Commuting - Recommendation for Waterproof Bag / Satchel

I'm wondering if there are bags that are really waterproof. I'd be willing to pay extra for a bag that would truly keep my documents and laptop safe from the elements.

Get a padded laptop cozy and a pack from here (http://www.wingnutgear.com/). Heck, maybe they have a dedicated laptop bag. I got my pack from them at a show last year. It's as darned near waterproof as anything you'll ever find (I've ridden with it in a downpour!).

Chrome Metropolis Messenger with a sleeve for your laptop. Airtight, very comfortable, and cool looking to boot!

I'm wondering if there are bags that are really waterproof. I'd be willing to pay extra for a bag that would truly keep my documents and laptop safe from the elements.
Ortleib is the way to go if you want a truly waterproof bag. Where I live it rains a lot. My wife and I use Ortleib panniers and have had no problems. All the messengers (and I mean every last one) also use Ortleib.

If you want a bag that will keep your stuff dry and is functional go with Ortleib. If you want a fashion bag that might be waterproof look elsewhere.

http://www.ortleib.com/p-typ.php?lang=en

Axiom Monsoon or Typhoon. They're dirt cheap and designed after a drybag used for canoeing/kayaking.

Its on the expensive side, but well worth it is the Patagonia Critical Mass bag. It has a built in laptop sleeve, nice padded strap and is wickedly waterproof. Case in point, this morning we're in the middle of a deluge (40+ mm of rain) and all my clothes, book and stuff were bone dry and this is without adding plastic bags.

Stay away from Timbuk 2 medium sized messangers, they leak like sieves.

I have had very good luck with rubberized canvas military surplus bags. I use one on my back rack. It's totally immune to the elements and very well built. For the money ($5 to $10) you can't do any better. The top flap can be sealed up pretty good, and if you're really paranoid you can wrap the stuff inside in a garbage bag first. Low-tech, but it's got me through some very nasty elements in Alaska on fishing trips and the like. The only thing better would be a true dry bag.

http://igoco.com/items/033998.jpg

http://igoco.com/igoco.pl?listing=SHOWITEM&SHOWITEM=033998&cart=

Ortleib is the way to go if you want a truly waterproof bag. Where I live it rains a lot. My wife and I use Ortleib panniers and have had no problems. All the messengers (and I mean every last one) also use Ortleib.

If you want a bag that will keep your stuff dry and is functional go with Ortleib. If you want a fashion bag that might be waterproof look elsewhere.

http://www.ortleib.com/p-typ.php?lang=en

+1

Axiom Monsoon or Typhoon. They're dirt cheap and designed after a drybag used for canoeing/kayaking.

I second this one. I use them, and love them. Clothing and loose paper in them are bone dry after a 25 minute downpour so bad I could barely see.....

Ortlieb is wonderful. Also, check into Timbuk2.

Koffee

Ortlieb get another vote here too.

--A

I ordered a pair of Ortlieb Back Roller Plus bags from www.thetouringstore.com. They should arrive today. I am a little concerned about fitting them on my rack, but Wayne assured me, after discussing specific measurements, that they should be fine. I will comment on this thread after I get to check them out.

+1 for Ortlieb. They also make yacht bags which supposedly keep your stuff dry if your yacht sinks.

I got the Orlieb's (for Father's Day ;-). They seem really well made, and are infinitely adjustable to fit any rack, I would think. After a little fiddling around, they fit my rack quite securely. The only thing I'm not too sure about yet is the "roller" aspect of these bags... i.e. you have to roll down the top of the bag a few times before securing it to some clasps. I was playing around without a load in the bag, so this might work a little better with at least some stuff in the bag.

Howie,
Rolling the top of the bag is standard feature in many (most really) dry bags. It's the roll that makes a waterproof seal (imagine the route water has to take to enter the bag). Ortlib's yacht bags use the roll closure as their handle. When the bag is packed full it can be a bit of a pain to get them to roll/close properly, but generally they are going to be the best panniers you have ever had.
--A

Ortleib is the way to go if you want a truly waterproof bag. Where I live it rains a lot. My wife and I use Ortleib panniers and have had no problems. All the messengers (and I mean every last one) also use Ortleib.

If you want a bag that will keep your stuff dry and is functional go with Ortleib. If you want a fashion bag that might be waterproof look elsewhere.

http://www.ortleib.com/p-typ.php?lang=en

I have used mine in the PNW for the last year. I love my Ortleib's.
-Duncan