FAQ

Browse by topic:

	Our warranty covers any failures as a result of defects in the materials or construction for the practical life of the product. We will happily offer no-cost repair or replacement at our discretion for issues with materials or craftsmanship.
	All North St. packs are designed, cut, and sewn in Portland, OR by our rad crew of makers.
	Crafted with waterproof materials and rain-shedding designs for year round adventures and rainy day riding. Not submersible dry bags.
	Made with waterproof EcoPak Repreve recycled polyester from Challenge Sailcloth. Each yard of EcoPak fabric uses synthetic fiber spun from approximately 20 recycled plastic bottles

General

What is a pannier?

A pannier is bag that connects to a rack on your bicycle, keeping the weight of your stuff off of your back while you ride. They are very common for bike touring, and commuters alike.

Is it safe to ride with just one pannier? Is it stable?

Yes! You'd be surprised at how quickly your body will adjust to the offset weight. For longer rides and tours, we recommend distributing your load between two bags, but for quick trips (like for a commute), one bag is all you need.

Where can I see your bags in person?

If you live in or are traveling through Portland, OR, you can stop in our factory showroom and meet us!

Check out our Dealers page for a list of shops around the U.S. that carry our bags. We suggest giving a call before heading over to make sure they have the bag you're looking for in stock!

Can you customize my bag/Can you build me a custom design?

Our customization is limited to the color and fabric options on our custom builder pages. Rather than taking on custom patterning or design modification projects, we focus our expertise and time on bringing our standards of quality and efficiency to our current product lines. Our goal is to bring you the best packs we can, fully designed and tested!

Please contact us if you have any concerns about sizing or fit. We do offer accessible strap sizing for waist belts and handlebar straps, and are happy to let you know if we're able to accommodate other fit requests for your bike or your body!

Unsure if we have what you're looking for? We're here to help! 

Want to see us making a bag that we don't currently have? Leave us some feedback! 

If you are interested in a large custom order, please see our corporate/wholesale page for more information. 

Shipping & Will-Call

Will-call is currently available as a fulfillment option for local customers. Will-call pick up hours are 1-5pm Monday through Friday  (closed holidays) at our storefront - 2134 N Flint Ave, Portland, OR 97227

We offer real-time carrier rates for USPS, UPS and DHL Express (international). We'll do our best to help you troubleshoot once your package is in the mail if you run into any issues. Ultimately, we rely on our shippers' policies and procedures to get your order to you, and we aren't responsible for lost packages. Reach out or leave a note for us at checkout if you have any questions or hard deadlines regarding delivery - we're happy to make recommendations on expedited shipping.

Make sure to double check your address before and after submitting an order! We aren't able to cover reshipping costs for packages not delivered due to incorrect address entry, though we are happy to correct any mistakes or discrepancies before shipping. We'll contact you for an alternate address if we receive a return on an undeliverable package.

Please allow up to 5 business days for fulfillment on all orders.

We use biodegradable mailers to ship most items, with no additional padding or packaging in order to reduce waste. These bags are tough and meant to withstand the elements, whether out traveling with you or through the postal system. 

International Orders

We ship internationally using DHL Express. Getting orders across borders can be tricky, especially for a small shop like ours. We've made it easier with an improved checkout process. Here's how:

• prices and shipping charges show in local currency
• duties and taxes are calculated up front
• no surprise charges or shipping delays
• we do not charge a handling fee to help reduce costs

Please don't hesitate to reach out if there are any issues, or if you prefer a different service. We'll do our best to make it happen! Our email is customerservice@northstbags.com. 

Care Instructions

Is your bag in need of some TLC? Show it some love with these cleaning tips:

• Spot clean the shell or lining with a wet rag and some mild detergent
• For tougher areas, use dish soap - Dawn works well - or a cleanser like Simple Green
• For really tough areas, let that dish soap sit (an hour is probably good), then rinse with water
• We do NOT recommend putting the bag into your washing machine 

• the fabrics have coatings which will rub off
• some elements or colors may bleed
• it will void the warranty

• Do NOT put the bag into the dryer EVER.  Trust us.
• Treat the exterior shell with a DWR finish periodically. We like Nikwax Tech Spray - just don't use a wash!

Order Status

Can't wait to get your new bag? We understand. Each bag is made by hand in our factory in SE Portland. We build them to last, so it's well worth the wait. Feel free to contact us at customerservice@northstbags.com or call 503-419-6230 for an update. Be sure to provide your order number. 

Returns

Unused stock items may be returned for a refund within 30 days of purchase (with receipt).  

• We do not accept returns for custom items, clearance items, or items bought at at any of our third party retailers.
• Refunds will be issued after we receive the item, for the final price of the bag only, not including shipping charges. We can provide a USPS return label by request - the final shipping amount will be deducted from your refund. We will automatically send the least expensive option available (typically USPS First Class or Priority).
• Returns over $300 will automatically have a 15% restocking fee applied. 
• Once we receive your returned item, we'll inspect it to make sure it's unused, then issue a refund, if applicable. A restocking fee may be applied for products showing minor signs of wear. If your refund is denied, we will contact you and we can return the item to you for a small shipping charge.
• We do no accept returns on face masks or PPE

Gift Returns: We can only refund to a card use to originally make the purchase. Gift purchases can be exchanged or returned for store credit.

Please contact us first with your concerns, and we'll do our best to help.  We do not accept returns for gift cards, custom items, clearance items, or items bought at at any of our third party retailers. 

To process a return, please visit our Return Claim page.

Are your bags waterproof? 

Our bags are not seam-sealed, submersible or water tight. Here's what we mean when we say it:

We construct our bags for daily commuting in all types of weather. We use DWR coated Cordura and waterproof EcoPak sailcloth for all of our bags and pouches, often a layer of each. Our drop liner packs (roll-top and drawstring) will keep your stuff dry in inclement weather if properly used and maintained. While we don't seal our seams, our drop liners offer a layer of extra protection using offset seam placement, and in some cases, folded no-seam bottom panels. Moisture can creep through the seams in heavy/prolonged downpours.

Our single layer packs, or anything with a zipper (even WR coated zips) are not waterproof. Be sure to protect your electronic goodies if you plan to be out in heavy rain.

Fabric does wear out, and coatings do rub off with time and use. The water-repellent nature of our bags will diminish over time. Looking to refresh your bag's waterproofing? Treat the exterior shell with a DWR finish periodically. We like Nikwax Tech Spray (works great on rain gear and boots too) just don't use a wash!