Altura Arc pannier (pair)

Altura Arc are a pair of 20-litre lightweight panniers, well suited to commuting, club riding, audax, weekend touring and even moderate mountain biking thanks to waterproof construction and pressure fit Rixen Kaul attachments. These ensure they stay firmly put tackling bridle path at full-pelt, yet slip off in seconds at the shops. However, I would’ve preferred the mesh pockets integrated into the lids and heavy-duty nylon/TPU types are better choices if you’re habitually hauling the proverbial elephant, or riding in the foulest weathers.

Brimming with the features you’d expect at this end of the market including draw cord hood, simple closures and copious reflectives, clever construction separates the Altura Arc from comparable designs. Low weight and water-repellence is courtesy of Duratec- basically a 450denier polyester shell with a waterproof inner coating. Ultrasonically welded seams allow the usefully rounded profile that moulds perfectly around relatively bulky loads such as sleeping bags or clothing.

Large internal zipped mesh pockets make good use of available space, although integrating them inside the hoods would be more efficient and despite the relatively sturdy bases, I’d still shy away from tossing ultra heavy duty chain locks or tinned supermarket goods in to them without lining the bottoms with an old towel first. Time will tell as to the fabrics' longevity, although it seems unaffected by the usual everyday carelessness and several weeks' regular exposure to agressive foliage has made little impression.

Rixen Kaul attachments enable a genuinely universal fit to carriers at the turn of some Phillips screws and have been the most secure I’ve used in a very long time whether thundering across bridle path at 23mph or riding roughshod over the usual urban obstacles without a hint of sway. Despite this, they literally clip on and off in seconds and useful carry straps keep them manageable when off the bike.

With the closures fully battened and draw-cords pulled tight, they’ve passed my garden hose-test with flying colours, clothing, snacks and other creature comforts remaining bone dry after five minutes torture. Similarly, long, wet rides haven’t revealed any obvious weaknesses but placing valuables inside bin liners costs pennies and gives extra peace of mind-especially on tour.

Verdict

Good panniers for light touring and general riding.