Utility Cycling - Quick-Release vs. Folding (Rear Baskets for Groceries!)

So, I'm looking to get baskets to go grocery shopping using my bike, and although I've read previous threads, I'm still unsure.

How does a quick release rear basket like the Basil Cardiff (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YO7LTK/ref=cm_rdp_product) compare to the folding baskets like Wald and eleven81 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001UL5R5Q/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A3SNLLVFZ6ABAC&v=glance)?

I like the idea of being able to remove the baskets, but the Basil seems to weigh 10lbs each (which would make 20lbs if there was a basket on each side), where as the folding rear baskets are 5.5lbs for both together.

I'm comparing the two in terms of convenience as well as weight, and any information/preferences/advice would be welcome. Thanks!

Also: I've been looking at baskets and panniers for a couple of days straight and that's left me all confused. I'm new to biking and don't know enough (now even in terms of baskets vs. panniers). I don't want to end up something that I won't use, or will cause me enough trouble to not really want to ride/use my bike.

Any information you have, experiences you can share about running errands etc. would be great. Thanks!

I installed baskets for two reasons: 1. They are always there when I need them, and 2. They are out of the way when I don't.

For me, if I have to think about installing them before an errand, I'll probably forget to put them on when I'm in a hurry.

Also, if I go to a store and what I end up purchasing won't fit my rear bag, I just drop out a basket and I'm good to go!

I use the Wald folding baskets also... Like above, they are always there when the need arises.. Also with the quick release they may not be there when you get back...

I use the REI Novara shopping panniers. Both folding and quick release. They have worked well for me so far. They do require a good rear rack to mount to. I am using the Topeak Super Tourist DX rack.

No rattles when either open or closed and each will hold a standard paper grocery bag full of stuff.

+1 on wald folding for me. My general approach is if I know I am going to the stort, I bring reusable shopping bags (and often have them anyway)....if it is an unplanned trip....I ask for paper bags as they fit right in.

I can fold them out of the way and it is easy to put things like my laptop or son's back pack in the baskets.

I've got the Wald folding baskets. They are surprisingly light.

I like having them there. They fold flat in a second.

These are really nice baskets -- perfect size for grocery bags.

I just installed a Wald quick-release front basket. I found I needed something to hold the big stuff -- say, rolls of toilet paper -- which can eat up the real-estate out back.

That Basil basket is not secured to the rack in any way, it just hooks over the side. A hard bump, and it comes flying off. After mine did that, I secured it with a rope at the bottom and left it on the bike permanently.

Since it's not fastened, it slides around and wears down every part of the rack it touches. And of course, the basket itself wears down equally.

Four years now, two bikes, and I still love that basket. Worn down, for sure, but it still holds my backpack or a grocery bag. I like to think it scares off thieves ;)

I'm a bit surprised to see that basket, the exact same as I have, is more expensive at Amazon.com than here in high-cost Norway. Don't expect high quality.