TrailMAX Saddle Bags » 8 Keys to Better Equestrian Saddlebags

8 Keys to Better Equestrian Saddlebags

Last updated March 23, 2008 at 8:20 am - Viewed 11 times. Related Keywords: , , , , , , , , , , ,  

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 consequences of equipment that’s improperly or poorly made, or not designed for weather.

After years of listening to woeful saddlebag tales, repairing horse saddlebags that were old & worn but to which there was no alternative, and using those same saddlebags that came with the same frustrations, Barnett collected his thoughts and began planning to make better equestrian saddlebags that fixed the problems common in typical western saddlebags.

8 key points were the focus of Barnett’s planning & design process:

  1. TrailMAX Saddlebags will fit the saddle.

    Horse saddlebags should never be so far apart that they’re not resting on the saddle skirt, or so long/wide that the weight of the bags is carried uncomfortably for the animal. TrailMAX bags are engineered to fit like custom saddlebags, with a curved connector that fits snugly around the cantle.

  2. TrailMAX Saddlebags will stay put.

    Just like the safety & gas mileage of your truck depend upon the tires being filled evenly & with the right amount of air, having saddlebags that don’t slide around or slump to one side will keep your pack animal from using more energy than usual, or becoming dangerously irritable from bags slapping & banging against their flanks. TrailMAX saddlebags are designed for riding, loping, or galloping, and stay in place with no need to adjust to stop and dismount to access packed items.

  3. TrailMAX Saddlebags will securely carry your stuff.

    Saddlebags with nifty pockets and special holsters are great, except for when your must-have items can’t fit into them. TrailMAX’s equestrian saddlebags are designed around the many essentials packers require, such as clothing, sleeping bags, highlines, cooking supplies, repair & medical kits, and even small stoves, so you’re not forced to leave anything to chance by leaving vital gear behind. Insuliners are included to protect & insulate loads from the outer environment.

  4. TrailMAX Saddlebags will be easy to handle.

    Simply enough, saddlebags should be easy on, easy off, and easy to get into. TrailMAX saddlebags mount to the saddle quickly & easily using secure brass double-grommets, with compression straps to ensure loads won’t shift while riding, or to optionally pack along bedrolls or other items. Top cantlebags are detachable for carrying supplies into camp, and hook back on in a matter of seconds when it’s time to ride again.

  5. TrailMAX Saddlebags will be easy to access.

    Having essentials packed doesn’t mean much if they’re not accessible while riding, and for most packers, there’s a constant need to quickly grab something from their saddlebags. TrailMAX’s saddlebags ride close by on the skirt of the saddle and not down on the horses flank, and feature large, smooth-gliding zippers, each with their own leather lanyard for easy opening/closing, even with thick gloves on.

  6. TrailMAX Saddlebags won’t fail 10 miles from the trailhead.

    Traditional leather saddlebags seem to hold up forever, but for the weight-conscious, many saddlebags built with lightweight materials just aren’t made to last, bursting under heavy loads or tearing after scraping against rocks or trees. TrailMAX specifically engineers saddlebags for rough conditions, using double-stitched 1,000-denier or 1,680-denier Nylon and reinforcing seams multiple times along all stress points.

  7. TrailMAX Saddlebags won’t give-in during bad weather.

    Hard rain, sleet, or snow, TrailMAX saddlebags are highly resistant to poor weather conditions. The 1,000-denier and 1,680-denier Nylon and inner coating repel water & snow, with material “lips”above each zipper to keep moisture from seeping in, and internal foam Insuliners to provide an added layer of protection.

  8. TrailMAX Saddlebags won’t add a lot of width or weight.

    Too much width or length is an unneeded burden on the trail - bags that are too wide interfere with the horse’s natural movement, and bags that are too long force the load to ride uncomfortably on the animal. The TrailMAX saddlebag systems effectively address these issues by keeping evenly-weighed loads centered on the horse, staying put and riding high against the saddle skirt.

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