Topeak’s Pannier Drybag is a waterproof and compact bike pannier that is designed with ease of use in mind. The bag features Topeak’s Handle Loc system which makes it easy to install and remove from the bike. Topeak offers the bag in two sizes, a 16L and a 24L with retail prices of $134.95 and $144.95 respectively. The bags are designed to work with 8-16mm diameter racks with adapters included as well as reflective printing for night time visibility. Each Pannier is fully waterproof with a roll-top style top closure and an optional shoulder strap to wear the bag on the go.
The Topeak Pannier Drybag combines a waterproof compact exterior with an intuitive tool-free mounting hardware.
| Retail Price | $134.95 (16L version) |
| Rating | 9.1 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 726 |
| Likes | + Tool-free mounting makes it easy to install + Waterproof exterior with reflective printing for additional visibility + Compact size with optional shoulder strap |
| Dislikes | – Interior is all black making it hard to find smaller items inside |
| Where to Buy (US) | Topeak |
MOUNTING
Topeak has utilized their Handle Loc system to mount the pannier to racks. It’s a simple but user-friendly way to make it easier to install the bag on racks and remove it. The top piece has two plastic hooks that latch onto the horizontal bar of a rack and they can be opened and closed by pulling on the handle. Topeak includes multiple sized hook adapters to accommodate everything from 8-16mm diameter racks which can easily be swapped in. As with almost all pannier bags, the bottom has a hook to prevent the bag from swaying inward or outward. What’s clever about this Topeak design is that you don’t need tools to adjust the position of the hook, there is a push button in the middle that can be depressed to release it. The hook can be rotated and moved horizontally to fit different rack designs and mounting on the right or left side of a rack. It’s a simple improvement over other panniers that require tools to adjust their position.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Topeak Pannier Drybag has an all-black exterior with a flexible fabric construction with a grid pattern. It has a slightly glossy appearance with darker horizontal stripes to break things up. Topeak offers the bag in both a 16L and a 24L version to accommodate different riders. We went with the smaller 16L size which has relatively compact dimensions of 45 x 26 x 15 / 17.7” x 10.2” x 5.9”. Reflective stickers on the sides help with night time visibility along with smaller yellow Topeak tags to identify the bag. There is additional material on the lower edge of the rack facing side to help with long term durability and rubbing. This is a fully waterproof bag with sonically welded seams to ensure water can’t get into it. The roll up top also makes it easy to access the main compartment while preventing water intrusion.
The medium sized bag has a generous 16L capacity with a single large compartment. You can access the contents by unrolling the top and then reaching into the bag. The interior is all-black which can make it difficult to find items inside the bag, unlike many of Topeak’s top tube bags which have yellow or brighter interior linings. You’ll need to pack the bag carefully as there are no internal dividers or built-in organization features. Topeak also includes a shoulder strap with the Pannier Drybag which makes it easier to walk with the bag. It’s a simple latch on design that lets you wear the Pannier over one shoulder and it is a great feature for commuters.
ON THE ROAD
We attached the Topeak Pannier Drybag to our Ortlieb Quick Rack with just a few adjustments to get the bottom hook to line up with the rack. The tool free design of the bottom hook makes adjustments quick and easy with the added benefit of being able to switch from left to right side faster. The Handle Lock system is similar to the Ortlieb Vario we reviewed, but with the full width release lever it’s easier to use and doesn’t leave a strap dangling. The design is easy and intuitive to use. Although the handle lacks the premium feel of the metal latch that Tailfin bags, it’s a nice design feature that improves usability.
The bag itself has a compact shape that worked well with our large sized Triban RC520. With the low mounting of the pannier, you don’t feel the weight and the bike handling feels stable. Packing the pannier takes a bit of patience as there is only one large compartment with a black interior that makes it hard to find smaller items. We also found the material to be quite stiff, so rolling the top closed took a bit more patience. Otherwise, the bag has the same high quality feel we’ve found with other Topeak products and a fully waterproof design that makes it ready for commuting or adventures.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak Pannier Drybag to be a well made and compact bike pannier. Topeak has utilized a fully waterproof construction with intuitive roll-up top design. Thoughtful details like the reflective printing, glossy graphics and an included shoulder strap improve the versatility of the bike pannier. We found it to be well sized and easy to install thanks to the tool free Handle Loc mounting system. It is also priced competitively with other premium bike panniers and feels high quality. As far as negatives, we would have liked to see a higher visibility interior color and softer material on the top to make rolling it closed easier. That said, the Topeak Pannier Drybag is a solid option for riders looking for an all-weather bike pannier.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. 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.