Touring - Pannier rain covers

Anyone know where I can find a good deal on some rain covers to fit my 2,350 c.i. Nashbar ATB panniers ?

I've got rain covers on my panniers, but they are not totally effective. What yuo need to be aware of is that much of the water will seep from the rack side of the pannier and collect in the bottom of the rain cover in heavy rain. If yuo want to keep your stuff dry, you need to line the inside of your pannier with sturdy plastic bags.

Or put everything inside your panniers inside plastic ziploc bags... assuming you have nothing too big for a large ziploc bag.

PBW

I pack everything in its own zip lock bag, it makes it easy to fond things and nothing gets wet, I also have rain covers that I use when the rain is intense, I had the problem of the cover filling with water at the bottom, I purchased a grommet kit from the hardware store and installed a 1/2" grommet in the very bottom of each bag. Now when water does get into the bag it just drains out the bottom. The grommet reinforces the cover material and prevents it from ripping. Keep this in mind, nothing is truely water proof over the long haul, plastic bags make life easy and cost little. Make sure you use a brass or stainless steel grommet so it doesn't rust.

I got the covers that have a gromet inthe botom too. The rain covers are not completley water proff but id call them water resistant they keep the bags fairly dry, and keep the bags clean from all the road grime you get when riding in the rain

mine are a bright 10 mile oarnge color it helps with being seen when the light is flat on a grey ranniy day.

Like everyone else does i pack things in hudge zip loc bags withen the pannieers everything stays dry.
catfish

Any comments about that spray on waterprooffing?

You could try it, but water will still find its way in. Zippers are not water proof. Zip lock bags are the way to go.

I've got some Arkel covers, with a grommet in the bottom. There's always going to be some water in there, though, what with the folds and such in the cover.

If I were carrying something that just _had_ to stay dry plastic bags would have to be used. Ziplock bags work.

But the covers are cool. They go a long way to keeping unbagged things bone dry for some time even in heavy rain.

Ortleib panniers are preferred by some because they're _always_ waterproof. On the other hand, you have to carry around all that waterproofing even when you're riding in the sunshine.

Originally posted by Merriwether
Ortleib panniers are preferred by some because they're _always_ waterproof. On the other hand, you have to carry around all that waterproofing even when you're riding in the sunshine.

And they don't breathe very well in humid "sub-tropical" conditions.

Originally posted by bentbaggerlen
<snip> Zip lock bags are the way to go.
Someone on the Cycle North Carolina trip had 2 gallon zip locks that they said they got from Wal-Mart.

Originally posted by beowoulfe

Someone on the Cycle North Carolina trip had 2 gallon zip locks that they said they got from Wal-Mart.

How much did they weigh?

If you are looking for big 2 gallon ziplocks and can't find them at the big stores, try a Kayak or Canoe outfitter. I've used the big ziplocks on canoe trips to great effect.

Oso