I was looking at snugpax.com - wondering if anyone has used them? Or can you recommend a no bounce cantle bag? I want to carry water, lunch, a few small emergency supplies for 3-5 hour rides - don’t need a huge bag. Main criteris is it doesn’t bounce all over when trotting and loping.
I have a snugpax - it is about 8 years old and is still going strong. I love it. It has two water holders and enough room to hold two different sized easy boots, a knife, vet wrap, small first aid kit, a hoof pick and a rubber curry. I usually keep a granola bar or two in there as well. If I need something for a bigger lunch, then I clip a small bag to the front of my saddle. Since I carry so much “stuff” in my snugpax and my horse’s back is a little longer (he is 1/2 Saddlebred), I had my Skito saddle pad cut a little longer so the snugpax rests on the pad and not the horse.
I highly recommend the snugpax.
Stowaway is also good too. I recently bought one from Long Riders and they seemed to have the most reasonable price at the moment.
I’ve got both a snugpax and a stowaway. Buy the stowaway. More room to get everything in, Straps to tie down your jacket. It’s bigger, but I think a better design.
Go to Snugpax online and there are a LOT of options. I have about six different pieces and LOVE them!!!
I have never used Snugpax but I know I don’t like Stowaway, used that one on a pommel bag. I prefer pommel bags myself so I can get into them easily while riding and my fave is Griffin’s sport pommel bag.
http://www.griffinstack.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23
I can get tons in it, it’s very accessable, and I use double ended snaps to put my clippers and saw on my saddle right under it.
Ann Szolas
I have a stowaway cantle pack that doesn’t bounce when it’s done up tightly. I also have a stowaway easy boot bag that is pretty small but large enough for a bottle of water and some extras for a short ride. I can fasten it down right in front of my thigh.
[QUOTE=decorum;4111449]
I have never used Snugpax but I know I don’t like Stowaway, used that one on a pommel bag. I prefer pommel bags myself so I can get into them easily while riding and my fave is Griffin’s sport pommel bag.
http://www.griffinstack.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23
I can get tons in it, it’s very accessable, and I use double ended snaps to put my clippers and saw on my saddle right under it.
Ann Szolas[/QUOTE]
Do you mind explaining why you don’t like the Stowaway? I’m looking for saddle bags and would love to know your experience.
Thanks!
[QUOTE=Fiat Lux;4115660]
Do you mind explaining why you don’t like the Stowaway? I’m looking for saddle bags and would love to know your experience.
Thanks![/QUOTE]
I am not Ann, of course. I have a Stowaway Deluxe pommel pack and a Stowaway western cantle pack. The cantle pack works very well (doesn’t bounce at all), but I hated the pommel pack, which I tried using with both an english saddle and a western-style endurance saddle. The pack just really seemed to get in my way. I ended up using a Stowaway easyboot bag that I could fastened down pretty well at the back of the endurance saddle.
However, I just got a Slimline Snugpax that I think I am going to love (I am nursing an injured foot so haven’t been able to try it out yet). I do not carry a lot of stuff out on the trail (either trail riding or at endurance rides), so I think it will work out just fine.
[QUOTE=Raleigh’s Mom;4115755]
I am not Ann, of course. I have a Stowaway Deluxe pommel pack and a Stowaway western cantle pack. The cantle pack works very well (doesn’t bounce at all), but I hated the pommel pack, which I tried using with both an english saddle and a western-style endurance saddle. The pack just really seemed to get in my way. I ended up using a Stowaway easyboot bag that I could fastened down pretty well at the back of the endurance saddle.
However, I just got a Slimline Snugpax that I think I am going to love (I am nursing an injured foot so haven’t been able to try it out yet). I do not carry a lot of stuff out on the trail (either trail riding or at endurance rides), so I think it will work out just fine.[/QUOTE]
I had a similar experience with the Stowaway pommel pack. . .I ride in a Tucker Cheyenne trail saddle at the moment and can’t seem to figure out a way to rig the pommel bag in a way that it isn’t in MY way.
The cantle bag works well, fits snug to the saddle with no bouncing and there are pockets, pockets and more pockets. Plus, I like having those water bottle carriers on each side.
Another product line that comes to mind is Trail Master. I think Outfitters Supply carries the full line, though I don’t have personal experience with any of it.
I wound up finding the stowaways in a local store for a better then internet price. The slimline cantle bag is awesome - out of the way!!! I also got the pommel bag with the two water bottles. It took some experimenting, but I can trot and canter with out my water bottles flopping, it is out of the way and yet the water is easy to reach! I would up having to restring it (hard to explain) so that the strap could reach the cinch ring. That did the trick! My only concern is that the top bag for cell phone, camera etc, seems like when you unzip it, stuff could fall out easy. So far no problem, but I watch it closely when I unzip it. Overall, I am happy with the choice.
I use CCM bags from a bike shop. They are nylon, very light weight, very durable and buckle right onto the saddle. Did I mention Cheap as well.
