Tailfin SpeedPack review: an exciting addition to the brand’s range – but it’s not perfect

Tailfin proclaims boldly that its new SpeedPack is “the fastest pack in the world”. 

The new pack sits alongside Tailfin’s CargoPack bag (formerly the AeroPack Cargo), with the original AeroPack quickly becoming a bikepacking trend-setter for being a sway-free silver bullet to conventional saddle bags. 

The brand says the SpeedPack is for those who prefer to “pack light and prioritise speed”,  offering 10 litres of storage in its main compartment (8l less than the CargoPack), plus 3l in the wraparound external cargo pocket. 

It’s aimed at everything from ultra-endurance racing to shorter bikepacking trips and everything in between – essentially scenarios where you might need less storage. 

I’ve been testing the SpeedPack for two months ahead of today’s launch, and while it delivers on Tailfin’s claims, it doesn’t quite meet the lofty heights of the five-star rated CargoPack.

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Tailfin SpeedPack details and specifications

The SpeedPack uses a near-identical design to the CargoPack in that it is a modular system consisting of three parts – the bag, an arch (with what Tailfin calls ‘Fast Release Dropouts’ at its base) and a new ‘FitLink’ seatpost connection system that replaces the ‘seatpost connector’ of old.

Alternatively, the SpeedPack can be purchased as a separate bag that mounts to a Tailfin rack.  

Like the CargoPack, the SpeedPack uses a waterproof and welded construction, but switches to a new carbon internal frame instead of aluminium. 

Tailfin says the smaller load volume meant it could strip the weight out of the frame, while maintaining the same stiffness. 

The new frame can also mount to the rear arch connector in one of two positions (this is fixed on the brand’s other bags), to further dial in the fit or mount an additional bottle cage behind the arch when in the foremost position. 

Another major difference with the new bag is that it's rear-loading (the CargoPack is top-loading). The bag closes like many conventional saddle bags – you roll the end and clip the two buckles into place either side of the bag. 

Outside of the main compartment, there’s a wraparound cargo mesh pocket – made from the same material found on the CargoPack. 

A ‘drawstring cinch-and-lock system’ closes the pocket to ensure none of your precious cargo gets dumped on the trail. 

Tailfin says this is where you’d store a GPS tracker, for example in an ultra-endurance race, so that it’s in an ideal position for clear signal – a neat detail. 

The other notable change is Tailfin is debuting its ‘FitLink’ seatpost connection system on this bag. 

Previously, you’d pick from one of two seatpost connectors – a short or a long one, but there are now three to choose from (30, 60 and 90mm lengths). 

The connector can swivel by +/- 50 degrees on a Hirth joint. Tailfin claims the new system improves the system’s fit, reduces the chance of thigh rub and will work for a wider range of frame designs, being particularly beneficial for smaller frames and full-suspension mountain bikes. 

If you already own an AeroPack or CargoPack and want to upgrade to the new SpeedPack bag, it will cost you £180 / $250 / €225.

Tailfin SpeedPack performance

I’ve been testing the SpeedPack on a mixture of training rides, extended gravel epics and a weekend bikepacking trip on the Traws Eryri – a 196km route traversing north Wales with a hefty 4,000m of elevation. 

The SpeedPack is very robust on the trail with zero sway – there’s a night-and-day difference between this and a traditional saddle bag. Like the brand’s other systems, there’s no annoying Velcro to deal with and it’s much quicker and easier to remove, install, or access the pack’s contents.  

However, the SpeedPack is somewhat reliant on you packing it right.

Having plenty of experience with the AeroPack and CargoPack, where I’ll typically store my sleeping system, down and waterproof jackets, I had to rethink what I loaded the SpeedPack with because this doesn’t all fit. 

For the Traws Eryri, I stored a waterproof and down jacket, waterproof trousers and my electronics, and left some space for food – the rest of my luggage was stored in a Tailfin Bar Cage Bag. 

I found the SpeedPack’s contents rattled a bit on that trip, regardless of how I packed it, because I couldn’t get anything to fit perfectly at the tapered end of the bag. 

Subsequent rides have fared much better, where I’ve stored a down jacket and my sleeping system in the bag (albeit a bivvy rather than a tent). This is where the SpeedPack would come into its own for a shorter ultra-race scenario. 

Paradoxically, I found it took longer to close the SpeedPack than the CargoPack when I stopped because I had to concentrate on closing the bag evenly, holding one side of the bag while clipping the first side. 

It’s not a dealbreaker, but I noticed the CargoPack, which uses a simpler roll-top closure and TPU strap, saved me noticeable time. 

I love the wraparound cargo pocket, though. There’s oodles of space, and because you can stuff items towards the top, it’s less likely to eject than on the CargoPack. 

Finally, the SpeedPack has been subject to its fair share of rain and I haven’t experienced any issues with its waterproofing. The CargoPack has proven impenetrable in this regard, and I expect the same is true of the SpeedPack given it uses identical materials. 

There’s no denying the SpeedPack is pricey, but the reward is a rear pack that combats almost all of the pitfalls of traditional saddle bags. 

Buying a conventional saddle bag for less than a third of the price is a false economy because you’ll be missing out on the stability and extra storage a system of this design benefits from.  

Tailfin gets further plus points because the SpeedPack is modular, meaning you can replace and swap out parts should they wear out. 

But when you hone into the Tailfin range and assess the SpeedPack’s value compared to the rest of its rear packs, the SpeedPack is tougher to justify. 

If you want a bag that’ll work for extended trips and pack down small for shorter trips, I’d point you in the direction of the CargoPack because it’s more versatile – even if you compromise on the larger footprint and weight, although I’d argue both are negligible. 

Tailfin SpeedPack bottom line 

Tailfin’s SpeedPack is an excellent addition to the brand’s rear-pack range. It’s streets ahead of conventional bikepacking saddle bags, thanks to how it banishes sway, and is far more intuitive to use. 

But if you want a single rear-pack solution that’ll work for shorter and extended bikepacking trips, you’ll be served better by Tailfin’s CargoPack. 

The SpeedPack is decidedly more specialist, but will be just the ticket for those regularly riding ultra-races or shorter weekend bikepacking trips, who have cash to burn.