute or evening ride with friends.
Comparison with Competitors
Versus Tailfin
While brands like Cyclite and Apidura show that classic systems can also be convincing in the performance area, especially with their low weight compared to the Tailfin, Apidura offers a more traditional soft-goods approach compared to Tailfin's engineered rack systems.
Versus Revelate Designs
Apidura's main competition is from Revelate Designs and Ortlieb. Ortlieb is the king of waterproof panniers and seems to have jumped into the market when bikepacking grew in popularity, while Revelate Designs is also one of the pioneers in the industry.
In direct comparisons, Apidura user here. Almost 2 years and counting, gets the job done. I have used it for overnighters and a few 120+ mile daily rides. The Revelate bags are very popular in the US, but I compared them with the Apidura and saw no significant differences.
Versus Ortlieb
The easiest and most stress-free way to buy bikepacking bags is a complete set from one of the major brands such as Apidura, Revelate Designs, Restrap, or ORTLIEB. You'll find their products in stock and available immediately at local bike shops around the world or online.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
Pricing
Cost. These bags are more expensive than the local competition in the Indian market. Apidura positions itself firmly in the premium segment of the market.
Water Resistance vs. Waterproofing
Not waterproof. The Apidura Expedition series is claimed to be 100% waterproof. Some earlier series products are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, though this has been addressed in newer lines.
Attachment Learning Curve
Guiding the small straps through the saddle rails is a little tricky as well. Some users find the initial setup requires practice.
Material Characteristics
It should be noted that the tacky material inside the Fork Packs does not allow for easy stuffing, which seems odd given the attention to detail Apidura usually demonstrates. The grippy internal material can sometimes make packing more challenging.
Sizing Limitations
The bags we tried would be too small for extended tours. Bigger bags would be better suited - some users may find certain models insufficient for longer expeditions.
Pricing Structure
Apidura's pricing reflects its premium positioning in the market:
Frame Bags: Apidura Expedition Frame Pack 4.5 Litre · $185.99 CAD (approximately $140 USD)
Top Tube Bags: Apidura Expedition Top Tube Pack 1 Litre · $96.99 CAD (approximately $73 USD)
Saddle Packs: Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack 9 Litre · $244.99 CAD (approximately $185 USD)
Larger Saddle Packs: Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack 14 Litre · $261.99 CAD (approximately $198 USD)
Best Frame-Filling Bag: Apidura Backcountry Full Frame Pack — Buy Now for £144.00 from Condor Cycles
Top Tube Bags: Apidura Racing Long Top Tube Pack — Buy Now for £72.00 from Condor Cycles
The company offers Free shipping over $200.00 which helps offset the premium pricing for larger orders.
Global Availability and Distribution
Direct Sales
We ship worldwide. All U.S. orders are shipped from our U.S. warehouse, ensuring efficient distribution and reduced shipping times for North American customers.
Retail Network
Apidura products are available through an extensive network of premium cycling retailers worldwide, including:
Sigma Sports (UK): Discover and shop the latest Apidura bags available with next day shipping at Sigma Sports
Wheelbase (UK): Shop Apidura Bicycle luggage at Wheelbase, the online bike experts
Steed Cycles (Canada): Comprehensive selection with Canadian pricing
Amazon: Various models available for convenient ordering
Geographic Reach
Apidura was founded on the premise of making high-quality bikepacking gear accessible to consumers wherever they are in the world. The company has successfully established distribution across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Customer Support and Warranty
Exceptional After-Sales Service
I'm the owner of different apidura products. They have seen a fair amount of usage over the years. Today I contacted apidura support for a small problem. They were super helpful and quickly offered solutions. Given the experience, I felt cheeky and mentioned some other problems with some older bags (bought in 2019). They were quickly able to solve my issue(sending some parts in the post) and even better they found my receipt so I could raise a warranty claimed. In term of support experience, I've been blown away.
I am very impressed with the customer service! They replaced my bag even after the warranty period had expired.
Global Support Network
Experienced absolutely phenomenal customer service in getting me a replacement item whilst halfway around the world on a cycling trip. Can't recommend highly enough.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
B Corp Certification
"Our goal has always been to create the best products possible while doing the least possible harm to the planet," Ian tells us. "That's why in 2022, we pursued and achieved B Corp certification."
Environmental Impact Transparency
By focussing on product lifespan and minimising fabric wastage through optimising cut patterns, Apidura is getting to the core of where impact begins. The company publishes detailed CO2e impact data for every product to help consumers make informed decisions.
Business Philosophy
We run our business with the same ethos we bring to our rides. We stand against impulse consumption, aggressive marketing and waste.
Professional Recognition and Collaborations
High-Profile Partnerships
The Rapha + Apidura collaboration and it's role within the growing popularity of bikepacking adventures. This partnership with the prestigious road cycling brand helped introduce bikepacking to a broader audience.
Racing Pedigree
I associate Apidura mainly with ultra-endurance races and events like the Transcontinental Race, the Transatlantic Way or even the competitive part of the Orbit360 series.
Future Outlook and Innovation
All our firsts originate in our Innovation Lab, where we break new ground and push the sport forward. The company continues to invest heavily in research and development, working directly with textile mills to develop proprietary materials and solutions.
We don't do 'seasons', limited editions or discount our gear – we simply create the best possible technical Bikepacking gear that's built to last. This philosophy ensures consistent quality and sustainable business practices.
Conclusion: A Brand Built for Adventure
Apidura represents the pinnacle of precision-crafted bikepacking equipment, combining innovative materials, thoughtful design, and race-proven performance. Buy these bags if you are looking at a bikepacking setup which will last you many years without pain. Don't buy if you are looking for luggage systems on a budget.
The brand's commitment to sustainability, technical innovation, and customer service sets it apart in an increasingly crowded market. While the premium pricing may deter budget-conscious cyclists, those who invest in Apidura equipment consistently report exceptional satisfaction with both product performance and company support.
These bikepacking bags should suit the most avid bikepacker, but especially the saddle pack should suit any road cyclist or mountain biker going out for the day. Whether you're planning a weekend adventure or a months-long expedition, Apidura offers precision-crafted solutions that deliver on their promise of being "Built to Last."
For cyclists who prioritize quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility, Apidura represents an investment in equipment that will serve them reliably through years of adventures, backed by a company that genuinely cares about the cycling community and the planet we explore.