It can't be that difficult with a saddle bag like this. Buy it, mount it, pack it, done. That's right, it's not difficult up to this point. But if you've been on a lucky streak on your bike for, let's say, two years without a fault, but then it ends - then it could be that your inconspicuous saddle bag does get you into a rage. That's when the zip gets stuck, the tool kit rusts and the spare tube is worn through from the constant rocking in the small sandpit. Perhaps you should check the pannier on your bike right away, because this happens more often than you might think: Only a few saddlebags are made of waterproof material or are processed in such a way that they permanently repel rain and splash water. All it takes is a few summer rides in the rain for moisture and the finest road grit to start their destructive work unnoticed on the inside.
Waterproof or at least water-repellent material is an important basis for a functioning small parts cabinet on the bike - but the zip is crucial. Without an effective seal, the zip will always leak, regardless of whether it is a metal or plastic zip; sand and dirt will also get between the teeth, so that sooner or later even the best zip will start to catch and jam. Metal zips rattle, especially the handles. Zips with a small loop make less noise and are easier to operate even when wearing winter gloves.
SHORT & SHORT
Even if it says so on the label, most saddle bags offer hardly any protection against water and dirt. Only one bag is really waterproof: Ortlieb's "Saddle Bag Micro". Overall, the models from BBB, Vaude, Xtreme and Scicon performed well.
The results of the following products can be found below as a PDF download:
BBB, Cannondale, Deuter, Knog, Lezyne, Norco, Ortlieb, Pedro's, Rixen & Kaul, Scicon, Scott, Selle Royal, Specialised, Topeak, Vaude, Xtreme
Downloads:
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