The Largest Panniers In The World - Ortlieb Back Roller Pro Plus

The Ortlieb Back Roller Pro Plus Panniers are 70L, which probably makes them the largest panniers in the world. This is my review of them after having use them for numerous bike tour over the last year.

[@DancingMachine1]

I plan on going on a bike packing trip from germany to sweden and back (1500km) . Since this is the first time for me , I am terriefied as hell. Your videos are invaluable for me to prepare adequately.🤗👍🤙

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you. I feel very honored to hear that. If there is something specific about cycling in Sweden you need to know, please feel free to ask.

[@FlowJunkie65]

Hi, Mike. I have a pair of those exact panniers, even the same color. They indeed hold a great deal of "stuff" in them, and I think they're perfect for cycle tourists who own lightweight but not ultra lightweight gear such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping bags, etc. that do not fold down into a very small, compact sizes -- they may need the extra storage room for these types of items.

[@eddyg1794]

70L Panniers...when you absolutely positively have to take your house with you! lol

[@mildlyexcitingadventures]

Thanks Mike, I bought a pair of these based on your recomemdation and love them. The extra outside pockets are really handy. About to do half of Eurovelo 7 and coming from Australia to do it. I like the idea of checking in one (either inside the bike box or as standard check-in) and then using the other as carry on.

[@mhe8545]

ThJust came back from a seven day camping trip and took my puppy. Went on 2 rail trails. Had 2 large Arwen panniers on back and 2 smaller on front. Then added a 25 lb Burley Tail Wagon with a 25 lb puppy! His first trip which went well for a 14 week old puppy.Tried to lighten my load in panniers but needed everything since camp. I looked like a pack mule! Still had a blast. Shorter mileage and more frequent stops. I like my items separated out in my bags ie sleeping in 1 and food in the other especially with bear possibilities. Those large panniers do look optimal for touring where you can stop and get meals along the way. I also don’t like digging deep into my bags for things. Do appreciate the outside pockets for rain gear and frequently used items. And for airline travel and cost of extra baggage.Thanks again for a great review. Missed the price but will definitely check them out.

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

Wow, the rig you just described sounds like a pedal powered behemoth. That is some impressively heavy duty touring!

[@mhe8545]

@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689 yes.It definitely took some pedal power. Was fun to have my puppy along despite the extra weight and attention needed for a 14 week old puppy.

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

@@mhe8545 If only my tortoise was adaptable enough to be a good traveler. He's not very big, and would be easy to trailer, but I'm afraid he would wilt under all the motion & commotion. He's cute as hell, and would make a great conversation starter.

[@espenjohansen8074]

I love mine. I travel maybe a week each summer, but I still love having the space for "everything". I filled those two plus 2 12,5-liter bags for a week in my home country of Norway last summer, and I was able to bring clothes and equipment for both hot and cold days, rainy and sunny, for both on and off the bike. and enough underwear not to smell like a cyclist. Plus equipment for wild camping, and still have space for groceries. I also love the tightening strap on each side. Means that it doesn't act weird if you only use 20 of the 35 liters they can hold.

[@user-ce5xz5rc2s]

Love mine.Canary yellow for high visibility and I leave them on rack even empty for that very reason.I can carry a lot groceries/stuff home in when needed.Only thing I worry about is theft because there are times I can’t bring them with me.

[@jeffmarlow1780]

Mike, We have the exact same panniers. The external pocket is great. The amount of volume is enormous. Thanks for another great video.

[@graham-kirby]

I have a set of these which are in use constantly, where’ve possible I will do the shopping by bike and these bags fit the bill perfectly. I have also used them for touring and found that they worked without fault, including in the pouring rain.

[@stefanwagener]

These 70l would be also an improvement for family supermarket shopping. 40l are often tight ... but can be an argument towards the kids that the chips don't fit in the small bag anymore :)

[@antoniocruz8083]

The outer pocket with the mesh is particularly useful to put the wet clothes that you need to wash everyday, to dry a bit while you ride. It's much better than having your underwear and socks flying in the wind or worse, asking someone for directions while they stare at your undergarment.

[@janasisu]

Yeah, also for this reason I'm planning to have mesh laundry bag dangling somewhere, I don't even care it might look weird. It adds some grams to the load, but it's practical in many ways.

[@antoniocruz8083]

@@janasisu I just bought those mesh bags for this summer's tour. The clothes will either dry or rot inside them. I can only say after the tour.

[@JuergenBoehringer]

Hi Mike, thanks a lot for the review. So I really decided these huge panniers. And I am looking forward to be able to take the good Photo and the drone with me on bigger trips :-) .

[@benbernard3725]

Thnks for the great video. It really motivates me to get out there exploring with my bike.👍

[@MrPaulgaynor99]

Oops. My other recommendation is not to carry the bags by the loop handles that lock the pannier onto the bike. As soon as you release the pannier via the loop handles hold the bag by the strap that goes across the roll backs because that is a much stronger strap. The loop handles are not really designed to be weight bearing and I've seen someone snap one. It probably ok if you've got 5kg in the bag but I often have several times this weight (cause they do hold a lot!) which I do it's better to use the other strap.

[@JS-mq6ve]

Just confirming - the backpack carrying system attachment is not compatible with this model then? Thanks for the vid + review!

[@BikeTouringMike]

I'm not sure. You might want to check with Ortlieb on that one.

[@MrPaulgaynor99]

Interesting video. I use them slightly differently. I use the shoulder strap under the bottom of the bag, then when top of pannier is rolled back (don't clip the two sides together) I pull the top clips down to the side of the pannier and clip them into the shoulder strap, locating them into position via the loops stitched into the ties that secure the 4kg netting pockets. This is hard to explain but it works well. It's neater, makes better use of space and means you have a supporting strap going under and around the side of the bag.to the I have same but close them differently. When rolled back I then

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Great review

[@1Adventures2]

Thanks!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you for your generous contribution David!

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

Thank you Mike!

[@friarrodneyburnap8680]

Nice ones...

[@1Adventures2]

Great presentation as always Mike!! Please share with me how you prepare your bike for air travel ... do you have any special suitcase? box it up? and. are there specific airlines/carriers that are more accommodating to bike travelers in general? I wish you well and thanks again for all of. the wonderful videos I have enjoyed and learned from.... David

[@BikeTouringMike]

I will try do that during my off season. That's a great tip for a video. I know a lot of people would be interested in that. I had actually been planning to film a video on how i pack my bike for air travel upon going on this trip. But time just flew away and i had other obligations that i had to take care off upon going. Thank you for the idea, David.

[@mildlyexcitingadventures]

I would really appreciate advice on packing for air travel; because I am flying from Australia to Denmark next year with my new touring bike. I have taken an 18kg inflatable kayak on several flights and that has worked well. But a kayak is easy to pack - no moving parts! FYI: Last year I flew from Australia to Berlin (Scoot airlines) with 50kg because they have really cheap excess luggage. Then on to France with Easy Jet (great fixed fee for sport equipment). It all went really smoothly. @@BikeTouringMike

[@mauritzallberg7302]

I have 2 4 liter forkbag..no heavy in front. 2 bigger pannier in back, i have 40 liter, plus a waterpoof sack on them. So this too 70 liter would suit me if go long touring..good bags

[@jrichardson6]

nice i need these !

[@moochincrawdad]

I use my straps all the time with my old Ortlieb panniers so I'll save my straps and use them on these when they arrive.

[@donpardoe8067]

Too much temptation for me to take the kitchen sink...

[@moloreanm1657]

If you want you can hold the volume down and purchase a rackpack. Or combine those things if nessesary, but indeed put also weight in the front. The rear axle will have otherwise very hard times

[@vikingjack9994]

How big panniers would you get for trips within Scandinavia? And occasional weekends camping/exploration trips? Feel these might be to big for a solo person doing that

[@BikeTouringMike]

It really depends on how big/small your gear is. And how much you're bringing. For me I've gone over to more minimal packing over the years, so i would probably go with two 20L. But everyone is different. A tip is that if you have a big backpack (and you know how many litres it holds) you can always fill it with your gear and compare. That way you know pretyy much how many litres you want to aim for.

[@jody024]

There is also the 78L version now.

[@josipcvitkovic8361]

Hi Mike and others, since i have never used these bags, i wounder if only one bag on the side will make me unstable, or it is not that important?? Thank you

[@manp1039]

what is the difference between the Ortlieb Back Roller Pro Plus and the Ortlieb Back Roller Pro?

[@rasdaniel]

Jag har likadana själv och är riktigt nöjd. Men dom passar inte jättebra på min pakethållare. Vad är det för pakethållare som du har? Tack för alla grymma videos 😊✌️

[@bui340]

Great!

[@sparkyvespa]

Mike, is this the correct way to roll your pannier lid up? I thought the lid clips together then rolls up and is secured by the strap over the top? Does anyone know which way is correct please?

[@Laytonkeddy]

Hey Sparky. He’s rolling his like a dry bag. Perfectly acceptable practice. The way ortlieb shows is a more full proof and clean look. Both keep all items dry and it’s the users choice

[@stevemullin1195]

Can those bags be locked to the rack to keep someone from stealing them when your off the bike?

[@paulschmidtke425]

Overkill for everyday use , but great for camping , tent , sleeping bag , clothes , sleeping pad , these are all bulky so all the room afforded by these panniers is used , and it all remains DRY

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

Hey Mike, thanks! Could you tell me what pannier rack you are using please? Thanks

[@BikeTouringMike]

I'm just using the stock rack that came with my bike (Kona Sutra). Unfortunately I don't know the name of it.

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

@@BikeTouringMike Thanks for the quick reply 😊

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

@@BikeTouringMike You mentioned in the video that you put your 2nd pannier I the middle and then take the other one as a carry on. I assume you mean on a plane?? Do you have any videos of what to pack your bike in if your bike touring? Allot of people say put it in a box, I assume they chuck the box away and then somehow find another one for the way home?? I can't see me finding that big of a box in places like Greece and Asia although I'm sure they have some. Any tips would be appreciated 🤩

[@JohnSmith-rb7tb]

Mike what make is your rear rack?

[@wildirishladdavy7965]

☘️🐺☘️

[@OutdoorVeluwe]

I have the Ortlieb pro Classic Roller 78 Liter 🤭

[@ethecyclists8189]

Not good for your bike to much weight on rear axle as a long time cyclist tourist it is best to go with a 60 / 40 ratio 60% rear 40% front a much safer ride and better handling.Take Care.

[@BikeTouringMike]

You are definitely right about that. A 60/40 setup is the best way to go. But sometimes when people first start bike touring they buy 2 bags first just to test out the waters.

[@derrickscott9677]

My old karriemor are just as big

[@gabrielgomescunha]

No. But ok