dhb Waterproof Pannier 22L

The dhb Waterproof Pannier 22L is aimed at the daily commuter who wants a waterproof yet stylish rear pannier that doesn't cost a fortune, and it ticks all those boxes.

• Pros: Waterproof, capacious, secure mounting, easy to adjust fit
• Cons: Long, flimsy backplate

Like many waterproof panniers, it features welded seams and a roll-top closure system. The outer has a matt fabric finish with a waterproof coating on the inside, except for the sides which are smooth PVC-style material. It still wipes clean fairly easily though. The material is pretty robust but noticeably thinner than that of the Altura Sonic 25L pannier I've also been testing (review to come), although this is designed for touring rather than commuting. I did have an Avenir pannier made from similar material to the dhb and it endured a good two years of regular use before it wore thin at the top corners.

The first thing that strikes you about the dhb pannier is its capacious size – its 22 litres swallows shoes, coats, laptops, clothes and more with ease. It's over 10cm taller than the Altura Sonic 25L, for instance, and fits just as much. I like the adjustable webbing side straps with reflective stitching and Velcro strap tidy. Another neat feature is an extra strap that fastens over the top of the bag – I often used it instead of the side straps in dry weather. When securely fastened, the pannier kept the contents bone dry through rain and a hose test.

It's crucial that a pannier has a secure mounting mechanism to prevent it jumping off when going over bumps in the road. The dhb's system is pretty good, and allows you to lift the pannier off the rack one-handed using the grab handle that opens the hooks. These clips are designed to fit rack tubing from 8-16mm diameter – because my rack has fairly thin tubes the top clips don't clasp it that securely (I could use a rubber shim maybe) and rattle a bit, but they never threatened to come free.

The lower clip is a simple 'slide and lock' T-bar which, over time, can loosen as you remove the pannier (I had the same system on my Avenir), meaning you need to reposition and lock it when you put the pannier back on. However, this doesn't affect it in use. The fact that both upper and lower mounts are quick-release makes them quick and easy to adjust as no screwdrivers or tools are needed.

Because the pannier is very long at 45cm, be sure to check it will fit your rack without fouling your rear mech. The inner plastic backplate is flimsier than the Altura's and bends a bit, which means the pannier doesn't sit as proud, so check it won't touch your wheel. Also, the bag isn't tapered to be narrower at the base, so I found my heel scuffed it at times.

> Buyer's Guide: Racks and panniers

Plastic corner reinforcements at the base protect it when you stand it on the ground, it has a comfy plastic carry handle, reflectives on the side and front, slits to attach a light on the sides, and it will fit on either side of your rack. So, lots of features, but a key omission for me is there's no pocket for storing keys and the like with easy access. Plus, for a commuter pannier it's not particularly visible, being grey – some bright colour options would be good. One more niggle is that the internal metal nuts (which secure the mounting mechanisms) can scratch or snag on items inside the pannier.

Overall, though, it's a decent quality pannier at a good price, and should last several years.

Verdict

A budget commuter pannier that does the job perfectly well