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Are you tired and pained from lugging those heavy, aching loads around on your bike with no extra support? If so, there’s only one thing for it – you need a good pannier bag.
Pannier bags can support a much bigger haul than most, if not all rucksacks, attaching to your bike on special mounts. Most sit over the back wheel and clip on either side of it, with a firm back and clips that tightly fasten on to the metal frame of the racks.
You can, though, also mount them on the front fork – the only real difference is that smaller front panniers won’t potentially drag along the ground beside the front wheel.
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We’ve compiled a list of not only the advantages of investing in a pannier bag, but also the nine currently on the market which we think are a cut above the rest. Let’s take a look:
Benefits of Pannier Bags
Basically, as mentioned above, panniers are capable carrying a far heavier load than the average backpack. Whether used as a pair or individually, you’ll find the biggest difference they make is on those long hauls.
Think just how less sweaty you’ll be when you finish your commute to work, or how much more gear you can pack for your camping holiday, with one of these beauties on your bike.
As well as being far less sweat-inducing and fidgety than ‘normal’ bags, panniers are also have a low centre of gravity, so will do a much better job of stabilising your bike, too.
What’s more, panniers are waterproof, made from sturdy materials to protect your belongings if an accident occurs, and feature plenty of useful straps, making it a whole lot easier to carry the bag(s) once you’ve reached your destination. Their reflective qualities also keep you visible in darker conditions.
Stylish Urban Pannier Bags
Looking for a pannier that can carry the load but also look the part? You’ll be in safe hands with any of these three:
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Tourbon Nylon Clip-On Tote Bag (£66.99)
First off, we have this lush green design from Tourbon, made of high-quality nylon with enough to fit laptop, clothes, wallet, keys, clothes, books and so much more.
Its two hooks clips onto your bike’s back rack, while it also comes with a shoulder strap that can be packed inside its zipper pocket while riding. And it’s not just limited to use as a bike pannier – it can also double up as a lovely shoulder tote bag.
- Tourbon bike panniers made of high quality nylon
- 2 hooks that clip onto your backrack ,hooks and shoulder strap can be packed inside a zipper pocket
- Enough room to storage laptop ,clothes ,wallet ,key ,clothes ,books and so on
Tourbon Waterproof Rear Seat Storage Pannier (£70.99)
Another superb model from Tourbon, this waterproof set looks great in all four of its available colours – black, green, khaki or navy.
These double bike panniers are made from quality waterproof canvas, boast two huge compartments and a handy shoulder strap, can be rolled up or released easily if necessary, and are perfect for all manner of journeys, from cycling commutes to intrepid safaris.
- This Tourbon Double bike panniers is made from quality waterproof canvas
- Perfect as a bicycle storage for the market or a travel safari companions
- Come with 2 large compartments and a shoulder strap
BikyBag Classic Double Pannier (£29.99)
This vibrant, stylish pannier bag has plenty of different, unique designs to pick from: ‘Flowers’, ‘Folklore Flowers’, ‘Daisy Flowers’, ‘Grey Daisy’, ‘Owls’, ‘Pink Daisy Flowers’, or ‘The Meadows’.
Not only do they all look great, they all work great, too. Their PVC-coated polyester protects the bag’s contents from external moisture and damage, and their buckles make it easy to fit the bag on to a bike frame.
Its reflective straps on the bike’s rear offer it great visibility for dark, late-night rides, and there is extra reinforcement in the way of its internal pockets and sides, to keep your belongings doubly secure.
- PVC coated polyester protects contents from external moisture and damage.
- Easy-to-use buckles for convenient fitting to a bicycle frame.
- A variety of beautiful patterns are available.
Waterproof Pannier Bags
Not everyone wants the most aesthetically pleasing product, of course. If you’d prefer something robust which just gets the job done, any of these six are the panniers for you:
Rohtar Waterproof Pannier Messenger Bag (£32.63)
Whether in black, red or yellow, 18-litres or 25-litres, this waterproof pannier bag is hugely functional, primarily as a pannier but as a messenger bag, backpack or shoulder bag, but still looks great, too.
Built with waterproof PVC materials, it’s braced for all forms of weather, so your things are guaranteed to stay dry inside this, and the bag’s sturdy, adjustable straps offer the most comfortable of fits for you.
There’s also in-built clamps covered by extra padding to prevent them digging into your back.
- 3-IN-1 PANNIER BAG FOR BICYCLES: Functioning mainly as a detachable rear bicycle pannier, our messenger cycling bag easily transforms into a regular backpack, cross body shoulder bag or handle carrier...
- FEATURES: Our bicycle panniers are fully waterproof and they are made from durable strong PVC fabric so your belongings are kept safe. The built-in clamps are covered by extra padding to prevent them...
- SAFETY: Our travel bag has large reflective "Rohtar" logos on the side and a triangle on the back to ensure visibility. The Rohtar pannier is functional in emergency situations, since there is a...
Biagio Waterproof Rear Panniers (Price not available)
Next up is a cheaper but still highly dependable design from Biagio, available in black, blue or red.
Made from quality 600D Oxford fabric, it’s waterproof, scratch-proof, smooth and solid, and the rainproof cover included offers even more protection from the elements for your possessions inside the bag.
It also comes with two extensive side panniers, a tail pocket to put your water bottle, a top mesh bag, a rubber string, and a height-adjustable top – you can fit luggage, an umbrella and a raincoat all in this bag.
That’s not all – there are also several reflective tapes around the bag to enhance visibility, two Velcro straps at the bottom to help fasten it and keep it steady, and a shoulder strap to allow you to carry it in your hand or shoulder after finishing your bike ride.
- ✔ WATER-RESISTANT -- Made from high quality 600D oxford fabric: solid, smooth, waterproof, durable, scratch-proof, etc. The rainproof cover (included) provide further protection for things inside.
- ✔ EXTENSIBLE CAPACITY: 10 - 25L -- Folded Size: 32*17*19cm / 12.6"* 6.7"* 7.5". 2 extensive side panniers(35*28cm), 1 tail pocket for water bottle, 1 top mesh bag, 1 rubber string, plus height...
- ✔ SAFETY DESIGN -- There are multiple reflective tapes around the bag to improve visibility of others when night riding.
Selighting Waterproof Rear Pannier Bag (Price not available)
Whether in black or green, this Selighting bag comes with top-of-the-range waterproof PVC material, using seamless welding to keep your belongings safe from the weather. It’s also scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, so expect a particularly long shelf life with this one.
A 25-litre bag, you can also store a laptop, clothes and much more with ease, while its quick-release system makes fastening it on to the rear rack a breeze. Plus, it’s compatible with mountain, road, casual, folding bikes, and more.
It’s another pannier with a reflective design to keep you seen in the dark, and another which offers great versatility – use it as a pannier, shoulder or camping bag thanks to its lightweight design and included adjustable strap.
- 🚲 FULLY WATERPROOF -- Made of high quality waterproof PVC material and using seamless welding process to keep all of your belongings from bad weather and water-damage, non-scratch and...
- 🚲 CAPACITY: 20-25L -- Dimensions: (8.3"-12.6")(L) x 6.7"(D) x 15"(H) / (21-32)cm x 17cm x 38cm, 20-25L capacity. This rear bag can be used to store 1 x laptop, 4 x t-shirts, 3 x pants, 2 x coats, 2...
- 🚲 EASY TO USE -- Features quick release system, securely hold the pannier on the rear rack with the clamps on the pouch. Suitable for variety kinds of bikes like mountain bike, road bikes, casual...
Rhinowalk Waterproof Rear Pannier (Price not available)
This 20-litre Rhinowalk bag, in either black or yellow, will also do an excellent job of keeping your belongings safe and dry thanks to its waterproof PVC material. Again, it’s easy to use and fits plenty of types of bike, too.
Another with reflective qualities to keep you visible, it’s also tailor-made for more than just attaching onto the bike rack and lugging your valuables around. Try it out as a large shoulder bag or handbag, too, if you like.
- ✔ Fully Waterproof -- High quality waterproof PVC material, using seamless welding process, protecting all your belongings inside from bad weather and water-damage.
- ✔ 20L CAPACITY -- Dimensions: 12.2"(L) x 6.1"(D) x 11.8"(H) / 31cm x 15.5cm x 30cm, 20-25L capacity. This rear bag can be used to store 1 x laptop, 4 x t-shirts, 3 x pants, 2 x coats, 2 x shoes, 1 x...
- ✔ Easy to Use -- Features quick release system, securely hold the pannier on the rear rack with the clamps on the pouch. Suitable for variety kinds of bikes like mountain bike, road bikes, casual...
Vaude Waterproof Unisex Outdoor Bike Bag (£107.52)
This eco-friendly cycling pannier bag is made from entirely PVC-free material, waterproofed without using harmful fluocarbons, and can be purchased in either black, canary, parrot green, blue, lava or red.
Thanks to its QMR 2.0 system, each pannier is adjustable and fastens securely to either side of the rear pannier rack, while its tarpaulin material only enhances its waterproof functions. Each features its on inside pocket for extra storage, while the roll closure system means you can change the bag size to fit your needs and seal it so it’s water-tight.
- SECURE ATTACHMENT: Thanks to the QMR 2.0 system, each pannier can be easily adjusted and securely fixed to either side of the rear pannier rack.
- ECO-FRIENDLY: The cycle panniers are made from 100% PVC-free material and have been waterproofed without the use of harmful fluocarbons.
- WELDED WATERPROOF: The tarpaulin material of each cycling bag features welded waterproofing to keep all of your belongings completely dry and free from water-damage.
Ortlieb Unisex Back-Roller Classic (£179.89)
Available in either yellow or black, this is a sturdy, waterproof pair of panniers made of robust Cordura fabric. Simply roll them at the top and they become impermeable to water and dust.
Arguably the best Ortlieb pannier bag, each of its two bags has an impressive 20-litre capacity, with a good supply of integrated inside pockets and shoulder straps to boot.
Perfect as either a men’s or women’s pannier, it also comes with a five-year guarantee, so rest assured any teething problems with the bags will be fixable.
- 3M Scotch lite reflectors
- Integrated inside pocket
- Robust, waterproof Cordura fabric
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