When I started touring back in the day I simply tied my small backpack to the top of the rack, sleeping bag to the left and guitar to the right onto my 5 speed bike and hit the road. 6 straps. The great thing about a setup like that is that I could take the gear off, tie my sleeping bag to the backpack and walk off... The weight balance and c.o.g was ok if not as optimal as panniers.



This setup served me basically up until recently. I'm now constantly experimenting with panniers and any combination of backpack, dry-bag(s), pannier(s) that fit the modus and climate I'll be touring in. Waterproof stuff is definitely cool!