Sometimes, the clobber you have to carry with you on your motorcycle gets in the way. It might just be a phone, wallet, bunch of keys and a pack of smokes, for example but it’s too much to comfortably get in your trouser or jacket pockets because there either isn’t room or it all gets a bit too cumbersome or uncomfortable.
But that much stuff isn’t enough to make a rucksack necessary – who wants a ruckie with little more than pocket contents in it flapping around as your ride?
You could fit a tailpack or a tankbag of course but again, they may be overkill for what you need and you might not like the effect they have on the look of the bike, the way it rides or even how they can get in the way when you try to get on and off.
In these cases, a leg pouch can be very useful. Sitting against your upper thigh, they have a touch of military sidearm holster to them but for a reason - they remain in easy reach and are capable of housing all the essentials you might need with you on a ride, from a short blast for fun to a longer tour.
Related: Best motorcycle waistbags
One of the great things is that they are accessible from a seated position when you’re on the bike as well as when you’re off the bike, walking around, though clearly, the ‘top’ will be in a different position depending on whether you’re standing or sat on the bike, so bear that in mind when you load it or open it to get at your phone...
There are plenty on the market but here is a selection of our favourites.
Joqineer
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This huge leg bag from Joqineer is Amazonu2019s Choice and get great reviews online from users. It has a capacity that expands from 2.8 litres to 5.6 litres, meaning it can carry a vast amount of clobber.
It will, according to the manufacturer, house water bottles, tickets and passports, keys, sunglasses and more. It’s made from heavy-duty 1680D fabric with a long, angled waistband and has a mesh back to allow your leg to breathe.
Pros:
Huge capacity
Angled belt for comfort
Mesh backing for breathability
Cons:
Perhaps too large
Givi EA113B
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Itu2019s no surprise that Italian motorcycle luggage specialist Givi has a selection of leg bags available and this is one of its lower-priced examples. Using a simple adjustable nylon webbed belt, it sits over your trousers or can hang from your existing belt and the adjustable thigh strap fits over the top of your trousers to hold it snug against your leg.
It is made from soft nylon and is large enough to house a phone, paperwork and wallet with ease. It also features Givi’s trademark zip tabs for use with gloves on.
Pros:
Great value
Use with or without existing belt
Adjustable for different types of clothing
Cons:
Limited capacity
Injoy Drop Bag
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Thereu2019s more than just a hint of military styling to this leg bag, which in addition to black and khaki, is also available in a range of camouflage colour schemes, so donu2019t forget where you put it down.
There is a wide webbing waist belt and a slimmer, adjustable thigh strap with two compartments in the main body, covered by a single lid. There are also external pouches and a separate section for sunglasses and snap-rings for hanging keys, for example.
Pros:
Large capacity
Flexibility with various compartments
Looks comfortable with wide belt and padding
Cons:
Looks very military
Fivelovetwo Waist Pack
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For riders that are born to be bad, then a leather (or, as in this case, PU leather) waist pack leg bag could be the right choice. This can be worn in different ways, including across the shoulders and as a kind of rucksack affair with cross-straps behind the back but like this as a leg bag makes more sense.
It has several separate compartments and is available in the red/brown shown or black.
Pros:
Suit a cruiser or custom bike well
Can be worn in different ways
Makes a statement
Cons:
Not to everyone’s taste
Oxford L1R
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This small u2013 1-litre quoted capacity u2013 leg bag from British luggage and kit giant Oxford is made from heavyweight 420D ripstop nylon and comes with an adjustable waist belt and leg strap for comfort over various types of trouser.
There are two compartments, each secured with water-resistant zips that have pull-tabs for use with gloves and each has a waterproof lining, to keep contents dry.
Pros:
Waterproof zips and linings
Easy to wear
Adjustable waist and leg straps
Cons:
Limited capacity
Kappa Alpha
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This stylish leg bag from Italian manufacturer Kappa comes with an adjustable waist strap but also, a large loop to attach to any belt youu2019re already wearing and an adjustable, quick-release thigh strap.
It has a capacity of two litres in two separate compartments with a large main section and a smaller, front pocket. The main section has two-way zips so the opening can be positioned at the top of the bag when seated or standing and there is an internal mobile phone pocket.
Pros:
Big pull tabs on zips
Stylish and subtle
Decent capacity
Cons:
Not waterproof
Made of TPU plastic, it features welded seams for total waterproofing and the roll-top closure means all water stays out. The top is secured with snap clasps at the end and a strap over the top and it comes with waist and thigh straps.
Pros:
Completely waterproof
Great value
Inoffensive and subtle
Cons:
Limited capacity
Shad SL04
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This small leg bag from luggage specialists Shad is formed in a similar shape to the companyu2019s panniers and hangs low from a normal belt and can be quickly removed as necessary.
It has a small capacity of 0.5 litres (there’s a larger two-litre version also available) but the internal compartments will keep contents safe without it getting too bulky.
Pros:
Stylish and subtle
Low profile against leg
Larger bag available if necessary
Cons:
Needs belt to hang from
SW-Motech LA8
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This LA8 leg bag from luggage expert SW-Motech can be used on its own or joined to other items from the manufacturer using the MOLLE attachment system. When used as a leg bag, this LA8 bag fits to the LA1 holster base (purchased separately, £14.81) and is part of the brandu2019s Legends range for retro and heritage bikes.
It has a reasonably small 1.25-litre capacity and comes with a waterproof rain cover.
Pros:
Stylish
Adaptable system
Look good on a retro
Cons:
Must buy separate items