Best waterproof panniers for the money?

I've been looking around at waterproof panniers lately, and there are a lot of options and a pretty wide price range for seemingly similar stuff.  I really just need one to fit a laptop, some shoes and extra clothes in so I can ride to work on rainy days, but as the title says, it has to be absolutely 100% waterproof and not overly expensive.  I have a Banjo Brothers pannier right now but it's nowhere near as waterproof as I'd like it to be for carrying a company-provided laptop.  I've been looking at lots of different brands (Ortlieb, Blackburn, Timbuk2, Banjo Brothers, etc.)  but I'd like to get a better feeling of your actual subjective experiences with them.

So, what does everyone use and how do you like it?  Would you have spent more money for nicer gear or would a lower-priced pannier have worked just as well?

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Permalink Reply by physis 8.2 on July 9, 2013 at 3:19am

I obsessed over this decision for a few weeks before going cross-eyed and giving in to Ortliebs.

I really wanted to take a chance on Ironweeds panniers (made in Iowa!) or some indy Etsy creation (ammo bag) - but I've been through enough Chicago rainstorms that I don't want to question waterproof-ness.

The Back Roller Classic and City were too big for my needs...I went with Front Roller City pair (but I just use one in the rear for my repair tools, change of clothes, and locks) and it's been perfect.  Depending on the size of your laptop - it might be too small (I can fit a 11" mac in mine, but nothing bigger).  After having used the Ortliebs for a few weeks so far I would definitely recommend them.

If I had needed waterproof panniers bigger than the Front Rollers but cheaper than the Back Rollers I'm almost certain I would have bought a set of Axiom Monsoon panniers.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 9, 2013 at 3:37am

Axiom roll tops are the best value out there in water proof panniers.  They do not attach ad nicely as the Ortilebs but mine have never come off and stay dry inside at a considerably lower cost.

Permalink Reply by rb on July 9, 2013 at 5:31am

+1 on Ortlieb.

I broke down and spent the coin for some front roller classics. I use them on my rear rack and have totally kept my stuff dry. They don't look all that cool, but they are built with they best attaching system, have been using them securely with multiple bikes.

They have a product that is def worth the money.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on July 9, 2013 at 6:11am

I came here to suggest Ortleib but everyone already did.  Not to preach to the choir, but there's a reason why everyone likes them and it's not for the same reason everyone rides a fixie with no brakes. ;)

Permalink Reply by Rich S on July 9, 2013 at 6:24am

I have a pair from Blaq Design that have served me well.  I've ridden through really nasty downpours that had my shoes wet for 2 days but no water ever penetrated the panniers.  They use a floating liner on the inside with 1000d cordura as the outside fabric.  

The price has gone up some since I bought mine a couple years ago but they have a 20% off sale going on until July 10.  The cool thing is that you can fully customize the pannier color on the fabric, velcro, trim, thread, and straps.  Make yours completely unique.  

Permalink Reply by WillG on July 9, 2013 at 6:35am

Rich, I apologize to wander off topic, but when your shoes get soaked, jam crumpled up newspaper/phone book pages in your shoes. They'll be dry by morning (probably).

Rich S said:

I have a pair from Blaq Design that have served me well.  I've ridden through really nasty downpours that had my shoes wet for 2 days but no water ever penetrated the panniers.  They use a floating liner on the inside with 1000d cordura as the outside fabric.  

The price has gone up some since I bought mine a couple years ago but they have a 20% off sale going on until July 10.  The cool thing is that you can fully customize the pannier color on the fabric, velcro, trim, thread, and straps.  Make yours completely unique.  

Permalink Reply by Bez on July 9, 2013 at 11:21pm

Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but those are $112 for one and $222 for the pair.  Ortleibs are $153 for the pair (REI).  If buying the Ortleibs are like buying a Mercedes, then the Blaqs are like buying a Bugatti.

That said, I like some of the other stuff on the Blaq site and am currently scheming on how to get my wife to let me buy some of it since I just got a new Citizen this year.

Evan said:

Wow! I checked out the link and I'm totally sold on these! Made in the USA! only $112 and customize-able. I only wish my axiom aero monsoons were as crappy as the ortlieb choir wants to imply (they still look like new) so I could buy the Blaq Commute. 

Rich S said:

I have a pair from Blaq Design that have served me well.  I've ridden through really nasty downpours that had my shoes wet for 2 days but no water ever penetrated the panniers.  They use a floating liner on the inside with 1000d cordura as the outside fabric.  

The price has gone up some since I bought mine a couple years ago but they have a 20% off sale going on until July 10.  The cool thing is that you can fully customize the pannier color on the fabric, velcro, trim, thread, and straps.  Make yours completely unique.  

Permalink Reply by Rich S on July 10, 2013 at 2:22am

Yup the prices have gone up a few bucks since I bought mine a few years ago.  That being said they're really durable and I expect them to last at least several more years.  But with the higher prices I wouldn't buy again unless they were on sale which is several times a year.  

Dann B (5.25 mi/8.75 mi) said:

Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but those are $112 for one and $222 for the pair.  Ortleibs are $153 for the pair (REI).  If buying the Ortleibs are like buying a Mercedes, then the Blaqs are like buying a Bugatti.

Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on July 10, 2013 at 2:43am

Ortlieb rules! get the classic version with the shiny surface not the "deluxe" kind.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 10, 2013 at 2:57am

Why is that?

David of the North (David606xx) said:

get the classic version with the shiny surface not the "deluxe" kind.

Permalink Reply by rb on July 10, 2013 at 3:38am

i have had my classics for a few weeks now- the shiny surface is really easy to keep clean- oil, gunk, and muck, just wipe or fall off the bag. I'll hazard a guess that is what David is referring to.



David of the North (David606xx) said:

Ortlieb rules! get the classic version with the shiny surface not the "deluxe" kind.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on July 10, 2013 at 4:10am

That and they are cheaper.

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