Saddlebag

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Saddlebags on a Western saddle Satteltasche am Westernsattel.jpg
Saddlebags on a Western saddle
Traditional Blackfoot women's saddlebag Blackfoot Womens Saddlebag - Royal Ontario Museum (8032228292).jpg
Traditional Blackfoot women's saddlebag

Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.

Horse riding

World War I pannier-style saddlebags containing a first aid kit Saddle-bag first aid kit, pair of canvas panniers linked by Wellcome L0058890.jpg
World War I pannier-style saddlebags containing a first aid kit

In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various materials. Although leather was the traditional material, it is heavier and requires more maintenance than many modern versions. There are several types: Pommel bags (which sit in front of the saddle), traditional paired saddlebags (which lie on the hips of the horse, on either side of the cantle), and assorted smaller bags such as a cantle bag (a small tube-like bag that sits just behind the saddle), or a single small saddle bag that may be carried on the off-side (right hand side) of an English saddle.

Contents

Pack animal

Pannier-style bags are sometimes fitted over a pack saddle used for packing gear on a horse or other pack animal (often, a mule or donkey) rather than for carrying a rider. [1] In Turkish Anatolia, Iran and Baluchistan, saddlebags are traditionally woven in wool, with a front face decorated with Soumak and a plainer flatwoven back. Slits are left along the opening for a rope to close and secure the bag to the pack animal. [2] [3]

Bicycle

Bicycle saddlebag Bicycle Saddlebag.jpg
Bicycle saddlebag

In bicycling, a saddlebag or seat bag is a bag attached under the saddle or seat. Smaller bags are typically used to hold a few items such as spare inner tubes, puncture repair kit, tools, rain gear, food, first-aid kit, etc. Seat bags are common on touring bicycles, racing bicycles, and cross country mountain bikes.

Bags range from tiny to large (over 25 liters). Smaller bags, known as seat bags, wedge packs, or seat packs fit completely under the saddle. Larger bags which project behind and sideways are usually called saddlebags; a well-known example is the Carradice Long Flap, for many years a staple of British cycle tourists especially on the weekends.

Recumbent bicycles have much larger seats than the saddle of a conventional bicycle, and special bags are available which attach to the seat; these are also called seat bags but are typically the size of small touring panniers.

Motorcycle

A vintage motorcycle equipped with saddlebags. Villemanoche-FR-89-Rassemblement 2018 des vehicules anciens-motos-02.jpg
A vintage motorcycle equipped with saddlebags.

On a motorcycle, modern panniers are normally hard-shell cases mounted behind the seat and on either-side of the rear wheel, attached to a framework (which bolts to the motorcycle frame) known as a carrier. Modern panniers are made to be quickly-detachable.

Historically, the origins were in military use for despatch riders, where soft, often canvas-type woven material bags were fitted to the motorcycle by rudimentary frames enabling the rider to carry documents securely. After hostilities ended, any left-over items including the motorcycles could be obtained from army-surplus depots, particularly after World War II during the 1950s when there was an increase in motorcycle use as a cheap form of transport.

Saddlebags also are available as modern motorcycle accessories (similar to western saddlebags described above) to place across the rear portion of the motorcycle seat, making them quickly detachable. They can then be carried over the arm or shoulder of the rider.

Made of leather or vinyl (leathercloth or imitation leather) with stiffening, they are known as Throwovers and come in different shapes and sizes to be used as travel luggage or a handy temporary container for items such as shopping.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touring bicycle</span> Bicycle designed or modified for touring

A touring bicycle is a bicycle designed or modified to handle bicycle touring. To make the bikes sufficiently robust, comfortable and capable of carrying heavy loads, special features may include a long wheelbase, frame materials that favor flexibility over rigidity, heavy duty wheels, and multiple mounting points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pannier</span> One of a pair of baskets, bags, boxes, or similar containers

A pannier is a basket, bag, box, or similar container, carried in pairs either slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to the sides of a bicycle or motorcycle. The term derives from a Middle English borrowing of the Old French panier, meaning 'bread basket'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">English saddle</span>

English saddles are used to ride horses in English riding disciplines throughout the world. The discipline is not limited to England, the United Kingdom in general or other English-speaking countries. This style of saddle is used in all of the Olympic and International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) equestrian disciplines, except for the newly approved FEI events of equestrian vaulting and reining. Most designs were specifically developed to allow the horse freedom of movement, whether jumping, running, or moving quickly across rugged, broken country with fences. Unlike the western saddle or Australian Stock Saddle, there is no horn or other design elements that stick out above the main tree of the saddle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western saddle</span>

Western saddles are used for western riding and are the saddles used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. They are the "cowboy" saddles familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on trail rides at guest ranches. This saddle was designed to provide security and comfort to the rider when spending long hours on a horse, traveling over rugged terrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidesaddle</span> Form of equestrianism

Sidesaddle riding is a form of equestrianism that uses a type of saddle which allows riders, generally female, to sit aside rather than astride an equine. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in European countries in the Middle Ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest fashion while also wearing fine clothing. It has retained a specialty niche even in the modern world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handbag</span> Handled bag used to carry personal items

A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items. It has also been called a pocketbook in parts of the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surcingle</span>

A surcingle is a strap made of leather or leather-like synthetic materials such as nylon or neoprene, sometimes with elastic, that fastens around the horse's girth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girth (tack)</span> Strap used to keep the saddle in place on a horse

A girth, sometimes called a cinch, is a piece of equipment used to keep the saddle in place on a horse or other animal. It passes under the barrel of the equine, attached to the saddle on both sides by two or three leather straps called billets. Girths are used on Australian and English saddles, while western saddles and many pack saddles have a cinch, which is fastened to the saddle by a single wide leather strap on each side, called a latigo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khorjin</span>

A khorjin is a type of decorative carpet bag made across Greater Iran and Central Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddle</span> Supportive structure for a rider or load

A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider of an animal, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is equestrian. However, specialized saddles have been created for oxen, camels and other animals. It is not known precisely when riders first began to use some sort of padding or protection, but a blanket attached by some form of surcingle or girth was probably the first "saddle", followed later by more elaborate padded designs. The solid saddle tree was a later invention, and though early stirrup designs predated the invention of the solid tree, the paired stirrup, which attached to the tree, was the last element of the saddle to reach the basic form that is still used today. Today, modern saddles come in a wide variety of styles, each designed for a specific equestrianism discipline, and require careful fit to both the rider and the horse. Proper saddle care can extend the useful life of a saddle, often for decades. The saddle was a crucial step in the increased use of domesticated animals, during the Classical Era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle saddle</span> One of 5 contact points on an upright bicycle

A bicycle saddle, sometimes called a bicycle seat, is one of five contact points on an upright bicycle, the others being the two pedals and the two handles on the handlebars. The bicycle saddle has been known as such since the bicycle evolved from the draisine, a forerunner of the bicycle. It performs a similar role as a horse's saddle, not bearing all the weight of the rider as the other contact points also take some of the load.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pack saddle</span> Device which permits heavy loads to be placed on the back of working animals

A pack saddle is any device designed to be secured on the back of a horse, mule, or other working animal so it can carry heavy loads such as luggage, firewood, small cannons, or other things too heavy to be carried by humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian stock saddle</span> Type of saddle

The Australian stock saddle is a saddle in popular use all over the world for activities that require long hours in the saddle and a secure seat. The saddle is suitable for cattle work, starting young horses, everyday pleasure riding, trail riding, endurance riding, polocrosse and is also used in Australian campdrafting competitions and stockman challenges.

Motorcycle accessories are features and accessories selected by a motorcycle owner to enhance safety, performance, or comfort, and may include anything from mobile electronics to sidecars and trailers. An accessory may be added at the factory by the original equipment manufacturer or purchased and installed by the owner post-sale as aftermarket goods. The term Farkle is used within the motorcycle community, originally to denote useful add-ons, such as GPS or other upgraded components. Now also used at times in a humorous or mildly derogatory way to describe bling, such as anodized or chromed parts that add no functionality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swiss army bicycle</span> Swiss military vehicle

The Swiss Army Bicycle has been utilized by the Swiss Army beginning in 1905. There have been three models, the MO-5, MO-93, and the MO-12. The Swiss Army disbanded its elite bicycle infantry units in 2003, but still uses bicycles for training, and many army bicycles remain in private use. The most famous Swiss bicycle infantryman is Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, who commanded a bicycle infantry battalion until 1994 and still uses his army bicycle. In 2012, the Department of Defence, Civil Defence, and Sport purchased 4100 of the new, lighter MO-12 or Fahrrad 12, which are also available for private purchase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soumak</span>

Soumak is a tapestry technique of weaving sturdy, decorative fabrics used for carpets, rugs, domestic bags and bedding, with soumak fabrics used for bedding known as soumak mafrash.

<i>Kura</i> (saddle) Japanese horse saddle

Kura (鞍) is the generic name for the Japanese saddle. The word "kura" is most commonly associated with the saddle used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Over time the Japanese added elements of their own until the Japanese saddle became an identifiable style, also known as the samurai saddle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikepacking</span> Packaging of a bicycle for bicycle touring

Bikepacking is how a bicycle is packed for bicycle touring, and also refers to the adventure sport of long-distance unsupported cycle races. As with backpacking, lightweight packing is a popular topic within bicycle packing. Any kind of bicycle can be used for bikepacking, and specialized touring bicycles often have attachment points from the factory such as low riders and luggage carriers, but most types of bicycles can be equipped with a frame bag, saddle bag, top tube bag and handlebar bag.

References

  1. "How Much Weight Can My Horse Carry?". Outfitters Supply. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  2. "Bag face (T.205-1922)". Victoria and Albert Museum . Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. "Luri Rug, South West Persia". Persian Rug Village. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.