https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/s...0052_167563_-1

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_200349
Picked these two bags up since they're on sale for a pretty good price, was looking at some racks with panniers but the bike will see single track and did not want to have to keep removing racks when I can just take bags off. I might get their front rack which is just large enough to hold a six pack of... soda.

I also have:
Sette large saddle bag w/ extension
Bento box

Are some going this route for commuting/bikepacking (lite) vs full panniers? I do have a Dakine Apex I use for long mountain bike rides but that ***** gets heavy after a while and I get real sweaty from it.

EDIT: Was also looking at a pannier front tube bag maybe but was curious if they harm the paint of the bike? And if anyone can recommend a decent one that is not too expensive.

You can use a set-up like that for commuting, so long as you don't have to bring much to work with you, but I would be impressed if you had enough stuff for even the lightest bikepacking. Not a single one of those bags looks big enough to fit a sleeping bag, no matter how small they pack, let alone your tarp and sleeping pad.

I might suggest just buying a light rear rack, you forget about it pretty soon, and it doesn't add much, if any, real weight. If you really want to go rackless and still carry a sizable load, you might want to consider investing in some nice full size bags.

I wish I had the coin for some CDW bags that would be perfect. I am looking at the Nashbar front rack since it uses the canti studs but I use discs so they are doing nothing. Are there decent rear racks that also use the canti studs? I don't think any riding will require a sleeping bag for what I may do most if not all will be all day epics but no overnighters. I barely have the equipment for that.

I ride a Vassago Fisticuff and it really only works with their rear rack I guess so I figure if I can use a canti stud rack it would be alright. And I imagine pretty easy to take on and off.