Knog Dry Dog 13 inch pannier

There's a lot of 'form over function' criticism levelled at Knog for some of the Australian manufacturer's more esoteric gear. It's rarely a gripe that applies to their bags though, which are some of the best constructed and well thought out luggage out there, and the Dry Dog is no exception. An excellent quality waterproof pannier with an integral laptop sleeve and some clever detailing, the Dry Dog is certainly a bag you can grow to love.

It's made from waterproof PU coated nylon fabric, and there's a roll top closure beneathe the generous top flap that renders the bag completely waterproof for the wet winter commute. The solid back panel features a Klickfix mount and a hook at the base, both of which are amply adjustable for pretty much any rack. The Dry Dog is a symmetrical design so you can fit it either side of the bike, and we had no trouble getting it to fit our test racks. It's a comfy bag off the bike too, with a good quality shoulder strap. You get clips to tidy it over the top of the bag but in reality you can just stuff it under the flap, and the clips will rattle around inside making you think you've remembered your keys when you haven't.

On the outside there's a decent smattering of reflective, that shoulder strap and some natty illustration. On the inside you get, well, space. At the back of the bag against the back panel there's a laptop sleeve that serves equally well for keeping papers tidy, and there's a net pocket attached to that for stuff you don't want to rattle around, but there's not much by way of organisation inside other than that. There's plenty of room for a change of clothes, a laptop and some sandwiches; in spite of the face that it's waterproof you'll probably want to keep your clothes in a bag just to stop them rubbing up against all the detritus that'll accumulate at the bottom of the Dry Dog. Well, if you're anything like me.

Verdict

Knog's bags are generally good, and this one is no exception. It's not cheap but for all-weather commuting or light touring it's a well made and functional bit of luggage, with a bit of style.