Soft Luggage Showdown: Mosko vs. Giant Loop vs. Kreiga

There's something beautiful about watching a loaded adventure bike dancing through technical terrain with soft luggage hugging its flanks. When the trail gets gnarly and the bike goes horizontal, proper soft luggage transforms from expensive bags into armor plating that saves your plastics – and your day. After 1,500 miles of everything from high-speed desert two-track to greasy mountain single-track, we've got the lowdown on which soft luggage systems truly earn their adventure stripes.

The Contenders

Mosko Moto Backcountry 35L

First impressions: Built by riders who clearly got tired of gear that couldn't hang. The attention to detail is obsessive – like the welded seam construction and military-grade materials. Premium price, but you can feel where the money went.

Giant Loop Great Basin Saddlebag

First impressions: Simplicity is beautiful. The horseshoe design has proven itself from Baja to Bolivia, and Giant Loop's reputation for building bombproof gear is evident in every stitch and buckle.

Kriega Overlander-S OS-32

First impressions: British engineering meets adventure riding. Kriega's reputation for thoughtful design and bulletproof construction is immediately apparent, with their signature white-on-black aesthetic bringing a touch of premium feel to the adventure segment.

Real-World Performance

Weather Resistance

We hit the mountains during monsoon season. Not by accident. If you're going to trust your gear to soft luggage, you better know how it handles the wet.

Mosko Moto's two-layer system proved brilliant. The outer armor took the abuse while the inner dry bags kept our gear desert-dry through three days of constant rain. The removable dry bags also made camp setup a breeze – no need to unpack the bags themselves.

Giant Loop's single-layer approach initially had us skeptical, but their vinyl-coated fabric and strategically placed storm flaps performed flawlessly. Water beads up and rolls off like mercury off glass. One caveat: the roll-top closure requires proper technique – get lazy with your rolling and you'll be wringing out your sleeping bag.

Trail Durability

Time to get dirty. Our test route included everything from Joshua Tree rock gardens to Sierra Nevada decomposed granite – surfaces specifically designed by nature to shred gear and spirits equally.

The Mosko system absolutely shined here. The outer bags took horrific abuse, protecting both the inner dry bags and the bike's plastics during multiple "gravity checks." The MOLLE attachments never budged, and the mounting straps showed zero signs of wear even after miles of vibration.

Giant Loop's horseshoe design proved why it's a favorite among serious dirt riders. The minimal mounting points mean fewer failure opportunities, and the tough vinyl coating laughed off crashes and scratches. The design also keeps the load close to the bike's centerline – crucial when things get technical.

Daily Usability

Because even the most hardcore adventure bike occasionally has to grab groceries.

Mosko's removable dry bags are a game-changer for daily use. Pop them out, carry them inside, reload, and clip back in. The outer bags stay mounted and ready for action. The MOLLE panels also let you add auxiliary pouches for quick-access items.

Giant Loop's design requires more wrestling for quick access, but the trade-off is bombproof simplicity. The large top opening swallows gear easily, though organization requires careful packing and possibly additional stuff sacks.

Kriega's system offers excellent daily convenience with quick-release buckles that allow the entire bag to be removed in seconds. The removable waterproof liners can be carried separately, and the alloy cam buckles make compression quick and easy even with varying load sizes. The white interior of the dry bags makes finding small items remarkably easier compared to traditional black bag interiors.

Loading and Organization

Let's talk about living with these systems in the real world.

Mosko's two-layer system takes more initial setup time but pays dividends in organization and accessibility. The outer bags' stiffness makes loading the dry bags easier, and the multiple attachment points keep everything stable no matter the terrain.

Giant Loop's horseshoe requires more thoughtful packing but rewards you with incredible stability. The compression straps do an amazing job of keeping loads from shifting, even during aggressive off-road riding. Pro tip: get their recommended stuff sacks – they're sized perfectly for the bag's dimensions.

Value Verdict

After 1,500 miles of intentional abuse, here's where your money goes:

Mosko Moto Backcountry 35L ($700)

Best for: Serious adventure riders who demand the best and ride hard enough to justify the investment

Giant Loop Great Basin ($450)

Best for: Hardcore dirt riders who prioritize reliability and minimal mounting points

Kriega Overlander-S OS-32 ($599)

Best for: Adventure riders who split time between off-road exploring and daily commuting, and appreciate premium design details

The Bottom Line

The Mosko Moto Backcountry stands as the new benchmark in soft luggage – if you can swallow the price tag. The two-layer system and bombproof construction justify the cost for serious adventure riders who demand the best.

Giant Loop's Great Basin continues to prove why it's been a favorite of desert racers and adventure riders for years. It's not the most convenient system, but it might be the most reliable. Sometimes simpler is better.

Kriega's Overlander-S OS-32 brings British precision engineering to the adventure segment with thoughtful features that enhance both on and off-bike use. While offering less capacity than its competitors, the modular design and premium construction quality make it an excellent choice for riders who appreciate refined details and versatility.