Review Giant loop Mojave saddle bags.

After using the mojave saddle bag (13.5L version) as an every day commuter for over a month, I thought I would post up some of the pros and CONS.  I have read many reviews of giant loop products and everyone is so happy with them, not a single bad thing to say.  Well I am going to focus on the cons that I found with this bag since they seem to be missing from other reviews.  

*I am currently not using the center removable pouch, so I can't comment on that portion of the product*

Pros   
Fits bike perfectly with or without tail rack.
Don't even feel it on the bike on road or off
Both fit and finish are excellent

Cons  
Compression straps go right over the zipper AND there is no quick release for the strap.  In all fairness, if I cut the straps down to size so that I did not have to tuck up the extra webbing it would be a lot faster to access the compartment, however the compression straps are sewn in so I am hesitant to cut them.

Still uses plastic buckles even while costing over $200

It Leaks!! (yes giant loop never claims that it is waterproof) But they use waterproof fabric its not like it would be much of a stretch to make it water resistant.  
I am not asking to be able to submerse it, just for splashing water, from puddles, and rain to not penetrate.
All they would need is a storm flap over top of the zipper, but instead they use a water resistant zipper that is only water resistant when zipped 100% and laying flat.  The problem is that once I stuffed my froggtogs rain gear in the pouch the zipper bows out and the rubber seal starts to separate.
In all fairness I still have to seam seal the bag so I do not know how much water is entering from the zipper and how much from the seams.

Photo of water that accumulated when left out in the rain parked



A size large FroggToggs pro action suit completely fills one pouch and bows the zipper out reducing its "water proof" ability.








Conclusion
Overall I am disappointed, it could have easily been made better with a few simple design changes. I am hopeful that these issues may be addressed in the future as they have a good product, that could easily be even better.

I am just as disappointed with the Giant Loop Coyote bag. Looks like it should be waterproof, but it certainly is not.
On a recent ride with 3 hours of moderate rain, plus a bit less than an hour of heavy rain, one side filled up with ~3" of water.
So it lets water in, but does not let the water drain out!   

I see they now sell on their website completely waterproof inner bags - they go inside the Coyote - for another $100.
So I would have the heavy Coyote bag, plus the heavy inner waterproof bags, plus whatever water pools in between them???

That is a *huge* FAIL for Giant Loop. I sent them feedback, and got a politician's reply.

Are you listening here Giant Loop?

I wish I would have read this report before I bought the Mojavi saddle bags. They fit great but leak and retain water. These bags would be much better with a flap covering the zipper. I do not recommend. I have a lot of plastic scuffing from mud between the bags and the bike.

My brother gave me one last year and it works fine though waterproofing isn't the best.

I love mine, just used them for a weeks to keep tools, tubes and such on a week long trip in the alps.
Dont need waterproofing for that kinda stuff, but can see why it would be a nice option.