Oveja Negra Chuckbucket: the bag of many things

Meet the Chuckbucket, Oveja Negra’s take on the classic handlebar snack bag. It’s big. It’s rectangular. It’s deep. And we like it! Read on to find out why.

Last year, we posted our accessory bag roundup, showcasing a plethora of the handlebar ‘stem’ bags that could be found at the time. Given how quickly the world of bikepacking is burgeoning, plenty of worthy additions have percolated into the marketplace since then.

One such example is the new Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Handlebar Snack Bag… which, as its name implies, is all about throwing stuff in. And lots of it. For a start, it’s big. The Chuckbucket bags gulps down a 1L Nalgene or 40oz Kleen Kanteen. Alternative, it can fit a few bananas without crushing them or some avocados. It even makes a great cocoon for the likes of a mirrorless camera with a pancake lens, as seen in the pictures below.

  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review

Compared to the classic, cylindrical snack bag, the Oveja Negra Chuckbucket has a shallower, wider and more rectangular shape, resulting in less potential knee strike despite its size. Nice!

ovejanegra-chuckbucket-review_17
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review

Elsewhere, there’s daisy chains and one-wrap velcro, offering plenty of mounting configurations on both sides of the handlebars. Additionally, there’s an adjustable strap, with a lockable clasp, that loops round the fork crown to keep the Chuckbucket extra stable if you’re packing a heavy payload, like a camera lens – as I’ve been doing. For those who find it gets in the way, fear not, it’s removable.

As we’ve come to expect from Oveja Negra, construction is excellent throughout. The Chuckbucket is made with X-pac VX21 and Cordura, along with a 70d hex ripstop top. Internally, it’s lined with high density closed cell padding, which helps the bag both keep its shape and protect delicate contents. I like the drain hole too, as it stops the bag pooling water during monsoon season. If you’re worried about dust or muck working its way in, just gorilla tape it over. There’s also an extra plastic loop, in case your handlebar bag system is overlapping with your snack bag; you can feed webbing through the loop instead of wrapping it around the handlebars.

The drawcord at the top is on the lengthy side, making contents easy to access when the bag is fully open. There’s a big mesh pocket with velcro at the front, which I found handy for stashing trash. My only gripe is that when the main compartment of the bag is full, this front pocket can be hard to access, given that the closure is non-elasticated. Good for durability, but less so for practicality.

  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review
  • Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review

Oveja Negra have always made good looking gear. Mine came in this limited edition ‘late 80s ski jacket’ color combo, which I really dig. There are plans to make this a standard option. In the meantime, the available color palette includes multicam, white, and slate grey, as well as a fluro orange to add a little zing to your ride.

  • Capacity: 1 liter+
  • Weight: 4oz (110g)
  • Price: $50
  • Place of manufacture: Colorado, USA.
  • Contact: Oveja Negra

Wrap Up

The Oveja Negra Chuckbucket has become one of my favourite handlebar bags. I love its generous size combined with its knee-saving shape. It’s a combination that makes it extremely versatile, whether for water hauling, packing snacks (like those oh-so-delicate bananas and avocados) or even a small mirrorless camera. My only minor issue is the mesh front pocket, which is somewhat awkward to access when the main compartment is jammed full. Other than that, I consider the Chuckbucket a welcome twist to the traditional handlebar snack bag.

Oveja Negra Chuckbucket Review

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.

Share This

Thanks in advance for spreading the word!
art