After successfully testing its smaller 1-liter saddle "little sister", I decided to raise the stakes and put the "twin" bag designed for long distances and multi-day trips to the test: the CamelBak M.U.L.E. 9 Sideload Handlebar Pack.
In this article
If the M.U.L.E. 1 saddle bag, excellent for daily and minimalist outings, served to hold the bare minimum, here we move up to a capacity of 9 liters, fully entering the world of longer-range bikepacking and adventure.
First Impressions and Materials: The ECOPAK™ Family Grows
From an aesthetic and structural point of view, the family tie between the CamelBak M.U.L.E. 9 Sideload Handlebar Pack and the M.U.L.E. 1 is immediately noticeable. We find the same ECOPAK™ technical fabric (recycled and derived from the sailcloth world) in the Wolf Grey colorway. Despite its generous volume, the bag tips the scales at just 410 grams, a competitive weight for its category considering the sturdiness of the structure.
The real structural innovation is the aluminum mounting system. Unlike many soft handlebar bags that tend to bounce vertically on rough terrain and interfere with the smooth flow of cables in front of the handlebar without an additional handlebar harness support, CamelBak's rigid aluminum mounts create an incredibly solid anchor, spacing the bag slightly outward so as not to crush the brake and shifter cables.
Organization of Space: The Advantage of Sideloading
Anyone who does bikepacking knows the struggle of classic roll-top bags: to grab an item in the middle, you have to empty everything. CamelBak has partially solved this problem by designing a sideloading (Sideload) system combined with an expandable capacity.
The 9 liters of volume are perfect for accommodating bulkier but lightweight gear, which typically finds its place at the front of the bike:
- A compact sleeping bag or a lightweight bikepacking tent.
- A change of clothes for the night.
Another valuable extra detail of the MULE 9 is the additional pockets:
- A protected zippered pocket, perfect for safely storing flat items you want to keep close at hand (such as smartphone, ID, or keys).
- An external stretch mesh pocket, highly convenient while riding for quickly tucking away an energy bar, gloves, or a wet rain jacket without having to open the main compartment.
On the Trail: Stability and Total Waterproofing
Tested on dirt tracks and even rough singletracks, the aluminum retention system seems to work properly: bouncing is reduced to a minimum, resulting in a much safer and more predictable ride, especially in technical sections where weight on the handlebar is usually felt the most.
Even on the weather front, promises are kept. The bag boasts an IPX5 waterproof certification. Under a summer downpour, the heat-sealed fabric repelled water without hesitation, keeping the sleeping bag inside perfectly dry.
As with the saddle model, the exterior finish is very easy to wash clean of mud once you reach your destination. There is no shortage of high-visibility reflective details, essential when the stage extends beyond sunset.
Conclusions
The CamelBak M.U.L.E. 9 is a mature handlebar bag that corrects many of the typical flaws of this category (instability and inconvenient access). While maintaining the eco-friendly and ultra-durable construction philosophy of the M.U.L.E. 1, it offers the space and stability required to tackle real journeys.
Ultimately, if you have already appreciated the M.U.L.E. 1 bag for your daily rides and are planning your first multi-day adventure, the M.U.L.E. 9 on the handlebar is the natural completion of your bikepacking setup.
