Rant: Those "waterproof" panniers ruined my laptop last Tuesday

I bought a set of waterproof panniers for $80 off Amazon thinking they'd keep my work gear dry. The first big rainstorm hit on my ride across town and water seeped right through the seams. My laptop got soaked and cost me $200 to replace the keyboard. Has anyone found a bag that actually holds up in a downpour?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jake17d ago

Got caught in the same situation last fall with a pair of "waterproof" boots from a big name brand. First real puddle and my socks were soaked through like they were made of paper. Turns out those seams aren't waterproof unless you treat them every couple months with some kind of wax spray. I read online that a lot of companies just use a coating that wears off quick. For panniers, maybe try rolling the top down three times instead of two, that helped me with a dry bag I have. But honestly, at $80 you probably got what you paid for, waterproof stuff tends to start at $150 or more.

the_jessica2d ago

Gotta disagree with @the_jake though, my Ortliebs have been bone dry for years.