HippoHips™ Hybrid Saddlebags
Turkana’s roll-top HippoHips™ are the only true hybrid adventure soft luggage saddlebags able to be fitted as classic “over the seat“ mount or as a quick-fit & release plate mount. (Both mounting sets sold separately).
These roll-top 100% waterproof and dustproof motorbike soft luggage panniers are favoured by serious riding pioneers, long distance riders, dual sport enduro moto-adventure guys and girls that have been around the block and know what gear is essential.
The new design and stronger, tougher upgraded fabric ensures the HippoHips™ soft panniers handle bugger ups, scrapes and drops from adventure enduro-type travel.
Disclaimer: Products might vary in colour, material and construction from time to time.
Upgrades and Attachables
Turkana HippoHips™ Hybrid Saddlebags
Turkana’s roll-top hybrid HippoHips™ is a uniquely designed hybrid soft luggage waterproof modular system that can be used as a classic universal type “over the seat“ with the Classic over the seat strap set or on our injection-moulded, Nylon6 glass-filled plate-mounted system (both mounting sets sold separately).
The HippoHips™ Hybrid universal design will fit the majority of adventure, touring, or enduro-style motorbikes. The soft saddle baggage panniers require pannier frames on the motorcycle, and fitment can be on both manufacturer pannier frames or aftermarket pannier frames.
HippoHips™ Hybrid is designed for passionate adventure riders going off the beaten path on remote backcountry trails, where each adventure demands gear that can handle a massive beating and is adaptable to different motorcycles.

Removable waterproof/dustproof inner bags.
Each saddlebag includes an IP66-rated waterproof dustproof roll-top removable inner liner bag. Riders can leave the soft luggage panniers on the motorcycle and carry the inner bags to their tent or hotel.
Water may still come between the inner bag and the saddlebag without penetrating the inner bag. If the worst happens and the inner bag is damaged, it can be easily replaced without the need to replace the entire saddlebag.
The bright light colour of the removable inner bags makes it easier to find gear when digging through a bag. When used with the Turkana modular packing cubes, each cube is a different colour, which makes it easy to pack the inner bag.
Mounting Options: Classic Over-The-Seat Straps set – OR – Plate Mounted Quick Fit
Unique cross-over the seat and compression support.


Turkana Plate Mounted support
The Turkana HippoHips™ soft luggage adventure motorcycle mounting plate offers a quick fit and release mount for your HippoHips™ baggage setup.
This unrivalled system offers a versatile and universal fit to the majority of adventure motorcycles, designed with adjustable slots for easy configuration and fitment to most standard aftermarket and OEM motorcycle pannier racks of different shapes and sizes.
Lightweight, nearly unbreakable, making this the ideal adventure travel soft luggage mounting solution for adventure riders.
The glass-filled reinforced nylon 6 material, together with the ingenious ribbed design, saves on unnecessary weight but also grants the plate additional flexibility without compromising strength.
Read more about the Turkana Soft Luggage Mounting Plate here.

M.O.L.L.E & PALS Pouch Attachment System
It is important that your saddlebags can be configured for different trips or adventures. What better system to use than what Chuck Norris and the military are used to?
M.O.L.L.E. is perfect for this application, making it possible to add and use different pouches fitted with PALS to add more storage space to the saddlebags and allowing you to configure the system to your needs for the trip ahead.
The M.O.L.L.E (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) & PALS webbing (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) on our gear are not for vanity or cosmetics. Our PALS webbing is a standardised, durable system designed for modular attachments and to carry weight.

Impact Protection all round
The HippoHips™ provides comprehensive impact protection. The HippoHips™ saddlebags are protected by double-layered padding in the front.
For additional protection, there is a Hdpe/high-density polyethylene impact protection plate. This tough plate wraps from the back all the way to the front. Drops, spills, muddy and rocky rutted goat tracks, deep water crossings, tree branches—the combination of the wear-and-tear fabrics and protection plate will to protect your gear.
The outer layer is made from durable fabrics, namely Rhinocote™. The fabrics offer high tear, wear, and abrasion resistance and can take enormous abuse associated with adventure-type travel. The outer shell is water-resistant with triple stitched seams, which makes this luggage perfect for gritty offroad use and lasts for many years.
Two additional webbing straps wrap around the saddlebags to increase strength.
Field Repairable
Most damages should be repairable by anybody with a sewing needle in most places around the world. No need for welding or special tools is required, as the case may be to fix hard panniers.
We know the HippoHips™ might be dragged to hell and back and that riders may have to make repairs now and then, as accidents are part of enduro-adventure riding. So, you do not have to throw your bags away due to cuts or tears. Just replace or repair what is needed.
Turkana HippoHips™ Hybrid Saddlebags include:
- Turkana HippoHips™ Outer Bag
- Waterproof Inner Bag

WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN SOFT LUGGAGE?
Simply – they work!
The beauty of it lies in the simplicity of its design. It is one of the many reasons why so many seasoned experienced overlanders, adventure travellers, and hardcore adv-enduro riders choose a lightweight design as preferred motorcycle luggage over aluminium panniers.
The lightweight total weights are kind to motorcycle subframes and pannier racks. Many riders still prefer and love this age-old, stupid philosophy for soft motorbike baggage.
We believe that having lightweight gear is crucial when riding off-road, enduro, and adventure motorcycles. Lightweight can still be bulletproof, and HippoHips™ is a testament to that.
When we updated the design of these saddlebags, we stuck to the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) philosophy. HippoHips™ are easy to fit and remove, using a few straps to tie down the bags to pannier frames and the bike, or quick release using our Turkana plate mount.
It is not a problem for weekend riders or commuters to leave the panniers on the bike as the waterproof/dustproof inner bags are removable and can be used to carry gear to a campsite or into a hotel.

Product Features
- 100% Waterproof Dustproof inner bags
- Dual-Layer System
- Rhinocote™
- HDPE backbone hard impact plates
- Roll-top closure
- M.O.L.L.E system – attach and configure more accessory pouches
- Adjustable carry straps and as a shoulder or backpack bag
- Field repairable
- Universal fit to most motorcycle racks
- Stowaway document pocket
- Carry handles.
Weight | N/A |
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Dimensions | N/A |
Height Unrolled | 20L: ~61cm, 30L: ~68cm |
Volume | 20 Litre, 30 Litre |
Fitment
Fitting instructions HippoHips™ Hybrid 20L & 30L saddlebags. Over-the-Seat Straps.
How to correctly fit the HippoHips™ Hybrid 30L Saddlebags with the over-the-seat strap set to any motorcycle. There are a few tips to fit this classic style over the seat soft luggage.
Fitting instructions HippoHips™ Hybrid 20L & 30L saddlebags. Plate Mounted Option.
How to correctly fit the HippoHips™ Hybrid 30L Saddlebags with the Turkana pannier frame plates to any motorcycle. This combination allows for an easy quick release on/off touring luggage setup.
How to Properly Fit Molle / pals Pouches and bags on The Turkana touring soft luggage.
In this article and video below, we will also comprehensively explain how to fit MOLLE pouches to PALS webbing. It is extremely important to understand and learn how to fit them correctly.