1) Easy Brackets
2) Willie and Max bags
No question the easy brackets are worth every penny. Looks stock when they are off the bike, and they go on and off so easy it is never a hassle. Only way to go. No other brackets needed to keep the bags off the fender or tire.
Go with as big a bags as you can find, and I would not recommend real leather, as you said you commute, and sounds like you want something you can use and abuse. You will find the Willie and Max bags to be a great bargain, and when they get wet, or dirty, you will not have to worry about them, or what's in them. I abuse the heck out of mine - overstuffing them and such, and after a year and a half, it looks like they are going to last quite some time. Very sturdy construction with the corrugated plastic shape retainers providing the muscle.
I ordered from the Willie and Max website, but most bike suppliers offer them at discounted prices year round. I caught them on sale on the W&M website by chance.
Get The Hooker to go under your seat to bungee other items to. I should have, and still intend to.
