Choosing good panniers is crucial for the success of your trip. For example, a mediocre pannier could let wetness get inside. Or it could not attach properly, compromising your stability. It is where you store all your precious gear for many days so it is definitely an important component of your bike-touring trip.
Ortlieb Back Roller Pro Classic panniers
Let’s start with a classic, the German brand Ortlieb. Probably the most famous producer of panniers and for a reason. Ortlieb bags are top quality. They are also pricy so sometimes first-time bike tourers can be a bit discouraged by that – I have been there too. But Ortlieb bags are worth every penny. My Back Roller Pro Classics are still in a good shape after many years and miles.
The Back Roller panniers are very large. Actually, they are the largest on the market with 35 litres. They are waterproof, of course. They are available in three colours: red, yellow and grey.
Volume: 35 litres
Weight: 2x 1,200 g
Price: approx. €180 (a pair)
Vaude panniers
Vaude are another high-quality German brand. They are also quite a lot into sustainability. In fact, they claim that the bags are made under fair working conditions and are produced without the use of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons (PFC). The Aqua Back Plus model has a very distinctive welded outer pocket that makes it easy to store things separately. It is, of course, waterproof. It comes in seven different colours!
Volume: 25 litres
Weight: 1,060 g
Price: approx. €176
MSX SL 55 bike touring panniers
Germans are, without a doubt, into bike touring. So here is another amazing product made in Germany, the MSX SL 55 Advantage CX. These were my first panniers and I used them a lot before they got lost by an airline. I can say only positive things about them: sturdy, reliable and 100% waterproof. They come in two colours, black and red.
Volume: 26 litres
Weight: 2 x 1,250 g
Price: approx. €170 (a pair)
Topeak bikepacking panniers
If you want to save a few bucks but still get a quality product, you should check out Topeak’s Dry Bag DX. Topeak is a Taiwanese brand that provides affordable, quality products. Dry Bag DX is a bit heavier but still waterproof. It comes in two colours, black and yellow. The look of the yellow version is very flashy but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it improves your visibility on the road.
Volume: 25 litres
Weight: 2 x 1 400 g
Price: approx. €150 (a pair)
Thule bike panniers
The legendary Swedish brand, which has been securing our bikes to car roofs for so many years, is now also producing panniers. The Thule Shields 25 bags are the perfect companion for your bike adventures. They are waterproof, have reflective panels for visibility and a sober look. They come just in two colours, black and yellow. The price is very affordable, making the cheaper half of this list.
Volume: 25 litres
Weight: 2 x 1 900 g
Price: approx. €130 (a pair)
