Originally Posted by corkscrew

I'll agree that the wider profile of panniers can make it a pain to move/store the bike.

However, how are they a pain on multiple stops? I find I can carry quite a bit more in a pair of panniers than my backpack. I've used my panniers for multiple stops also. Unless your overly concerned about people rifling through your panniers, I think they actually have the edge over backpacks on multiple trips. The growing weight is off your back! I have encountered stores that don't allow backpacks, which at that point its strapped to the bike just like a pannier.