Ortlieb's Back Roller Plus pannier set is a pair of fully waterproof, Cordura pannier with a roll-top closure designed for a rear rack that's capable of both commuting when used singly or touring as a pair, to which you could even add a rack-top bag.
The first time you pick up one of Ortlieb's Back Roller Plus you notice the lightweight of its laminate-backed Cordura fabric, which despite its thinness and pliability feels tough and fit for purpose, easily shrugging off sharp corners which might otherwise snag on a more 'grippy' PVC outer. Empty they weigh 420g each.
The design is gratifyingly simple, with no outer pockets and only a main compartment inside, including a modest mesh pocket which sits snuggly against the pannier's single rigid side. The beauty of this design means that everything carried inside the Back Roller Plus is protected from the elements (and from getting lost) by the wonderfully effective roll-top closure. Fastening down with a clip on either side of the pack and further secured by an adjustable top strap, the top can be rolled down more or less depending on how much you've packed, making for an always neat and versatile bag.
Included with the bag are 8, 10 and 12mm reduction inserts for the rack clips, so that it will fit most racks securely, and we found the system worked well, a basic carry handle cleanly releasing the clips from your rack so you can lift it off. A lower hook has a wide range of tool-less adjustability on a track so that the Back Roller will fit almost any frame, and in use the panniers felt stable and secure regardless of how heavily we loaded them.
Carrying capacity is 20 litres in each pannier, and they're a doddle to pack and find stuff in with their slightly conical shape meaning the top opening is much wider than the depths of the bottom of the bag.
For carrying off the bike there is a basic shoulder strap, which if we're being fussy we found a little awkward, as it lifts the corners of the top closure, making the pannier less neat to carry.
For extra visibility the Back Rollers have bold 3M reflective patches on both sides and a tasteful reflective logo on the front.
A versatile, lightweight, stylish and tough pannier set for racked load hucking on any ride from an urban commute to cycle touring across the world.
