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review

ETC Arid Waterproof Wedge Bag 1L

8
£20.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made, with good shaping and plenty of storage for very little cash
Roomy
Very little sway
Good waterproofing
Inexpensive
No light strap
Weight: 
148g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The ETC Arid Waterproof Wedge Bag makes the most of its one litre capacity with a shape that fits pretty much all of a ride's essentials in. It all stays dry, too.

The main thing I like about this ETC is the closure and attachment system. Attachment to the saddle rails is the usual affair, where a strap is sewn into the top centre of the bag and loops over each rail. But, instead of wrapping right around the bag and clipping together, these pass through a clamp connected to a long strap from underneath.

This means you can get a really good tension balance to stop the bag swaying whether it's being heavy, full or empty. A simple Velcro strap keeps it tight against the seatpost. It retains its shape too, helped by the reinforced base.

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Rather than a zip for closure, the Arid uses Velcro and – once sealed – you roll the end of the bag a turn or two and clip it onto the side. It's almost like a miniature bikepacking seat pack.

2021 ETC Arid Waterproof Wedge Bag 2.jpg

Being able to roll the entrance over gives another layer of protection, alongside welded seams and the 600D nylon's IPX4 waterproof rating.

I found it effective against rainwater being splashed up from the road beneath. With the bag rolled, there are no little crevices for the water to find a way into either.

Reflectives

From the rear the bag has a square profile, and ETC has added a large reflective border and logo which really helps rear visibility. There are reflective logos on the sides too.

The one thing I would like to see though is a loop of material to hang a light from. The bike I tested it on has 195mm between the top of the seatclamp to the saddle rails, which leaves room to clamp a light underneath, but if you're running less than about 125mm that won't be possible.

> 23 of the best bikepacking bags — how to choose lightweight luggage

The Arid has a litre of space inside, and easily packs two tubes, tyre levers, a multi-tool, patches and a CO2 head with a couple of canisters. There's still room for a lightweight set of armwarmers or gloves as well.

It holds pretty much everything you need for most instances on the road; the only thing that won't fit is the majority of mini-pumps. All those I have are just a touch too long.

Value

Priced at just twenty quid, I think the Arid is a good bag. The quality is impressive, and it does the job well. The Birzman Roadster II saddle bag is a touch cheaper at £16.99, but it only has 0.4L of space.

The same can be said for the Fabric Contain Small Saddle Bag, which is again 0.4L, but £21.99.

Overall

The ETC Arid is a lot of bag for the money. Just get that light loop added and there's nothing to seriously fault.

Verdict

Well made, with good shaping and plenty of storage for very little cash

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: ETC Arid Waterproof Wedge Bag

Size tested: 1L

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?

ETC says: "Compact and inconspicuous, the ETC Arid 1 litre wedge bag allows you to carry those essential items whatever your ride consists of. The side fastening push-fit buckles and Seam Welded Waterproof material construction, ensure the bag is sealed and prevents water ingress, whatever the conditions."

It's a clever compact bag that protects your stuff from the elements.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

600D Nylon

Easy Fit Strap Fixing

Wrap over side fastening

Reflective Detailing

Waterproof Rating: IPX4

Capacity: 1 litre

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It swallows plenty of kit and keeps it dry.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Secure fitment.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

No light loop.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's around the same price as many bags with half the capacity.

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

For the money it's very hard to fault, to be honest. The only real issue is the lack of a light loop, restricting its use for people that don't run much seat post. Otherwise it's very good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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2 comments

Avatar
maxdabrit | 2 years ago
0 likes

Yup zips will always seep water and I have ruined many a multi tool that way. Speedsleev is my go to zipless bag , comes in many sizes and also provides clearance to allow for a light/radar on your seatpost. I've never seen it reviewed but it's a total winner. 

Avatar
Yorky-M | 2 years ago
0 likes

Love this. ALL zips eventually die on seat packs. I think it is the dirt chucked up by the back wheel and then we yank on the puller. This is smart

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