My panniers are dying, so my wife has promised me either a new set of ortliebs, a waterproof backpack, or a convertible pack for my upcoming birthday. For those versed in the last, what are your thoughts? I am specifically looking for feedback from people who have used one of the convertible packs (please state which) in both pannier and backpack mode, though if you use your convertible in only one mode, I would bee happy to hear that feedback too.

Please refrain from turning this into a pannier vs backpack thread; I use both under different conditions, so I want to determine if any of the offerings from banjo brothers, ortlieb, Timbuk2 (if you know where to find the discontinued viaje especial) vaude, etc actually work well or if they do neither well. Thanks!

NB: Ortlieb ORTLIEB Produkt-Details.
your pannier becomes a back pack, clipping onto this.
+this year a High Viz Back/front roller set is on sale

Bag still 100% watertight pair Buy ? to use Touring or grocery grabbing

QL3 ..mount and more pack like , and as an Each https://www.ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lan...o&biketoy=rear

Even better, the Arkel Bug that does both without needing any extra parts. Also can accept a laptop sleeve that they sell separately. Love mine.

J.

but.. sewn Nylon fabrics needle holes let moisture in adding the rain cover would help ..

(+ elastic cord mounts bounce off racks .. Unless those rail hooks lock shut)





though this combination: a seatpost beam rack, + a pack you slide a pocket in it, over the rack,... is interesting

https://www.arkel-od.com/us/sherpack-backpack-bag.html

Does not leak in my experience. It's a backpack and a pannier. No extra parts to put on and take off to change it from one to the other. That doesn't work too well when going from walking to having to put the bike on a bus rack (for example). Arkel Bug comes off the rack, you peel open one of the strap covers and it's over your shoulder while you wrangle your bike.

Rail hooks lock shut, they are cam locks. The only way you can get it off is if you open the cams. You don't have to use the shock cord if you don't want to, you can remove it. FWIW, Arkel makes a number of products that have only the rail cams and no elastic cord. Also works fine.

I have a number of Ortleib products as well. When it comes to convertible backpack/panniers, this one is the winner.

J.

Bontrager Basic Panniers - Trek Bicycle Superstore

- Andy

I have this Detours pannier/backpack. So far I'm very happy with it. I bought it on Amazon.

Ballard Market Pannier | Detours

Ortlieb does actually make a backpack/pannier:
Ortlieb Vario Commuter Backpack Pannier | Bike Bag

Do you find it floppy as a pannier? A couple reviews I ran across mentioned this bag was good as a backpack, but a hair less than optimally rigid when in pannier mode. At a certain point, I am guessing this is inevitable, but I would like to get an idea of the severity of this "problem" if it indeed rises to problem status.

Do you use it in both modes? Any issues? I was not aware of this pack, though the others offered above came up in my initial search.

Thanks all with your help!

I do use it both ways. As a pannier, I have no complaints. My favorite feature is the rain cover it comes with, because by itself, it's not as waterproof as some of the more expensive panniers.

As a backpack, it's good, not great. It's kind of unstructured, and the staps aren't well padded. I wouldn't want to go on a long hike with it. But for shopping, errands, and carrying my work clothes on my commute, it's perfect.

No. It's got a semi- to pretty much rigid HDPE plastic sheet in the back. "Floppy" it is most definitely not. It's also got a compression strap scheme to tighten down against the load.

J.