Apidura Expedition Stem Pack

Apidura came up with an interesting stem bag concept. The Expedition Stem Pack is waterproof, uses Fidlock magnetic closure, and offers 1.3 litres of volume. The bag weighs 120 grams including the straps. It has plenty of Velcro attachment points both at the back and along the sides. At first glance its boxy shape stands out.

🧑‍⚖️ Evaluation

Unlike most stem bags, this one is truly waterproof. Competitors may use waterproof materials, but then rain falls in from above and you get a little pond inside. Here, water won’t get in from above or below. It’s great for snacking while riding—I can just pour in a bag of chips—even if that wasn’t the designers’ intention.

The Fidlock magnetic closure works relatively well. Definitely better than on the Racing Top Tube Pack. If you overfill the bag, it may not hold as well. It also depends on how you mount it. On a gravel bike—which Apidura shows in all the promo videos—it’ll work better than on an MTB, where space can be tight (frame dependent, of course), but it still fits for me.

The boxy shape is more of a disadvantage, because it’s a sail and increases aerodynamic drag. You’ll feel that more on gravel bikes than on MTB. I tried angling the bag a little, but the fork started grinding a hole in it.

In the videos Apidura shows it as suitable for a camera or other electronics. I’d be cautious. When you turn the bars, the contents will hit the frame and, for example, the protective glass on my phone cracked, so at minimum you’d want a padded sleeve. Or put softer items on the bike side and electronics on the outer wall.

For stashing clothing layers though, it’s a great helper.

📐 Summary

The bag has a unique closure and I like new concepts. It’s a bit heavier, but the 1.3 L capacity is solid and it’s one of the few offering true waterproofness. The real question is whether you need that and what you plan to carry. You don’t need full waterproofing for energy bars. You’ll also pay around 1,500 CZK.

What puts me off most is the increased aerodynamic drag—but that’s my racer soul talking. Using the magnetic closure isn’t as easy as a simple elastic; sometimes I have to fumble a bit before it snaps shut.