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Banjo Brothers Waterproof Backpack Review

Totally bomber pannier that is quick to turn into a backpack
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Banjo Brothers Waterproof Backpack Review
Credit: Banjo Brothers
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Banjo Brothers
By Rob Woodworth ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 30, 2018
77
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Mounting System - 25% 7.0
  • Storage - 20% 7.0
  • Durability - 20% 8.0
  • Weatherproofing - 20% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Banjo Brothers brand is known for creating solid bike bags that are tough as nails and designed with riders in mind, and their Waterproof Backpack Pannier is no exception to that track record. The quality of materials and integrity of construction found in this pannier gave us the confidence to bring this pannier anywhere—whether it was on the bike or on our backs. With a wide and shallow design, it is clear that this bag was designed to emulate the classic saddlebag shape that helps cyclists access their gear quickly without having to dig all the way to the bottom. With four added pockets and zippered storage, this pannier is capable of storing everything you need on urban day missions or quick jaunts off the beaten trail. It is easy to affix to your rack and converts into a backpack just as quickly.
REASONS TO BUY
Quick to attach/remove
Easy transition
Lots of extra features and pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Not totally waterproof
A little bulky/heavy

Our Analysis and Test Results

This pannier is a great choice for any die-hard cyclist who needs a bike bag that will make their commute easier when off the bike. If you switch roles between biker and pedestrian while getting from A to B, this bag might be the perfect compromise for you.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - with bomber construction and a proven track record, the waterproof...
With bomber construction and a proven track record, the Waterproof Backpack Pannier is ready for any type of adventure.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

Performance Comparison


If you're in the market for an affordable yet durable bike bag that you can wear on your back, you'll find a friend in the Waterproof Backpack Pannier.

Mounting System


Designed and built by cyclists, the Backpack Pannier from Banjo Brothers has a no-frills approach to securement. Utilizing two rubber-coated hooks and a triangular ring attached with elastic cord, this mounting system is quick and easy to use. And while it may not offer the same type of security as a locking bag, we never experienced any issues while riding this pannier through rough trails that jostled the bag in a serious way.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - the waterproof backpack pannier was shaped more like a classic...
The Waterproof Backpack Pannier was shaped more like a classic pannier than a backpack...it also rode pretty high on our racks.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

Other than possibly adjusting the elastic loop holding the bottom ring, this bag requires no tweaking or installation before it is ready to use. Right out of the box, we were able to get a secure fit that was also easy to remove. The hook-and-loop design is very popular for this type of simplicity. Though, a potential drawback is that the bottom of the pannier has a tendency to sway a little bit with a heavy load. While it never became detached, it did create a little bit of extra noise and could potentially wear on your rack after a long time.

One final detail that is worth mentioning: there are two buckle straps on the side of the pannier that attaches to your rack. This straps are meant to be used when in backpack mode, and not pannier mode. This means that you have to be extra careful to tuck these straps away before mounting the bag to your rack to avoid them getting caught in your spokes. With elastic loops to hold them, this is a simple task. However, it's one extra thing for you to think about when loading up.

Storage


According to Banjo Brothers, the Waterproof Backpack Pannier has a total holding capacity of 1100 cubic inches. By no means is that a huge amount of storage, but we found it to be totally adequate for the type of riding you'd typically do with a convertible pannier/backpack hybrid. We could hold all the essentials like a 15-inch laptop, reading materials, lunch, extra water, and some rain layers.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - the waterproof backpack pannier had an impressive amount of storage...
The Waterproof Backpack Pannier had an impressive amount of storage, though we were sometimes frustrated with the waterproof liner and just wound up removing it for rides we knew would be dry.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

We were impressed by the thoughtful design in this bike bag. The wide, shallow shape allows you to quickly access all the contents inside without having to dig to the bottom. Furthermore, there are an assortment of pockets, including a zippered top flap, that provide quick and easy storage of smaller items that you might need to grab on-the-go. Beyond additional pockets, there is also a gear loop that provides a visible mounting spot for bike lights.

If you wanted to really max out the storage of this bag, you could also take out the bulky waterproof liner that is included. This will render the bag non-waterproof, but it will save you a bit on weight and allow for marginally more contents to fit in the bag.

Durability


As we've come to expect from Banjo Brothers, the Waterproof Backpack Pannier is built with longevity in mind. The exterior is made of a ballistic nylon material that is fully capable of brushing off road rash and run-ins with trees. The seams, zippers, and stitching exhibit a type of integrity that lead us to believe this bag should last for a long time to come. Additionally, the interior liner adds an extra layer of protection from the inside while also keeping the contents dry.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - we've always been impressed by banjo brothers' attention to detail...
We've always been impressed by Banjo Brothers' attention to detail. This backpack hybrid is not only functional but also has high quality construction.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

Banjo Brothers is a domestic company that is fully transparent in sharing that their products are made in China with a manufacturer that they've built a lasting relationship with for over 20 years. For some, this might be a deal-breaker, and we get that. However, the quality and durability of this bag are undeniable—both at first glance as well as after many miles on the road/trail. Even though this bag is built overseas, you'll clearly see that is was built with an unparalleled attention to detail and excellent construction.

Weatherproofing


So confident are the Banjo Brothers that this pannier is waterproof that they chose to include it in the title. Though, our testing showed a few weaknesses that disprove that it is truly waterproof. The interior liner is undoubtedly built from a material that is impervious to water. It's also got welded seams that keep water out extremely well. However, the roll-top closure isn't as watertight as some others. This leaves your contents partly vulnerable to water entering from the top of the bag.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - not only does the waterproof backpack pannier have an impervious...
Not only does the Waterproof Backpack Pannier have an impervious, seam-welded liner, but it's also got reflective strips and piping to keep you visible in adverse conditions.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

We found that road spray and rain was effectively kept out of the bag's interior when we carefully and tightly rolled down the top of the bag. Though the submersion test proved that water is, in fact, capable of entering this closure—which makes us want to suggest calling it the “Weatherproof Backpack Pannier”. While it's entirely sufficient for keeping your stuff dry in the occasional commuting downpour, we don't think that this pannier offers the same weatherproofing as some of the other designs.

Ease of Use


It took a very long time for Banjo Brothers to release a hybrid backpack-pannier and they claim it was because they wanted it to be 100% perfect. We think they hit very close to the mark. This pannier is highly functional and converts very quickly into a backpack. It is quick to attach and is comfortable when worn.

banjo brothers waterproof backpack - not only is the waterproof backpack pannier easy to attach and...
Not only is the Waterproof Backpack Pannier easy to attach and remove, but it's also very quick to change from pannier to backpack mode.
Credit: Rob Woodworth

There are a few design nuances that take some getting used to, but overall the design is incredibly easy to use. So easy, in fact, that it received the highest score in this category. Added features like reflective piping and strips, zippered pockets, and loops to attach bike lights help to corroborate this rating.

Value


This is a very competitively priced pannier, especially considering that it also doubles as a backpack. While it wasn't our favorite backpack style pannier design, it is a great bag for less than half the price of the award-winning Ortlieb Vario. No doubt a tremendous value.

Conclusions


If you've seen or used a Banjo Brothers bag before, you know that they have a quality you can feel. This bag is rugged, durable, and built to get used. With ample storage, quick securement, and a comfortable design, it just might be the best value in our backpack pannier lineup. So if you're looking for an affordable bike bag that can handle your daily carry both on and off your bike, this is the pannier for you.

Rob Woodworth