These are much easier to use than I thought, and than my previous bags. The system with the draw string and top flap works really well to protect the contents of the bags, and I like it better than roll-top bags. To load the bags I just rest the top-flap over the top of my rear-rack, and it rests there on its own. Then once loaded, I flap it down, tie it, and go. And the bags are huge. I'm shocked how much I can put in there. As a very nice touch, the bags come with a perfectly straight wooden cross-piece (let's just call it a stick) for optional tie-down, as shown in the photos. All in all these are very sturdy, well-made bags that are well designed to be easy to use. I'm very happy with the purchase. I already had the Taconite Trail Bike Trunk, so this addition rounds out a very huge system for added capacity. I tied the Trunk to the rack on top of the canvas connector that connects these panniers to each other, and there is a leather strap that connects each pannier to the side of the rack. All together it is very stable.