waterproof pannier recommendations?

[divingbiker]

I've come to realize that my grocery bag panniers (with a rain cover) are not going to cut it if I continue to ride in the rain. Can anyone recommend waterproof panniers that work well for commuting--not too big, easy on/off the bike, and preferably brightly colored? I've done some web shopping, but it's hard to decide when you can't actually touch them, and it's hard to get a sense of the size. Here are a few I'm looking at:

http://www.wallbike.com/ortlieb/rollerplus.html
http://www.rei.com/product/47848812.htm
http://www.rei.com/product/37165.htm
http://www.rei.com/product/48131033.htm
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=BG2615
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/samurai/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

Thanks for your help!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use Ortlieb panniers for touring, and I highly recommend them. They are truly waterproof - without the need for rain covers. I have both the larger "rear" panniers and the smaller "front" panniers. I use the small panniers on the rear rack for commuting. I also use the small panniers on the rear rack for loaded tours when I'm staying in B&Bs. The only time I need the bigger panniers if for camping trips.

When I first got mine I tested them on a day when it was raining so hard that I canceled my ride. I was going to ride with a full load that day (for the first time!) so that I could start to get accustomed to riding with a load on my bike. Since I wasn't riding and my panniers were packed I left them outside in the rain. No leaks. Since then I have ridden with them in very heavy rain, and again, no leaks.

Their attachment to the bike is wonderful - simply drop on and lift off. And I've never had them come off of the bike unexpectedly.

--- Denise

[divingbiker]

I use Ortlieb panniers for touring, and I highly recommend them.

I was leaning toward Ortlieb. Do you have the "plus" panniers made of Cordura or the "classic" type that seem to be shinier? Thanks again.

http://www.wallbike.com/ortlieb/panniers.html

[DeniseGoldberg]

Ortlieb has changed the names of their fabrics and panniers since I bought mine - but what I have looks like what they are now calling the "plus" fabric. And the style of my panniers is the equivalent of the Bike Packer / Sport Packer model.

I know of other folks who have the roller style of panniers, and who have the classic fabric - and they are also very happy with the panniers and with their behavior in wet weather.

I don't think you can go wrong with either fabric.

--- Denise

[Quillfred]

I have the Ortlieb back roller classics in red.

They are very sturdy and water-proof. They are by far the most prevalent here in soggy Seattle. They seemed initially a bit pricey but they can take any amount of rain and come in bright colors. Also they are pretty easy to get on and off--no bungie cords.

[velogirl]

I use the Delta's for touring and commuting (the second link on your list). They're a bit smaller (keeps me from overpacking), but big enough for everything I need. Waterproof, easy on/off (but no so easy that a thief would figure it out). Oh, and because they're vinyl (not a fabric like the others), they won't fade and look old.

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=39

[Rai Sue]

I have the Vaude World Tramp (or World Tramp II, I'm not sure): http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs/outdoor/en

The Vaude ones are very similar to Ortliebs, but they are shaped to be more forward while avoiding your foot hitting them. And they are large.

I just took them touring, after using them for 3 years as mainly commuter bags in Portland, OR. They are great, and are still extremely waterproof.

In a comparison with Ortliebs (which everyone else seems to have), they are very similar. I like how the roll-top of the Vaude is tamped down, rather than sticking up like the Ortlieb. I also like the cut-outs. But other than that they seem really really similar. Just so you know that other companies besides Ortlieb make shiny waterproof panniers too.

[twin]

I have the yellow Ortliebs that are the plastic like look and they work great in the rain. I use mine for commuting and they work great for all sorts of things.

[roguedog]

thanks for startign the thread. i just did my first rainy commute today and am thinking decorating my commuter bike with racks and panniers now.

i remember what a "freshman stripe" is again. have jeans in wash now and had to wipe off my backpack. :rolleyes:

anyway, have any of you used any of these with a laptop? are they built for them in any special way? size? or extra padding or slots or something?

recommendations welcome!

[divingbiker]

Today I did my first rainy, miserable ride with my new Ortlieb classic panniers (in red, my favorite color.) They worked great, though I'm finding I miss the ease of just throwing things in my grocery bag panniers at the last minute, like my glasses case, newspaper, etc. I have to plan ahead now and not close up the panniers too early.

I think I'm set for rain now, with new fenders on the bike--what a wonderful difference they make--and lots of layers that kept me warm, if not dry. No excuses any more no matter the weather, except snow and ice, of course.

[pooks]

I almost bought some Ortlieb that were marked down at REI. Looking at the REI website, I'm not sure which these were. They were dark blue (I don't see any that color) and regular price was around $98 dollars. I may go back tomorrow and look again, especially if they really come on and off that easily.

[Susan Otcenas]

I have the Ortlieb back roller classics in red.

They are very sturdy and water-proof. They are by far the most prevalent here in soggy Seattle. They seemed initially a bit pricey but they can take any amount of rain and come in bright colors. Also they are pretty easy to get on and off--no bungie cords.

I use the same ones in green. I've had mine for about 8 years. I've used them for about5 years bike commuting, and have done numerous tours with them. They continue to be as waterproof as the day I bought them.

My *only* wish is that they had an internal pocket or divider of some sort for those small things (like my glasses and keys) that inevitably end up on the very bottom of the bag.

But other than that, I love them.

I used to use a non-waterproof pannier that had rain covers. But that is not a foolproof system and on longer rides, things inside still got wet at the bottom of the bags, so I'd had to enclose everything in plastic bags inside. That was a pain in the butt, especially on tours.

Susan

[DeniseGoldberg]

My *only* wish is that they had an internal pocket or divider of some sort for those small things (like my glasses and keys) that inevitably end up on the very bottom of the bag.

I use an outer bag that Ortlieb makes that can be fastened to the panniers. That might help. The other thing I do is carry a small stuff sack that I can put small things in that pretty much stays on top of the stuff in my pannier.

Here's a link to the outer bag on the Ortlieb web site: http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=76&cid=2

--- Denise