Vaude panniers

[Crankarm]

For those who are interested in such things and have followed threads which contain my ramblings on panniers, you may recall that I have some rear Vaude Aqua Plus panniers with side pockets in red. I have been singing the praises of these panniers as I think they are really rather good, very robust and totally waterproof go anywhere in any weather, a step up even from their Ortlieb competitors.

However I might have mentioned that in early December last year one of the zip sliders came off the side pocket zip as I opened it. How I don't know. It was annoying as they have been really rather good. The side pockets have been totally waterproof as well. Anyway I couldn't get the slider back on what ever I tried so the pocket remained open. So I contacted Vaude in the UK who said send them back to them and they would forward them to Vaude in Germany thus saving me on cost of postage. The panniers were only 14 months old so well within Vaude's 3 year warranty.

So having got Christmas out the way, approaching the end of january 2010 and with a break in the sh1t weather, I packaged them up with relevant purchase documentation, diagrams and a letter of explanation of the faults - in addition the edges of the fabric lip covering the side pocket zip had frayed and where the black material of the side panel where the fabric rolls and folds had started to develop creases some starting to form holes.

Anyway after about 3 weeks since sending them away, Fed Ex delivered me a nice new replacement set of panniers. Vaude in Germany had examined them and decided a new set was the best option. They also removed the old hooks from the panniers I returned to them, enclosing them with the new replacements which I had requested they do as the newer replacements would have the QMR hooks which I don't like as I have them on my front Vaude Aqua panniers. I have since fitted the older hooks as I find them easier to operate and they are lockable whereas the new QMR variety are not AFAICS.

Also Vaude UK (CDA Ltd. via Colin Garfoot) have refunded my return postage costs. So top marks to Colin and Vaude. Ok it would have been better not to have had to return the panniers in the 1st place, but at least you know if there is a problem you are dealing with a company and operation that takes customer service seriously and doesn't leave you in the lurch or disappointed. So thanks again to Vaude both in Germany and UK. Buy Vaude, buy with confidence.

 

[Muddyfox]

I've just been looking at panniers for the new Panorama so i'l definatly have a look at the Vaude range

Simon

 

[Anthony]

I have the Aqua pluses with zips too, hopefully mine will last a bit longer. But it is good to know they will sort things out if there is a problem.

 

[Crankarm]

I have the Aqua pluses with zips too, hopefully mine will last a bit longer. But is good to know they will sort things out if there is a problem.

Anthony the Aqua Pluses are a bl00dy good pannier which I am sure you have realised. If you look at the zips on your panniers from the inside at the ends you'll see what happens when you push the slider to one end to open the zip. Just be careful don't slide the slider too far when opening the zip as it COULD slip off the zip which is what happened with mine. I don't re-collect doing anything different from the hundreds of other times I had opened it. But be warned there is no way you can get it back on as everything is tightly seam welded in. You cannot stretch anything, the plastic material won't let you. What I MIGHT do with my replacements to prevent it happening in future is to CAREFULLY put a few stitches joining the two sides of the end of the zip thus preventing the slider passing this point and coming off. The ends of the zips are inside the top edge of the side pocket so can't be seen. Waterproofness is not compromised. I just don't want the slider coming off again as it was damn inconvenient. Anyway it's all sorted now.

Thanks Vaude for looking after this customer.

 

[Anthony]

They are awesome panniers, I have no complaints about mine so far. Still haven't used them for a full on tour yet though. Your quote about holes forming sounds a bit concerning, whats the story behind that?

in addition the edges of the fabric lip covering the side pocket zip had frayed and where the black material of the side panel where the fabric rolls and folds had started to develop creases some starting to form holes.

 

[Crankarm]

They are awesome panniers, I have no complaints about mine so far. Still haven't used them for a full on tour yet though. You quote about holes forming sounds a bit concerning, whats the story behind that?

Right, imagine you're closing the pannier so you flatten the top ie bring the bag mouth together to close it, you start to roll the top down and then secure it either side with the buckles. If you now look at the roll top on either side, (the same with Ortliebs btw - I have some) where it has folded and creased the fabric forms points and creases at the end. Well over time if you can imagine how many times you open and close the bag the continual folding and creasing at the sides where the black material crunches up the material can weaken and a hole/weak spot start to form. It would be the same for paper if you constantly folded wrapped, unwrapped and unfolded it, eventually holes would appear where the creases ran to a point. Obviously Vaude's material is much more robust and durable than paper in my analogy, but it can still happen to a certain extent. However on my first panniers the inside waterproof lining of the inner surface did not seem to be affected/compromsied at all even though the outside material was showing faults. I can't imagine water penetrating the bag even if little holes did appear in the fabric at the sides due to folding as it is rolled anyway and these areas are far removed form the main bag. I suggested to Vaude that they increase the durablility of the material in this middle part of the side panel which is continually folded and unfolded. They noted and thanked me for my comments. So maybe they make an improvement to future bags.

For reference I checked out my Ortlieb Roller Classics - exactly the same thing. The fabric is very similar if not the same. I also checked out my Brompton Touring pannier which is very similar material and a roll top. Nothing, no imperfections or faults in it what so ever. I must have opened and closed this pannier by rolling the fabric thousands of times over 7 years. Perhaps Vaude and Ortlieb should contact Brompton to see what fabric they use .

 

[bauldbairn]

It's always good to hear of manufacturers going out of their way to put faults right - good on Vaude.

 

[rich p]

Good response from Vaude, Crankers, but given what you say, do you think rollers are not a good option for a long tour?

 

[Crankarm]

Good response from Vaude, Crankers, but given what you say, do you think rollers are not a good option for a long tour?

Oh no. They are very good for touring short or long, providing IMHO they have side pockets to mimimise the faff of opening the main bag and they keep your stuff dry. Time will tell if the fabric problem I mention above recurs with the replacement panniers. Even if it did I don't think it would allow ingress of water. Having said that my old Altura Orkneys with conventional lid are still going strong at age 14 years. Just that they are not fully waterproof like the Vaude or Ortlieb roller panniers. On a dry day I slightly prefer to use these if truth be told.

 

[GrahamG]

Think I'm going to go for a pair of vaude's - ortliebs with pockets are just too dear and I don't fancy carradice. Not much else to consider for good quality waterproof panniers from what I can gather.

 

[Anthony]

Think I'm going to go for a pair of vaude's - ortliebs with pockets are just too dear and I don't fancy carradice. Not much else to consider for good quality waterproof panniers from what I can gather.

A good choice.

 

[Crankarm]

Think I'm going to go for a pair of vaude's - ortliebs with pockets are just too dear and I don't fancy carradice. Not much else to consider for good quality waterproof panniers from what I can gather.

Didn't think Ortlieb made their Roller Classics with side pockets unless you mean those additional pockets you can buy, like Berghause used to do for their rucksacks? They seem a bit self defeating if you then have to make holes in the side of the main bag to attach them ?

Anyway the rear Vaude Aqua Plus panniers with welded in waterproof side pockets are very capable. Just don't push the zip slider too far around when opening the zip!

 

[GrahamG]

I was thinking of their fancy £145 jobs rather than the back rollers - we'd rather not have a second set of roll closure panniers with no pockets. I think the aqua plus panniers now have a roll top pocket instead of a zip, I'm still trying to suss it all out.

 

[Crankarm]

I was thinking of their fancy £145 jobs rather than the back rollers - we'd rather not have a second set of roll closure panniers with no pockets. I think the aqua plus panniers now have a roll top pocket instead of a zip, I'm still trying to suss it all out.

Nope they don't. Why don't you do a search on here and visit Vaude's site? It will tell you otherwise.

 

[GrahamG]

AH, yes, on closer inspection it's a storm flap over the zip.