In over 12,000 miles of touring, using Ortlieb waterproof panniers it has never happened during the 6 years I've been using them. This equates to living out of those panniers for about a year. I even accidentally left my rackpack open on a picnic table during a thunderstorm. All I had to do was empty it, wipe it out, dry the contents and repack. I pack wet tents, rainflys, and ground cloths in my waterproof Rackpack. Sometimes it may be a couple of days before they can be dried. Still have not had a problem. I also leave my panniers outside of the tent. usually on a picnic tble seat if a table is available or tucked under the rainfly of the tent. If it is raining they are wet.

If you are not having a problem with mildew in Non-waterproof panniers, I'd venture to say you won't have a problem with waterproof panniers. Non-waterproof panniers do not breathe enough to prevent problems with wet gear. The nylon Codura that most non-waterproof panniers are made with are usually coated with a non-breathable water resistant material (Urethane). It is the seams that leak.

My wife and I experienced 35 days of rain while on a 3- month tour. Our gear was wet a lot. We often did not have a chance to dry things out as quickly as we would have liked. There was never a problem with mildew or odors, and our electronics came through in good shape. We use Ortlieb panniers, rack packs, and bar bags. I use Ortliebs because they were the only quality waterproof panniers available when I purchased them, and have been really satisfied with their performance and durability. Looking at the new Arkel waterproof panniers, I suspect they are just as good as the Ortlieb panniers. I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.



I think it is just a matter of preference and economics.

Simply my 2 cents on Ortliebs.... never a drop of rain water has knowingly ever made it into my fronts, backs and handlebar Orbliebs. Arkel may be just as good, or better :- ), dunno .... never owned any Arkels tho have heard good comments, as well.

I've had Ortliebs for nine years. No leaking yet.

Took my Surly with my Arkel Panniers out for a ride today for the first time in rain. Mind you it was only an hour but everything inside was dry.

Bike Buckets Needs a better mount , just so they dont bounce off.. but they keep stuff dry too.

Arkel - Lifetime warranty
Ortlieb - 5 years

How does that play into your consideration?

I'm between the T42 and the Packer Plus....

Can't decide!

Ortlieb's many national distributors stock most missing and repair parts .. IDK the Canadian companies distribution world wide.

There are lots of welded seam bags made, now, to undercut the German costs, even More Sewn seams, bags ...

I do like my Arkel GT-54s. I like the organization you get and the ability to use it more like luggage rather than a drop box or something like that. They mount and hold well and a made of a rugged material that will hold up to the rigors of touring. I have talked with folks who have had the same Arkels for 15+ years and the worst that has happened is sun damage.

The tent tube on the right pannier has been quite useful for me as have the other pockets, it keeps me better organized and allows me to access what I need when I need it a lot quicker and easier. Plus I can pack it like I would pack a suitcase.

I think both companies make great bags from what I have seen but I went with Arkels because they seemed to be better for what I wanted and I am glad I did. My guess is the debate between the two is like Vanilla and Chocolate cake, both are good, both have strong and weak points, some like one and some like the other but in the end they are both freakin' cake and who doesn't like cake?

We use both Ortliebs and Arkels when touring on our tandem. We have Arkel TT-84 tandem panniers on the rear and Arkel back-roller pluses on the front. I like both brands. The Ortliebs weigh significantly less since they are smaller and the Arkel tandem panniers have an aluminum back panel in them. I like the multiple pockets on the Arkels. It is much easier to find things in the panniers than looking in one large compartment. The Arkels are very well made, and Arkel provides great service. The hook on the pannier bent after we had the panniers a number of years, and Arkel sent us a new, improved one for free. The map case on our Arkel handlebar bag started to come apart at the seam after a number of years, and Arkel sent us a free one that made much better. The inside of the Arkels will stay dry in a light rain without putting the rain cover on. Putting items that you do not want to get wet in plastic bags will always keep them dry in the Arkels.

The Ortliebs are light and simple. They keep everything dry. Of course damp items will not dry inside the Ortliebs, while they may get somewhat drier inside the Arkels. The lining in my first set of back-roller pluses eventually wore out, but we got many years of use from them before that happened including using them for many shopping trips when we were not touring. Sharp objects can damage the lining in the back-roller pluses, but this in not an issue if you use reasonable care.

We generally put our clothes, prescriptions, and other items that we definitely do not want to get wet, and which we will not need during the day, in the Ortilebs. We always put stoves, cooking pans and utensils, our tent, and other items that can get wet in the Arkels.

Both companies make great panniers, and you cannot go wrong with either one. The main differences in them for use are that the Ortliebs are waterproof and the Arkels have multiple pockets, which we find very convenient.

T-Tom, OP; Ditto on the Touring Store.
- Wayne runs it and is fanatical about customer service and support. They are a major reseller of Orties and the Lone Peaks (and maybe other brands also).
- Last year I needed a new set of bags and worked with Wayne to sort the cats. In the end it was clear that one would be very fortunate to own and tour with either of the brands. Each does have an exceptional point or two that differentiate them from the others (slightly). I ended up rating them all as about dead equal leaving the decision to be based on less definitive criteria.
- In the end, the Lone Peak set (LP-10) in Yellow and Black won out due to being entirely made in the USA which was important to me. I have done several tours with these LP's and they are excellent. I bought the rain covers also, but haven't needed to use them so far. I keep important stuff in zip bags anyway, so if they did eventually leak a bit, it wouldn't be a problem.
- One thing I have noticed with use is that the LP's are extremely reflective which adds safety at night and in bad weather. They are so reflective in fact that one can't take a picture of them using the camera's flash...it just turns out as a big glowing ball of bright light. Seeing them at night when illuminated by car headlights is stunning.

/K