Are you looking for a waterproof bag that you can bring on your rides to carry anything from impromptu flea market purchases to groceries? We have two such bags with generous space for your stuff—the WeatherTop Bag and the WeatherTop Cooler.
Created to offer our riders a simple solution to quickly turn their existing front racks and passenger accessories into roomy compartments for hauling loads of whatever, the WeatherTop Bag and the WeatherTop Cooler are holdall totes that go from your shoulder to sitting securely on the bike in seconds. Like their names suggest, they are made to withstand all weather and can be easily cleaned with a wipe-down when needed.
In this article, we’ll explain what the WeatherTop Bag and the WeatherTop Cooler are, which accessories they are compatible with, and how they may suit your needs best. Plus, discover nifty ways you can use these bags that will make them even more versatile in your day-to-day life.
Contents
- An overview of the WeatherTop Bag and WeatherTop Cooler
- Which front racks are the bags compatible with?
- What if I want to carry the bags on the back of my bike?
- Which bag should I choose for my setup?
An overview of the WeatherTop Bag and WeatherTop Cooler
WeatherTop Bag
The WeatherTop Bag is a rugged and waterproof 45 L carryall that you can chuck everything but the kitchen sink into. It comes with easy-to-use magnetic Fidlock buckles that securely keep the bag in place while you concentrate on navigating the roads.
Made of recycled PET with ultrasonically welded seams to keep water out, the bag is great for protecting you and your passenger’s stuff from getting wet if Mother Nature decides to throw a weather curveball. In case you’re wondering if the bag will hold up when it really pours, the answer is yes—and here’s the proof:
This capacious bag can be used in two different ways: Bucket Mode and Roll-Top Mode.
In Roll-Top Mode, the upper part of the bag can be rolled down and secured with a magnetic Fidlock buckle to keep the contents dry in wet weather, while built-in drain holes help prevent rainwater from pooling on top of the bag. Tuck that upper part into the bag, and you have Bucket Mode ready for your toss-and-go errands.
Hate digging around for stuff? You won’t have to worry about small items disappearing into the WeatherTop Bag’s black abyss. It’s got an internal zipper pocket on one side to hold items like your keys, sunglasses, chapstick, and phone, so you can quickly find what you need. If you’re someone who likes to keep all their cards, bills, coins, and receipts together, the zipper pocket is big enough to fit most continental wallets, so you no longer have to settle for a smaller wallet or a money clip when going on a ride.
The bag has a rigid base panel that helps maintain its shape and provides an even surface for your items to sit on. This base panel is removable for cleaning, and taking it out allows you to fold the voluminous WeatherTop Bag down into a smaller size to bring along on any trip as an extra shopping bag for items like clothes, toys, diapers, and shoes.
WeatherTop Cooler
The WeatherTop Cooler is a roomy soft cooler with 26 L of space for snacks and drinks for the whole family, plus plenty of ice. From picnics on the beach to running errands around town, this cooler bag acts like a mini fridge to keep things chilled with thick 16 mm insulation and a heavy-duty, airtight zipper to seal in the cold and keep hot air out.
As with all soft coolers, the WeatherTop Cooler is not designed to hold dry ice. But that doesn’t mean you and your buddies will be stuck with warm beers when it’s time to relax after a full day of activities! The cooler is tested to hold ice for up to 60 hours, so you can serve up icy cold drinks for hours on end, or until the drinks run out (read about how we tested the WeatherTop Cooler).
Made with abrasion and tear-resistant TPU-coated nylon, the WeatherTop Cooler is waterproof inside and out, and extra durable to withstand your adventures on or off the road. Plus, ultrasonically welded seams prevent anything from leaking out, so even if something spills inside the cooler, you won’t have to mop up the mess that seeps through.
As you make your way around town, the cooler’s built-in straps with quick-release buckles keep it securely attached to your bike, while wraparound reflective decals on its exterior help increase your bike’s visibility for a safer ride home.
The interior of the WeatherTop Cooler features an FDA-compliant, BPA-free liner that’s up to snuff for food contact, so you can rest assured your unpackaged fruits and veggies will remain safe for the dinner table even after a long journey back from the farmers’ market.
The same thick insulation that traps the cold to keep your food fresh will also help your dinner takeouts stay hot during the short ride home. Always pay attention to food safety, and make sure your cooler is properly cleaned and dried—before and after each use.
As a bonus, the WeatherTop Cooler’s waterproof construction and thick insulation also make it a handy padded bag to have for transporting fragile items that require a little extra protection when you’re in a pinch—think laptop, small appliances handed down by a friend that’s moving, or even a bottle of wine (plus a tub of ice cream) you decided to pick up after a particularly hectic day.
Which front racks are the bags compatible with?
The WeatherTop Bag and the WeatherTop Cooler are both made to sit perfectly on the Transporteur Rack or Hauler Rack to add a convenient front trunk to your bike that won’t interfere with steering or obscure the headlight. Both bags have easy-to-use top and bottom buckles with straps that can be tightened for a more secure fit. The latter rack features an open-ended design, so you may wish to use its included bungee cord to ensure the bag stays extra secured to the bike when you’re carrying bulkier items that may shift from side to side.
What if I want to carry the bags on the back of my bike?
No problem! If you happen to have any of our passenger-carrying accessories, you can easily convert them into spacious cargo haulers for the back of your bike by swapping the seat cushions with either of the bags. Our Captain’s Chair Gen 1 or Gen 2, Clubhouse Mini, Clubhouse Gen 1, Clubhouse+, and Clubhouse Gen 3 are all compatible with the WeatherTop Cooler or WeatherTop Bag.
If you have one of the larger Clubhouses installed on a GSD, your kid may be able to share the rear rack space with a WeatherTop Cooler or WeatherTop Bag.
For instance, it’s possible to place either a WeatherTop Cooler or WeatherTop Bag in front of a big kid seated on a seat pad in the Clubhouse Gen 1, Clubhouse+, or Clubhouse Gen 3. If you have a young kid, the Clubhouse+ or Clubhouse Gen 3 can be installed with the Child Seat Expansion Bar to fit a compatible child seat—such as the Thule Yepp Maxi (version 1)—behind one of the bags.
It’s also possible to accommodate the WeatherTop Cooler in the rear position if you prefer to have your young child be seated closer to you. We’ve found that the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi or Bobike GO Maxi seat works with a rear-placed cooler in the Clubhouse Gen 3.
As kids and child seats come in various sizes, it’s recommended that you test out your setup before hitting the road to make sure everything fits properly and your kid has enough space to relax and enjoy the ride. Also, as these bags are designed to hold items that may shift around with every turn, bump, and stop on the road, they are no replacement for a proper backrest, so make sure your little one has a supportive backrest to lean on for the trip.
Keep in mind that both bags are designed to be used with the above-mentioned cargo and passenger-carrying accessories. These accessories provide the necessary support for securing the bags (and all your stuff) to the bike, so they stay put as you ride.
For more info on bike compatibility with the above accessories, please visit our Compatibility Checker.
Which bag should I choose for my setup?
Both the WeatherTop Bag and the WeatherTop Cooler are convenient for carrying lots of stuff on and off the bike, but each shines in its own way. Considering the increased cargo capacity, to determine which one suits your needs more, think about what items you typically carry or would like to haul with your bike.
If they often include perishables like meat, dairy, produce, or fresh catch of the day, then the WeatherTop Cooler may be the better choice for you. Simply throw the cooler tote bag into your shopping cart and fill it up with groceries at the checkout.
Also, you may want to consider the WeatherTop Cooler if you’re looking for an insulated picnic bag to bring food and drinks for family outings. Packed salads, sandwiches, pastas, and juices are great for refueling hungry kids and nourishing little bodies. And make it the best day ever by surprising them with freeze pops as dessert!
If your list of to-bring items comprises children’s rain gear and helmets, wet wipes, extra changes of clothes, diapers, and other things your little ones may need on the road, the WeatherTop Bag works great as a diaper bag or mom bag that’s designed for your bike. The expandable volume means the bag will easily fit all of the above, and whatever else you decide to pick up throughout your day.
Have a mix of everything, or want to keep foodstuffs separate from other items? Get both! The WeatherTop Bag plus WeatherTop Cooler combo will definitely help you stay organized amidst the daily rush of school drop-offs and errands.
Lastly, as spacious and secure as both bags may seem, neither the WeatherTop Bag nor the WeatherTop Cooler is meant for safely carrying pets—even if your nonchalant pup thinks squirrels are overrated. We suggest looking into a proper pet carrier with mesh panels for ventilation and tethers for attaching to your dog’s harness, like our Doghouse Mini.
To learn more about how to safely carry cargo on Tern cargo bikes, check out our Cargo Guide.
