Arkel Dry-Lites panniers

product review

Frame bags and panniers both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your intended route, volume needs, and personal preferences. I like to use both, but for the less technical trips it’s nice to have panniers that be more flexible and can carry bulkier items in winter. Also, if you ride more of a gravel bike, panniers can be more convenient, in part, because they’re higher volume and more flexible. Panniers also tend to be much easier to take off and put on a bike at night than frame bags that have a million straps.

That’s why the Dry-lite bags first caught my eye.

Arkel’s Dry-Lite Saddle Bags have a simple roll-top closure that clips close like a waterproof dry bag with taped seams to prevent moisture from seeping in and the buckles were very durable even in very cold and wet temperatures. The two bags have hooks at the bottom to secure to your rack. They connect together at the top using a system of overlapping velcro straps and drape over the top of your rack so you can just unhook them and pick them up as a unit. You can also configure the velcro straps to wrap around the top tubes of your rack if you want a bit more holding security. Put simply, the system is robust and it works; I haven't had a single pannier pop off of my rack on extremely rough terrain and they don’t rattle around. Of course, each of the panniers has reflective accents for safety for road cycling peace of mind.

One small drawback is you can’t just connect just one pannier bag at a time, they have to be used in a set.

How much storage does 28L equate to for a bikepacker? I can easily fit all of my cold weather camping gear and extra clothing (excluding my food) in both the Dry-Lite Saddle Bags and roll them closed with ease. Plus, there is no heel rub for overpacked bags. Just make sure to attach them to the rack as far back as possible. (See my rack review here).

One bonus is that they roll up completely flat which makes them very easy to pack in a suitcase if you are traveling with them. Arkel has a good video on their website that illustrates the panniers in use.

How light are the Arkel’s Dry-Lite Saddle Bags? At an incredible at 19oz with 28 litres volume for the set they really exceeded my expectations. As more and more ultralight cyclists discover how much fun it is to bikepack with ultralight camping gear and bags, you can bet that pannier weights are going to matter.

Overall, these waterproof bags far exceeded my expectations as a ultra-lightweight option to frame bags no matter if you’re bikepacking, gravel touring or just out for an easy S24O. Plus the price is reasonable for the excellent quality from Arkel, a Canadian (and Quebec) branded cycling company.

Specs at a Glance

· MSRP $99/pair

· Position: rear

· 400 denier ripstop Nylon with TPU coating

· Waterproof roll-top design

· Ultralight horizontal stays kept bags clear of the wheel

· Reflectors on all sides for safety

· Built-in handle or optional shoulder strap

· Rolls tight for easy storage

· 19 oz / 540 grams for the pair / Volume for the set: 28 litres

· Dimensions per bag: 14.5” X 11” X 5.5” / 37cm X 28cm X 14cm

· Compact rolled size 15” X 4” X 2”