vja4Him

Does anyone use the Surly Big Dummy Panniers ? Reason I'm asking … Just how water proof are they ?

seeker333

I don't own Dummy Bags, but neither product description nor linked pdf instruction mention waterproof, instead water-resistant is mentioned twice. Knowing how this is an often exaggerated feature of bags, I deduce that Dummy Bags are not waterproof. Send your question to Surly with an email, you'll likely get an answer Monday. Also you might want to look for an answer in the Utility Cycling forum.

You could carry stuff in ziplock or dry bags inside the Dummy Bags for water protection.

derby@surlybike.com

vja4Him

I just purchased three dry bags. I might get several more …. Especially since my longer tour will be this winter from mid-December through the middle of January next year. I could see a lot of rain, possibly even almost everyday. I also have a small tarp to cover the rear. All of my bags in the front are water proof (Ortlieb panniers, Carradice Long Flap Saddlebag and Arkel Handlebar Bag.

veganbikes

I am pretty sure the Surly bags aren't waterproof but luckily sea to summit makes some excellent dry bags some even with eVent in them so you can compress them without a valve and no water ingress and even do a lightweight ultra-sil one. I seem to remember seeing someone put two sets of Ortliebs on a Big Dummy or some similar long tail and it was pretty nifty however I probably wouldn't want to carry that level of cargo schlep wise.

vja4Him

I am using my old Ortlieb Panniers for the front, and my Carradice Long Flap Saddlebag. I'm confident my stuff in the front bags will stay dry.

fietsbob

categorically, a bag sewn together , has needle holes in it ..

I'd put dry bags inside the dummy bags if you really need to keep things dry.






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MixedRider

I own one. No, they are not waterproof.
However, they do hold up ok in slight drizzle if you make sure you close them so no water can drip in. Also, they have drain holes at the bottom so water will not pool in them. As other have said, any items which you are worried about getting wet, use dry stuff sacks in the big dummy panniers.

Overall, the big dummy panniers were made to be able to expand to carry whatever you may want (as I have taken a hibachi grill and a bag of charcoal in them on one side and a cooler of drinks in the other for a day to the beach).

Ridefreemc

Not very much and they are a pain to use. I prefer the Xtracycle bags by far.

vja4Him

Why are the Surly Big Dummy Panniers a pain to use ?

Ridefreemc

They have all kinds of niggly little clasps used for closing them as I remember. They don't close very well either. I just remember it took much more time to close them up, and they just didn't close as well as the Xtracycle panniers. The X panniers are way better.

vja4Him

I returned the Big Dummies for a full refund. Myself and two other people could not figure out how to close them up. Looks like it's just a big piece of material that you sorta fold up. Not good for lots of items, mostly just for rolling up something like a sleeping bag, tent, or sleeping pad.

So, I'm looking for other panniers …..

vja4Him

These panniers look promising …. I might give them a try …..

>>> https://www.rei.com/product/118736/y...mmc=PLA_Google 404_8604 1187360001 none b8904aae-456e-4e36-928c-d6bd4415c819 pla-183690896200&lsft=cm_mmcLA_Google_LIA 404_8604 1187360001 none b8904aae-456e-4e36-928c-d6bd4415c819&kclid=b8904aae-456e-4e36-928c-d6bd4415c819&gclid=CjwKCAjwhqXbBRAREiwAucoo-6ZtL1kOMcyk16Y---XKbehcKAGfDIdfFo64rv3wecMgd4sB6o3S-BoComEQAvD_BwE

vja4Him

I need panniers big and long enough to secure my spotting scope, head and tripod …..

Ridefreemc