Ortlieb’s Vario line of bike panniers combine a versatile and innovative hybrid design that allows them to seamlessly switch between a bike pannier and a backpack. That allows the Vario bags to be used on the bike while commuting and then worn up while in the office or running errands. In this review we’ll be looking at the Ortlieb Vario waterproof hybrid pannier which retails for $215 for the 20L version and $250 for the larger 26L option. These bags are a hybrid pannier design which can be quickly removed from the bike and used as a backpack. The Vario bags are also fully waterproof so they can handle any weather and feature reflective detailing for additional safety while cycling.
The Ortlieb Vario bag combines premium materials with a clever hybrid pannier and backpack design for versatility.
| Retail Price | $215 (20L as tested) – $250 (26L) |
| Rating | 8.9 / 10 |
| Weight (kg) | 1.5 (20L w/ QL 2.1) |
| Likes | + Waterproof design + High visibility colors and reflective detailing + Clever hybrid design for commuting |
| Dislikes | – Minimal internal pockets make organizing difficult – External pocket is not accessible in pannier mode |
| Where to Buy (US) | Ortlieb |
MOUNTING
Ortlieb offers the Vario bags in both the Quick Lock (QL) 2.1 and QL3.1 mounting systems. Our bag came with the QL2.1 system which we attached to our Ortlieb Quick-Rack Light rack on our Decathlon Triban RC520. The QL2.1 system uses two hooks that slide onto a rail and have a spring loaded handle to open and close the hooks. Ortlieb includes multiple reducers that can be attached to the hooks to accommodate different diameter racks. To prevent the bag from swaying, the QL2.1 system also includes a large plastic hook that is supposed to slide behind a rack’s strut. The position and angle of the hook can easily be rotated and even re-positioned by using a screwdriver. It’s a pretty simple design that makes it easy to install and remove the bag from a rack but lacks the sleekness of the available QL3.1 version that uses raised tabs.
FIT & FINISH
While the Vario bags have been part of Ortlieb’s bike pannier range since 2010, they received a major update in 2022. With that update the Vario has retained the classic pannier design but added a clever hybrid design that lets it easily switch between bike pannier and backpack. Ortlieb offers the bag in two size options, 20L and a larger 26L version for more capacity. There are also three color options from a standard black to more unique colors like Petrol which is a teal color and Rooibos which is red. We have the 20L Rooibus version in this review which is a bright red shade with a solid color scheme that is only broken up by the black zippers and straps. Ortlieb has also incorporated reflective details which ensure even the darker colors are visible at night.
The Vario bags have a traditional rollup top design that keeps water out of the main compartment. A fabric strap with a metal hook slides onto a raised rubber slot to secure the top in place. As with other Ortlieb products, the hardware and attachment points are all reinforced and overbuilt to stand up to daily use. The Vario has a hybrid design which means one side of the bag has traditional non-removable backpack straps with nice foam padding while the other side has the QL2.1 mounting hardware. Ortlieb’s party trick is the hinged cover that can be flipped to either cover the mounting hardware or the backpack straps. It’s a clever design that uses a single metal hook attachment in the corner combined with several swivel attachments that allows the bag to be converted between the two configurations with one quick motion.
Configured in the bike pannier mode, the cover hides the backpack straps underneath it for a clean look when installed on the bike. Although the tops of the backpack straps are still visible, the reversible flap has a reinforced bottom panel that keeps the bottoms of the straps off the ground and tucked away. With the Vario PS in the backpack configuration, the reversible flap has a long vertical zipper that allows you to access a large external pocket. It’s a very large pocket with a triangular shape that is nearly 10” tall. Unfortunately, you cannot easily access this pocket in the bike pannier mode as the zipper is on the inside of the flap which means you need to at least unhook the flap to reach any of the contents. Note, only the larger 26L version of the Vario PS features external side mesh pockets.
Inside the bag you’ll find the same rubberized material and the thick plastic reinforcement plate behind the pannier mounting side. Opposite to that is a gray padded laptop pocket with a small zippered pocket in front of it. The width of the pocket is about 9.5” which means most modern laptops should fit nicely inside it and have some protection against scratches. It’s not obvious at first, but this entire laptop pocket can be removed by simply pulling the velcro off the upper portion. With the pocket out, the inside of the bag is just one large opening with no additional pockets or hooks inside it.
ON THE BIKE
Having recently installed Ortlieb Quick-Rack Lite onto our Triban RC520, the Vario 20L was a perfect addition. The relatively small size of the 20L version means the bag doesn’t look out of place on commuter or gravel bike setups but still has enough capacity to hold quite a bit of gear. The pannier configuration with the QL2.1 mounting system worked well on our rack and was easy to adjust to get a secure fit. With the shorter wheelbase of our commuter bike the clearance was tight between our heel and the bag but didn’t affect our pedal stroke. The hybrid pannier and backpack design was quite useful as you can quickly switch between the configurations and carry the bag into the office or grocery stores.
Even with the smaller 20L version of the bag, it’s fairly bulky looking as a backpack as it has a squared off design. Despite the bulky appearance, the Vario is quite comfortable as a backpack thanks to the multiple rows of padding and easy to adjust straps. The large inner compartment can store a laptop, food, snacks and gear which makes it perfect for commuting or extended bike rides. The interior of the bag only has a separate padded divider for a laptop though, which means it’s hard to stay organized. While we understand why Ortlieb chose this simple design, we would have liked to see some small mesh pockets, keyrings or other divider options to help separate the contents.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Ortlieb Vario PS to be a clever and well-built hybrid bike pannier backpack. As with all of Ortlieb’s bags, the Vario PS has a fully waterproof design with premium hardware and build quality that ensures the bag can hold up to daily use or traveling. Available as both a 20L or 26L, the Vario PS is the perfect size for commuting or traveling with. We were impressed with the clever reversible design which uses a flap to cover either the backpack straps on one side or the bike pannier hardware on the other depending on which configuration the bag is set to. Converting the bag between configurations uses a single hook and a quick flipping motion which makes it quick and easy to use. As far as negatives, the external zippered pocket is only accessible in bikepack mode and there is only a laptop slot and small zippered pocket for organizing the contents inside the bag. That said, the Ortlieb Vario is a highly versatile and functional hybrid bike pannier and backpack.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Ortlieb. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.