Originally Posted by
staehpj1
+1
Purely personal preference, but... A few advantages I find to one big pocket are:
- Panniers of this style are more easily made waterproof so in most cases they are.
- Panniers of this style are more easily made lighter weight.
- There are fewer places to look for stuff. I can find things faster than if I have to remember which pocket they are in.
- More pockets actually wind up holding less stuff for the same volume and much less for the weight because the space gets used less efficiently when items don't fill the pocket.
- When things shift in categories or priorities of need during the trip pocket sizes stay the same. Ziplocs or stuff sacks in a large pocket make this a non issue.
I have toured with both styles and definitely didn't like a lot of pockets or fancy dodads.
My Arkel RT-60 panniers do not have lots of pockets. They have two large main sections with an optional divider inside and two additional zip sections stacked on the outside similar to how many day packs have a main section then progressively smaller zip pockets built off the main bag like a birthday cake. On the outside of each there is elastic webbing for stuffing things you don't mind getting wet (or may want to dry out) and a long waterproof pocket on the top of each pannier for small quick access items. Lastly there are two individual tubular bags that velcro/strap vertically to the back end of each pannier. One is big enough to hold a rolled up sleeping mat and the other for your tent or sleeping bag.
I understand your logic and don't argue it. I just want to stand up for Arkel as I think they are very good panniers that are a departure from the "one big bag" approach yet do not go overboard with pigeon-holing everything you carry. My panniers weigh 6.5 pounds empty.