Ortlieb Back Roller Plus - BikeRadar

They are ok, but there are better fully waterproof panniers such as the Vaude Aqua Plus. See my post for them. I bought a front and rear set in yellow but shortly after found the Vaude Aqua Plus and had to buy them. The thing that really got to me with these Ortliebs, I still have them so can compare them along side my Vaude Aqua panniers, is that the closing of the bag once you've rolled the bag top is so fiddlly with the strap that secures low down on the side only it doesn't, well not properly or remain in the clasp every time without fail. Alternatively you can clip the two sides of the rolled top together which looks a bit strange. I have seen some cyclists doing this. I can only summise that Ortlieb do not provide fxings on the side to clip the toggles into as this would infringe Vaude's method of closing the bag and they would be sued. My advice is to go for the Vaude Aquas if you can they are much better and a little more expensive plus they have a comfy handle to carry the bag as well. They are easy to mount as most panniers these days and clip on and off easily. When on the rack they are pretty secure. However the Ortlieb fabric seems to retain more small creases when you roll it than the Vaude panniers which seem pretty crease resistant. The other downside is that Ortlieb don't produce this model with a side pocket which is a must on my wish list. Also the back of the pannier is not that rigid compared to the Vaude. However one good point for Ortlieb, they are available in hi viz bright yellow/black whereas the Vaude are not......yet.

Alex