I searched every way I know and didn't find a thread on which pannier to get. I am going from BOB touring to panniers. I plan to do a south to north trip, and do as much of it off road, mainly rail to trail, but some single track as well as possible. Putting them on my new fargo, and want both front and rear. Actually a whole set of bags is what I am looking to get. Handle bar, trunk, panniers. I will be doing a full self sustained tour, with some hidden camping so will need some room.

if you take a look a booger1 thread all you questions will be answered.4 threads down from yours.

Do you understand how forums work? The thread positioning will change when posts are made in the threads. Just because it is "4 threads" down for you, it won't be for others to come after you. As soon as you post in this thread, it goes to the top.

Now, back on subject. Really, we can't recommend any one pannier. There are so many good ones out there, it all will depend on what you want in your system, how much you want to spend, etc. For example, some people like one big bag. I like to have a couple of smaller outside pockets for items that I either want to get to quickly or for items that I want to keep separate from my clothing, food, etc. I like to keep my wallet in such a pocket. I also like to keep my extra tube and tools in another pocket.

How about waterproof or not? Do you like roll top ,lid type closing or zipper?

It might be easier to find a couple of sets you like and ask about pros and cons for each system, then to ask about a general which system to get.

Go with the best upfront. Lone Peak and/or Ortlieb. If not needed after your tour, sell. Be like you rented them. The Touring Store is a good source with lots of support.

Be aware that panniers can add significant weight. Booger1's idea will neutralize that issue and save you a bundle.

huh i think sweet lou just slapped my wrists .

consider using a frame bag, and seeing whether you need a full set of panniers. Don't see why stealth camping would imply the need to carry lots of stuff, opposite actually. How about frame bag, rear rack with platform and tent and sleeping bag on top, small front panniers only. Any kind of panniers will do. Or possibly a small set of saddle bag panniers like these only half filled with room for daily groceries or extra water and fancy waterproof panniers in front.

https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FSBP


https://salsacycles.com/culture/new_p...sa_frame_bags/

https://www.frontageroads.com/2010/11...argo-framebag/

https://www.porcelainrocket.com/blog/

https://www.bikepacking.net/category/individual_setups/

I really like these Ortlieb Front Rollersof course they have matching rear, but I don't pack that heavily.

the Single track part suggests not using panniers , as they will hang up
on the brush and such, along the trail, like Irwin's rig above,
Instead, perhaps, load on,under, the handlebars inside the frame ,
and behind the saddle. on top of a rear rack ..

keep the load Higher..

Sorry
I've just seen a lot of those things lately and it just makes me wonder if people understand that it just doesn't work that way. No harm was meant.

Maybe some useful info here too https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...shell-panniers

Arkel and Jannd make some off-road specific panniers, I think they are a bit more low profile with regard to hanging up on vegetation, etc. Apart from that, I would check out Ortlieb and Lone Peak (I second the recommendation for The Touring Store). Watch out for big handlebar bags, they can really change the handling of the bike and that will be important off road.

The Lone Peak bags are great, and their mounting system is totally fine for road touring, but I would question them for off road touring, you might want to add a back-up clip so they don't bounce off the rack. I hate saying this, b/c they are my favorite bags. Arkel and Ortlieb attachments are bomb-proof. Arkel stuff tends to be overly heavy.

none taken sweet lou to be totally honest i didn't know the thread moves ah well you learn a bit every day

Slightly off topic. I've experienced metal fatigue in the mount arms between the rear rack and the frame when using a rack with panniers off road. Make sure your rack and all mounting hardware is beefy. All that bouncing around and vibration is hard on equipment.

I'm thinking of doing an off road trip next summer - packing light using bikepacking methods. I won't be able to carry as much, but less worries of rack hardware breaking and packs catching on rocks and brush.

Don't understand how "hidden" factors into the room equation.

I can't agree or disagree on the weight only because I bought the biggest set of recumbent specific panniers Arkel makes. I will say from what I've seen that Arkel does not over-engineer their products...they simply make well thought out and well made gear. At some point, weight does become part of the price of quality. How much quality is the user's choice. Personally I tend to find and buy the best I can whenever I can. It always pays me back in the long run.

To the OP...you may also want to explore the idea of an "extra-wheel" trailer. This is not the same as a BOB. It literally is an "extra" wheel with its own rack for panniers towed behind your bike. Not sure how well it would work off-road.

It doesn't necessarly except I may have to carry some extra equipment as most will be off road not as much oppertunity to see civilization.

Anyone used Pacific Outdoor Equipment, or Deuter panniers?

My vote is for Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus panniers on the rear and Sport-Packer Plus on the front but then I am a fan of the lid system and the Cordura material.



Regards
Andrew

I don't have any experience with the Pacific Outdoor Equipment panniers but have a set of 2007 Deuter Rack Pack II panniers which I am replacing with a set a of Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus panniers.



My closing comments in my review are:

Quote:

Personally, whilst these haven’t been bad panniers by any means I wouldn’t buy these again or the later versions today for the simple reason I can get Ortlieb waterproof panniers with the QL 2 mounting system for similar dollars. These simply don’t compete in my view plus the lack of waterproofness is a major drawback for me.

That said, if you are looking for a commuter pannier set with external mesh pockets and don’t need waterproofness these are a reasonable option. Especially now the 2012 model has the Ortlieb QL 2 mounting system.

Andrew

That's only true for the GT series. For an equivalent volume, Arkels aren't any heavier than Ortliebs.

My take:
I use Ortlieb Roller panniers on all of my off road travels and some on road travels. They are waterproof, even fording streams and in torrential downpours, they are also tough, as in riding through brambles with no issues. I have used regular Cordura bags for on road travels, but they aren't as water proof and seemed a bit more prone to snagging and abrasion.

I have seen Arkel, they are nice well built panniers, but I subscribe more to the small bag in a large bag system of organization.

Buy from The Touring Store...

Aaron

Different strokes. I look at something built to last several lifetimes of use as a life sentence of carrying too much weight.

+1
Purely personal preference, but... A few advantages I find to one big pocket are:

1. Panniers of this style are more easily made waterproof so in most cases they are.
2. Panniers of this style are more easily made lighter weight.
3. There are fewer places to look for stuff. I can find things faster than if I have to remember which pocket they are in.
4. More pockets actually wind up holding less stuff for the same volume and much less for the weight because the space gets used less efficiently when items don't fill the pocket.
5. When things shift in categories or priorities of need during the trip pocket sizes stay the same. Ziplocs or stuff sacks in a large pocket make this a non issue.

I have toured with both styles and definitely didn't like a lot of pockets or fancy dodads.

I was surprised to see that was true when I checked the weights. The basic models and the lite touring models seem to be reasonable weights. I had been mostly exposed to the GT series.

With the GT series for 4 panniers and a large handlebar bag the total is over 13 pounds empty!

Swap the rear ones for the TT84 tandem panniers (a setup that I have seen a solo rider using) and the empty weight climbs to 15.5 pounds! He was delighted with his setup. I would have stayed home if forced to carry that much (my full panniers now weigh less than his empty ones). The thing is we were both quite happy with our setups and would be miserable with the other's setup.

So we are using the same system...just a different description

Aaron