I have Ortlieb panniers and I highly recommend them. As you noted, they are waterproof - which was a big plus for me when I bought them (and still is...). They are fine for carrying anything - your gear for touring, clothes for commuting, (including my laptop computer on days when I needed it away from the office), and groceries too!

I sometimes stop for groceries on my commute home (summer days only...). On those days I put 2 panniers on my bike - my usual 1 for commuting stuff, and the other for groceries.

It's funny that at the same time that you asked this question, someone asked it over on crazyguyonabike too. If you're interested in the answers, that discussion is at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...ssage_id=28335

--- Denise