Strapping things securely to your bike is an important park of bikepacking. Voile Straps have always been the go-to original and today we look at some of the innovative improvements from Tailfin Cargo Straps in this side by side comparison.
Voile Strap & Tailfin Cargo Strap Side by Side Comparison
Gear straps, like Voile Straps, are a favorite accessory for bikepacking. They can be used for tons of purposes, they're dependable, and are generally great for attaching things to your bike and bags.
Now, I'm fully aware that I think about bikepacking straps more than the average bikepacker but I'm really impressed with the innovation that Tailfin as made in their Cargo Straps. To get a better idea of how they compare to Voile Straps and to see if they're a worthy Voile Strap alternative, I tested them both head-to-head and here are my observations along with my own person opinion of who wins in a few different categories.
1. Voile vs Tailfin: Versatility & Variety
Voile Straps
Voile Straps gives you tons of option. Their standard straps are available in 5 sizes with aluminum or nylon buckles (we always use nylon so it doesn't scratch the bike frame). Then you can get XL straps which are even thicker and wider than their traditional straps or the Nano series which are narrower and as short as 6 inches. They also come in Rack Straps which are specifically for hooking onto bike racks.
Then top it all off with the fact that several of their straps are available in as many as 12 different color options so you can match your bike however you'd like.
Tailfin Cargo Straps
Tailfin Cargo Straps are essentially one strap in three metric sizes: ~15inches, ~20inches, and ~25inches. With gray branding on black straps, they're clean and extremely sharp looking. They look smart and like everything Tailfin makes, they're 100% designed intentionally for bikepacking.
WINNER: Voile Straps
Voile Straps wins this round. Everyone has their own personal style and some will prefer the look of one over the other, but Voile Straps has 20+ strap options with a large catalog of color, length, width, and material choices.
2. Voile vs Tailfin: Strength & Durability
Voile Straps
I've been using the nylon buckle Voile Straps for several years and I have had the strap connection occasional slip right through the buckle. The end of the strap isn't very thick and if you pull really hard, you can pull the buckle right off. It hardly ever happens but it is a weak point in the design.
Beyond that, the straps are polyurethane with a UV resistant additive to increase their lifespan. Trusted since 1984, they're absurdly durable. Due to my own errors, I've had metal cut the edges of the strap and they still won't even begin to tear in the slightest.
Tailfin Cargo Straps
Tailfin Cargo Straps are thermoplastic polyurethane. They claim to be virtually indestructible with videos of them trying to unsuccessfully smash the buckles with a hammer.
The connection where the strap meets the buckle is more than twice as large as the Voile strap's connection. I couldn't get them to slip at all and I believe it's probably pretty close to impossible.
WINNER: Tailfin Cargo Straps
I haven't had a problem with the actual strap on either options and they both feel and act similarly under pressure. But the buckle/strap connection is engineered to be significantly stronger on Tailfin Cargo Straps. I use these straps for a lot purposes and I need to know that I can put a massive amount of pressure on these and they won't slip. Tailfin is suited better to do that whereas Voile Straps (at least with the non- marring nylon buckle) are visibly less secure and I've had mine slip.
3. Voile vs Tailfin: Design for Bikepacking
Voile Straps
Voile Straps are a general-purpose alternative to bungee cords and duct tape. They do an incredible job being easily the most versatile tool in my garage and that obviously includes bike purposes. I tend to collect them and love having different sizes and styles for different needs.
Voile Straps are not necessarily built for bikepacking and with a little innovation, this is where I think Tailfin Cargo Straps edges them. One thing that always bugs me, for example, is the hole coverage. The holes stop a little before the end of the strap on one end and way before the buckle on the other end. This means I can't always get them to work even if they're long enough.
Tailfin Cargo Straps
This is where Tailfin shines and really pulls ahead of Voile Straps. The details really matter and Tailfin got them all perfect. First, there are holes all the way to the end of the strap which means I can carry bigger loads and DIY more randomly attached bags. Second, the buckle profile is offset and rounded. They hug bike frames, Nalgene bottles, bags, and car racks beautifully and look great doing it.
The strap keepers are also a nice touch. They keep the straps looking very clean even when the strap is much longer than needed. But regarding the strap keeper, I have almost lost them about 20 times since getting them so I'm not getting too attached to them and know they're almost certain to fall off and not get noticed.
WINNER: Tailfin Cargo Straps
Tailfin's tagline is Technical Bikepacking Equipment and from my perspective, they're really the best company to have innovated on the Voile Strap concept. They certainly don't have as many varieties, but they're designed to function perfectly for bikepacking and they're basically bombproof. I've always liked adding a splash of color to my bikes with the bright orange Voile Straps, but the Tailfin Cargo Straps are actually really sharp and I love the way they accent a bike and gear setup.
A Voile Strap Alternative
Both Voile Straps and Tailfin Cargo Straps are excellent tools for adventuring on bike. Bikepackers are known for cobbling gear together and always looking for new ways to attach a pack to a random part of the bike and that's why these are indispensable for me.
Bikepacking Straps: Securing Your Adventures & Gear
The thing I especially love about great straps is that they minimize the need for expensive bikepacking-specific bags. Seat packs, frame bags, and direct-mount fork packs can get really expensive when you add it all up. I've always just strapped a dry-bag to my seat and homemade rolltop bags to my forks using little more than Voile Straps and inexpensive mounts like Problem Solvers Bowtie Anchors.
Don't get me wrong, I also love bikepacking specific gear but these straps give you the option to experiment and minimize.
To add some straps to your own toolset, learn more at Voile Straps or Tailfin.
