Welcome to the Best Soft Panniers guide. Here’s a selection of the best soft luggage options for adventure bikes on the market today. You’ll find info on their features, how they work, pros and cons and loads more.
Contents
Why Soft Motorcycle Panniers?
Soft pannier luggage is the way to go for adventure bike travellers. They’re cheaper than hard boxes, less strain on the frame, more flexible, adaptable and most importantly – hard panniers are way more likely to cause you harm in a crash. That makes going soft a wise choice for anyone focusing more on off-road than tarmac riding.
If you’re set on soft motorcycle luggage, then remember that not all bags are made equal. You’re going to want the right soft stuff to suit your bike, budget and riding style and this article will help you figure out which system is best for you.
But, if you’re not convinced by soft luggage, want to weigh up your options and are considering hard panniers, then take a look at these handy guides next.
READ MORE:
The Best Soft Luggage Options for Adventure Bikes
This guide started off by listing six of the very best soft motorcycle panniers on the market. But that was years ago, times have changed, gear has improved massively and there are loads of new and excellent contenders on the scene from around the world. So, we’ve rewritten the list to include a larger selection of bags – from eye wateringly expensive to budget, racked to rackless and panniers suited for round the world expeditions to weekend rides.
You’ll find a selection of the best soft panniers for adventure bikes below to help you choose the right luggage setup for your travels.
Premium Soft Motorcycle Panniers
Racked, high price, serious adventure riding and RTW focused
Mosko Moto Back Country Panniers
Quick Info: off-road focused, requires rack and clip plate, heavy duty, high price range, exceptionally well made and serious kit
American firm, Mosko Moto, are relatively new players to the motorcycle luggage scene, but have already cemented their place on the soft luggage top spot. That’s because they produce seriously high-quality, tough and durable gear. Their kit is off-road adventure riding focused and the bags emphasise that. If you’re looking for premium kit and are going to be spending most of your time on the rough stuff or looking to travel round the world with something that won’t fail you, then these are a good choice.
The Back Country is their racked pannier system. It works by clipping on and off a plate fitted to your pannier rack. They do also offer rackless luggage, but more on that in the rackless section at the bottom of this article.
Mosko Moto sell directly to the rider and don’t have a dealer or distributor network. They say this allows them to skip out on a costly distribution step so that they can use premium materials without making their products too expensive.
Mosko Moto make four different types of bike luggage options: panniers, rackless panniers, duffels and tank bags.
- The panniers use a double bag system. The outer bag is the protection and the inner is a removable dry bag.
- The racked panniers use a ‘quick-mount wedge system’, which means they can be taken off and on again without using straps.
- There’s no overseat straps and the bags are fixed to the racks so they don’t flail around on rough terrain.
- Scout 25L panniers (50L total).
- Back Country 35L panniers (70L total).
- Mosko produce rackless panniers as well as frame mounted bags for the more serious off-road focused adventure riders.
- Super high-quality gear
- No dealer mark-up as the bags are sold direct.
- The bags are adaptable, come with pockets and can have additional storage pouches attached.
- Lifetime warranty on sewn seam bags and two-year warranty on welded seam bags.
- Mosko is US based, but if you’re in the EU then the bags are shipped from Amsterdam, so factor in shipping prices. Worldwide shipping is available though.
- You’re looking at a hefty price tag for the Mosko bags, but these are amongst the hardest wearing and toughest bags in the world.
Racked panniers start from around 580GBP / 715USD / 660EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Lone Rider MotoBags Semi-Rigid Panniers
Quick Info: semi-rigid, high-end price, requires rack, comes with fittings, extra large panniers
The Lone Rider MotoBags are semi-rigid soft panniers. They’re expensive but high-quality panniers that Lone-Rider claim are 100% waterproof. You get two pannier bags, two removable inner dry bags, two universal mounting plates and the necessary parts to attach them to your rack and two specific locks for the bags.
These are the biggest panniers in this article with MOLLE straps so you can fit even more gear onto them. They’re the closest a soft pannier can get to being hard luggage too, so if you want something in the middle ground with loads of space, these might be the ones for you.
The Lone Rider MotoBags are two pannier bags that must be used with rack plates and a pannier rack.
They also come with specific locks to make them more secure. These are amongst the biggest panniers available on the market today.
The Lone-Rider MotoBags are two panniers that bolt onto a mounting plate and are then attached to your pannier racks. The panniers come with the racks and all neccessary fitments.
- The Lone Rider MotoBags come as either 31 + 38L, 2 x 38L or 2 x 31L.
- Comes with racks and fittings
- Comes with waterproof inner bags.
- The bags are lockable.
- You can collapse the bags flat while not in use.
- Extremely hard wearing.
- Larger capacity than most soft panniers.
- Easy to attach additional smaller bags.
- The eye-watering price tag. However, the bags do come with all the fittings.
Lone-Rider MotoBags are around 918GBP / 1,199 USD / 997 EUR. But this does include the two bags, rack plates and fittings.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Giant Loop RTW Panniers
Quick Info: off-road focused, tried and tested gear, clip on and off panniers designed for round the world travel
Giant Loop have been in the game 12 years and know how to produce quality gear. The US firm are most well known for their rackless horseshoe system (more below), but they also produce the large and hard wearing RTW panniers designed for, you guessed it, round the world motorcycle travellers. The RTW bags use a clip on system to your pannier racks.
Giant Loop also produce a throwover luggage set called Siskiyou. These are smaller in capacity and don’t use the clip on/off system.
Giant Loop produce rackless horseshoe shaped rear bags, clip on/off soft panniers and a throw-over rear pannier.
- The clip on/off panniers work without straps and fix onto the pannier rack with a quick release fastener.
- The throw-over pannier set has a rigid connector that sits on the pillion seat and allows the bags to drape over the racks.
- Round-the-World panniers are 90L+ in total.
- Siskiyou throw-over panniers are 70L total.
- Giant Loop produce rackless and clip on/off panniers.
- The US firm has been in the game a long time and have a long-standing good reputation.
- Simple in design.
- Works well on most bikes.
- Giant Loop is produced in the US and can be tricky to purchase internationally.
- RTW 90L+ panniers are around 570GBP / 699USD / 644EUR.
- Siskiyou 70L throw-overs are around the same price.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Adventure Spec Magadan Panniers
Quick Info: suited for long-term and RTW travel, secure, throw-over, simple design and easy to use
The Adventure Spec Magadan panniers were developed by Walter Colbatch (if you haven’t seen the incredible Sibirsky Extreme on YouTube, you need to check them out!) The panniers were made to be simple, tough and secure by someone who is seriously knowledgeable when it comes to adventure motorcycle travel.
READ MORE: Magadan Pannier Review
Adventure Spec are now on the third iteration of the Magadan panniers – the MK3, which is an upgrade to the previous MK2 design. The MK3s come with Molle attachments for additional pouches.
The Magadans use two velcro straps which lay over the pannier seat and then the bags are fastened to pannier racks. These panniers use a dry bag insert, which can be removed and taken into your hotel or tent without unstrapping the entire pannier.
- The Magadan panniers are 35L each side (70L total).
- Designed by legendary adventure rider, Walter Colbatch.
- Integrated PacSafe cables make the bags slashproof and lockable. They can also be locked to the pannier frame.
- Easily attached.
- Large external pockets.
- Durable, tough, well thought out and simple.
- Pricey for throw-over bags.
The Adventure Spec Magadan panniers retail for around 416GBP / 512USD / 472EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Kriega Overlander System OS Panniers
Quick Info: can be used as either throwover or attached to a plate, premium, high-price range, Kriega 10-year guarantee
British firm, Kriega, have been in the luggage business since 2000 and have a long standing reputation for high-quality and ultra robust kit. Kriega kit comes with a 10-year guarantee because they’re so confident of its build. They produce the Overlander-S (OS) range of adventure luggage and under that subhead have both a racked and rackless OS system.
The racked bags come in either 32 or 22 litres and are attached to a mounting plate to be clipped on and off a pannier rack. However, they can also be used as throwover bags with an additional strap system.
Kriega produce throw-over panniers and a rackless system as part of their Overlander System (OS).
The Kriega OS soft panniers work in one of two ways, you can either use them as a traditional throw-over set with two top straps that rest on the pillion seat. Or they can be attached to a specially designed OS platform and then use a quick release system.
- The OS panniers come in 32L (64L total) and 22L (44L total) options.
- Excellent reputation.
- Durable, waterproof and cleverly designed bags.
- Panniers are sold separately and don’t come with the OS-Platform (quick release option) or OS-straps (overseat straps). They need to be purchased separately, which bumps up the price.
The OS-32 is around 279GBP / 345USD / 318 EUR per pannier.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Wolfman Rocky Mountain Expedition Panniers
Quick Info: racked, well-known, tried and tested, expandable, simple and very easy to install and use, no plates required
Wolfman provide quality luggage and are pretty popular over in the USA. They claim their gear is 100% waterproof with RF welded seams. The construction is very sturdy and they’re made to last. The company has been producing soft luggage for a long time and are well-known and trusted over in the States.
The Expedition bags can be easily mounted onto most pannier racks, making for easy fitment. Another benefit is their size and adaptability. Each bag is between 30-32 litres and come with straps for easy mounting of an additional bag on top and a water bottle holster on the side.
Wolfman offer throw over type panniers that do not require a backing plate. They produce a variety of motorcycle specific luggage options, but the Expeditions are their only pannier set.
The Wolfman Expedition panniers can easily clip onto a large range of pannier racks as they come with a universal strap and use a G-hook mounting. Simply throw them over the rear seat and strap them up or attach directly to the frame.
- The Expedition panniers are 30L each bag, but you can squeeze an extra 2L in each bag dependent on how you roll the top. So total capacity is 60-64L.
- They also come with straps able to take an additional roll top bag on top and a water bottle holster on the side so you can attach even more luggage to them.
- Tried, tested and trusted brand.
- Tough and highly durable.
- Waterproof bags with RF-welded seams.
- Easily mounts to most pannier racks.
- Large capacity of up to 64L.
- Can easily add more bags to the panniers.
- Wolfman is US based, so for everywhere else in the world you will need to pay for international shipment.
- The company does state on their website that they sell via Amazon, but they only list a couple of products on there, so you’re likely going to need to purchase via the website.
Expect to pay around 470GBP / 579USD / 534EUR for the Wolfman panniers.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Bumot Xtremada Panniers
Quick Info: racked, large capacity, tough, easy attachment, can only be used with Bumot pannier racks
Bulgarian firm, Bumot, make excellent luggage systems offering both hard and soft luggage. I’ve always had good experiences when using this kit. It’s tough, simple and very well made and that’s what you need for long-term travel.
The Xtremadas work with a roll-top closure with two overtop straps. You can also use these straps to tie down another roll top on top of the panniers. They come with a waterproof inner bag that you can easily whip out when taking your gear with you.
These are large bags at 35L and 31L on the exhaust side, plus two 1L pockets for each pannier. Normally that’s an additional extra on most bags.
Bumot say they offer the only quick release soft luggage system on the market. Meaning within seconds you flit between their hard and soft panniers within seconds with a simple click on and off system.
Bumot offer hard and soft luggage. Their soft panniers are called the Xtremada and they are the only soft luggage option Bumot produce.
The Xtremadas can only be used on the Bumot pannier racks, so you will need to purchase them alongside the panniers.
The panniers work with a simple roll top closure and two buckles over the top.
- The Bumot soft panniers are 35 and 31L, plus two 1L water or fuel holsters on each pannier.
- Tough, durable and strong bags.
- Simple design and very easy to use and live with on the road.
- Each pannier already comes with two 1L fuel/ water bottle holsters attached.
- You can attach a roll top bag on top of the panniers using the extended straps.
- Quick release option so you can whip off your soft Bumots and clip on hard panniers.
- The only con with these panniers is that they can only be used with Bumot pannier racks, which are sold separately. The only exception is that they are also compatible with a BMW GSA rack. Check their website for more info.
The Bumot Xtremada soft panniers are priced at 525GBP / 643USD / 597EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Middleweight Soft Motorcycle Panniers
Racked, mid-price range, excellent for adventure travel
Turkana HippoHips Panniers
Quick Info: new company and gear, produced by round the world travellers, simple and easy to use with lots of extras
South African company, Turkana, are new players to the adventure bike scene, but the owners are round the world motorcycle travellers who know their stuff. They have produced luggage based on their experiences, know what long term riders need and want and built these to spec.
The HippoHips are throwover saddle bags that will fit most pannier racks. They’re 30L each side and come with removable waterproof inner bags, four additional holster style pockets that attach to the bags using the MOLLE system and a host of straps for connecting the bags to your bike.
Turkana offer 30L saddle bags called HippoHips. They do also offer a rackless luggage set called MadMules which range from 5L each side to 20.
Simple and easy to use throwover pannier system with a roll top closure that simply attaches to most pannier racks.
- The HippoHips are 30L each side and come with additional 2L and 1.8L pouches that can be easily attached to the sides via a MOLLE system.
- Simple, rugged and easy to use.
- Well suited to long distance and long term motorcycle travellers.
- Comes with additional bags and uses MOLLE system so you can fit other bags too.
- Designed by serious RTW motorcycle travellers.
- There are no real cons for the Turkana gear. It is a new company and so we’re waiting to hear back from round the world travellers who have used the panniers.
Turkana HippoHips panniers are priced at around 382GBP / 468USD / 435EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Givi GRT709 Canyon Panniers
Quick Info: racked, lockable, quick release, requires clip plate, easy to use roll top closure
The Givi Canyon motorcycle panniers are packed with features. They work by attaching the bags to nylon backing plates (included). These plates have a quick fit and release attachment to racks and can also be locked to the racks with a key (which can be keyed to a Givi top box etc). The bags use a waterproof roll down closure, have removable inner bags, handy exterior pocket for bottles and straps for when off the bike.
Individual panniers with nylon backing plate which are quickly attached onto pannier racks.
The Givi Canyon panniers are soft bags with a nylon plate backing. The plate is attached onto a Givi rack with a quick release system and comes with a lockable key. The plate and key are included with the bags. You will need a specific Givi rack for your bike.
- The Givi Canyon panniers are 35L each.
- There is also a pair of 25L panniers available.
- Comes with backing plate.
- Lockable key for added security (can be keyed to Givi top box etc).
- Easy to take on and off.
- Tough and durable material.
- Built in document pocket.
- Exterior bottle pocket.
- Plenty of external straps.
- This type of pannier with backing plate can only be used on specific Givi pannier racks.
- Givi Canyon panniers 35l are priced at 429GBP / 530USD / 488EUR
- Givi Canyon pannier 25l are priced at 373GBP / 459USD / 423EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Enduristan Monsoon 3 Panniers
Quick Info: throw-over, mid-price range, easy to use, simple in design, adaptable – new Evo option available
Enduristan are a Swiss company offering a range of soft motorcycle luggage options including panniers and rackless systems – all with a five-year warranty. The Monsoon 3 panniers use a throwover system and you can attach more luggage on top.
There’s now the Monsoon Evo system where you can attach the pannier directly to the frame without throwover straps.
Enduristan offer throw-over soft panniers with three connecting straps called the Monsoon 3.
The Monsoon Evo has recently been released which works by attaching to the pannier rack. This is not a clip on off plate system or a throwover and can attach to most pannier racks without any adapter plates.
They also produce a rackless saddle bag set-up for enduro bikes.
Enduristan’s Monsoon 3 panniers are throw-overs with three connecting straps that rest on the pillion seat. They use a roll top closure system to keep the contents dry. Enduristan say that these bags can fit some bike without racks, but of course, do check and look into heat shields if you go down this route. They do fit to pannier racks.
The Blizzard saddle bags are more suited for enduro bikes and work by resting the connecting straps on the pillion seat and connecting the lower straps to the pillion pegs.
- The Enduristan Monsoon panniers are 30L (60L total)
- The Blizzard saddle bags are 12L (24L total)
- Able to use on some bikes without pannier rack frames
- Made using a three-layer fabric to keep it tougher and waterproof
- Easy to attach
- Simple and easy to use
- No quick-release option
Enduristan Monsoon 3 panniers are 294GBP / 429USD / 333EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Budget Soft Motorcycle Panniers
Racked, budget options, long and short term travel
Lomo Motorcycle Panniers
Quick Info: most affordable, easy to use, extremely simple, waterproof, roll top and throw over system
Scottish watersports company, Lomo, have recently started producing more motorcycle orientated dry bags and the latest additions are their waterproof soft panniers. There are three sizes to choose from. All are single opening, welded seam waterproof PVC bags. The bags are simple, minimalistic, the cheapest bags in this article, easy to use and no fuss.
Lomo produce the large 30L rear pannier bags which have fixed Velcro straps to connect them. They also make medium 13 litre pannier bags with no connecting straps and a smaller 6.5 litre pair to be used as crash bar bags. Lomo also offer duffel and tube bags as well as panniers. Check out our reviews of both the Lomo large and adventure panniers on the Motorcycle Equipment Reviews page.
The Lomo large pannier bags are throw-over bags with three sets of straps: a large middle strap and two supporting straps. These can all be tucked under the seat or strapped over it. The bags have a plastic loop on the bottom corners which can be fastened to the pannier rack.
The medium and smaller panniers don’t have a connecting strap and can be fixed to pannier racks or crash bar racks up front.
All the bags are roll top with two side and top fasteners.
- 6.5L crash bar bags (13L total)
- 13L medium panniers (26L total)
- 30L large panniers (60L total)
- Easy to use throw-over bags
- Three size options
- Very affordable
- Can fit any frame
- Not as tough as competitors if you’re going to be seriously off-roading and laying the bike down
- No option to expand with additional pockets or pouches
- Large 60L panniers – 51GBP / 62USD / 58EUR.
- Medium 26L panniers – 58GBP / 71USD / 66EUR.
- Small 13L crash bar panniers – 39GBP / 48USD / 44EUR.
Nelson Rigg Hurricane Panniers
Quick Info: budget panniers, lifetime warranty, throwover, holsters included, excellent value
Nelson Rigg are a US based company that produce a wide range of motorcycle luggage. Despite their Hurricane panniers falling into our budget category, they do come with an impressive lifetime warranty.
The bags include inner liners and holsters and attach to your bike using throwover straps. You can easily attach these types of bags to most bikes, so they’re versatile, simple, easy to use and come packed with included features.
Nelson Rigg offer the Hurricane adventure bike panniers. There’s a range of other bike luggage too, from duffels to tank bags.
Simple and easy to use panniers with throwover straps. You can also add further luggage on top of these bags.
- The Hurricane panniers are 27.5L each side.
- The bags come with a lifetime warranty.
- Includes removable and waterproof inner liners and holsters.
- Can be easily attached to most motorcycles.
- Simple, adaptable and versatile.
- It’s hard finding a con for the Riggs. They’re produced in the US, but easily purchased in the UK via Amazon.
- The Nelson Rigg Hurricane panniers are around 259GBP / 299USD / 294 EUR.
Rackless Motorcycle Luggage
No pannier rack required
For the more hardcore motorcycle adventure rider who values weight saving and riding predominately off-road, a rackless system may be the way forward. Simply put, these systems work by fastening a holster style fabric to the rear of your bike and connecting throwover bags to them – doing away with the need for heavy pannier racks. Here’s a selection of great rackless systems currently on the market today.
Mosko Moto Reckless Soft Luggage
Quick Info: off-road focused, rackless, heavy duty, different size options available
As well as the Back Country panniers, Mosko Moto also produce the Reckless system. This is a rackless system, meaning it requires no pannier frames for fitment. It comes in an 80 or 40L setup
Mosko Moto make four different types of bike luggage options: panniers, rackless panniers, duffels and tank bags.
The rackless system sits on the rear pillion seat and is fixed to points like the passenger foot braces or frame.
- Reckless 80L Revolver rackless pannier system
- Reckless 40L rackless pannier system.
- Perfect for serious off-road focused adventure bike riders.
- Super high-quality gear.
- No dealer mark-up as the bags are sold direct.
- The bags are adaptable, come with pockets and can have additional storage pouches attached.
- Lifetime warranty on sewn seam bags and two-year warranty on welded seam bags.
- Mosko is US based, but if you’re in the EU then the bags are shipped from Amsterdam, so factor in shipping prices.
- The Reckless 80L is priced at around 1,150GBP / 930USD / 1,300 EUR.
- The Reckless 40L is priced at around 715GBP / 590USD / 815EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.
Kriega Overlander System Soft Luggage
Quick Info: rackless, high-price range, requires base adapter which can be used with and switchable bags
The OS system from Kriega works by fitting a universal fabric base to your bike. Different size Kriega packs can then be attached to this harness.
Kriega produce throw-over panniers and a rackless system as part of their Overlander System (OS).
The rackless OS-Combo system uses a harness which is attached to the bike first. You will need to drill two holes into the rear fender for it to attach to. The OS-Adventure packs are then attached to that.
- The rackless combo set comes in 12, 24 and 36L options.
- Excellent reputation.
- Durable, waterproof and cleverly designed bags.
- Kriega 10-year guarantee.
- The Kriega system is pricey.
- You aren’t able to attach large size bags to the harness.
- The harness isn’t included and must be either purchased separately or as part of a combo pack.
- The overseat harness (OS-Base) is around 99GBP / 120USD / 112 EUR.
- OS Base plus two 6L bags 269GBP / 331USD / 305EUR.
- OS Base plus two 12L bags is 297GBP / 365USD / 337EUR.
- OS Base plus two 18L bags is 329GBP / 405USD / 373EUR.
Please check the link for the most up to date prices.