I did a two week tour of Japan with a cross check. It worked out great for me. I only had rear panniers though, so I'm not sure how it handles a front load. I have an lht now and I honestly don't notice really notice a difference in stabilty between the two with rear panniers. I used a jannd expedition rack with my cross check, it gives you a lot of room to push the panniers back. I have big feet and I was able to avoid heal strike easily.