Pannier reviews from Reddit

"Recommend going with decent quality such as Ortleib or Two Wheel as less expensive options have parts that break more easily."

"Ortlieb Vario is completely waterproof and can store the helmet outside."

"I have the Ortlieb Vario and it fits your use case. I carry a change of clothes, lunch, a 13" laptop, an e-bike charger, and some toiletries without any issues."

"Directly in my Ortlieb Backroller Plus when I don't bring the backpack."

"I use an Ortlieb back roller which I leave on the bike."

"Is the only choice."

"The ortlieb vario with the commuter insert rules."

"Ortlieb also sells the Vario, which is a convertible backpack/pannier."

"I now tour with the XL Ortlieb backroller plus panniers & matching handlebar bag. I much prefer it to the 4 Ortlieb pannier option."

"The backrollers are great because it's plenty of space regardless of the weather. And it's easy to make it smaller with the straps all around the bag."

"I'm a huge fan of the Arkel Urban H panniers."

"I love my Arkel pannier!"

"Very happy with my Arkel pannier."

"I have the Arkels and they are the most solid and rattle-free that I have tried."

"I use their Signature H pannier to commute and their dry-lites for bikepacking and I do."

"I have front and rear Arkels and absolutely love them."

"I think the Arkels beat out the Ortliebs."

"I recommend taking a look at the Arkel Shopper to see if it might work. my absolute favorite all purpose saddle bag(s)!"

"Arkel Shopper 🥳"

"Akrel is life warranty and super durable cordura."

"I picked up a nice Rhinowalk brand pannier off AMZ for a lot less money than an Ortlieb."

"I've been using $40 rhinowalks from glamazon for 6 years. Waterproof strong and big"

"Really good for the money. I've put 2.5 years on mine and they are still super-waterproof."

"If you're on a budget Rhinowalk is a good alternative to Ortlieb."

"The Rhinowalks are surprisingly solid."

"I have toured with Rhinowalk panniers from Amazon. Cheap and pretty sturdy."

"Rhinowalk. Not as sturdy as Ortlieb but darned good."

"I've been using a rhinowalk one for about 8 months now, it's good value for money."

"Amazon sells one called Rhinowalk. Not as good as Ortlieb but good"

"Makes good panniers at decent prices."

"Honestly, I like the decathlon one! Use it loads and the rain cover works well for wet days."

"I'm a big fan of this Decathlon pannier backpack."

"Decathlon bike backpack that splits. They have new products this year too with one sided option backpacks."

"There are lots of designs at Decathlon and they're reasonably priced."

"This one works wonders for me."

"I’ve got a Decathlon roll-top waterproof one in grey."

"I use a cheaper decathlon with zips that is in theory not waterproof."

"Ive been using this decathlon pannier / backpack for commuting to work for the past 3 years."

"I really like the looks of the decathalon dual pannier set up."

"Decatlhon."

"I really like it. It fits my large 16" laptop and there's plenty of extra space for a notebook, keyboard, or whatever. It quickly converts between a backpack and a pannier."

"2 Wheel Gear makes the only options worth considering that I've ever seen."

"I can vouch for the Two Wheel Gear convertible backpack. I love mine."

"I’m a big fan of the Two Wheel Gear backpacks. The standard ones are on sale right now."

"They're great quality, really nice complement of pockets."

"The only exceptions I've ever encountered are Two Wheel Gear."

"I have one from Two Wheel Gear that's been working pretty well."

"I have one of these convertible pannier/backpacks and it’s great: Two Wheel Gear."

"I bought these banjo brother's grocery panniers and I love them. They are quick removable and have handles and a strap."

"Makes an awesome set of waterproof bags."

"With your requirements I’d definitely check out Banjo Brother’s selection."

"I've been happy with my Banjo Brothers backpack pannier."

"Banjo Brothers makes a good grocery pannier at a reasonable price."

"It looks like this would work with the Banjo Brothers grocery pannier"

"Banjo brothers, especially since they’re durable and not hard to find secondhand."

"It's a good mix of affordability and quality."

"I love mine and it’s rock solid!"

"Tailfin makes high quality products."

"If your budget is unlimited, tailfin.cc is the very best."

"Tailfin. A bit more expensive than other options but is just perfect."

"Expensive, but well worth it."

"Tailfin do a (expensive) great rear rack."

"This is the bag I'm currently using and I like is a ton."

"I have the Super Tourist w/o disc w/o spring and really like it."

"Check out the Topeak clip in systems I personally love mine."

"Big fan of this bag. So it's not full panniers, more like a trunk bag with optional panniers when you need them."

"I got a Topeak Explorer based on the Wirecutter recommendation. I gotta say, it's been solid so far."

"They also have some great pannier options."

"Very big fan of my REI junction pannier."

"I use a couple of REI junction panniers. No complaints so far."

"I use the REI Junction pannier. It's big enough to hold a change of clothes, laptop and lunch."

"I use this one for commuting with my A2."

"Cannot say enough about the Vaude waterproof panniers."

"Beside ortlieb, vaude has good panniers."

"Really good quality and clip on and off very easily."

"High quality made in germany."

"I’d throw anything from Mosko on that asap and you’d be solid"

"Mosko. Any and all of it."

"Mosko Reckless for shorter-multi day trips."

"Its the best thing I have used so far."

"I have been very happy with my yellow Rockbros panniers from Amazon."

"I have a Rockbros one that has two shoulder straps."

"Has treated me well."

"They're great!"

"I will add a third recommendation for Nelson Rigg Sierra."

"Longride might have what you’re looking for."

"Longride makes some pretty awesome ones."

"Another good option to look into is Longride."

"I recently bought a ortlieb vario, which I can put on my rack but still use a backpack."

"Ortlieb vario! Has backpack straps for carrying and a laptop sleeve."

"It's the best work bag I've ever had."

"This is a very thoughtfully designed bag."

"Lone Rider or Kriega."

"Lone Rider has excellent gear."

"Kriega is my favorite."

"I like Kriega, they're good quality, but you have to buy the 'base plates' for 150-300 a pop, then the bags at full normal cost (so 300+ per bag), on top of needing a rack."

"Have you checked Hepco & Becker?"

"Hepco & Becker seems good along with SW Motech. Some Hepco can be locked directly on the bike which is a good thing."

"Timbuk2 Panniers are nice to carry on a shoulder sling."

"Timbuk2 makes panniers that double as a backpack."

"Cortech also makes some good saddlebags."

"I use Cortech saddlebags."

"I'm a Carradice user but they are not 100%/waterproof."

"I used to use Carrodice for commuting, fitted my laptop well."

"Super well made and handsome saddlebags."

"Haven't used it myself but I'm in a similar boat and have been eyeing this."

"I bought my Rynox panniers from Lets Gear Up HSR Layout."

"Rynox is good for budget offering or else you can buy RE official accessories."

"I use and have been super happy with the woodward bag from North Street bags."

"Can't recommend them enough."

"I love how they convert to a backpack."

"Tusk makes the best IMHO… I’ve beaten the shit out of them."

"Have them on both my cargo and commuter and wouldn't go back to regular panniers."

"They work perfectly."

"That thing is so amazing."

"Arkel and Ortlieb are your two best choices."

"RockBros Bike Rear Pannier Rack Luggage Rack Carrier With Fender."

"I've always treated the Tern paniers like a car truck and thrown in whatever briefcase, backpack, tote bag, suitcase, Ikea blue bag, etc I wanted at my destination."

"Old Man Mountain"

"I can really recommend Crosso bags I bought two 30l rolltop panniers for 70€, and used them in multiple trips really happy with them so far. Best budget option I could find."

"Rixen & Kaul stuff is great. I got a set of altura drylines (largest waterproof panniers I could find) which have rixen & kaul hardware over 15 years ago. They've have tons of use frequently overloaded with heavy loads of groceries and whilst the bags are tattered now and no longer waterproof the hooks a pretty much good as new."

"Apidura"

"On the other, I use the Ibera BA15 17 liter bag"

"I just got the OGIO TB 2.0 for mine - 21Ls of space, which is plenty for a week and an extra pair of shoes."

"I had a Duo front and Vega Evo rear. The Duo requires an inside fork mount which the Diverge might not have."

"You can get a set of used water axiom waterproof ones on eBay for like 30 bucks."

"I eventually settled on a North St. Bags Woodward pannier backpack for commuting. Large capacity for a pannier/backpack, quick and easy to secure and remove, laptop compartment and three accessory pockets."

"I got those wald metal ones and they are small but pretty good."

"Any good pannier and a Pelican case."

"I’ve been eyeing up the Fairweather 2 Way Pannier / Backpack but the thing is quite heavy as well as quite pricey."

"Leather look vintage. They should work with my signals if I don't them as forward as possible."

"I have the leather saddle bags, that I am looking to get off my hands if you need."

"I’ve got some Xtracycle cargo slings - they are great for just dumping stuff in."

"Both suffered holes and significant abrasions within the first 115 miles. My recommendation, don't buy MLD bikepacking products."

"Don’t but the Kawasaki soft panniers, they’re useless. My wife bought them for her Ninja, the zips failed and they fell apart quickly."