Bag it!
December 16, 2013
Keepin' it dry and organized — that’s the name of the game. The Ortlieb Ultra Lightweight dry bags are perfect for keeping a pair of socks, gloves, fleece, and even a sleeping bag dry when the rain starts to fall and roads get wet.
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Ortlieb is a German company famous for their waterproof panniers, backpacks, motorcycle bags, and other outdoor gear. Their bags are very well constructed and designed to keep stuff dry. The Ortlieb Ultra Lightweight dry bags are made with a super lightweight nylon construction. The bottoms of the bags are reinforced and designed to resist tearing or abrasions. There are no sewn seams. All connections are heat sealed for optimum waterproofing. And you can be assured of quality as Ortlieb stands behind their product with a full five-year warranty.
Most panniers are somewhat waterproof and some come with covers, but after 8 to 10 hours of precipitation, water seems to find its way in. Ortlieb does an amazing job of making a bag that you can count on to stay dry inside no matter what deluge you’ve just ridden through. To ensure a waterproof closure, all you have to do is roll the top down a minimum of three folds and then buckle the straps. It’s really fast and easy. The buckled strap then serves as a great handle.
Another important feature to consider when purchasing a dry bag is how well it helps you stay organized. These bags are great for compartmentalizing your gear and clothing within your panniers. They are bright and can easily be labeled with a marker as to their contents. The closure strap on top and the loop on the bottom of the bag both make for quick and easy unpacking. We had a tour leader on one of our trips this year use the 3-liter like a purse. It was her “go to” bag for those small but important items like wallet, cell phone, etc., which she wanted to keep with her at all times. Ortlieb makes the Ultra Lightweight Dry Bag in three different sizes so that you can customize your packing needs. They make a 3-liter, 7-liter and a 12-liter bag, giving you lots of customizable options. Check them out for yourself in Cyclosource.
– Geoff
Photo courtesy of Geoff McMillion
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CYCLO NOTES is brought to you every Monday morning by Adventure Cycling's Cyclosource team — Teri, Patrick, and Geoff.
Comments
Ortlieb panniers are amazingly waterproof. I find it doubtful that anyone would need waterproof containers in the pannier to keep anything dry. If, however, you have wet gear that you need to store and don't want it to soak the rest of the gear these might be a good idea.
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