Originally Posted by cyccommute
To the original poster, the cost is about the same especially when you figure in racks. For example, 2 sets of Ortlieb classics cost around $290 while the Tubus racks for the bike cost around $200 (front and rear). That's a even a bit more expensive than a trailer.
Yes, but you don't have to go with the most expensive stuff out there! My panniers (one set - that's all you need) cost me $100, my Carradice cost about $100, and my handlebar bag about $30. The racks (front and back) were in total about $30. TOTAL: $260 for the whole setup.
And if you question the durability of all that ... I have toured (in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the US) a total of about 18-20 weeks over the past two years with those items, and I've done most of my riding (approx. 10,000 kms a year) over the past two years with the handlebar bag, and the Carradice. In all that time, the mount on the handlebar bag broke once, and was replaced for free by the company who made it, and I sheared a bolt on the front rack, which was removed and replaced for free by a friend of a friend.