Touring - The best pannier for me

I'm back from my latest tour. The weakest link to my touring system was the panniers so I'm looking for new ones.

Here are the features I want:
access to the bottom of the pannier without removing everything from the top
outside mesh pockets for wet/dirty clothing or potables
locking system for rack
panniers should clip together for airline travel as one piece

waterproof is not very important as everything is wrapped but they should be water resistant. These are rear panniers only!

Any ideas?

Have you checked out Arkels's T-42 panniers? A few others from Arkel might also fit the bill. They aren't cheap, but they are excellent quality workmanship and a well thought out design.

I would concur with Ziemas. I have the T42's they are a rocking pannier. Plus Arkel makes an amazing product and they stand behind it 100% which is great to have. If I remember there web address is http://www.panniers.com. If you want bigger than the 42's they have those as well. I personaly will be proably upgrading because of the length of my upsoming trip. But I am also sadistic and love to pack the pounds on the bike and laugh when someone thinks they can easly steal my self created anchor.

Cheers,

Coco

I have the T42 Arkel and the only thing that you require that they lack is the clipping together part. I think that you could rig a clip to link the hooks that hang the bag on the rack together and then just use a nylon web strap around the bottoms to keep them together back-to-back. They do have handles on the top.

This post appears to be a love-in for Arkel. I already have an Arkel handlebar bag and am most pleased.

In searching sites I found two negative comments about Arkel panniers that could be addressed here. The most serious was that the stitching came undone. The other was that they are not waterproof. I don't want rubber boots and I already roll my clothes et al into plastic compression bags so I don't really need waterproof (resistant would be nice). But how about that stitching thing? Is that a reasonable complaint?

This post appears to be a love-in for Arkel. I already have an Arkel handlebar bag and am most pleased.

In searching sites I found two negative comments about Arkel panniers that could be addressed here. The most serious was that the stitching came undone. The other was that they are not waterproof. I don't want rubber boots and I already roll my clothes et al into plastic compression bags so I don't really need waterproof (resistant would be nice). But how about that stitching thing? Is that a reasonable complaint?
Of course the stiching will come undone once in a while. They are real world products used by real people. The question is what does Arkel do in such a situation? The answer is that they pay for any repairs. Cool.

Ya if that happens call Arkel and they will take care of you. They are great about fixing any problems that may arise with their products.

As said before, as long as the labels are still attached to the bags, Arkel will repair your panniers or give you new ones if the stitching (or anything else) fails. I never had that problem using one of their very old model (around 15 years old)... their products are almost indestructible.

As for being waterproof, their newer models include an internal drybag that can be removed if needed. They also sell rain covers for extra safety.

panniers should clip together for airline travel as one piece

waterproof is not very important as everything is wrapped but they should be water resistant. These are rear panniers only!

Any ideas?

These may be of interest. Named "Best new product" at Eurobike by cycle magazine (UK):

Alluno pannier/rucksack/trolly system (http://www.alluno.de/index.php?cat=untern&sucat=untern&akt=impressum&img=&content=untern_impressum_d.htm)

Click on "Produckte" at the top, then "Trollies"

Here is just a quick update for everyone offering advice on the thread. Thank you! The overwhelming winner was Arkel. It's kind of a no-brainer as they are Canadian made anyway. I have Arkel handlebar bags already.

I couldn't make my mind up between the T-42 and the GT-54 models until my LBS offered me the GT-54 for less than the T-42s. They were in red and the sleeping bag/tent pole tube is not removeable (last years model), but the difference in price helped me to make up my mind quickly.

Arkel T-42s (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7194782578) for teh win! Great bags! :D

Haha... funny since I sold a Gt-54 set with non-removable tube pocket and bought a T-42 set. ;)

The Gt-54 are excellent but have too much gizmos for my taste and are lacking the large mesh pockets. Fully loaded, I have Gt-30 up front, bar bag and a small backpack on the rack so I have plenty of small pockets. One T-42's feature that's very handy for me is the straps with buckles on the left pannier. I use them for the tripod. No need to fiddle with ackward bungee cords.

Dang, I just bought the GT 54's, after vacillating for weeks between those and the T42's.... now I'm second guessing again. I thought the GT54's pockets were too gimmicky - especially the 2 removable ones with the flaps - but the T42 ones were rather limited.

Haven't used them yet, but i'm hoping to find out for myself soon...