Last summer, Old Man Mountain made its FLiP mounting system available to small makers. Despite offering their own FLiP mini panniers, the team at Old Man Mountain understands that bikepackers often like to support their local bag maker, and not everyone will want their Hemlock bags. The decision to open up the technology to makers everywhere is a unique and refreshing collaboration, and one I’m excited to see more of. It has been interesting to see bag makers design bags around the quick-release mounting system, each with a distinctive look and set of features. Neil has already tested six of them and put together a review with his thoughts on each, along with some overall thoughts on the FLiP platform.

For anyone unfamiliar, FLiP stands for Fast Lock in Place. The cage itself is made of injection-molded nylon that can be configured as a standard cargo carrier using the optional cargo foot, or paired with bags that use Old Man Mountain’s FLiP attachment system for a fast, secure, and rattle-free mount. On the back of every bag that uses the system is a lower hook that slips into the base of the FLiP cage, and the upper lever slots into a recessed keyhole on top. The T-handle lever rotates 90 degrees to lock it into place and takes just seconds to attach or remove. The first time I saw the FLiP system was at the inaugural MADE bike show in Portland three years ago, and I distinctly remember being impressed by both the design and OMM’s willingness to let bag makers use it.

Today, there are nine brands using the OMM FLiP system. Ten if you include OMM. One of the latest is Rogue Panda, which has been busy expanding their product lineup to include more options for different packing styles. Coincidentally, Rogue Panda released a new top-opening rack top bag today. You can find my review of the new Picketpost Rack-Top Bag here.

The Rogue Panda Buckskin Mini Pannier

“Simple and effective” is the name of the game with the Buckskin Mini Pannier. There are no extra pockets or sleeves, with just a single layer of seam-taped fabric in your choice of color and material. The OMM FLiP attachment on the back of the mini pannier is separated from the internal waterproof structure, reinforced with a plastic panel and a foam backing to protect its contents and limit rattling.

The Buckskin Mini Pannier is available in two sizes: 3.5L (small) or 5.5L (medium). Both sizes are 6″ wide by 12″ tall (with three rolls), but their depths are 4″ and 5″, respectively. They have a nice little taper toward the bottom, which raises the bottom corner away from trail obstacles. The closure is a simple roll-top with a small side-release buckle.

I used a prototype Buckskin Mini Pannier on an overnighter in Arizona, and I was sold on the FLiP system for additional carrying capacity. It’s solid and rattle-free, and it detaches from the bike in seconds once at camp. I used the prototype to hold a two-person tent, keeping it separate from my other camping gear, but I could also see them being useful for food or a cook kit. I appreciate the simplicity of Rogue Panda’s design, as there are other bags that work better for quick-access storage.

The FLiP cage itself weighs 95 grams, and the Buckskins weigh between 265 and 280 grams, depending on the size. The complete setup for a single pannier starts at 360 grams, with no extra straps or accessories required. The FLiP cages are built to carry up to 9.9 pounds (4.5 kilograms) per cage, but, as Old Man Mountain points out, many fork eyelets aren’t capable of supporting that much weight. In most cases, your fork or rack specs will determine how much weight the Buckskin Mini Panniers can handle.

Each Buckskin includes the FLiP cage cargo foot, which can be attached to the base to make a cargo cage for other gear when your panniers aren’t in use. Like Rogue Panda’s other made-to-order bags, the panniers are available in a wide range of colors and fabrics, including their own in-house printed fabric for those who want to get creative with custom prints, patterns, and more.

• Capacity: 3.5L or 5.5L
• Material (as tested): EPX200
• Weight: 374 grams (FLiP Cage + Bag)
• Place of Manufacture: Arizona, USA
• Price: $190 USD/pair or $95/single
• Manufacturer’s Details: RoguePanda.com

Further Reading

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