Ortlieb bikepacker plus vs backroller plus

[gregoryoftours]

I'm in the market for new back Ortlieb panniers. Does anyone have experience of these two models? Specifically I would like to know if the bikepacker plus can be filled as full as the backroller plus and it still be possible to close the drawstring on the actual waterproof material, not just the gasket drawstring. The backrollers can be quite overfilled and still get enough turns on the roll top to seal, but it looks like if the bikepackers are filled that much then water could fairly easily get blown/run under the lid and through the gasket material that is not waterproof as far as I can tell. I don't like the classics so won't be considering any made of that material.
If anyone has any other useful plusses or minuses for these two i'd be interested to hear them also. I'm looking at the new model of the plusses that has an additional front roll top pocket.

[Nearholmer]

I bought a set of the Bikepacker ones with the “lid”, and didn’t like them at all, not from the point of view of how they are when stuffed full (too big for my needs, as it happens), but how they are when not stuffed full. The lid things are fairly stiff, and create a sort of flappy canopy over the part-full bag, whereas with any roll-top ones it’s possible to take up most excess volume neatly by simply rolling them more. Fortunately, someone else wanted exactly that sort of panniers, so I sold them!

[KernowSteve]

I agree with nearholmer, they seem to work better when full. When part filled, the lid is quite large and does hang like a canopy.
I have just used mine on a 3 1/2 day tour around Cornwall and they were perfect for my needs, as they were fully filled.
I've taken some pics to try and show some measurements now everything is emptied out and I'm drying out the tent and packing gear away. Unfortunately the only "filled" pics I have are from the tour, so no close up detailed ones of the closure system. The lids are quite deep and I have found that even if you jam way to much in and struggle to pull the drawstrings up tight you can still pull the lid over and get good coverage from a water resistance point of veiw. I had some rain this week, but nothing torrential so probably not a proper test, but depending on were and when you use them I would expect them to perform fairly well

[geocycle]

I have the bikepacker plus. They’ve served me well since 2006 and are used most days. I quite like the lid although have no experience with the roller design to compare. The only time I’ve not been able to close the flap is after major supermarket shops. The drawstring closes well but I’d describe the material of the collar shower proof rather than waterproof. Unless carrying unusual loads I haven’t found a need to fill it beyond what the cover can cope with.

[PH]

I've never used any of the lidded Ortlieb models to make a comparison, but the straps over the top of my Classic Sports Rollers have proved very useful over the last twenty years - Drying towels. wet tents, shoes, extra water bottle, shopping... all sorts has been strapped on, I carry two 10ltr stuffsacks for that purpose, it's considerable spare capacity for very little additional weight.

[Gearoidmuar]

I've never used any of the lidded Ortlieb models to make a comparison, but the straps over the top of my Classic Sports Rollers have proved very useful over the last twenty years - Drying towels. wet tents, shoes, extra water bottle, shopping... all sorts has been strapped on, I carry two 10ltr stuffsacks for that purpose, it's considerable spare capacity for very little additional weight.

I agree. I've a pair since 1996.

[plancashire]

I have two pairs of the smaller ones with lids. They are less faff than the roller type, which my wife has, but less adjustable and can't be used as a sort of bucket to carry big things easily. The lighter fabric gusset is for dust protection, not an extended waterproof sleeve. Maybe UK users have never needed to use this as it always rains in UK, as all Germans know.

[pjclinch]

I have the smaller ones with both lids and rolls, and I definitely prefer the lids in the smaller size. For the bigger rears I only have rollers and like those much more than the small rollers.
I suspect part of that is use profile, where most of my pannier use is relatively small loads of shopping in to small panniers with multiple stops. Where I use big ones tends to be on tour (bit shopping usually uses the cargo bike) where the wide open access and easy overloading of the rear rollers works well, but that's in combination with the small lidded ones which I use for stuff where easier access is a bonus.

Chris Juden has posted before on these and he much prefers the lidded rear ones, particularly the ability to put stuff like damp jackets under the lid but outside the body of the main pannier.

Pete.

[Bmblbzzz]

It would almost be tempting to buy a pair of each, and use roll-top on one side and lidded on the other.

[PH]

the ability to put stuff like damp jackets under the lid but outside the body of the main pannier.
Pete.

I find the strap on a roll top serves the same function, the +/- is that it's more exposed (Unless you use a stuff sack). Good to dry it out, bad if dirty spray is coming off the tyres.

[PH]

I often see the comments on roll tops being less easy to close, that isn't my experience and wonder if it's because of the different ways to do so. I fold over and clip the ends together on top, rather than using the strap, looping it onto the hook and tightening. As I said I don't have the lidded type of Ortlieb to compare, but I do have a similar design, with drawstring and plastic buckles, on a Carradice saddlebag. I've never timed closing them, but I doubt there's any difference worth noting and I would't want to guess which is the quicker. If I were looking for new panniers, it wouldn't be a factor either way.

[PH]

It would almost be tempting to buy a pair of each, and use roll-top on one side and lidded on the other.

I know two riders who did similar between themselves, an Ortlieb roll top and a classic Carradice, made a lot of sense, if you can get over the aesthetics.

[Mtb tourer]

The newer ortlieb panniers are not so good for pulling the lids down. Changed the design with the clips fixed higher up and old ones have the straps running from the base . Give you more options to hold stuff through the straps. Prefer the front lided versions if carrying more gear back and front. Large rear panniers are just too big.
Roll top ones usually require 3 turns for keeping water out.

[gregoryoftours]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the various models, some interesting points. It's given me plenty to consider.