OK - Suggestion out of left field ......
I've used both hard (metal and plastic) and soft panniers over the years and found pros and cons for both. But here's what I'm travelling with now (currently in San Rafael, Argentina) and I think it's the best combination:
I have a set of universal soft (nylon-canvas stuff) panniers (zips and expansions etc - cost about $US65), but have fitted INSIDE the soft panniers a lockable steel box each side (office cash boxes new for $US15, just throw away the coin trays!) and then drilled 2 holes in the "base" of each box (ie the wall closest to the bike) and run plastic coated steel cables (flogged from work - you know, those cables they lock computers to the desk with) through to the other box (through the frame-rack) and padlocked INSIDE the other steel box.
..... therefore the best of both worlds: soft mounted panniers with lockable steel portions all for about $US100. Only drawback is that they need to be mostly unloaded to undo the locks holding the cables for dismounting - but to be honest that hasn't been a problem here so far.
Like I said - not what you'd planned but is a different solution to acheive a cheaper, more flexible bit of kit.
Cheers,
Alex.
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