Arkel’s T28 Universal Panniers are well made from heavy-duty Cordura and everything is bolted together for Rolls Royce longevity. However, they’re not waterproof.
Arkel has recently improved the pannier hooks on the T28s. They’re now plastic-lined to prevent them scratching your rack, and instead of a latch there’s a chunky plastic cam to lock the hooks onto any diameter rack tubing.
The bottom of the bag is still retained by a hook-and-bungee rather than a cleat, which is tough but could snag a spoke in the unlikely event it came free.
There’s a zipped main pocket, small zipped top pocket, mesh outer pocket and a compression strap.
The fabric is water-resistant but rain can and does get in via the zips and seams. So unless you line them with plastic bags you will be stuck with soggy kit.
That doesn’t happen with ageing and also quite tough Carradice Super C bags and wouldn’t with Ortlieb panniers either.
Sturdy construction, then – but pricey and not waterproof.