Hot take: I think those fancy pannier bags are way overhyped for short commutes

Last week I watched a guy at a stoplight near downtown struggle to unbuckle his $200 Ortliebs for 2 minutes while I just swung my backpack off one shoulder and walked into the office, so why pay all that extra cash and fuss for a 3-mile ride?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendyk634d ago

Exactly. $200 for some waterproof bags so you can look like you're biking across the Gobi Desert to work. Meanwhile I had a $20 Jansport from Target that survived rain, snow, and me stuffing a 12-pack of soda in it for 3 years. The guy you mentioned probably spent another 50 bucks on special clips too.

angela8904d ago

@wendyk63 you're speaking my language here! I've had the exact same thought watching folks fiddle with those expensive bags at crosswalks. The simplicity of a regular backpack for a short trip just makes sense to me. The whole time I see them wrestling with buckles and straps I'm thinking "my Jansport is already slung over my shoulder and I'm halfway to my desk by now." It's not that I don't get the appeal of being super organized or whatever, but for a 30 minute ride to work it seems like overkill. Plus now I feel validated knowing @wendyk63 had the same experience with the soda test!