Handcrafted horse saddle bags that convert into sling bags or backpack

DESIGNED, TESTED, & MADE IN ONTARIO CANADA

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We exist to help you ride and work hard, without worrying about gear failure.

DESIGNED, TESTED & MADE IN ONTARIO CANADA.

Unique design

Our low profile design doesn't compromise form for function, and vice versa.

The look is slim and streamlined, yet the Tank Bag packs a punch in terms of practical ergonomics.

Numerous pockets that don't get in your way when not in use, combined with an attention to detail, while using quality materials and fittings all add up to a nice looking bag that you'll be able to count on for years.

 

Multi use: at-home on horse or human

The essence of Tank Bags is to honor the trifecta of solo horse travel: comfortable, light, and durable.

With that foundation we also made it our goal to be able to use these quality horse saddle bags in day to day life, in the city or country.

We are proud to offer bags that are optimized equally well as a horse saddle bag for remote world travel, also as back yard party bag, day time errand bag, or backwoods work bag.

 

360 degree tie out options

We have created a minimalist yet full-featured tie out system where the bag can be attached to the horse saddle in numerous ways, most importantly snugly in a comfortable manner for the horse and rider.

The same straps can be used to configure your bag as a small duffel/ ditty bag, purse, handbag, sling bag or even fanny or thigh pack.

Ultimately the bag are configured so that you could use any strap or rope that will fit thru the 1- 1.5" tie out openings. This gives you the freedom to tighten, affix, and wear the bag as you want. (each bag comes with 3 webbing straps, see below for more details)

 

Extensive pockets

We all like pockets, but we don't like floppy compartments that jingle and jangle around when empty.

A quality bag should fit snug whether empty, or full; our flush pockets when filled are pressure fitted from stored items on the other side of the pocket backing. This helps keep you gear secure while riding, working or playing.

 

Quality fabrics, fasteners, straps, and hardware

We use double ply/ fill cotton canvas in 12oz and 18oz thickness. We also use Sunbrella, which is a fade resistant fabric used the marine industry for boat and seat covers. Ask us about our custom color options.

All fittings, hardware and fasteners are built to last - no plastic...

  • Tubular nylon mil-spec webbing strap Metal web slides
  • Metal rings
  • Bit snaps
  • Metal keychain rings
  • Hmpe tie out rope

 

Made in small batches with custom colour options

We are a small shop focused on quality over expansion.

We can integrate some custom options in your bags.

We also offer you the choice to select your custom colors when choosing our rugged sunbrella fabric options.

 

Designed and tested based on decades of outdoor work and travel

I've had outdoor jobs since I was 7 years old. From delivering newspapers, to working as a groundskeeper, I also have traveled a lot, and have practical experience traveling for several years successfully with just one horse.

I made a lot of mistakes and learned from most of them...

 

Tank Bags is my vision of what a good bag should be...

OPTIMIZED FOR RUGGED USE YEAR IN YEAR OUT

Tank Bags was created from decades of outdoor work and travel in all seasons and climates, as a farmer, bike messenger, groundskeeper, and horse Long Rider. We exist to help you ride and work hard, without worrying about gear failure.

 

CONFIGURED FOR SOLO HORSE TRAVEL

A historic journey - 5000 miles of hope -of one man and one tank of a horse, spanning 3 years, 4 countries and over 10,000 km - this is the foundation for our line of rugged, practical horse travel bags.

 

CONVERTS INTO SLING BAG OR BACKPACK

The crossover nature of our bags make for a seamless fit on both horse or human. The world famous Morgan mare Roxy is now the main model and tester for our line of horse travel bags. I also test and use my hybrid horse bags when clearing trails on our remote Ontario property, or when shopping or visiting friends.

 

CLASSIC CANVAS CONSTRUCTION WITH MODERN TWIST

We offer a range of natural canvas weights for our construction, with choice of silicone or dry wax waterproofing. Also available is a rugged synthetic material option called Sunbrella, which we can custom order in hundreds of colors.

DESIGNED, TESTED & MADE IN ONTARIO CANADA.

Tank Bags is your durable carry option for travel, trail, and work.

 

Come visit our shop in Rockingham, Ontario, Canada. In the rugged hills surrounding the hamlet, I test and use the bags until I have a design worth putting our logo, and Roxy's face on.

Contact us at [email protected] or follow and like us on social. Our bags can be bought here .

We offer 3 main bag collections, side horse saddle bags of 3 different sizes, that can converted into a streamlined & practical carry bag.

SPRING 2025 > CantleTop bags will be available.

We stand by the quality of our product and offer a lifetime warranty.

Warranty includes:

  • Defect in manufacturing
  • Stitches coming undone
  • And if you choose the Sunbrella fabric option, we also guarantee the material for life against wear and tear.

In other words, should something arise (defect, manufacture issue) we will repair or replace your bag free of charge. You pay shipping to us. We will ship back to you at our cost.

 

We offer Canada Post domestic & international shipping, and pick up from the shop in Ontario Canada.

We are a small shop that makes bags one or two at a time.

Our customers buy from us because they want a tank of a bag, and are tired of over complicated or under built offerings.

We stand by the quality of our product and offer a lifetime warranty (see above)

However we do not offer exchanges or returns at this point.

If you have any questions regarding our products, please send us an email or message. We are happy to help you.

  1. Our bags are cut and sewn after order is completed. Build time is 1-4 weeks, unless we are on back order.
  2. Water proofing treatments can take from 5-20 days to fully dry and cure. The brown dry wax is somewhat strong smelling for the first month.
  3. Shipping times range from 2 days to 2 months, depending on service and location.

Our bags can be built water resistant and water proof from rain, but not from submersion.
We can sew drainage holes into our outside pockets.

2 types for material -silicone and dry wax (natural or brown)
Plus silicone sealing for seams

Silicone

We use our custom silicone treatment, covering all areas twice after bag is constructed.
We also offer additional seam sealing treatment during bag construction.

Neutral dry wax

Our custom dry wax treatment is applied twice over 2 or 3 days then allowed to dry and cure for a week or two. Contains

  • Beeswax
  • Paraffin wax
  • Lard
  • Canola oil
  • Mineral spirits
  • Tea tree oil and other essential oils

Light brown dry wax

Same as our neutral dry wax except it also contains pine tar. This mix has a lingering smell.

Silicone seam sealing

The seams are sealed with seam tape and silicone as needed during bag construction.

 

UPDATE for SPRING 2025.

We have a new source of pre-waxed cotton canvas in 12 and 18 oz double fill colors.

Natural Canvas

12 oz double ply duck canvas
18 oz double ply

Synthetic Sunbrella

10 oz, currently in cream, chocolate brown, black and grey. We can custom order hundreds of colors from a local supplier.

Fasteners

Bit snaps -Brass and nickel plated
Halter snaps

Tie out material

Ultralight weight and strong HMPE rope
3/32" and 3/16"

Nylon tubular webbing

1" mil spec

All of our bags come with a generous helping of low-profile pockets.

One of the standout features of Tank Bags is how they sit flush when empty, and magically expand as you fill with your important items.

The pocket sleeves are pressure fitted, in other words they sit flush with the backing behind.

This helps keep you gear secure while riding, working or playing. It also looks and feels good. Having a bag that sits tight to the body helps with your comfort and ergonomics.

All of the pockets are made with the same material as the rest of the bag, with no wimpy mesh to fall apart on your journey.

 

PommelTop / Thigh / Fanny Pack

7 pockets

  • 2 main pockets for water bottle, rain jacket, snack or cell phone
  • 4 side compartments for knives, tools, electrolytes, etc
  • PLUS 1 hidden inner pocket

 

Saddle/ Sling Bag Pommel/ Medium Size

12 pockets

  • Large main compartment
  • 4 water bottle or cell phone
  • Rear sleeve for jacket, feed or tablet
  • 4 side compartments for knives, tools, electrolytes, etc
  • Front pen holder
  • PLUS 2 hidden inner pockets

 

Saddle/ Sling Bag Cantle/ Large Size

12 pockets

  • Large main compartment
  • 4 water bottle or cell phone
  • Rear sleeve for jacket, feed or notebook
  • 4 side compartments for knives, tools, electrolytes, etc
  • Front cell phone holder
  • PLUS 2 hidden inner pockets

We fit each side bag independently, then attach each side together afterwards with webbing straps if needed.

Top bags, if used, go on before the side bags.

  • Match tie out spots on saddle with those on bags.
  • Order custom sizing or tie out locations if you need.
  • Run 12" tie out rope thru corner tie outs of saddle.
  • Loop each rope on itself then loop into top corner tie outs of saddle.
  • Then attach bottom tie out ropes from bag to saddle.

If your saddle has thin leather latigos on your saddle you can use them to secure the bag at the corner tie outs.

Adjust fit. Each saddle has different tie out points so we over a range of tie out points and fasteners.

An option we provide on the bags is a length of hmpe rope stitched like webbing daisy chains. These rope chains run along the side and bottom seams of the bags, as well as across pocket openings.

You can tie off along any point of the rope daisy chain.

We use rope and not webbing as it can be pulled at any angle without stressing the fabric.

Our 1" tubular webbing can be secured thru the bag corner tie outs, along the rope daisy chain, and across to the saddle, other side of saddle or other side bags.

Bit snaps act like carabiners and we use them to attach bags to themselves and to saddle tie outs.

We encourage our customers to situate the bags as close to their hips and legs as is comfortable.

In other words, the rear bags as as far forward under the riders hips as possible, and the front bags as far back towards the riders thighs and knees as comfortable.

The tight and high fit keeps the center of gravity compact, and we believe this is an ergonomic way for your horse to carry the substantial load.

We recommend to view our fitting photos.

Flopping bags can be readjusted.

Bags too far forward or backwards can be tightened.

I've found the first time you fit the bags to each saddle to be a little but of a learning process.

Once I ride and test them out weighted and at all gaits, I take them off then remount with the best combination of fasteners for the tie out locations on the saddle.

The second time attaching is quite a bit faster and easier.

We recommend a packing style similar to back country backpacking.

Heavier items in towards the inside of bag.

Lighter stuff on the outside and top.

The pockets can be used water bottles, food, knives, phone, small tack or articles of clothing.

*** we recommend using a personal bag, backpack, fanny pack, etc for sensitive and essential gear.***

This allows you be be somewhat sufficient if away from your horse(s) for any length of time.

When I traveled with one horse, we used a backpack, and side and top saddle bags on my mare Roxy.

In my set up I rarely accessed the side bags during the day, except for water bottles near top or feed bags on inside of front pommel bags.

I've integrated pocket options in all areas of the back to help with on the fly access when riding or on break.

The main compartment of our bags are water proof/ resistant.

The side bags are removable and transform into carry bags for errands or leisure. The most common strap set up is over one shoulder, or across the other shoulder.

Also can be carried as handbag, or even set up as a backpack.

The nylon tubular webbing straps are soft enough to use on their own, they also can be covered with English saddle leather protectors.

Each bag comes with 2 34" long straps and 1 72" long strap, web slides or rings, 2 extra rings, and 2 bit snaps.

The webbing is secured and adjusted via the web slide/ ring and attached to the bag thru the hmpe loop/ daisy chain.

Bit snaps attach the bag top rolled or folded on itself.

The longer 72" strap can be used as a loop thru the bag tie outs then slung over your shoulder. Length is adjusted thru tightening the web slides/ rings.

Shorter straps can be used as waist belt or chest straps.

Halter snaps and rings are handy to use when using the back with waist or chest straps.

There are many ways to attach the straps and rope to the bags. What works for you and your horse is perfect!

Rockingham, Ontario, Canada

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