This past summer, I jury rigged an old pair of panniers for use as front panniers but they were awful (I used them for only the one trip I did last summer) so I'm in the market for a pair of front panniers.

My rear panniers are MEC World Tour 2 40L in blue and my real wish is to get a pair of PF-12 in blue (but I'll take black or orange). However, these appear to be impossible to find so I'll go with something else.



I don't need waterproof front panniers, if necessary, I can put stuff in dry or ziplock bags. However, I don't want to spend a lot of money on front panniers (ideally, less than $75USD or $100CDN, not an accurate currency exchange but close enough). This means that Vaude, Ortlieb and Arkel are out of my price range.

I'd like the front panniers to be in the 12-15L range (each) although I'd consider 10L if necessary.

I'm aware of Avenir, Altura and Axiom brands and they have some that will fit my needs, I'm just looking for other brands that I'm not familiar with.

On the other hand, and I don't know if it is appropriate to suggest this, but if anyone (preferably Canadian for the purposes of shipping) has a used pair they're willing to sell, PM me.

I'm three posts shy (2 posts now) of being able to send a PM, but I have an extra pair of Axiom Kootenay Panniers that you can have for $50 plus shipping. They're like new. 30L per pair, I believe.

look at Arkel Orca 35 front panners and Arkel Orca 45 rear panniers

You may want to check out REI or Nashbar, they may have some inexpensive, non waterproof ones.
Always take into account any cross border fees--generally there is a $10 handling fee (no matter the purchase) and then the two taxes, prov and fed., plus of course the dollar diff---so add this all up to see if its worth it for you.

it can be tricky too obviously not seeing a product in hand, to see how the stitching is, the size, how the mounting system quality is.

Good luck, I used non waterproof fronts for years, put my cooking stuff in one and rain gear in the other, so it was ok not being waterproof. Have used waterproof rears for a long time though.

all the best finding something at a good price.

The info I read was that they are designed for the rear, have you used them on the front?

I have only used them on the front. I have Lasalle's and Champlains for the rear.

Love to but the front are $210CDN for the pair, 2x what I'm willing to pay.

Hey there Mr big 5c, what front rack do you have?
About using bags for the rear on the front, the only real downside could be that they will sit closer to the ground.
Depends on rack and bags, although could very well be a non issue.

Spend an additional $2.01 and you can get Ortlieb fronts for 88USD + s/h. I realize the s/h may be not insignificant outside CONUS.

They are waterproof, hold 25l, and come in red, black or white colors.

I would vote for Arkel GT panniers. They might be out of your current budget but they will last forever and I would rather have that than buying new ones every so often as some people have done. Buy quality gear once and rarely will you need to buy it again!

If you search for "Timberline Venture Above... Bicycle Riding Travel Bag Pannier Equipment Camping Pannier Cycle” on Amazon, there are a pair for $57.00 and they have them in blue. I own that “pannier cycle” front version, and I really like them. They seem to be well made and quite hard wearing for the price.

I use Nashbar Front Panniers on the rear. Yes, they work just the same on the rear and don't hang too low to the ground. I use them because they're 14L each. The ones they make for the rear are 31L each. I tour light so the 14L each ones are more than enough space.

$69.99 for the pair at Nashbar.com

For the price the nashbar stuff seems like a great deal for someone starting out, sure the mounting mechanism doesn't look as robust as the more expensive brands, but I'm sure they are OK.

Just don't forget to make sure a given pannier will work with your front rack.

These are very nice and appear to be just what I'm looking for except the supplier won't ship to Canada.

Actually, today, I received a 20% discount coupon saving $14 so I went ahead and purchased these. I don't need waterproof but these seem to be a good deal. I have a couple of different styles of front racks so if, as I've read, the Nashbar bags are finicky in terms of what racks they fit on, I should be fine. However, I read more about fit problems with regard to their cheaper 10L/bag front panniers than I have about these ones.

I ended up buying these ones and I think I'll be happy.

I've said this many times, but it's great that there are affordable roll type waterproof bags nowadays. When I bought my first set of ortliebs over 20 years ago they were the only ones available, and a bit expensive but have lasted exceptionally long.

Without seeing these first hand, perhaps just don't be rough when putting on and taking off, and keep an eye out for any loosening parts of the attachment system.
As you said, you didn't need waterproof but it is nice. Plus you can use these as commuting panniers on the rear, where waterproof is nice, I use my front waterproof panniers as rear ones all the time if I don't need a huge amount of storage.

Have fun using them and when winter is over and you can ride, let us know how they are.

Thanks, I'll try to remember to post a "review".

Thanks, if you feel like it, I'd be curious to hear first hand experience with them, even your take on them when you get them. We have friends who have a daughter interested in doing some touring, and my children also commute, and these panniers look good from a price/value point of view.
Like I mentioned, expect a ten buck plus both taxes fee to pay upon delivery, but thats reasonable.

Check out the fork bags on the Trek 720 14L with no rack. Some other strap system. My LBS said probably a bit over $100. The LBS said they are available on special order. 14 lb wt. limit. Nice addition to smallish rear bags.

Good deal! The ones I have have been on 3 of my 4 tours. I had Blackburn ones before that and didn't like them. I started out using these on my Transit rear rack but now have a Old Man Mountain Sherpa rear rack. They've worked well with both of them. I attached them to the bike permanently so I wouldn't have to worry about theft but even without that they were secure and never felt like they were going to come lose mid ride.

Ty, I'm curious, panniers go on and come off in about 3 seconds or less, why go to the trouble of permanently attaching them?

I'd like to branch off, and ask for opinions (yikes!) on low rider pannier bags.

see post no. 9

Or post #11 . The thing is, the Ortliebs might be a lot better if used with Tubus lowrider racks. I have the Timberline bags and have been really disappointed with the Tubus Tara front lowrider that my bike came with stock. The Timberline panniers have stabilizing hooks at the bottom that do not work well with the Tubus rack, and I am waiting for a shipment of hook holders from Germany to try to rectify the problem.

I think that I will ultimately go with a Surly, Blackburn or Jandd front rack, as they allow panniers to be mounted in the low rider position, while giving you an upper "shelf" for bags, tent rolls etc.

MEC now has their own source making a welded seam Dry Bag front pannies set to sell through their stores

I see touring riders coming down the coast using them often enough..


IDK Korean distribution scheme for bags..



Now Ortlieb's 2 inserts are fo 11mm and 8mm* tube, 14 with inserts left out,

my older QL1 bags came with 10mm only hooks .. perfect for tubus and bruce gordon ChroMo tube racks..

UK Carradice is using DE Klick Fix hardware .. Rugged Proven Canvas Or Carra dry or Carra dura .

* I have a Bike friday Front rack and added tape to come out to 8mm the tube is smaller

(I see they have their own Tube increased diameter front rack, recently changed )

Thanks Seeker. Obv my entry was misleading and incomplete... it's the touring experience with low riders that is interesting to me. I have not yet gotten an LR rack but it looks like it's going to be Surly. #23 has summed the LR rack field well. Cheers.

Follow up 8 Feb 2016 - TO those replying, thanks much for your interest. The information was helpful. Have installed Blackburn Outpost Front Rack, it's strong and light (yes!), with a clever and effective mounting system. Fits the Jamis well. At the bottom used that long skewer as it's so easy and sometimes that appeals. Have not yet figured out what to do with that little deck, maybe a stove underneath and teakettle on top

Thule panniers.

FYI newbies low rider mount is stabilizing factor; I didn't realize how much until I'd experienced it.