Rain Covers AND Plastic Bags

[knolltop]

My panniers are from Lone Peak & aren't of the waterproof materials.

I'll be using plastic bags inside the panniers for rain protection and for organization.

So, what say ye all re the rain covers ... leave 'em at home to save bit of weight & bulk?

Thanks!

[paddleboy17]

I used to do what you do.  But after a few days, the plastic bags get holes in them, and all that organization slows me down when I pack in the morning.

So I made the conversion to no plastic bags and rain covers.  Rain covers are not perfect, but it is the way that I go.

[staehpj1]

I like to have stuff in smallish ziplocs for organization.  They typically last me for at least a month and some lasted the entire TA.

My current panniers are waterproof so I have not been using covers, but I miss the day-glo yellow-green covers on foggy mornings.

[tsteven4]

But after a few days, the plastic bags get holes in them

Not my experience, my plastic bags have survived 4 month trips hole free.  I use thick garbage bags from the hardware store.  I double them, but I am paranoid.  Sometimes I get my paranoia under control and use a thinner inner bag.   I twist the top of the inner bag and tuck it in, and the twist the top of the outer bag and tuck it in.  Both are bags are inside the pannier.  I do leave my tools, which are in a nylon zip bag, underneath the plastic bags at the bottom of a pannier.  I do believe the tools could wear a whole in a plastic bag if they were inside one.  My experience is that this will stand up to torrential and sustained rain.  However, the bags do consume a bit of room.  And it is a pain to get in and out.

My wish for you is that whatever system you decide on goes untested on the road, let the sun shine!