Saddlebags
Which saddlebag style is right for you?
To determine which saddle bags will work best for your needs, you will need to decide what type of trail rider you are. Do you go out for a few hours, and make it home in time for lunch? Then you’d probably only need a small pommel or horn bag to hold your keys, cell phone and possibly a bottle of water. If you ride for more longer periods of time, find the category below that best describes you for saddlebag size and type suggestions.
- The Day Rider
You might want your cell phone for emergencies, a camera for photo ops, a rain jacket or extra layer for warmth, maybe a first aid kit and most likely a beverage and lunch. Outfitters Supply designed the TrailMax 500 Series just for you. Choose the Front Pocket, the Water Pocket and the Back Pockets, and you will have plenty of options. All three are padded and insulated to keep your drink cold and your valuables protected.
Another option is using a simple pommel or horn bag. The TrailMax Original and Junior horn bags are also padded and insulated, and available in six colors. Combine either of these horn bags with the Daytripper Cantlebag, and you have just designed a saddlebag system to hold cold weather gear as needed.
Do you day ride most of the time, but overnight once in a while as well? We designed our saddlebags, pommel bags and pockets and cantle bags to be easily mixed and matched to come up with a system that will work for you for a variety of rides.
- The Traditionalist
For some trail riders, the traditional look of their saddlebags is top priority. Outfitters Supply understands this concept and offers a full line of leather saddle bags to fit this niche.
The very traditional Cavalry Style Saddlebags are made in our shop with two size options: three buckle (full size) or two buckle (3/4 size). These are truly the nicest leather saddlebags available. They’re made out of rich burgundy latigo leather to last a lifetime.
We’ve also added a really nice leather saddle pocket to our line. Made for us by Tory Leather Products, these have an attractive look, supple feel, and spacious interior. For those of you riding a Tucker saddle, we also carry the top-of-the-line Tucker leather saddlebags. You can have a traditional look and high quality in a color to match your saddle.
Finally, canvas saddlebags have been used by ranchers and trail riders for years. While sold at an economical price, they are made to our exacting standards. These extremely durable bags will serve you well for years.
- The Overnight Trail Rider
There are some trail riders who like to spend a night out on the trail but don’t have a pack horse. If you are one, take a look at the TrailMax Original or Junior Rear Saddlebags. When using large triple saddle bags such as this to pack lightweight camping gear, especially when you can share equipment such as cookware, stove and tent with a fellow rider, there are few limitations that cannot be overcome. The TrailMax Junior Saddlebags are slightly smaller and can be used if your loads are more compact. Both sizes of rear packs are best for overnighting with horses when used with the Junior or Original Horn (Pommel) bags. You can then utilize the horn bags to carry the heavy items in front of you on the saddle (see the note below). Of course, you can mix and match the saddle bag and pommel bag sizes to best fit the needs of you and your horse. Adding a TrailMax Pommel Pocket for small items helps with organization as well.
A word of caution: Horses can be overloaded, so please consider the size and condition of the horse, weather conditions and travel distance before packing a system like this. Also, pack carefully. Pay very close attention to weight distribution so that the bags are well balanced; your horse will thank you. Horn bags should be used for heavier items, leaving the lighter, bulky items for the rear bags.
8 Keys to Better Equestrian Saddlebags
For more than a decade, TrailMAX owner Russ Barnett has successfully lead pack trains through the Western United States backcountry, encountering all manner of territory, weather, and obstacles, putting both his equipment & animals to the test.
Barnett knows horse & mule packing from both recreation and labor perspectives, and has been there to experience the […]
“Hey, where’d you get that?” Our Top 20 Trail Riding & Packing Products, and Why People Love ‘Em
It’s said that necessity is the mother of all invention…
In our case, “necessity” means saddling up our horses, packing a week’s worth of supplies onto our mules, and heading down the trail on horseback, hoping it won’t be all too soon that we’re again looking at the trailhead.
Days spent beneath the clear blue skies of […]
Loading Your Saddlebags
For years I have taught packing courses and stressed the principles of equal weight, equal size and equal weight distribution for balancing a pack load. If you stick to these rules, you can generally avoid most mishaps due to load failure. These principles apply to loading equestrian saddlebags and pommel or horn bags as well. […]
How Much Weight Can my Horse Carry?
This is the question we receive most often from our customers; unfortunately there is not a simple answer. As with people, some animals will be able to comfortably carry more weight than others and each animal needs to be evaluated individually. However, there are some guidelines to help determine how much weight is too much. […]
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Last Updated March 17, 2008 at 1:30 pm
