Which panniers for moderately loaded touring?

[chris3vic]

When I say moderately loaded, I'm talking about carrying gear for 3-4 days cycle camping. Clothes, trangia stove, small bottle of fuel, pair of shoes for the evening, bit of food for cooking. I'm not after taking the kitchen sink in other words.

I have a very light 2 man backpacking tent, roll mat and sleeping back which I intent to strap to the top of the rack in a drybag.

As options, I've got in mind the Ortlieb Classic Back Rollers, Altura Dryline 32's or the Vaude Aqua's.

From a "looks" perspective I guess I prefer the Alturas, but they are 8 litres smaller than the other two. All are waterproof, and the only ones I've seen in the flesh are the Ortliebs, that always looked a bit cumbersome on my mates mountain bike, though I know they'd do the job fine.

At 16 litres each, do you think the the Alturas will be two small for what I'd want?

[yakdiver]

Vaude Aqua gets mt vote

[fatty]

Caradice carradura for last couple of years absolutely spot on...

Not too pricey and very robust..

[chris3vic]

I do like the carradice stuff. Are they waterproof or the ones that come with a cover?

[DaleFTW]

I'm a fan of Ortliebs tbh. I've got a lot more than you're taking in them there.

If you're taking less, they're quite 'pack-downable'. You just roll them over a few more times.

[pjclinch]

I like Ortliebs. While much brouhaha is expended over waterproofing I really like them for the fittings which are very easy to use. To secure you put them on the rack and let go of the carry handle. To unlock you pick them up by the carrying handle. The Ort Rear Roller is a classic for a good reason, which is they're very, very good.

Whether or not panniers are waterproof you'll still want waterproof liners IME. If you put your wet tent in your waterproof pannier all the much-vaunted waterproofing does is keep the water in, and keeps it in the same bag as any dry stuff in there (except the dry stuff isn't dry any more...). Raincovers are a Work Of Stan to my mind. Stop you getting at the pannier easily, are an extra faff on and off, and still don't get you round the wet content issue just highlighted. I did have some with some Altura Orkneys, having looked them over I detached them and used theri wee pocket to put other stuff in. Bit of a mis-feature as far as I'm concerned.

Pete.

[DaleFTW]

I like Ortliebs. While much brouhaha is expended over waterproofing I really like them for the fittings which are very easy to use. To secure you put them on the rack and let go of the carry handle. To unlock you pick them up by the carrying handle. The Ort Rear Roller is a classic for a good reason, which is they're very, very good.

Yup.

I put most of my kit in dry bags inside them. More for organisation than anything else though.

[chris3vic]

Spa are doing the Ortliebs for 83gbp at the moment which seems a good deal.

I know they'll last a very long time and they weigh the least out of those 3. No brainer, you might say.

Other option was maybe the Altura Arc's, but can't find much info on them

[foxyrider]

Just buy the Ortliebs!

[chris3vic]

Just buy the Ortliebs!

Bought them!!!!!!!!! 83 quid from Spa. Free postage.

Those and a Wild Country zephyros 1 tent are my treats for today (pay day!)

[fatty]

Mine aren't waterproof but very very weatherproof and the covers aren't too faffy....

You'll have to let us know about the tent I'm really really interested in one

[DaleFTW]

How tall are you? I'm 6 foot and don't fit in one. Rubbish.

[chris3vic]

I'm 5' 9" so I'm hoping I'll be alright.

Will post pics and a wee review when I get it.

[chris3vic]

My friend is 6'2" and has the banshee 200. It's roomier than the Zephyros but I wouldn't say massively so.

He is comfortable in it and it has a nice small porch for storage, small scale cooking etc.

Comparable price too

[hufty]

I like Ortliebs. Whether or not panniers are waterproof you'll still want waterproof liners IME. If you put your wet tent in your waterproof pannier all the much-vaunted waterproofing does is keep the water in

Yup. I put most of my kit in dry bags inside them. More for organisation than anything else though.

These echo some of my arguments for favouring Carradice Super Cs - they are in essence waterproof, yet they let any trapped water soak out. In any case I have everything in plastic bags inside for organisation. Also the material is strong and durable, can be patched with needle and thread, and can be reproofed.