Comments on: Complete List of Mini Panniers and Small Panniers for Bikepacking

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:17:34 +0000

In reply to Patch – Collins Cycle Works.

Hey Patch – mind emailing me at miles AT bikepacking DOT com ?

By: Patch - Collins Cycle Works

Patch - Collins Cycle Works — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:14:36 +0000

@cassgilbert:disqus Cass, great to see my bags up on the list. I've updated them slightly since I spoke to Logan in Manchester. Would it be possible to send you the photos and info? Or best to drop it on here?
Cheers.
Patch.

By: Ron Bell

Ron Bell — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:19:17 +0000

MLD has now updated the Poco Panniers to the V2 with 400 Ultra X, extra durable rack deck connection and Hi Vis orange saftey color option. https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/poco-ultra-panniers/

By: recurrecur

recurrecur — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 07:58:10 +0000

In reply to spinnnnout. That's a really nice pair of Fairlights. I still prefer the Faran in Winter Bracken, but that blue looks really good. I agree that the Ortlieb hook system just isn't that great. They can't be bumped open, and they eventually break, as nearly all plastic does. On my last pair of Ortlieb panniers, I had replaced nearly every piece of plastic before stopped using them.

By: N73

N73 — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:18:29 +0000

Karrimor Kalahari panniers, such a shame they aren't made any more.

By: Tobi

Tobi — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:52:20 +0000

Oh man, what a sweet sweet Pugsley displaying the Ortliebs.

By: spinnnnout

spinnnnout — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:06:26 +0000

I'm here for those mini panniers and this list is really growing, love to see it!

As someone who never got into saddle bags, I've now been using Ortlieb grav for many years and they are great. However and perhaps user error, the Ortlieb clamp system didn't get on with my Tumbleweed mini rack / mountain bike combo and ejected a few times which led me to the new Tailfin offering. The X-Clamp system is rock solid and they've been put through their paces! Together they make for a nice waterproof 4x mini pannier setup..
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8fcc8940ce0a60278c6bc9d1185f4f8f182cc61e300a126ea7287eaf8f4dd3ee.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/13010bb20111300120ecda242774eb72fccea5b19345190b5bffe21af60db4cf.jpg

By: Andy Bird

Andy Bird — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:41:21 +0000

Depending on how mini you want some handlebar bags can work great as mini panniers Im currently using a Ardea Pack but plan to buy a Road Runner Jammer

By: Chiara Ca

Chiara Ca — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:09:21 +0000

I use the Thule Shield 13L. Good value for the price for a pair and waterproof. https://www.thule.com/en-us/bike-packs-bags-and-racks/panniers-and-bike-bags/thule-shield-pannier-13l-_-3204205

By: Gee

Gee — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:05:50 +0000

In reply to Henchick Harrigan. @henchickharrigan:disqus Was thinking the same thing. Would you share photos of the rack interface, and your experience of how solidly they mount? Thanks!

By: Tyler S

Tyler S — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:32:35 +0000

In reply to David Schlabowske.

I use the newer version of the Dry-Lites, and agree that they could do themselves some favors with a modification of that attach system.
I'm using a Sea to Summit Big River dry bag for my top of the rack, and am able to use Voile rack straps to hold it in place, around the Arkel's straps. Could also use the Arkel's D-rings, either as you have, or to attach a rack top bag.
If Arkel would modify the attach straps, to attach each independently, and come off and on more easily, they'd have the perfect bag, imo.

By: Tyler S

Tyler S — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:19:48 +0000

In reply to emmy emmy.

I really like the look and concept of these panniers (but am happy with my very light Arkel Dry-Lites).

Do you have experience using them?
How do you attach the bottom?
I wish more companies provided the actual waterproof rating (in mm of hydrostatic head) for their products, so that could be compared directly. I'm not seeing how waterproof ALUULA is on either the Rockgeist or the fabric maker's sites.

By: Henchick Harrigan

Henchick Harrigan — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 22:58:05 +0000

Army surplus sustainment pouch. Cheap, small, lightweight, tough. Get them in desert camo and you can acid dye them any color. Pictured mounted on a Salsa Alternator Plus rack on my '19 Timberjack, no modifications necessary. One holds a camp chair and the other my tarp and screen tent. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a5426650ca846c570526bf056d8f15cdb26757a4440cc7285544800171b0e3dc.jpg

By: Andrew Goin

Andrew Goin — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:02:28 +0000

https://burley.com/products/pannier-set Granted they are designed as a trailer accessory, but they are working r great for me. Pretty good price too.

By: emmy emmy

emmy emmy — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:06:46 +0000

It would be helpful to update/make accurate the photos and information for the Rockgeist Microwave Panniers with the updating of this article. The back plastic is now a stiffer black HDPE and the dry bags haven't been blue for years. And it's both important and exciting to note there's a new lightweight version made with ALUULA fabric (especially considering the listed con of these panniers being heavy)

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:49:43 +0000

In reply to Victor Barra. Added!

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:34:01 +0000

In reply to @eivissastef. It seems like we had some old info, updated!

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:02:47 +0000

In reply to Tom jones. Adding them in now!

By: TrynnaLeafNYC

TrynnaLeafNYC — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:45:19 +0000

Just did a tour with reaaally mini panniers – Ortleibs 5.8l mini panniers – on a tumbleweed T rack. Found them to really add the capacity needed! One fit my coffee maker and jetboil + snacks, and the other some emergency dried rations and my bowl and utensils. Perfect addition to what I had already.

By: Tom jones

Tom jones — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 18:01:11 +0000

Another for your list is Roswheels Tour pannier. They come in a small 10L size. I have been using them this year on my Ortlieb Quick rack and they’ve been durable, and affordable.

By: @eivissastef

@eivissastef — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:11:13 +0000

Ortliebs smaller version of the Gravel-Pack. 12,5L 580gr

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:10:30 +0000

In reply to Dan L. Added!

By: Victor Barra

Victor Barra — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 22:45:37 +0000

Hello Cass,

Please add choike panniers, they are lightweight (less than 400gr), 100% waterproof, super durable/strong and have some nice features like hidden pockets and reflective strips. And the best feature, the system is also compatible with their own backpack, this setup it was extremely useful to carry my laptop during my "work-from-home" bikepacking tour across europe.

https://www.choikebags.cl/producto/alforja/

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dfd952d8b5ec04d4cc9b35b1a1bb4f23525e514240a15b7572439641e2467c1f.jpg

By: Dan L

Dan L — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 20:49:53 +0000

My favorite are missing! Paper Roads Trail Panniers - https://paperroads.co.nz/products/trail-panniers?variant=45520461037847

By: J Blake

J Blake — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:16:04 +0000

In reply to Tyler S.

The Dry-Lites are so versatile for the reasons you mentioned. I often leave them on year-round because they're so light and out of the way when empty, plus the quirky attachment effectively nullifies quick theft. Just great everyday saddlebags. I'm actually perplexed at how there seems to be so few similar options – you'd think the minimalist bikepacking industry would be all over a dead simple dry bag pannier.

Great tip about the Quick Rack!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/212b878dd126d5c7211f1d392d978c4724f1e864f781f938c2a98afaeaf89540.jpg

By: Nick | Tailfin

Nick | Tailfin — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:53:09 +0000

In reply to theotherveekay. Annoyingly they're not as simple as 'print and done'. The bar that crossed the middle is tubing cut to size (I used aluminium cut to size) then all three parts have to be screwed together with the right nuts and bolts. Depending on the variability of your truss fork this will likely need tweaked. This was very much a prototype project so wouldn't feel too comfortable making more. I can share the 3D files if you want though. Just contact hello at tailfin dot cc and screenshot this conversation.

By: Tyler S

Tyler S — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:57:53 +0000

I've used the Arkel Dry-Lites for 15 months, commuting, and for the north half of the Tour Divide, and they've been bullet-proof. I believe they're the lightest pannier listed here, fully waterproof (I'm starting to see a little gap at one of the stitched connections), and although the attachment system is quirky, and doesn't allow for simple removal of bags from the rack, I've found a couple of solutions to that — grocery bags within the pannier to easily remove sets of gear, plus the Ortlieb Quick Rack can be quickly removed from the bike, with the bags attached, which proved to be a lifesaver on The Wall section of Tour Divide, where I ferried the rack and bags up separate from the bike.

By: Nick | Tailfin

Nick | Tailfin — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:39:30 +0000

In reply to theotherveekay.

Hi! Logan is correct – I designed/printed those for Cass as a special project! We were lucky that the jones truss fork was miraculously perfect fit to be able to squeeze in a bar that allowed our pannier clamp to fit nicely – the hard bit was trying to design it only from photographs! You can see some of the CAD below.

Konstantin from Drust cycles also did a truss fork around mounting our packs too a while back… https://www.instagram.com/p/CodKfmFsnMe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2707bc3b8621dd3e4b70fb0f21ae4725a863f49724fe4dbcb282fbf1f0f442d3.jpg

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/24f3d10651fbe707223cde9c667f988fc9be06fb73171c1e5ad2f22c926bdfd6.png

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b3b51f5465ebb0f9381f228a223c5d129edd9a619a2251aa8ac12c895b4d382c.jpg

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:21:07 +0000

In reply to Tyler S. Thanks for sharing, Tyler!

By: Cody Heiner

Cody Heiner — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:07:29 +0000

In reply to philip. I think by definition panniers hang off the sides. But a dry bag strapped to the top of the rack is a good option that I use sometimes.

By: Cody Heiner

Cody Heiner — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:05:34 +0000

In reply to David. A great (although not cheap) option would be the Old Man Mountain setup with a fit kit that replaces your rear axle. Super solid and can bare more weight than a frame with eyelets.

By: theotherveekay

theotherveekay — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:06:15 +0000

In reply to Nick | Tailfin. Thanks Nick, great job! Do you think you can maybe print another pair of those?

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:57:22 +0000

In reply to Jerry R. Nice! Awesome to find something that works for you.

By: theotherveekay

theotherveekay — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:49:01 +0000

In reply to Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com.

That would be great, Logan! This fork is almost a rack – it just lacks a horizontal tube in the right place (or some three-pack mounts…). Thanks!

By: Jerry R

Jerry R — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:48:56 +0000

I took Ortlieb front bags mounted to a Tubus Cosmos stainless steel rear rack down the GDMBR last year without a problem. Just the right amount of space for gear and food. Wrapped gorilla tape around rack mounting points and no rattles. Rack is one piece and rock solid. Bags totally waterproof and so easy to take on and off. I also used same bags for transcontinental ride a couple of years before. Both rides done on 2018 Specialized Diverge. Don’t see any need for special bikepacking bags. I’m 70 years old by the way.

By: Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com

Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:31:27 +0000

In reply to theotherveekay. I believe Tailfin made those for him. Are you looking for some? I could certainly ask them.

By: theotherveekay

theotherveekay — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:50:38 +0000

In reply to Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com. Thanks Logan, could't make out the adapters in the pic. I guess I'm asking for quite a few Jones owners: Who printed these?

By: Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com

Logan Watts / BIKEPACKING.com — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:43:25 +0000

In reply to theotherveekay. Check the third pic up top; he has a custom 3d-printed fitment system.

By: theotherveekay

theotherveekay — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:10:08 +0000

Cass, how do you fit panniers to a Jones truss fork?

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:41:56 +0000

In reply to Dante' T. Green. They're in there!

By: Tom Shaw

Tom Shaw — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:27:55 +0000

Hi, and old thread but I thought it was worth sharing the Carradice Overlander pannier set, if you can find them. I have used them for a few bikepacking style trips (and some other more road/track based tours) and they have been excellent. Old design, hard to find, but many suitable features in terms of size, weight etc.

By: David Schlabowske

David Schlabowske — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 09:45:20 +0000

Just an FYI to potential purchasers, the Arkel Dry-Lite panniers have a new Gate Keeper buckle strap system for the top that is probably more secure than the old velcro straps but it blocks even more of the top of the rack (I’m using an Old Man Mountain Fat Divide) with sections of rubber to reduce abrasion on the straps. This blocks most of the top of the rack, making it difficult to attach other trunk racks to the top. I bought a pair because of the lower price point and I almost returned them after I got them and couldn’t mount a trunk rack on the top. Because they are relatively inexpensive compared to most of the other panniers here, I decided to keep them, but removed the strap system and instead mount them with Voile straps and the plastic D-rings that came on the panniers. That allows me to continue to use the Surly Petite Porteur House bag I already had. I also had to shorten the bungee straps to make the hook at the bottom to work. If I had it to do over, I would have spent the extra money on a different pannier system like Rockgeist Microwave or San Util’s. I only use panniers for winter bikepackig when I have to pack a big sleeping bag and more clothing, but I’ll likely upgrade to a pair of panniers that have a less obtrusive mounting system before next winter and just add these to the bikepacking gear lending library.

By: Jonathan Chen

Jonathan Chen — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:52:16 +0000

In reply to Miles Arbour. hi, i like the mountain laurel design but wondering if it is practical to take off and on when at camp, or is this not a common thing for bikepacking?

By: crevasse

crevasse — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:50:35 +0000

Rode with a set of Moosetreks mini panniers (not listed) on 4 overnighters last year and 1000 of GDMBR this summer before buying a set of the Arkel Dry Lites for more capacity on the final 2000 miles of the GDMBR. The Moosetrek’s hypalon strap connecting the two panniers that goes over the rack started to pull out on one corner of one bag maybe 1/4 inch but didn’t budge after that. I gave them to my friend that needed them and she rode them for 1700 miles without further issue to Banff. I bought the Arkels as I felt I needed more capacity sometimes like extra food/water carry. They don’t have any structure so look a little bodgy, but they worked fine and zero issues.

By: Gregor Rahn

Gregor Rahn — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:34:07 +0000

Anyone having an overview which of these are available in Europe?

By: Dante' T. Green

Dante' T. Green — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 02:24:37 +0000

Hey Miles, take a look at the micro panniers by North Street bags. They have an adventure set that attaches by velcro and a mini voile strap.

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:56:43 +0000

In reply to Si Trickett.

Added! Cass reviewed them here: https://bikepacking.com/gear/tailfin-mini-pannier-review/

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:38:19 +0000

In reply to Maciej Pilichowski.

Nano’s were just updated! https://bikepacking.com/gear/revelate-designs-nano-panniers-review/

By: Miles Arbour

Miles Arbour — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:37:29 +0000

In reply to Ron Bell.

We’re testing some as we speak! Shared the news here, but I’ll add them in now. https://bikepacking.com/news/mountain-laurel-designs-ultra-poco-panniers/

By: Ron Bell

Ron Bell — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 18:30:41 +0000

Mountain Laurel Designs has updated thier Ultra X Poco Panniers to now use the even tougher next gen Ultra X 200 fabric version. Fully seam taped and waterproof.
https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/poco-ultra-panniers/

By: Si Trickett

Si Trickett — Tue, 16 May 2023 08:58:18 +0000

worth a look/including Tailfin Mini Pannier? https://www.tailfin.cc/product/pannier-trunk-bags/mini-panniers/?wccps_c0=40496&wccpm0=1607508688&wccpl=1&v=79cba1185463

By: Maciej Pilichowski

Maciej Pilichowski — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:42:09 +0000

Thank you for making the list. Small update, Revelate Nano Panniers look like discontinued. As for Altura panniers the weight you provided was a bit off for my eye, so I contacted them and they replied the 500g is not for pair, but for single pannier. Still OK, but nothing special then.

By: Patrick Moran

Patrick Moran — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 13:56:39 +0000

I know this is a pretty old thread, but for the budget folks, relatively cheap Lowe Alpine (or other brand) universal backpack sidepockets make great micro panniers. On this trip I had my hammock/tarp/straps all in one strapped to a Widefoot cargo cage. Pump to show size…

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a2c530d068efacf7156061b96251d3feb3b36d42aaed7e9c53bc8b0bf1275192.jpg

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/184e400fc130980f87f38ac314b726ad2256d09544845b9ba2b380f37568c1ad.jpg

By: Ron Bell

Ron Bell — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 19:27:30 +0000

Mountain Laurel Designs now making small Poco Panniers.

https://bikepacking.com/news/mountain-laurel-designs-ultra-poco-panniers/

By: Hausmaus

Hausmaus — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 14:59:15 +0000

In reply to Clemens Peterbauer. Yes, actually after trying this some more, I don't recommend it, especially if you need to mount/unmount the bags a lot. It does hold the bag nice and snug, but is a bit awkward to reach between the rack and wheel to tighten the straps. Oh well... seemed like a good idea.

By: Florian Mueller

Florian Mueller — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 08:54:12 +0000

In reply to Juan Piantino. Hi Juan, this looks great. I'm also looking for a way to add a rack to my full suspension bike ... how did you modify the rack to add the anything cages?

By: geotrouvetout67

geotrouvetout67 — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 12:55:35 +0000

Not “pannier” in the strict sense of it but same principle with the Tailfin S series rack, plus they also have the X series panniers rack/system that probably should be added to the list?

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bba4ae6cc1d6800a2d6172c322ef450fc966c73f4bceac90bc1127b0e88b92e0.jpg

By: Bab Bas

Bab Bas — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 21:08:46 +0000

Hi and thanks for the update. Which rear rack(s) would you recommend for these panniers. I am more interested in more interested in the Altura ones but i’d like to know if there are any compatibility issues with the panniers in review and any particular racks. Thank you

By: Bab Bas

Bab Bas — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 17:04:31 +0000

Hi and thank you for the update. Which rear racks would you recommend for these panniers? Are there any known compatibility issues with particular rear racks? Thank you

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 21:06:10 +0000

Racks….it’s all about the rack. Old Man Mountain made panniers better for off-road riding. I think we were limited for a few years with flimsy racks that would break after a few trips under load. Never quite understood the tiny bolts other than frame tube limitations. Never understood how so many “world tourists” could pull off 60+ pounds on those racks without constant failure. Always curious as to what they carried on those things anyway. My mom was mentioning this trip to me today and how she remembered this trip as 60 pounds, 60 miles, her 40th spin around the sun. I still have her panniers (Cannondale with internal plastic frame and the cheesiest #8 zipper ever). I used them on my commuter bike and I had to zip tie them on to keep them from bouncing off when I hit a bump. How they never came off when my mom used them is a mystery to me. Great to see today’s selections being simpler, more durable, and attached in a way that isn’t just resting on the tube and held down by a spring or elastic cord.

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/07bd6489011d21563d4603e2132b7572bf160d07fded073acf2620b8705b7033.jpg

By: Howl

Howl — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 13:44:14 +0000

In reply to David. The price is right--currently on sale for $44.99 for the set.