In Germany I bought some Vaude panniers. Ortlieb are really expensive, but these were like 80 euro -- still a chunk, but not too bad for what looks like some nice stuff. These are the slick, tarp-material type kind, with vulcanization instead of stitching.

My friends from Mongolia said they'd used them on several tours on unimproved roads, and that they worked admirably. But, a quick websearch indicates some people experienced sudden, dramatic failure of the mounting system at high speeds.

While I plan to do most of my riding with them on improved roads, I'd rather not lose my luggage, and maybe my life, because of these suckers!

Are the random naysayer reviews I googled common-ish or the rare exception?

If yer really worried about the mounting system, Arkel sells this:

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/accessories/hookkit.asp?fl=1&site=

I've got Arkel panniers, and they haven't come loose yet...

nice, but, shoot, that costs almost half what my panniers did new! I hope I don't need that, or I shoulda just ponied up for ortliebs...

think of it this way- even if they cost a little more, you end up with just what you want, and it still costs less than a new set of Ortliebs...

Or heck, ride 'em until they fail (if they ever do) and THEN buy a new mounting system.

You could probably rig up a velcro back-up strap pretty easily if you're uncomfortable with them- if the Vaude's have a carry handle on top, just rig a velcro strap between the two bags.

Old Touring Saying.....

For touring you will need to bring along 2 special but commonly available items.

WD40 for things that should move but don't.

Duct tape for things that shouldn't move but are.