Text & Photos by Nicholas Haig-Arack

The new Simworks Thunder Rack Straps are made in Salt Lake City by Voile. This grassroots company has been making accessories for skiers and splitboarders in Utah since the early 1980s. As it turns out, their classic ski straps are incredibly useful for a near-infinite variety of purposes, including carrying stuff on your bike.

If you enjoy attaching things to your bicycle, you already know and love these simple, durable, reliable polyurethane straps. They don’t slip, they’re waterproof and UV-resistant, they can be daisy-chained, and they are tougher than the rest. That’s why SimWorks commissions Voile to make the always-handy Thunder Strap, and it’s also the reason their straps are specced with the Sim Loaders line of bike camping bags. They’re the gold standard.

I would wager that anyone who has gone for a bike camping trip in the past decade is as in love with the classic Thunder Straps as I am. So when I was asked to test out the new Rack Strap, I was pretty excited.

The new Simworks Thunder Rack Strap is designed specifically to be used with a front or rear rack with 10mm diameter tubing – that includes most racks, including the SimWorks Obento front, as well as their Burrito and On the Road rear racks. The nylon hooks on either end snap into place easily. It’s only slightly more complex to use than the original Thunder Strap, but it is much tidier and more satisfying when you get it right. There’s not much more to say about it – it simply works, and it works very well. I’m looking forward to using the Rack Strap on numerous upcoming overnighters!

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a box with a few old bungee cords that you’ve held onto for years. The Rack Strap puts all of your sagging old bungee cords to shame – it really is the best way to secure stuff to your bike rack. It’s time to say goodbye to those threadbare elastic cords and embrace a better way. Sayonara, bungee!

So what are you going to carry on your rack system? Start by lashing down a good book or two and go to the local coffee shop. After that, the sky’s the limit.

Also, with the Thunder Rack Strap, securing a basket to your rack is a breeze, making it easy to pack up for a spontaneous picnic. Even on days when you forget your bag. Just load up your favorite snacks, strap in the basket, and head out for a picnic ride to your favorite spot.