By Jack Evans

Published: Wednesday, 24 August 2022 at 12:00 am

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The best bicycle pannier bags and racks transport what you need for cycling to work, or for longer touring trips, in a safe and secure fashion.

Here are our top choices, as reviewed by expert BikeRadar testers, as well as a buyer’s guide to help you choose the best pannier bags and racks for your bike.

Why choose a rack and pannier bags to carry your luggage?

Whatever you’re carrying, the best bicycle pannier bags keep their contents safe and dry. They add carrying capacity while unburdening your shoulders and don’t ruin your bike’s handling.

All pannier bags are held by hooks on a pannier rack, which usually screws into eyelets on your bike frame’s seatstays or dropouts.

The most common kind are rear panniers, sitting either side of the back wheel. One or two of these pannier bags usually suffice for commuting or lightweight touring.

If you need additional capacity, it’s a good idea to spread out heavy loads. A front rack gives the option to add one or two bags beside the front wheel.

Front and/or rear racks often come as standard on many of the best touring bikes and are designed specifically for the job of carrying luggage. If a touring bike doesn’t come with a rack pre-installed, in all likelihood it’ll have the required eyelets on the frame to add one.

On that note, many gravel bikes, endurance road bikes and some mountain bikes also often have fork eyelets to attach a front rack.

Panniers vs cycling backpacks

The best cycling backpacks are fine for short rides, but on longer commutes even the most breathable bags will make your back sweaty. When heavily laden, your arms, neck and shoulders will feel the strain too.

Panniers vs bikepacking bags

Matt Orton / Immediate Media

Bikepacking is an increasingly popular activity and, when compared to traditional cycle touring, typically sees riders carry their kit and equipment in bikepacking bags strapped to the bike, rather than in pannier bags on a rack.

Bikepacking bags are favoured due to their lower weight, the fact they can be fitted to almost any bike and because they are less obstructive on technical terrain.

However, pannier racks and bags remain relevant – and popular – because they can often carry awkward objects bikepacking bags cannot. Trendy frame bags aren’t cut out for carrying a laptop, for example.

While the best bikepacking bags will combine capacity and stability, pannier bags attached to a rack often have more room to carry your gear, with everything fixed securely to your bike.

Four of the best bicycle pannier bags in 2022

Here are four of the best bicycle pannier bags, as rated and reviewed by BikeRadar’s expert testers. Carry on reading for our full bicycle pannier bags and racks buyer’s guide.

Altura Heritage 40-litre panniers

4.5 out of 5 star rating

David Caudery / Immediate Media

• £100 as tested
• 40-litre capacity (pair)
• 961g per bag
• Sturdy and stylish

The Altura Heritage 40-litre pannier bags are a hard-wearing set made from waxed canvas. This waterproof material can be reproofed when its impermeability diminishes.

Although they don’t have a laptop sleeve, the Altura Heritage 40-litre pannier bags have an outer pocket and inner zipped pocket.

The top folds over and fastens with a buckle. A drawstring secures the inner section.

The Altura Heritage pannier bags fit on most types of racks and they stay in place even on bumpy surfaces.

• Read our full Altura Heritage 40-litre panniers review