marketplace review

Combo Duffels

Wet/Dry Carry-Alls for the New Millenium

 by Aaron Bible

Other Bomber Duffels

Salamander's Square Spot

Leave it to Bend, Ore.'s Salamander to put a twist in the usual gear bag. The Square Spot borrows from climbers' rope bags--just pile everything on top of it and cinch it up. It also serves as a changing platform. The top zips closed, and the sides cinch closed. It features webbing handles on the outside, and a small interior mesh pocket for sunscreen and keys. The Square Spot ($34.50) is 14" by 41" in the closed position and comes in black with red accents. Info.: (541) 388-1821.

Cascade Designs' PuddleDeep Duffels

Seattle, Wash.'s Cascade Designs, makers of Therm-A-Rest, Platypus hydration systems and SealLine drybags, offers two noteworthy duffels for paddler. First is the PuddleDeep Duffel, made with a waterproof, 34-ounce PVC bottom (SealLine dry bag material), 20-ounce PVC sides and a urethane-coated, Ripstop Cordura nylon top. The bottom and sides are completely waterproof with welded, permanently bonded seams. With this Duffel, you can leave dry gear in the bottom of a canoe or puddle with no worries. It features hand straps, a removable shoulder strap and beefy, welded haul straps on the ends. It's available in black only in 30-liter ($57), 85-liter ($70), and 150-liter ($84) models. The company's PuddleDeep Mesh is for wet gear storage. You can stand in it and shed all your wet gear--it will air out through the mesh top while the waterproof bottom (20-oz. PVC) keeps the wetness contained. When you get home, hose the bag out and let it air dry. It has the same welded seams as the duffel, and handle strap patches are welded to the mesh to prevent rip-outs. The Mesh Duffel comes in an 85-liter ($39) and a 130-liter model ($47). Info.: (800) 531-9531.

Primex Deluge Tote Bags and Changer

We couldn't leave these tough paddlesports bags from Benicia, Calif.'s Primex out of the duffel lineup. Primex offers three versions of a gear tote bag (16"x15"x6"), all featuring top zippers and tubing-reinforced handles, suited for transporting gear and personals to and from paddling excursions. The Tote Bag is available in a water resistant, 600-denier polyester (royal or black, $19); a see- through nylon mesh with PVC bottom (black, $17); and in PVC with a nylon re-enforcement grid (clear, $18). Also from Primex is The Changer (black, $28), a handy, stand-in duffel for shedding wet gear out of the dirt and sand. At 24"x30" laid flat, hop on this changing platform, kick off your booties and shake off your other gear, and then cinch it all up with the drawstrings into a nylon/mesh duffel and gear storage bag. It comes with a shoulder strap on the back (bottom) to sling it over your shoulder. Info.: (800) 422-2482.
Combo Duffels Even if you have your name on all your gear, it gets expensive if you leave booties and pogies scattered around in every shuttle vehicle you happen to ride in. And you won't get invited on many river trips if you can't organize your personal gear into something other than a jumbled-up pile of apparel.

Conventional duffels won't solve these problems--mildewed gear will not get you invited into people's cars. Because of this, most paddlers have turned to bags made from mesh, which lets gear breathe and dry. The only problem with mesh is that it's also permeable to dirt and water, and it's not the toughest material on the market. If the mesh bags at your local Wal-Mart aren't good enough, or your mom won't let you take your laundry bag out on the river, following are a few bags that will keep your gear in order--and out of odor. Not only will your gear be breathing and in one place, but many of these bags also offer dry storage, for post-paddle fleece, shorts, towels and baseball caps. These are the Rolls Royce's of paddlegear bags--they may not make you a better paddler, but they will make your paddling life a little easier, and your lost gear factor a little lower.

Lochsa Connection's Combo Sport Bags

Kooskia, Idaho's Lochsa Connection knows how to get you and your gear to the river in tact. It manufactures the Small Combination Bag ($30; 1,102 cu. in.) and the Large Combination Bag ($41.50; 1,658 cu. in.), both with tough mesh on top and waterproof packcloth on the bottom to keep out dirt, sand and water. The Small has a zippered, waterproof pocket on one end and nylon hand-carry straps; the Large features zippered, waterproof pockets on both ends, D-rings and an adjustable carrying strap. Both are tough enough to take the abuse that comes from gearing up in all kinds of weather. Info.: (208) 926-0921.

Perception's Wet/Dry Bag

The Wet/Dry Bag from Easley, S.C.'s Perception includes what many other bags don't: an innovative, flip-down, removable changing mat, which it says can also be used to cover the car seat during a wet shuttle drive home. But that's not all the bag has going for it. The Wet/Dry Bag is made from coated pack cloth and stows wet and dry gear, in any amount, by separating two compartments with a floating baffle. New last year, it includes a shoulder strap, comes in small ($87.50) and large ($100) sizes, and is available in black and royal blue. Info.: (864) 859-7518.

Northwest River Supply's Canyon Duffel

NRS offers protection and breathable storage with its Small ($64.95; 13"x32") and Large ($79.95; 16"x37") Canyon Duffel. These are big, beefy bags, made from reinforced Cordura, with mesh panels "strategically" placed for mildew avoidance. But it's definitely more Cordura than mesh. The main compartment, opened with a double-zipper, features an adjustable baffle for separating wet and dry gear. It also includes a separate side-pocket for booties and two spacious end pockets, as well as hand straps and a two-inch, nylon adjustable shoulder strap. Info.: (800) 635-5202.

Stohlquist WaterWare's WDG Bag

The WDG--Wet-Dry-Gross--duffel bag has all the features that make these bags the ultimate in paddlegear storage: a large, dry, end pocket; a main compartment with a mesh panel; another dry, side pocket; and another small mesh pocket. Plus, the whole thing is made from "super-duty" waterproof fabric similar to dry bag material, with heavy-duty nylon stitching and zippers. The WDG features flat web carry handles and a removable shoulder strap. It allows you to carry all the dry clothes you want and keep dirty booties--and other gross items--separate from your favorite drytop. It's available in extra large ($69.95, 16"x32") and in black with blue and purple trim. Info.: (888) 265-2925.

Planetary Gear's Banshee Wet/Dry Duffel

This Boulder, Colo.-based paddlesport accessory company stands up to its larger competitors with unique designs and quality workmanship. The Banshee Wet/Dry Duffel ($40; 16"x33") is no exception. It's not the fanciest of the bunch, but it gets the job done with no complaints and the price is right. Unlike a few of the others, this one is mostly mesh--actually two-thirds wet and one-third dry. It features beefy nylon straps and stitching, a solid bottom, and a waterproof end-pocket for dry gear. These guys are paddlers, and didn't waste time and effort on too many bells and whistles. It's available in black, blue or purple. Info.: (800) 641-0500.

Patagonia's Wet/Dry Gear Bag

Ventura, Calif.'s Patagonia describes its duffels as, "ideal for people who can't stay away from the water." Without looking at the label, you might think this is a bag from Hermes or Coachman, not a paddlesports company. But look a little closer--it's Patagonia alright. This wet/dry combo is built tough and functional like a big-wall haul bag for climbing, yet it is as stylish as a piece of international luggage. Yes it has the standard mesh side--double- knit, industrial strength mesh in good proportion. Combined with this, however, is the dry side made of Tarmac--an 18-ounce, waterproof, vinyl-coated nylon fabric. Inside is a waterproof baffle (420-denier, nylon packcloth) that flips back and forth (floating) to separate different amounts of wet and dry. The straps are made of 6,000-lb.-test seatbelt webbing and adjust to allow paddlers to carry the bag by hand or like a backpack. It also features haul loops at each end. The frills don't end there. There's also an inner mesh hanging pocket; double zippers with nickel plated, lockable sliders; and seams bound and nylon-taped to military specs. The guarantee is Patagonia's standard guarantee for life. It comes in a Large ($145; 7,650 cu. in.), Medium ($135; 6,048 cu. in.), and Small ($125; 3,588 cu. in.). Patagonia also makes a Mini Wet/Dry Gear Bag ($62; 1,485 cu. in.), as well as a Wet/Dry Pack ($98; 1,848 cu. in.) and an Aqua Pack fanny pack ($50; 144 cu. in.). Info.: (800) 638-6464.

Seattle Sports' Hydro-Dry Gear Bags

This line is Seattle Sports' answer to the two bag dilemma, and it doesn't leave a paddler with a lot of questions. The Hydro-Dry Gear Bags are the only ones of the bunch that offer submersible storage with different combinations of mesh, nylon and roll-close drybags. The Hydro-Dry Duffel (Large $60, 3,240 cu. in.; Small $51, 2,760 cu. in.) is unique in that it is basically a large mesh duffel with a roll-top drybag built into the bottom. Carry all your wet or group gear in one section, and keep all your personals and post-paddle clothes dry and hidden. The Large comes in black with teal; the Small is black with royal-blue. The company also offers the Hydro-Dry Combo ($44; 1,900 cu. in.), to be used as a duffel and a backpack. It has an exterior mesh pocket and dry compartment accessible from the top when the bag is vertical, and a zipper running the length of the bag for horizontal access. It's available in royal blue. Finally come the Hydro Dry Stuff Sacks ($32; 972 cu. in.), a mesh stuff pocket on a 200-denier, urethane-coated Dry-Sack; and the Wet/Dry Day Pack ($62; 1,800 cu. in.), featuring a detachable, outer mesh pocket with draw-string closure and attaching to the pack with quick release buckles. Info.: (800) 632-6163.