Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

[Robert Blunt]

Greetings everyone,

I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in April (400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from the airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all the hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist fashion and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It will be a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward backpack pannier seems like one of the better options out there for having a carry-on that can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear rack. Does anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? Thanks in advance.

Robert Blunt 

Pennington, NJ

[Armand Kizirian]

I have been using an Ortlieb Vario (latest model) every weekday for nearly a year and it has been fantastic. I'm an industrial designer who has designed many bags. This is hard to beat. I'm typically not a fan of the overly engineered plastic/advanced manufacturing methods, but it is extremely effective in this context. The most important elements are all a 9/10 or 10/10, being:

-Minimal friction to convert from pannier to backpack. Takes me 3-5 seconds. If this isn't easy, you will not be encouraged to use the feature.

- Straps/back of the bag/anything that touches clothing is fully protected from road grime.

- The backpack actually functions well as a backpack. Mine is VERY heavy (I carry a full mobile office in it) and it handles the weight VERY comfortably.

Retail price is very expensive but I got mine new off eBay for a considerable discount. Very minimal organization, but excellent size, especially considering the option to expand with the roll top. As with all ortlieb products, I can bike in a downpour and have zero concern for my electronics.

[rlti...@gmail.com]

I used the Arkel Bug backpack pannier for years and I really liked it. I would use it an a pannier on my morning commute and then use it as a backpack for riding the trails on my way home.

It worked great as a pannier which is a given since the Arkel mounting system is really well done. It also was very comfortable as a backpack. Mine did not have a sternum strap but that proved to not be an issue.

I used it pretty roughly and it is still as good as new. It looks to be 25L which may be too small for what you need.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 27, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Robert Blunt <rwbl...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Matthew Rebmann]

I have a couple of their panniers as well as a trunk bag and a hip pack from them. I daily wear the hip pack and it's pretty worse for wear after one year but I beat the ever living crap out of it (it's their ecopak material.) I've had two of the Route Panniers 24L bags for probably 2-3 years now for commuting to work and they've been great, made of cordura. I can't attest to their durability on a grueling tour but I really like them and haven't had any excessive wear or leaks. Their customer service is also fantastic and very responsive. 

On another note: Last year they sent out a 3rd party survey and I decided to fill it out on a whim. At the end of it, it asked if I had anything else I'd like to mention. I told them I was in the market for a nice trunk bag with a roll top closure and to my surprise, I got a return email direct from them (less than two days later) letting me know they had some old stock I could buy or I could order a custom bag from them. I went with the custom and the turn around was VERY fast. 

Are they the best bags out there? I can't say. Are they good quality? Absolutely and they seem to be some great folks in my experience.

[Matthew Rebmann]

PS - I'm happy to provide some photos later if you'd like a reference on them.

[Michael Ullmer]

Hi Robert,

I used the North St Backpack Pannier for a few years and really liked the design and versatility. If I was ever going to go back to a pannier/backpack setup, this would be first on my list of bags to use. Highly recommended!

[Shawn Granton]

Hey all-

I've used North St Bags for several years, both their more basic panniers and also a convertible backpack/pannier of theirs, an older model I believe. I used a set of regular North St panniers and the convertible with its non-converting mate (I had them made custom) on several tours in the earlier teens, including a four-month odyssey across the continent. North St. bags are well made and Curtis stands behind them, repairing them if needed.  

I feel that their convertible bag was the best of the type: works great as a pannier and good (though not great) as a backpack. I like how the pannier hooks were hidden in "backpack" mode, no worries about them digging into your back or having some "extra" thing you have to either add or remove to make it work as a backpack. I say it works "good" as a backpack because the pannier stiffener means the bag won't contour to your back, so it's good for more limited use--I definitely felt the "stiff board" for prolonged periods of use. Also, North St. uses the simple "hook and bungee" pannier mounting system--simple and easy to repair, but not as secure as Ortlieb locking style mounts.

I don't have my convertible bag anymore as my needs shifted. But I don't regret having one.

Best,

Shawn in The Portland

[Robert Blunt]

Thanks everyone for the input. The 32 liter size and good reviews has convinced me to purchase the North St. Bags Woodward. Disciplining myself to take only necessities is going to be the biggest challenge I think. I am absolutely stoked to see Dutch cycling infrastructure. I am getting picked up from the Amsterdam airport and heading straight to the bike shop, pick up the touring bike I am renting, and get the first 40k out of the way so the backpack pannier makes sense for this sort of scenario. Thanks again.

Best,

Robert Blunt

Pennington, NJ 

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[velomann]

I'm a big fan of North Street bags. I've used their Route Panniers for a couple thousand miles of touring and they have held up really well (Shawn, I think I bought them on your recommendation), and I have a Belmont backpack I use all the time. I had a Woodward backpack I picked up used in like-new condition and I really loved the design and features except...no matter what bike or rear rack I put it on or how far back I mounted it, I could not avoid a small amount of heel strike, whether I was riding with platform pedals or clipped in. It kind of drove me crazy, and I eventually sold the pack, disappointed it hadn't worked better for me. 

I imagine it would work great on a bike with longer chainstays, or for someone with smaller shoes (but I only wear 10.5).

On the other hand, Carolyn Whelan just gave it a great review in the latest issue of Adventure Cycling magazine.

Mike M

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 4:14:02 PM UTC-8 Robert Blunt wrote:

[beachb...@gmail.com]

I’ve got an older version of the North St Woodward pack I bought used here a couple of years ago. I’ve been using it to commute ever since. It’s perfect. I couldn’t be happier. It has a couple pockets to keep things separate, and a cavernous main area with a padded laptop sleeve. I did buy one of their interior pockets which Velcro to the inside of the bag to keep valuables. The conversion from pannier to backpack is simple and takes seconds. On the bike it is sturdy and secure. Easy on and easy off with no wobbles or annoying rattles. The quality of workmanship and materials is outstanding. I just looked at the new version on The North St website and wow, it’s not cheap. That being said, I’d still recommend it. You’ll never need another one. 

Jack

South Jersey 

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:07:25 AM UTC-5 Robert Tilley wrote: