Whatever I end up with, I do want waterproof. My phone and camera will be in there. I ride in the rain a decent amount when home, and I spent probably 2 weeks riding in the rain on my last tour and was definitely grateful my panniers were waterproof. My friend didn't have waterproof fronts and was cursing them constantly. We'd have a dry day, he'd finally get his stuff dried out, and the next day it would rain and it would start all over again. And I'd rather just have waterproof than deal with rain covers or plastic bags. That's just another thing you have to pack in the bag, too.