- Hauling things on a bicycle? What you need is a container that attaches to a bike, called a pannier.
- High-quality bike panniers have enough room to fit everything you need on your trip, are easy to attach and remove, and they are built to last.
- The Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Panniers are our top pick because they're incredibly waterproof, can fit 20 liters of gear in each bag, and are backed by REI's limited lifetime warranty.
When deciding whether to drive or bike as you run errands, commute to work or school, or even take a weekend jaunt, the decision often comes down to how much stuff you'll want to carry. Without good bike panniers, you'll likely decide to just hop in your car. It's scenarios like this that make panniers, also called bike bags, a must for living a green lifestyle.
When shopping for a bike pannier, it's important to have a budget in mind and to consider what features you want. For example, you can save some money buying water-resistant panniers instead of waterproof if you live in an area where it rarely rains or if you just don't bike in the rain. Water-resistant panniers can keep your contents dry if they are lightly splashed with water. Waterproof bags can typically handle torrential downpours without soaking your stuff.
Panniers are typically sold in pairs so you can mount one on each side of your rear rack. However, there are some brands that sell single bags. If you want two panniers, make sure the product description specifically states that you get two with your purchase. Or, if you want to save money and only need one, look for models that are sold individually.
Lastly, a rear bike rack is necessary for attaching panniers. Most panniers will work with just about any rear rack. But, we recommend checking out the Ibera PakRak Touring Carrier Plus+ Rack.
While researching the best bike panniers, we examined hundreds of expert and buyer reviews and ratings of dozens of brands. Our guide features panniers that have a track record of performance, durability, and utility.
Here are the best bike panniers you can buy in 2019:
Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.
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