On tour your panniers are probably the most important bit of equipment you have with you, second only to your bicycle. They need to be reliable, durable, large enough to carry your equipment, clothes, sleeping and cooking stuff and everything else you are lugging around with you. There are quite a few options on the market for solid panniers, but all of them can put into two camps; PVC bags, like Ortlieb classic panniers and fabric bags like the Arkel GT-54. For me, I have had the opportunity to use both style of bags, and the choice was an obvious one; the Arkels were the clear choice.
Arkel are a Canadian company founded in 1988 which make their panniers in Canada, which for me is always a big bonus. As a proud Canadian I think that it is well worth supporting a local company, especially since they are making the best touring panniers I have ever used! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to test the panniers out on our first tour from Portland to San Francisco when a friend lent me a pair (thanks Scott). The numerous compartments, generous main storage area and built to purpose removable tent and toiletries bags made these panniers a joy to ride with. After two weeks I was sold, and when we were preparing for our current tour, I was hesitant to buy a pair, but eventually took the plunge and am so glad that I did!
The bags themselves are unlike most panniers as they are asymmetric, the right and left bags differ greatly in their shape, size and compartments. They are also BIG; the pair of panniers holds 54 L which is massive compared to a pair of Ortlieb Back Rollers which holds a measly 40L, and on a trip like ours, I am really happy to have the space which the GT-54s provide. Both panniers have a large main compartment which can be opened up and accessed in their entirety with a pair of heavy duty zippers; a feature Arkel dubbed TFL (total frontal loading). This feature itself makes the Arkels shine in my opinion. Nothing is more frustrating than having to pull all of your gear out of your panniers to get something from the bottom. It’s like unloading a bucket, not fun. With the GT-54s you just unzip, and you are at the bottom of your pannier free to dig around as you please.
As mentioned above the panniers differ in their shape and features between the right and left.
The right pannier (drive side) has:
- a tube pocket for your tent poles and therm-a-rest
- a removable ‘butterfly’ pouch (which I use for toiletries)
- a hidden pocket for your pump between the tube and the main pannier
- a fixed pocket at the bottom of the face of the pannier
- a fixed top pocket with ‘smiley zipper’
- a main compartment which includes a built-in retractable drysack
The left pannier (non-drive side) has:
- a fixed ‘fuel bottle’ pocket (which I use for my jacket, it’s too big for my fuel bottle)
- a removable fanny pack (yes all you brits, that’s what we call them)
- a fixed pocket at the bottom of the face of the pannier
- a fixed top pocket with ‘smiley zipper’
- a main compartment which includes a built-in retractable drysack
Having so many compartments that are accessable while the panniers are still attached to the bicycle is amazing. I have my arm and leg warmers and jacket stashed in accessible pockets, as well as tools and a first aid kit on an outside pockets. When I need these items, no digging around, no grabbing the right stuff sack, they are at my fingertips.
In addition to the compartments that the panniers tout, the panniers have a few more noteworthy features. They are made with Cordura fabric. If you aren’t familiar with Cordura it is waterproof, extremely strong and when I say extremely strong, I mean you can’t rip it even if you tried. The pannier also has a lightweight aluminium frame internally.
Waterproofness is another great feature of the panniers. The main material of the GT-54s is Cordura as mentioned above, which has been treated with a waterproofing finish. There is also an integrated drybag inside the main compartment of the panniers. Arkel also sells optional rain covers for the GT-54s, and I think that they are well worth the additional cost. I bought these and they have been extremely effective at keeping things dry, but also are taking the brunt of the abuse from the outside world, which I hope will help to extend the life of the panniers. All and all the panniers have been effective at keeping things dry, most of the time. In serious downpours some items in the external pockets have gotten wet, even with the raincovers on. These were always at the bottom of the pannier where they are especially exposed to splashing from the ground and passing traffic.
The mounting system is also unique to Arkel which they have dubbed the ‘Cam-Lock’ system. It is comprised of a solid aluminium rail and hooks with strong plastic cams which swivel and spring tight to any size tubing of a pannier rack fixing the top of the panniers to the rack. (this is a great feature, as with other panniers the mounting system may not lock tight to the tubing and will shake around, rattle and may not be as secure) The system also uses a simple hook and bungee to keep the bottom of the pannier tight to the rack. (Brooks of England use the Arkel system on their panniers) All of the elements on the mounting system can be adjusted and maintained with a simple multi tool. The process of getting the panniers on and off is a breeze, and once they are on, they are on. I have not had a single problem on the trip with a hook coming off or a pannier coming loose; the same cannot be said for my ortliebs.
The only area where the Ortliebs outshine the Arkels is not with the panniers themselves, but the integrated system that Ortlieb Back Rollers have with an Ortlieb Rack Pack. Arkel sells a trunk bag which is 15L, which I have not had the pleasure of using, but seems too small for a tour of our length. I created a reversible solution which integrates both the GT-54s and an Ortlieb Rackpack which you can see HERE.
Arkel also sells front panniers, the GT-18s, which are meant to compliment the GT-54s, which I would love to test out one day.
I would recommend the GT-54s to anyone planning a major tour, or a short one. Some would argue that the panniers are not waterproof, which unless you are crossing rivers with your panniers will never be an issue, the bags have 3 layers (internal dry sack, cordura pannier fabric, rain covers) of waterproof material which will never let you down. The panniers tip the scales on price, coming in at $400 CAD, however, chances are that they may be the last panniers you will ever buy.
Pros: Easy to access pockets, high quality materials, great mounting system, made in Canada!
Cons: Not 100% waterproof, pricey
