Lightweight Pannier
 

Hi I'm looking for an around town pannier that can hold a 15" laptop, misc cables and things, small amount of papers, a lock, and a change of clothes. I'm wondering if the Chrome rolltop 20 pannier fits the bill? I'm not sure it's big enough, but it does fit the laptop and is waterproof and is lightweight. Any other lightweight options?

I have these. I was looking for something smaller to fit the kind of stuff you listed, but these were inexpensive and had good reviews. I've used them for over a year and am glad that I bought them. I find that the size is convenient for carrying things that I didn't anticipate (like a week's worth of dirty laundry on Friday's). A few downsides: 1. They are saddle bags, not individual panniers so you have to ride with both sides. 2. They are somewhat easy to remove and reinstall, but this takes some patient practice. 3) Not waterproof (but who cares with dirty laundry.

It's interesting that you are looking for "lightweight" panniers as they are all pretty much lighter than the rack they mount on and the stuff you put in them.

Looking for just one sided panniers. From my research the lighter panniers generally aren't much different in cost especially when considering light panniers might be 1kg or more lighter than heavy options. Similarly my rack is about a pound lighter than other options. So if I can save a few pounds in my rack/pannier setup, you don't think that's worthwhile?

I'd go for reliability, durability, utility, etc before lightweight... I can't say I've ever noticed much of a difference in weight between panniers, even holding in my hand, let alone strapped to a bike with ten pounds of crap in it. Waterproof versus flimsier, inexpensive brands will probably be the biggest difference, with inexpensive being lighter. I have just some inexpensive Voyager branded panniers I picked up on a whim from my LBS. They've held up for a few years of bike commuting, and seem to be lighter weight than other panniers I've handled. But they're also less waterproof and potentially weaker, though I've had no issues.

It just kind of reminds me of guys who get $55 carbon fiber bottle cages, even though the weight difference from that to the most basic alloy cage is less than a mouthful of water. lol

Ortlieb is all about keeping things dry inside .. their Office bag is rectangular to fit laptops,

the mount on a rear rack is askew for heel clearance.

I'm not comfortable conceptually with putting a U lock in the same bag with your computer unless heavily padding the computer.

but that is your choice.