This review is part of our group test of the best panniers for rear racks, in which five everyday all-rounders go head-to-head. Click here for our buying guide, and an overview of each model.
When it comes to waterproof panniers, ORTLIEB’s BACK-ROLLER range has been the benchmark for commuters and cycle-touring fans for decades. But anyone familiar with roll-top closures will also be familiar with their biggest everyday drawback: to reach your keys, wallet or smartphone, you first have to unroll the entire bag and rummage around inside.
That is exactly where the BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket comes in. It adds a separate 3 litre zipped external pocket to the proven classic pannier – a practical everyday upgrade for commuting, shopping and post-work rides. The ideal solution for pannier users?
ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket in Review
How Well Does the Pannier Perform in Everyday Use?
Fitting and Removal
As simple as it gets, yet reassuringly secure: ORTLIEB’s decades of experience are obvious in the BACK-ROLLER’s mounting system. The bag is lowered onto the rear rack from above and clicks into place. Practical: as with the Thule model, no tools are needed for the initial adjustment to the rack. The upper mounting hooks slide easily along the rails, and can be adapted to tube diameters between 8 and 16 mm using rubber inserts of different thicknesses.
At the bottom, an adjustable retaining hook stops the pannier from swaying around, holding it firmly against the side of the rack. Together with the rubber inserts, it keeps the pannier firmly in place without rattling or wobbling. To remove the bag, simply pull the carrying handle and un-hook the hook – ready to go.
Crucially for everyday use, the ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket fitted all five rear racks from our SUV ebike group test that we used for this review. There’s plenty of function hidden behind the simple form factor.
Off The Bike
Away from the bike, the rear pannier does not transform into a backpack, but into a satchel. The included shoulder strap attaches with two clicks. It’s quick, and comfortable enough for the walk from the bike rack to the office, through the supermarket or up the stairs to your flat.
For a longer stroll through town or an extended walk, however, it remains a compromise. The wide bag sits against the side of your body, while all the weight hangs from one shoulder. It should also be carried with the mounting rail facing outwards to prevent it rubbing against your leg.
The BACK-ROLLER is therefore most at home when the majority of the journey takes place on the bike. Should you want to leave it attached to a parked bike, ORTLIEB offers the small QL2-Lock. It looks like an additional mounting hook, which attaches next to the other two retaining hooks and can then be locked – practical.
Bag Organisation
Plenty of room, very few restrictions: other than ORTLIEB’s standard slim, two-part document pocket, the main compartment has no further internal dividers. The advantage? Alongside a laptop, rain jacket and snacks, the bag can also swallow an impromptu shopping trip, without fixed compartments getting in the way. Even larger packages or an extra layer of clothing fit easily inside the pannier’s 20 litre main compartment.
Anyone carrying lots of small items will need to create a little order themselves. The separate external pocket on the new Zip-Pocket model helps: your smartphone, keys and wallet remain within easy reach, without having to search between groceries and a change of clothes.
Alternatively, ORTLIEB offers the removable Commuter Insert organiser for €45 in size M. It can be packed at home and then placed inside the BACK-ROLLER on the bike.
Anything else? Reflective details on the front and side make the bag more visible in car headlights. On the ride home from the office or a late shopping trip, it is an understated but useful feature.
Is the ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket Waterproof?
After three minutes of simulated heavy rain, with water coming from every direction, the inside of the bag remained dry in our test – provided the roll-top closure had been rolled down three to four times.
And it was not just the main compartment that stayed dry. The separate zipped front pocket also kept water out. The ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket therefore reliably protects the items you need to access quickly, too.
Who Should Take a Closer Look at the ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket?
The ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket is a good choice for anyone who completes most of their journeys by bike and wants an uncomplicated pannier for the office, shopping and everyday use. Thanks to its easily adjustable mounting system, it also suits cyclists with multiple bikes, so you can commute during the week and tour at the weekend.
It is less suitable for anyone who regularly carries their bag over longer distances after riding. The shoulder strap is fine for the walk from the bike rack to the front door, but it is no substitute for a backpack.
Conclusions
Function without the frills: the ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket impresses as a stylish and completely weatherproof pannier, compatible with almost any rear rack. The mounting system can be adjusted in no time, and the bag sits firmly and quietly on the bike. Anyone not planning extended walks with the shoulder strap gets an exceptionally robust and well-designed companion for commuting and shopping. It’s our Best Buy.
Tops
- Tool-free, easy-to-use mounting system
- Compatible with all five rear racks in review
- Secure, rattle-free fit
- Main compartment and front pocket stayed dry in the rain test
Flops
- Organisation in the main compartment requires additional accessories
For more information, visit ORTLIEB
The Test Field
All panniers for rear racks in review: deuter XBERG 25 Cycling Backpack | Forrider 3in1 Urban Adventure Pannier | ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER 20L Zip-Pocket | Thule Shield InLock 23L Cycling Backpack | VAUDE Aqua Back Single
Click here for the main article.
Looking for More Bag Reviews?
You can find more reviews from E-MOUNTAINBIKE and our sister magazines ENDURO, GRAN FONDO and DOWNTOWN here:
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- EVOC Hydro Pro 1.5 backpack on test – Small But Mighty?
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- Thule RoundTrip – A well-Sorted Bike Duffel Bag?
Words: Felicia Nastal Photos: Jan Fock
About the Author
Felicia Nastal
Communication Specialist
Felicia Nastal combines her academic rigour and eye for detail with a passion for technical lifestyle products at 41 Publishing. As a qualified Germanist with over ten years of teaching experience, she is responsible for in-depth individual and comparison tests for DOWNTOWN magazine. She translates complex features into clear value propositions – whether that’s coffee culture, car camping or high-tech gear for everyday life. Alongside her editorial work, she oversees central tasks in SEO and GEO optimisation, as well as manufacturer communication at 41 Publishing.
