grocery bag panniers

[shootingstar]

Since we don't have a car, cycling and walking are the transportation modes for grocery shopping. We shop every week or more often, on bike with groceries.

If I can weigh in with an opinion of grocery loading on bike for last 17 yrs. and panniers...

I use the same panniers for bike touring and work commuting, as for grocery shopping. I rarely carry a purse in my panniers. All the bike bags I've had were not nylon. It is cordura fabric. I'm onto my 3rd set of bike bags, so I am pretty particular what I buy since I want them to last and carry tons of weight.

I take off my pannier(s) and walk around with them in the stores/markets. I don't leave them on bike.Yes, abit of a hassle, but no more different than lugging around a tote bag. I don't like weight on one side of my shoulder. I'd rather not have a bag brushing my side...those panniers get dirty and splashed in rain.

I also carry 1 pair of bungee cords in the bag.

I've never considered wire baskets because they're open...which means have to make sure the groceries are bagged /held in tight without things rolling off. Anyway, our area gets enough rain.... Since our area has enough hills, I would want the bags, carrier to made of strong lightweight materials.