Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I was really nervous venturing into the bike bag market after reading so many reviews from folks really attached to different styles and manufacturers.What I wanted were bags that were tough, held a lot, compressed easily if I wasn't carrying much, came in a set of 2, had easy attachment and release and some external cords for quickly stashing a jacket or phone while riding.I also wanted them to be water resistant if possible.I finally decided on the Kootenay and was a wee bit nervous that they'd be too big.
However! These bags have been one of the most fantastic purchases I've ever made.They don't necessarily have to expand as much as you see in the images provided by Amazon. In their "natural" state (empty, cinched with their simple cords) they appear about half their size, and they can still fit a ton of gear without needing to expand.For instance I can fit my 15.4" laptop, power cords, several folders and my purse in one bag without needing to expand it.But the expansion part is very easy; simply loosen one binding cord and add enough stuff and the expansion happens on its own.
The main compartment is very simple - just a large open space, slightly padded back board (that faces the bike) and that's it.A large, expandable, tough compartment. It has a drawstring top that can be easily opened and closed. The cords appear very durable; I've had this a year now with heavy use and they still look new.Once the drawstring is closed, the top of the bag snugly fits over whatever you're carrying and can click closed with two cords, protecting the inner compartment VERY well and turning the bag into a tight bundle.I believe it's only meant to be water resistant, but I've ridden several times in the rain without any of my gear getting the least bit wet.
There's a handy medium sized front pocket that fits most of the stuff you might want to put in a purse or bag (keys, pens, camera, etc).It zips closed easily, but once you close the two front click-cords to close the main bag itself, the zipper for the front pocket is essentially hidden/protected.I like this feature, as anything splashed on the bag does not penetrate the protected large compartment or the front zip pocket. But it also means when the bag is completely closed, you can't easily get into that compartment.I use the top pocket for anything I need to grab quickly.
Speaking of which, there's one last pocket on the top of the bag under the bungee cords that can fit an ID or keys or your phone or anything you'd like to grab quickly without opening the main part of the bag.Oh, and the mesh bottle holders on the side that I rarely use.
Attachment and release of the bag to your bike are so easy it's really remarkable.One hook on the bottom, a quick pull upwards, settle the hooks on the top and that's it. 4 seconds.Reverse it for removal.I've never had an issue.My feet/heels do not kick the bags when I ride, either.Oh, and I didn't buy a special bike rack for these - I have some odd make of rack and the bags fit just fine.
They come with a way to connect the two bags across the back carrier, but I've never had to do that because they each fit so snugly they aren't going anywhere once attached to the bike.There's a shoulder strap for carrying them once off the bike - they are understandably heavy, and the back hooks dig into your ribs if you carry them with the back facing your body, so you wouldn't want to carry them very far, but just into a store or into work they are fine.
Again, I've now owned these a year and they are simply amazing.Very durable, hold up very well in all weather (I've had them in rain and snow, they've been covered in sand, I've left them attached when carrying my bike on the rack on the back of my car, etc.They still look new.Many places to attach blinking lights if you need to.I can't think of anything I wanted in a bag that these don't have.
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Product Description:
The Kootenay is a mid-sized pannier perfect for weekend trips or traveling light on long tours.
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