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Waterproof bag for commuting/touring?

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Old 06-17-13 | 05:41 AM
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Waterproof bag for commuting/touring?

Hello

I'm looking for a simpler alternative to the dry bag + (backpack | Eastpak travel bag) that I currently use to commute or tour.
It's especially a pain when touring because it takes several minutes to force the travel bag inside the dry bag when it's a bit full.

Ideally, it should be...
  • as light as possible while being 100% waterproof even if riding for hours under heavy rain
  • have some inner pockets so that my stuff isn't all mixed together. An especially useful feature would be a separate pocket to stuff wet gloves, etc.
  • have a shoulder belt so I can carry it on my back as an alternative to securing it on a front/rear-rack.

Are there good brands I should check?

Thank you.
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Old 06-17-13 | 06:41 AM
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Ortleib, carradice, vaude
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Old 06-17-13 | 07:45 AM
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From: Panama City, FL

Bikes: 2018 Specialized AWOL, 2013 Surly Pacer, 2011 Raleigh One-Way, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 2020 Surly Big Dummy

I have always had good success with Ortlieb gear that is waterproof without the need for a raincover or drybag. Seems that the add on waterproofing components always leak in my opinion.
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Old 06-17-13 | 08:02 AM
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From: St. Pete, Fl

Bikes: Trek 700 (2000ish), 88 Schwinn Voyaguer, late 80's-ish lugged Spalding mountain bike

I just bought a pair of axiom randonnee aero 40's. They have an external pocket with a waterproof zipper. All the seems are sonically welded. They seem rain proof although they don't close water tight the way ortlieb classics do. Rather they have a draw string at the top that is then covered by a cover flap that buckles to the base of the bag. The flap has elastic so it stays tight around the bag. No back pack straps though. Just a single shoulder strap. I commute in Florida so ill find out how rain proof they are. Just got them last week.
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Old 06-17-13 | 08:45 AM
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From: Fredericksburg, VA to Fort Belvoir by VRE and bike

Bikes: 2006 Trek 1000 SL, 1995 Performance 505 MTB, 2012 Trek 520 (my daily commuter)

I have 3994 miles and 15 months on a set of Ortlieb Back Roller PLUS Panniers for my daily commute. I ride 2 miles to the VRE train and then 7 miles on the other end to work. I repeat the prosses in the evening averaging close to 100 miles a week. I carry all my work cloths and ride directly to the gym to shower and change. I am an all-weather rider including 1 1/2" of slush and snow and many thunderstorms and heavy rain. I highly recommend the Ortlieb’s and plan on getting the matching front set for my first road tour. I also use a Topeak trunk bag but had to buy a REI generic day pack rain cover to keep its contents dry.

Last edited by Trek_geek; 06-20-13 at 09:35 AM.
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Old 06-17-13 | 08:59 AM
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Thanks for the infos. I prefer a shoulder strap instead of a backpack because backpacks are too hot on my back in summer days.

Ortlieb seems to be what I was looking for. I need a 20 liter for commuting, and a 40-60 liter for touring.

Ultimately, I only stuck the bag inside the drybag when the weather didn't look good:
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Old 06-17-13 | 10:09 AM
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Ortlieb back roller plus, is lighter than the backroller classic , they come with a shoulder strap. 1 per bag.

Front roller is smaller. same features.. inside on the back panel there is a small organizer set of pockets.
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Old 06-18-13 | 09:11 AM
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Thanks for the feedback. I'll check them out in stores to see how they look in the flesh.
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Old 06-18-13 | 11:17 AM
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Wiggle.com, evanscycles.com normally have good prices on Ortlieb (they don't ship Ortlieb to USA anymore, but you should be good in France).

The Plus fabric is lighter than the Classic, but many choose Classic models for their lower price.

Ortlieb also makes an economy version of Roller Classic panniers, called Roller City, here:

https://www.ortlieb.de/p-liste.php?pt...tasche&lang=en

https://www.ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang...backrollercity
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Old 06-19-13 | 04:49 AM
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Thanks for the feedback. Wiggle also has an FR site from which I ordered a couple of items recently.

I'll check the Plus/Classic options, and the budget Roller City models.
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