Touring - Best saddlebags for 6 month loaded tour?

I am planning a 6 month plus tour for next year in the US. (camping and cooking) I have read many opinions about waterproof vs water resistant. What is your choice? Please specify if you choice is from first hand experience of long this long or just opinion. Also if you have any input on volume needed for four bags for this type of trip.(2400 cubic inches rear and 1800 front for example) Thanks in advance, Greg

I have absolutely no experience with any of these items...
http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/baggage_racks/

My experience is only with Arkel's and other similar non-waterproof panniers.

Regarding Arkel's, the GT-54 has beefiner zippers than the T-42, so they would resist more when overstuffed. That being said, my T-42 have been used for 4-5 years on the rear rack for daily commuting (and on front lowriders when I tour); they have faded, are crooked and look a bit beaten but still are very solid. By comparison, my GT-54 have been used for only three 7 to 10-day tours, plus a few shopping sprees and they look new.

Just beware of any parts (skewer, bolt...) rubbing on the panniers. I patched two small holes after this Summer's tour.

Regards,

I toured over the summer with Arkel's Grand Tourers and found that they faded hideously. They came out of the box fire engine red and now are orange. A bit of a drag for a five hundred dollar investment, I would say. I think if I were to do it again, I would consider a Bob if touring alone, to reduce wind drag which is a REAL drag whenever you have a headwind (which seems to be in excess of fifty percent of the time).

i use vaude water proof bags. no zipper, and 99.9% water pr00f!

i actualy don't use a saddle bag, i thought you were talking about paniers. i just use topeak sattle bag for my repair stuff. and i just put what ever you would put in a sadle bag on top of my rear rack.

Carradice are light, water-resistant and bomb-proof. Ive used mine everyday for 7 years.
Ortleib are waterPROOF, the downside being that in hot, humid climates, you get mildew inside. Better for winter use.
Personally, I would avoid any design which needs zippers, these are bound to fail at some point, and avoid ones which use an elastic hook; modern designs use secure clip-on fittings.

Thanks for all the replies. As of this writting I am leaning toward the use of a BOB trailer. The reasons are lower wind drag, (riding Cannondale's largest frame already gives me plenty of drag, I don't need any more!) simplicity, cost (I have found the BOB with the dry bag for $250 delivered) and the ability to carry bulk items. (I plan on staying at state or national parks for several days at a time. With the trailer I can go to a grocery and pick up one of those cheap foam coolers, fill it with ice and groceries and I'm good for my whole stay with fresh food. Hard to do with panniers) Greg