Originally Posted by
daihard
I'm not the OP, but I've been trying to decide which panniers to buy. My candidates are:
Ortlieb Front-Runner Panniers
Arkel GT-18
If I go with either, I will use them on my rear rack. I need compact panniers that are waterproof.
Are there any reasons you'd choose one or the other? If so, I'd appreciate your sharing them.
I own stuff from Arkel and stuff from Ortleib. Both are deserving of their top quality reputation. The differences between the two brands are clear.
Arkel appeals to those who like lots of compartments--a place for everything and everything in its place.
Ortleib appeals to those who like the flexibility of big empty space with no pesky dividers cluttering things up.
Let your own psychology decide.