Waterproof Front Panniers	Waterproof Rear Panniers	Commuter Bike Panniers
Standard Front Panniers	Standard Rear Panniers	Pannier Accessories

Choosing the perfect panniers for your commute, tour, and more...

Getting Started:

Are you thinking about using your bike to haul stuff, but don't know where to start? A good set of bicycle panniers and racks is a great first step in transforming your bike into a machine of utility, purpose and adventure.

With the growing popularity in bike touring and the recent boom in bike commuting, there are a plethora of bike panniers on the market. We've taken it upon ourselves to bring together an in-depth collection of the best panniers around. All of the panniers the we offer could be considered "the very best" depending on your particular inclination. We figured that by offering all of the great bags stacked side-by-side, you'll be able to quickly get a good idea about their different features to figure out which panniers will best serve you and your stuff. Our shop is literally full of bike panniers and we've had plenty of time to touch, feel and test them all. We also really like this stuff and use it on a daily basis so we really enjoy explaining the nuances and subtle differences between the bags.

Panniers have a few distinct advantages over other bag configurations and, in some cases, even cargo trailers when carrying heavy loads. For instance, experienced commuters usually prefer panniers to backpacks for shuttling their gear between home and work. And, when maneuverability and/or simplicity are key, racks and panniers can be preferable to trailers.

Which bags you choose and how you pack them will depend largely on which type of rack, or racks, you prefer and fit your bike. Distributing the weight of your gear is an important key to maintaining balance when fully loaded, and the lower you can pack the heavier items, the better balanced your bike will be. It is also beneficial to distribute your heavier items between front and rear panniers, as that will also balance out your rig. See our Bike Rack information page for more on racks.

Features to Consider:

Bike panniers can generally be divided into two categories: waterproof (drybag-style) bike panniers and water-resistant bike panniers. This distinction in the level of water protection has important implications in the design and feature set of the bag.

Waterproof bike panniers are made from material such as PVC or waterproof Cordura, like Ortlieb's Plus material. Features like seams, pockets, and zippers all diminish the bag's ability to seal out water. Therefore, most waterproof panniers offer far fewer of these features than their water-resistant counterparts.

Conversely, water-resistant panniers, typically made from heavy-duty Cordura, can offer a plethora of organizing features such as pockets with zipper, snap, drawstring and velcro closures. Many water-resistant panniers overcome their lack of waterproofing by making tight fitting rain covers, offering the best of both worlds.

The next critical feature to look at beyond a pannier's waterproofing and organization is its mounting system. Mounting systems should be easily adjusted and highly durable. For cyclists who need to frequently mount and dismount their panniers, quick-release attachment systems are very useful.

Panniers come in a variety of flavors, catering to your specific needs. Most panniers are designed for touring, and while you can use these bags for commuting, you typically won't come close to utilizing their larger capacity. That's why most manufacturers make smaller, simpler bags, which are useful for shorter day trips and commuting. These smaller bags also tend to work well as front panniers when touring. To enhance their versatility, Arkel's GT-18 BP Pannier have built-in backpack straps, for convenient off-the-bike pannier transport, and all of Ortlieb's panniers are compatible with their Pannier Carry System.

*For further information on bike panniers, please review our Bike Bag FAQ's and our Bike Bag & Rack Comparison Chart.

Our Bike Pannier Brands:

Racktime Panniers: Racktime specializes in high quality urban panniers and trunk bags.

Jandd Panniers : Jandd makes good quality, functional biking gear with an affordable price tag.

Ortlieb Panniers : Ortlieb has been setting the standard for manufacturing waterproof, rugged, innovative bike panniers since 1982.

Vaude Panniers : Vaude specializes in strong, long-lasting bags to withstand the elements of your daily commute or touring expedition.

Lone Peak : Made in the USA, Lone Peak panniers are durable, versatile, and easy to use.