Altura Sonic 25 Waterproof Pannier (single)

As soon as you pick up the Altura Sonic 25 Waterproof Pannier you can feel it's built to last, and as soon as you put it on your rack you can tell it will stay fast. It's an ideal touring companion, no matter how uneven the road or wet the weather, because you can trust it to keep your kit safe and dry. Water just beads and runs off the durable fabric, and you can easily wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

• Pros: Waterproof, durable, fits securely
• Cons: A little expensive, no extra pockets

The Sonic's construction is very tough. It's made from a heavyweight polyvinyl/polyester fabric with welded seams, with a sturdy rear kickplate at the base. The internal backplate is rigid, keeping the pannier solid against the rack, and the interior bolts that hold the mounting clips have plastic covers so there's no way they can damage the bag's contents.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Each 25-litre roll-top compartment is voluminous, and ample for carrying clothing, sleeping bags and suchlike. There are no pockets, though, which I miss; I find they're useful for keeping small items like wallet and lights separate, and an external mesh one is ideal for stashing a waterproof jacket.

The upper rack mount is the excellent KlickFix Universal Rail System, which clasps the rack with a vice-like grip. The two hooks come with inserts which adapt the hook to fit 8, 10 or 12mm tubing, simply by altering their position.

You can also easily alter the horizontal position on the rail of the two hooks separately by loosening their screws. Similarly, the lower clip is adjusted with a single screw.

It's very quick and easy to attach and remove the pannier, and it has a strong rubber carry handle.

The design of the Sonic is well thought out. The shape of the backplate is tapered to prevent any chance of heel rub; it has light attachment slits on both sides plus good-sized reflectives on the sides and front. The side straps are sturdy and have clips for attaching a shoulder strap. It's a pity this isn't included, but you can pick one up for about £4.

I'd say it's right up there with other options, such as Ortlieb's Back Roller Classic for the same kind of price, although with the Ortliebs you get a couple of large pockets...

> Buyer's Guide to racks and panniers

The Sonic pannier is also available in red and black and is currently discounted online, making it even better value.

Verdict

A super-tough waterproof touring pannier with rock-solid mounting system