I recommend this because it has been quick and robust as a pannier and comfortable as a backpack. I've taken this for a couple rides now and have no complaints so far.As a backpack, mostly I was worried that any of these convertible backpacks would be just a sac with straps, saggy or uncomfortable as a backpack. The waterproof material gives this some rigidity, it has a nice box shape, and the decent straps with chest strap keep it high and stable on my back.
As a pannier, it attaches quick to the pannier rack and clicks to lock on. It takes both hands and too many seconds to unclip and tuck the backpack straps, so instead I've been just clipping the chest strap through the loop of the top closure. So I can go from backpack to on the bike in seconds while I hold a cup of coffee. I also like that it is really waterproof, like you could dunk it, so I'll have no worries when I commute for 3 hours with a laptop and change of clothes, no matter how hard it rains.
-Mounting system
-Waterproof
-The only pannier-backpack combo I could find
The not as good:
-backpack straps are way too long
-must be carefully packed to be worn comfortably as a backpack
-internal rivets for mounting system can mark contents
-no organizing pocket.
This is the best mounting system I've had for a pannier yet; it's similar to ortleib's mounts. It's completely waterproof; I've dunked it in Lake Michigan, and it floated. The fact that its a pannier/backpack combo that didn't require a bulky attachment for straps is *great*. However as a backpack, it mostly fails because there were just too many compromises in design. The straps are *way* too long, and can't be shortened without cutting strap material. Once I cut the straps, the bag is more comfortable as a backpack. The rivets which attach the pannier hardware put permanent dents in my soft laptop case, so I put a piece of corrugated cardboard in and crushed the corrugations over the rivet heads. Last, I had find a small pouch to organize small stuff that normally goes in a small external pocket of most backpacks/shoulderbags. Otherwise it becomes lost at the bottom of the bag. Even though the bag is not huge, the roll top system means it becomes *very* deep when you need something from the bottom.
Overall, it's *still* more comfortable to carry with a heavy load than a messenger style bag, or a pannier with a single shoulder strap. And the alternatives are either outrageously expensive or have larger design flaws, or both!
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