Outdoors & Fitness · Head-to-head
Arkel Dolphin 24L Waterproof Pannier vs North St. Bags Route Pannier 24L
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Bike Panniers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Dolphin wins because it solves the mounting problem outright, with a Cam-Lock system and an oversized hook option quoted for tubing up to 21mm, on top of a genuinely waterproof twin roll-top design. The Route Pannier is the one to take if weight and heel clearance matter more than maximum rack compatibility.
Arkel Dolphin 24L Waterproof Pannier
Buy itA twin roll-top waterproof pannier whose Cam-Lock mount is offered with oversized hooks quoted for larger tubing, which is what makes it fit racks other bags will not.
- Two waterproof roll-top compartments rather than one, so gear can be separated on a long trip.
- Arkel describes the Cam-Lock system as fitting all racks, with oversized hooks available for larger tubing quoted at 15 to 21mm.
- Side pockets are broad and elastic enough for water bottles, and the compression webbing can run inside or outside the mesh pockets.
- The webbing can be passed under the light tabs to hold them in place, which is the kind of detail that stops straps flapping.
- Arkel publishes no weight and no dimensions on the product page.
- At 24L per bag Arkel recommends it for rear use and points front-loading buyers to the 16L Dolphin instead.
- Most expensive option here by some distance.
North St. Bags Route Pannier 24L
Buy itThe most completely specified bag here and by far the lightest, with a tapered shape aimed squarely at heel strike and hook size chosen at purchase.
- Full dimensions published: 22 inches open, 16 closed, by 10 wide and 6.5 deep, at 24L capacity.
- 726 grams, or 1.6 pounds, which is less than half what the convertible weighs.
- 1000d Cordura shell lined with waterproof recycled EcoPak sailcloth.
- Tapered build specifically to reduce heel strike, which is the complaint that makes people stop using panniers.
- Sold as a single bag, so a matched pair is two purchases.
- A lined bag is water resistant in a different way from a welded waterproof one, and the seams are not sealed.
- No stated rack tube diameter range, so the hook option has to be chosen by asking rather than by reading.
Side by side
| Arkel Dolphin 24L Waterproof Pannier | North St. Bags Route Pannier 24L | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Touring and loaded commuting on any rack, including the thick-tubed racks that come on e-bikes and cargo bikes. | Commuters and light tourers who want a durable, light bag and have had heel-strike trouble with boxy panniers. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Arkel Dolphin 24L Waterproof Pannier - A twin roll-top waterproof pannier whose Cam-Lock mount is offered with oversized hooks quoted for larger tubing, which is what makes it fit racks other bags will not. Choose the North St. Bags Route Pannier 24L instead if commuters and light tourers who want a durable, light bag and have had heel-strike trouble with boxy panniers.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Bike Panniers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).