Well-designed, versatile, practical product of quality.
Description issues: This set-up is described in places as 75 liters capacity. In fact, based on the size descriptions in inches, calculated into cubic inches and converted to liters, the capacity is some 20 liters less in size about. However, they are nice and roomy containers. The description also says they are “polyester”. It is not clear what is polyester, other than the fastening straps (which incidentally work well). Only one of the three units has a tag, and that tag clearly says the bags are made out of nylon. I can believe the bag is made of Nylon, which is a good thing, but nylon is NOT a polyester. The nylon “fabric” is a nice sturdy, stiff but pliable and waterproof material (NOT woven). The zippers are interesting, in that the “waterproofing” involves the “yellow” in the pictures being a plastic covering the teeth of the zipper with the zipper running on the OUTSIDE of this yellow plastic to accomplish the closure. One has the impression that a more substantial zipper would have been better, but these should work all right provided the zippers are carefully used. The pull tabs attached to the zipper do not seem substantial enough not to break with rough handling, and the metal to which the tab is attached as part of the zipper is very thin. I could see this breaking. I would recommend when zipping to take hold of the zipper assembly itself along with the tab and move it carefully. After using the pannier bags for some 9 months, the waterproof zipper do not move any more freely. Because of the (desirable) stiffness of the nylon, even more so with the advent of colder weather, one must align the two sides of the zipper to get the zip to work with putting undue strain on the zipper pulls (this is the reason for the “not substantial enough” remark above. As far as zipper waterproofness, short of a downpour in which one shouldn’t be cycling anyway, the nylon is not going to admit moisture, and I doubt the zippers would admit any or at least any significant moisture. The design of the bags is quite clever, as one can use either side bag separately or both, which still leaves one access to the rack to fasten things to the rack itself. Indeed, a short bungee cord can do a “safety” secure of the side bags using the fabric carrying handles (which may be the “polyester” mentioned) and securing them to the rack additionally to the drop on plastic-covered metal hooks and the velcro strap. The top bag cannot be used by itself alone on the bicycle without the side bags, as designed. (Although one could fasten the top bag to the rack using bungee cords much as one would strap anything to the rack, but this would not be a setup intended by the bag’s designers.) However, by design one can use the top bag as a day hike back pack with the built-in straps. The side bags have loops to which the included strap can be attached to carry the side bag over one’s shoulder. As to others’ complaints about being waterproof, that is not going to be an issue for me with our anemic “California rains” (at least before the current droughts). Certainly they will withstand light rain, but with heavy rain and wear and tear on the zippers, I could see where water might seep in unless the/a rain cover is used. However, the bag material itself is totally water impervious. Water would get in only at a seam or through the zippers. It comes with a plastic rain cover in any event, which would obviate any theoretical leakage problem. If one’s taillight has a slip-on clip, on the back side of the top bag is a fastener through which the light’s clip can be securely placed; nice feature, as the top bag covers the seat post area from rear viewing. In summary, the 3 separate bags as a unit design is quite clever and versatile and enables one just to use the side bags, so that when one gets to one’s destination and locks up the bike, one could easily take the side bags with one. The top bag has built-in straps and connectors to use it as a day back-pack. I regularly use the bags for my trip to the grocery store. One can pack in an incredible amount of purchases simultaneously, for example: a gallon of milk, large dry cereal box, a larger bakery box of 8 large croissants, plus vegetables, package of 100 corn tortillas, a couple trays of meat, and some small items that can be easily stashed. Addendum after 16 months of use: This is an excellent product. I rode home 1 mile from the grocery store with a piece of the bag rubbing lightly against the turning rear tire. The nylon coating of the bag on about a 50¢-size spot rubbed off displaying what is probably the polyester webbing to which the nylon waterproof coating is attached. Thus, watch carefully for any rubbing and fix immediately. I totally agree with practically everything Lisa Currie and Outdoor Nut said in their excellent reviews. I would recommend getting the yellow zipper model rather than the black. (They ARE yellow, not “green” as the ad states.) The yellow looks cooler, but more importantly adds to the visibility of the bicyclist. The zippers with careful alignment and not forcing the zippers at all, perform without complaint and do operate a little easier with 15 months of use. The side bags , especially if one is using them without the top bag, have a tendency with bouncy terrain to pop free of the pannier rack. The easiest solution to this is to get a short (8″ to 12″) bungee cord and thread it through the bags’ carrying strap and hook the bungee cord hooks to the rack. Problem obviated. The velcro strips for fasting the side bags to the supports of the pannier rack need to be longer, sometimes, depending on the design of the rack one has. This is a DIY fix one can do with some extra velcro stitched by sewing machine to the existing velcro. The reflecting strips help with visibility, which are on the back of each side bag. With room left to stash smaller purchases (eg. items from grocery store produce section, in one load one can pack 1/2 gallon mlk, 1 gallon orange juice, a 5-liter box of wine, & 5-pound bag of potatoes, with “stash” room left over.