Touring - A good set of Panniers

Looking to get a goog set of panniers for the back and the front not to big and waterproof any suggestions george12345

Ortlieb back and front rollers are great: fully waterproof, tough, hook onto the rack in seconds and are removed in no time by pulling the handle. Not very expensive either, same price and quality class as Vaude. They're used by many around the world tourers.

I use mine for travelling as well as for shopping etc., very handy!

Hi Lasse I don't like the Ortlieb I know they are used big time by a lot tourers the thing I don't like when you need something out you have to pull everything out of the bag for sure what you will be looking for will be at the bottom every small gets lost in there, I would like Panniers with outside pockets., even more handy!

With outside pockets; not necessarily waterproof. Learn how to pack properly, get a really waterproof set of panniers; you're golden.

Hi Davet Iv been packing my panniers for over 40 years, you know yourself, it really doesn’t matter how well you pack a bag the small stuff falls to the bottom I just was wondering did onyone know of a good set of panniers with pockets that is waterproof

I'll follow this thread. I don't know of any that both have pockets and are waterproof. I opted for the with pockets/not waterproof selection myself and use waterproof stuff sacks (and/or trash compactor bags) inside.

Check at Nashbar for waterproof and inexpensive, least in the short term. Axiom also makes a line of waterproof panniers. Ortliebs are the gold standard, and can easily be sold if touring turns out not to be your 'thing.' Be like renting them.

Arkel are among the best along with Lone Peak, Jannd is bad either, but stitching puts holes in the fabric and holes let water in. If you want water proof it is pretty much going to be the Ortliebs. I use ditty bags to keep my stuff sorted, usually color coded. I have had pocket panniers (Kirkland and Karimor) in the past and found the pockets frustrating, things that I wanted in the pocket wouldn't fit in the pocket that I wanted it in. If you do use the pocket panniers, spring for the rain covers.

Aaron :)

Thanks for all the suggestions the thing is I really don't like Ortliebs I think that if it rains (which it probably will knowing the weather in Ireland) the chances are by the time you get into a Ortliebs pannier you will get soaked anyway, and after the soaking there is no where to put the wet gear and everything ends up yep that right wet

Arkel panniers are incredible. Ortliebs are popular and have a good reputation but for me, Arkel is the best. I have their recumbent RT-60's and the TailRider trunk bag for day trips. I have not used them as much as I wish but when you see how well they are made it's more than obvious they have done everything possible to be done with a pannier. Lots of compartments, light weight, waterproof zips, reinforcement where it counts, easy mount/dismount with carrying handles and removeable shoulder straps (sold separately)...the works.

geroge i live in ireland and never have problems getting into my ortliebs. but what about carradice have you looked at them really class panniers.

Thanks lads the Arkel panniers sound really good Scrapser I have heard of them just think they might be a little big, I also looked at the carradice antokelly not to keen on them I was looking at Altura Dryline 32 Panniers-32L SET do anyone know about Altura

How many compartments would you like?

You can add external pockets (1.8L) to the Ortliebs and the Back Rollers have an inside mesh pocket for small stuff as well as a larger compartment against the back (behind the mesh pocket).
I keep my rain jacket either on top of the rack under a strap or on top of everything else in the bag, a jacket really doesn't sink down as fast as a pocket knife (which I put in the mesh bag). Also anything big like sleeping bag, tent, cook set, sweater is easily found. They're only 20L each so it's much easier than a single compartment lightweight backpack. ;)

antokelly what do you do with all the wet gear, do you put it back in the ortlieb, and when you put it back in the ortlieb, what happens

There's also an add on mesh bag that you install on the outside for the Ortliebs, in case you want to store wet gear ;)

Lasse I don't like the way you have to bolt on the extra pockets to the ortlieb
what about the socks and the under ware when they get wet where do you put them do you strap them on top to, it just I like to keep a little free pocket when the weather gets better to put my wet gear, away from the dry gear, then the dry gear stays DRY

Yeah, I'm not sold on the bolting extra bags on it either. There certainly are other good bags on the market too though :)
Carradice has a good name, especially if you like classic canvas bags, they look very nice imo. Vaude is also an option, but is very much like Ortlieb.

with all these add ons on the ortliebs they are getting very costly

what about Altura Lasse what do you think

Antokelly what part of Ireland do you come from

antokelly what part of Ireland do you come from

Lasse I don't like the way you have to bolt on the extra pockets to the ortlieb
what about the socks and the under ware when they get wet where do you put them do you strap them on top to, it just I like to keep a little free pocket when the weather gets better to put my wet gear, away from the dry gear, then the dry gear stays DRY

This is where the fun part starts. You have to improvise. Rig up your own solutions. I think it's impossible to satisfy every little scenario when you buy a commercial solution. For wet clothes I have a mesh laundry bag which I tie to my rack. I've even read a guy who used an onion sack to do the same thing.

Have you been to the Arkel website? They make a range of sizes for DF, recumbents, and trikes. Not trying to push the Arkels on you...you're doing the research which these days is a crime not to with all the information available.

I haven't heard of Altura before. Specs of their bags look fine. First reviews I found also look positive. And at least some of their bags also have a secondary compartment.

So, you're after panniers that are waterproof, not too big (20L each or smaller?), with at least one extra pocket and also a non-waterproof (preferably mesh) extra pocket on the outside for drying clothes, right?

Scrapser I have a set of Dirt Monkeys panniers 2 on the front and 2 on the back 2 pocket on each pannier the problem is my Dirt Monkeys panniers are kput they have done over 35000 miles, I no that panniers when looked after can do a life time, but these where my first set of panniers and only cost me 30$ for the four and are not made anymore, I have looked at the arkel web and I might go down that road

I keep a couple of gallon size ziploc bags to deep the wet stuff separated from the dry stuff in my ortliebs. If you have 4 panniers then you can have one for stuff on the road or as a wet bag.

Antokelly what part of Ireland do you come from

george i'm from the north east coast just down from dublin.
i keep my wet gear at the top of the rear pannier easy to get to seldom ware wet over trousers but i do carry them .i have the bikepacker plus ortliebs they have pockets in the front so i stick the wet gear in there when the sun comes out.are you in ireland.

chainreaction does altura as does sjs cycles and spa and wiggle.

Lasse 20L each are far to big the last time I loaded up for a long haul full tour I had in my dirt monkey panniers 6kg to the front 6kg on the back and on the rear rack had another 4kg total 16kg I thought this was way to much

Hi Davet Iv been packing my panniers for over 40 years, you know yourself, it really doesn’t matter how well you pack a bag the small stuff falls to the bottom I just was wondering did onyone know of a good set of panniers with pockets that is waterproof

Ortlieb has add-on pockets that are the same material as the bags. I don't use them, myself.

As for small objects falling to the bottom of the bag, just compartmentalize your stuff. I started using ziplock bags back when I was using cheap non-waterproof bags and have just keep using them to keep my gear organized. I have no problems finding stuff because the stuff is always in the same place I put it in the bag.

Hi antokelly yea passed your door about 3 weeks near got blew og the old tricross sport

like to see your set up george and your packing list i could learn a lot from it i reckon ,btw i'm off to bed now its late on this side of the pond and i'm knackered so night night all.

I hate my Arkels, they are stupidly heavy. I prefer Lone Peaks.

Did anyone ever use Dirt Monkey panniers not the best in the world but with dry liners do the job just fine, mine are done, they have pockets in both sides, its hard to teach an old dog new tricks

Hi valygrl thanks for the tread that has made my mind up about the Arkels

antokelly before you go take a look at www.fullyloadedbiketour.com (http://www.fullyloadedbiketour.com)

I just have to say Ortlieb's BikePacker Plus has huge one main compartment, with an inside organizer for flat objects like papers or maybe even laptops, a smaller mesh zipper compartment, and an outside pocket. Although, they don't have as many compartments and Jandd or Arkel, they're also not as simple as a Santa's bag. There is some organization. As far as drying out wet clothes, I used a bungee-net over my Ortlieb Rack Pack duffel bag. Worked like a charm.

Color code and pack stuff sacks in the same place and you wont have to search.

pockets and dividers are features of sewn bags, which are not waterproof so need rain covers

I have had a set of Beckman panniers for decades, I got custom rain covers sewn

3 0f them, one on back covers everything at once,rack top load included .

would sell .. bags made for Bruce Gordon's racks.

I use carradice panniers. Cotton duck. Waterproof, breathable, light, has pockets, is inexpensive compared to Ortlieb. Why don't more people use these? Pictures on my website: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/thecyclingvagabond

Also, check out Swift Industries. They use Cordurra fabric on the outside with a vinyl interior so you can get pockets and waterproof that way too. They are more expensive and likely heavier than the Carradice though but also likely more waterproof and you can design your own color scheme. Neat company! http://www.builtbyswift.com/

antokelly before you go take a look at www.fullyloadedbiketour.com (http://www.fullyloadedbiketour.com)

thanks for that george very good reading i left a comment.

I'm quite impressed by the Racktime brand panniers. Tubus, the German rack maker is the parent company. They use the Ortlieb QL attachment system and so are very stable. They also have attached rain covers which stow in the small pocket on top. And they have several outer pockets, and they are not expensive .....the best of all worlds?

While I understand the OP does not like Ortliebs (which might have been included in his OP), mine are great. One pair each Sportspacker Plus and Bikepacker Plus. Things like keys go in the outside mesh pockets, everything inside stays dry. Highly recommended.

But, of course, YMMV.

I'm quite impressed by the Racktime brand panniers. Tubus, the German rack maker is the parent company. They use the Ortlieb QL attachment system and so are very stable. They also have attached rain covers which stow in the small pocket on top. And they have several outer pockets, and they are not expensive .....the best of all worlds?

I have the Racktime Rear Panniers from Sierra Trading Post for $46 per pair:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/racktime-travel-it-bike-pannier-set-of-two~p~4235k/

These are an excellent buy -- Ortlieb attachment system with pannier bags like backpacks. Lots of room, several outer pockets, well built. If you register for Sierra Trading Post email list you will get a 35% off email shortly which brings the price of these to that which I noted above: $46. Although Sierra Trading Post shows the front pannier in their images, they are actually selling the larger rear pannier.

P.S.

You can see more user reviews and images of these panniers here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=41979

http://biketouringnews.com/complements/bags-panniers/panniers/racktime-travel-it/

I'm not a huge fan of Ortliebs. They are good solid panniers, but I don't like the design. I want pockets to organize my gear.

As far as I've found, I think Arkel and Carradice are the best quality panniers out there. Arkels have a drybag built into them so your gear stays dry when you need it but the dry bag folds out of the way so the pannier is breathable when you don't need the waterproofness. The Carradice bags are made of cotton duck. The fibers swell when they get wet rendering the bag waterproof when they're wet, but breathable when dry. They both have pockets to help organize gear.

You might have a look at Jandd.

www.jandd.com

I've used a variety of their products over the years, and am impressed with the designs, durability, reliability and longevity. The j-hooks are much stronger and more reliable than Orliebs'.

You can carry some drybags or lawn-and-leaf bags to use as waterproof liners if needed.

thank you for all the info very much appreciated I think I will go with the Altura Orkney 34 Panniers outside pockets, mash pockets, easy to take of and easy to put on, fully waterproof light weight and are nice to look at everything in a pannier that I would want thank you george12345