This is the first time using bags instead or rack and panniers, and I don't know if I'm sold or not. Also, I massively overpacked so my legs are currently on fire and I'm typing this from a ditch on the side of the road.
Oh man, that is a nice spot you can get out to for the weekend. Why are you not sold on the setup, what did you not like? I guess a weekender is maybe not long enough to get into the groove with a new setup?
I am currently on my way to start a good week of a tour and i have also changed my setup a bit, will post in the coming days. No idea if i am going to be sold or if i'll have to sell afterwards, haha.
Not sure tbh, I think advocates like them because they feel more secure to the bike, and weigh less. I think panniers will remain my go to for day-to-day stuff, a lot easier to just ram everything in without thinking too hard.
I'm looking a lot doing a long ride soon which has a fair bit of thin trail and single track riding so thought I'd give it a go :)