Commuting - Preferred panniers?

I'm considering picking up a pair of axiom dutch shopper panniers. anyone like them? any others?

I think it depends what you'll be carrying around. There are SO many options. I started with a single pannier a couple years ago and although I don't ride enough (working on that) found that I often had to use a shopping pannier in addition because it just didn't have enough space after putting my purse and snacks in it. I hate not having matching ones.

So, I did a ton of research and finally bought some Basil Dutch panniers. They have various colors and styles ranging from about $60-$125ish. I opted for some larger ones that are quite girly with pink and red and plaid and flowers and well, busy and definitely something a driver can see :). They are sturdy, durable, water resistant and the best thing is they have lots of pockets!

Oh, I wanted bigger and double because I teach and often bring work home, including a laptop.

I have been using a pannier from Arkel for about 3 years now. It has seen all sorts of weather, including winter, and it still looks and works like new. They have a large range of styles, including an "Urban Commuting" line, which may contain the bags your looking for. They are pricey but IMHO are also worth every penny. I have the "Commuter" bag and I am very impressed with it.

http://www.arkel.ca/ca_e/all-categories/laptop-bicycle-pannier.html

I just got the rack and panniers installed on my bike, and I'm glad I did. I had a handlebar bag, but I hated the way it threw off the front wheel every time I tried to park the bike, and I hated that it was so huge and really didn't carry all that much in the grand scheme of things. It's headed to eBay one of these days.

So after a little bit of online research, I went with the Racktime Addit because I was scared about heel strike and wanted to be able to mount the panniers further back if need be. Then I completely negated that by ordering Racktime's Doubleit pannier. It's $60 and uses the Racktime rack's SnapIt system, which is a completely foolproof mount - I was pissed at first that the the Doubleit didn't include mounting instructions until I snapped it on the rack in literally five seconds. Then I was like "yeah, I guess it doesn't need instructions."

The rack didn't come with instructions either, and me not being the most technically minded person ever hurt me, so I struggled with putting it on. There was a parts sheet and the parts had numbers next to them, so I figured that was the way I should put the rack on, by the numbers. Turns out the numbers were totally backward and I should've been starting from the last number and working up. So after watching a YouTube video on installing a rack, I'm like "AHA!" and put it on semi-correctly. It isn't the nicest installation ever, but it's currently doing the trick.

Total cost of the whole thing, including a key lock that goes on the SnapIt system that keeps anyone from removing the double pannier, was $125. The pannier has lots of room but isn't waterproof - they do give you a waterproof cover for it, though - and it just seems like the material it's made of could be a lot less "flimsy." It feels kind of like the stuff they used to make gym bags out of in the 1970s. But it does work with the SnapIt system, which is truly neat.

this is what ya want right here
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/shoppers/hunter-shopper/

its so versatile... it can hold anything !

I have these and I find them fantastic!
http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/panniers/saddlebag-pannier/

Here's the review.
http://www.banjobrothers.com/banjo-blog/product-reviews/01090-saddlebag-panniers-review/

I have Ortliebs. No complaints here. They are the only panniers I've ever had. I have more than enough room for what I need to carry on the commute. Everything stays 100 percent dry. I've heard people say that the Ortliebs need to have more "compartments." I guess that could be true. It hasn't bothered me though. I just use different bags inside the ortliebs for things that need to be seperate and on their own (mostly I carry electronics like cell phone, ipod, camera, chargers, etc. in a "dry bag".)

Their may be better bags out their than the Ortliebs. But, since i don't have any complaints, I don't think I'll change.

Only two criteria matter: Are they big enough for you and do they cause heel strike issues on your particular bike. I use a model of Axioms myself and consider anything from Arkel a good choice.

I use jandd mini mountain panniers for commuting. They work great. Not real cheap, but I find you get what you pay for.

+1 for the Ortliebs

Living in Mexico, I went with something custom made. Yes... it's big enough for a 16" laptop, no heel strike, weather-resistant, portable and elegant. I made two (one for each side.)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8210/sam0039e.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/sam0039e.jpg/)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1521/sam0035n.jpg (http://img571.imageshack.us/i/sam0035n.jpg/)