Revelate Designs Stoat Seat Bag: First Look

By Logan

PUBLISHED Jul 16, 2024

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Soft-launched at Sea Otter earlier this spring, the Revelate Designs Stoat was just officially released and is available to purchase. The Stoat is a cute little mini saddle bag that they suggest makes the essential day ride companion for both mountain and gravel jaunts. I won’t argue with that; I’ve found that it’s the perfect size for my summer everyday carry kit, which I’ll dig into later. However, a bag like this can also double as a nice add-on bikepacking accessory. I had the chance to check out the Revelate Stoat ahead of the launch for this first-ride review.

Fitting its namesake—a small and ridiculously adorable mustelid (or mini ferret, as I’ll call it)—the Revelate Stoat is the smallest seat bag in the Revelate Designs lineup. It has a storage capacity of 0.8 liters and a single compartment. In comparison, the next smallest, the Shrew, can carry 2.25 liters. I’ve used the Shrew quite a bit and really like it, but the Stoat is entirely different.

First off, it’s fully RF-welded, meaning there isn’t any stitching used in its construction. The bulk of the Stoat body is made from TPU-laminated 400 denier ripstop nylon with reinforced accents and strap-keeper fabric made of thicker Rhinotek material. The Stoat repels water, mud, and gunk, and it can be sprayed with a hose, but it isn’t completely waterproof because of the roll top. Note that it leaks air when compressed with the roll-top folded over 3-4 times but not when held tightly. I haven’t had anything get wet inside so far, but I also haven’t tested it too much just yet. I’ll edit this in a week or so to clarify. The only other material used in the body of the bag is a thin high-density foam padding sandwiched between the body fabric and the Rhinotek strap area for added structural integrity.

The cool thing about the Stoat is its simplicity. It doesn’t have multiple webbing straps or velcro loops like a lot of seat bags, so there’s really nothing to become stuck and mucked up over time. Instead, it uses a single Voilé strap that loops through the bag, goes over each saddle rail, and connects to itself around the bottom, allowing you to cinch the bag tightly to the saddle. Then there’s just one TPU-coated strap that holds the roll-top in place. It’s a very stable and secure design. My only complaint about it thus far is that the TPU strap could be a touch longer; it’s hard to grab ahold of when stuffed full.

As mentioned, the Stoat can carry just shy of a liter’s worth of stuff. I found it to be the perfect size for the kit that I always carry in the summertime out in Pisgah National Forest: a small multi-tool, my new 40cc Wolf Tooth Encase pump (with tubeless repair kit), a windshell/light rain jacket, and my BeFree water filter. That pretty well fills out the bag with room to add some snacks if needed.

There are plenty of saddle tool rolls and mini saddle bags out there designed for such a task, but it’s worth highlighting this style of bag as a bikepacking accessory, too. I could see the Stoat making a great accessory for a bigger kit, especially because of its simple design and water resistance. Plus, it can be adapted for on-frame storage by reversing the attachment strap direction. This might make it an ideal little add-on for full-suspension bikes, providing a nook in the corner of a frame to stash a layer or two (or more snacks).

• Model/Size Tested: Revelate Stoat Seat Bag
• Actual Weight: 100 grams
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: $64
• Manufacturer’s Details: Revelate Designs

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