Touring - Vaude Karakorum panniers?

Looking for insight from people with experience with these... or who could pick out some potential problems.

I'm in the market from some panniers for a cross country tour next year. I ran across these panniers and had never heard of them... but, look quite interesting. I like the fact that the top turns into a backpack and the panniers can be attatched by themselves.

Anyone know anything about them or forsee any pitfalls?

Thanks!


http://www.ubergear.co.uk/prodimages/15226_7640_3.jpg


patch pockets - QMR attachment system
- hardback back plate - zip outside pocket - top part also usable as backpack - reflective elements
weight: 2160 g
volume: 56,000 l
measure: 57,000 x 45,000 x 16,000 cm

http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/secVkJPw9Kc156/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/15226/SubProducts/152267640

Seem interesting, and not too bad weight wise.

I like to strap oversized stuff to the top of my rack, so this setup would not work for me.

My main concern is with the number and length of zippers in this Vaude system. Just more things to jam, break or fail in some way.

Translated from the site: "For longer trips or short tours offers the triple pocket for the rear luggage rack a lot of possibilities. The top case is also usable as a backpack and a simple back cushion comfortable to wear. The side pockets are each individually mounted on the wheel."

I've seen smaller but similar integrated systems like this and didn't like that they were inseparable which seemed kind of limiting. However, I like that these ARE separable and the size of this set looks like it could hold quite a bit. The price definitely seems about right at around $140 USD. I also like the clean (Euro) look to it and lashing on the trunk and handle for easy carrying is nice. The backpack part is pretty cool and I've thought about getting this additional part for my Ortlieb setup.

I do agree about the zippers though. That said if they're heavy duty enough they might be fine but from the pictures, these zippers don't look terribly durable. I just had a zipper fail on my last tour and it pretty much sucked. Fortunately it wasn't a critical malfunction. This setup looks like it'd be a disaster if a zipper failed. Also, I'm not sure where you'd be touring but I also wonder about water-repellency, they don't claim any and there are a lot of seems on this set (but then I live in the PNW and this is important). The H2O issue might not be much of a concern to you but I also see that they have water "proof" panniers.

Vaude is a good pannier.I have read of a few people having problems with the backboard warping around the rack.