Ortlieb has a brand new Duffle RC mixture waterproof duffle bag and backpack. It’s not solely cheaper than their customary duffle, however less complicated and far simpler to make use of in follow. Impressed by the design of the roll closure Rack-Pack, the brand new Ortlieb Duffle RC is available in two sizes – large or large. And we’ve began stuffing our gear contained in the smaller 49L one to maintain all the things shielded from the nasty moist winter climate outdoors…
Evaluate: Ortlieb Duffle RC 49L waterproof backpack/duffle bag
The brand new Duffle RC is kinda the mix of a few of greatest options of a number of in style made-in-Germany Ortlieb luggage. Or course it begins with their signature heavy-duty waterproof coated polyester cloth and high-frequency welded seams.
It adapts the cut up clamshell design from their Atrack & Duffle backpacks that retains your again clear & dry. It straight makes use of the identical adjustable & detachable shoulder straps and further lashing factors from the Duffle. After which, it inherits the easy-access extensive mouth roll high closure of the Rack Packs.
No zippers, no further pockets, no pointless options. Only a cavernous opening to stuff full of substances you need to preserve clear and dry.
Tech particulars
Ortlieb)
The defining function of the Duffle RC is the lengthy 60cm Roll Closure that opens extensive to allow you to stuff your gear in. The usual Ortlieb Duffle makes use of an extended TiZip zipper, which to be waterproof makes use of large stiff tooth that aren’t tremendous simple to make use of. The truth is, I’ve gotten my pores and skin caught when yanking one closed, and I now not have any need to get one other bag with a zipper like that. That does imply the Duffle RC is simply IP64 waterproof – which means dustproof & protected towards splashing water from all instructions. Not fairly the IP67 ranking that allows you to dunk the unique Duffle underwater for a half hour.
I’ll fortunately take that compromise. And check out to not find yourself underwater with an Ortlieb Duffle RC on my again.
The Duffle RC 49L (2990in3) measures 61cm lengthy x 34cm in diameter when stuffed full.
And my 49L bag weighs 967g, a bit lower than the 1kg Ortlieb claims.
Its 2 frivolously padded & ergo-shaped shoulder strap are adjustable or detachable. They embody a neat velcro strap offset close to the center that joins them collectively for an easy-carry deal with. Or, run one strap diagonally as an over-the-shoulder sling strap. There are additionally 4 daisy chain loops on both sides of the roll-top to connect further cargo straps or to strap the duffel right down to a motorbike rack.
Sustainability
It’s fabricated from a PVC-coated cloth, which is sturdy and waterproof, however probably not good for the setting when disposed of improperly. Ortlieb are ongoing with sustainability evolutions to transition extra merchandise to be PVC-free. However they stay by the thought their lengthy product life & repairability are step one anyway. Together with in-house client repairs.
And Ortlieb is aware of they’ve “an extended technique to go” for enchancment. So, they may at all times take again gear with PVC on the end-of-life for the product, so it will get dealt with accurately.
First Impressions Evaluate
As I alluded to within the particulars above, the Ortlieb Duffle RC 49L bag continues to be new to me, however I’m already fairly happy with it. It’s actually a no-nonsense technique to preserve gear protected. I really like the easy roll closure for getting inside. That large opening is a lot simpler than anything to dig deep in a bag. My solely thought is that I most likely ought to have gotten the sunshine coloured orange bag to make it simpler to see deep into the darkish crevices inside.
It’s additionally nice that the opening is on the identical facet because the shoulder straps. So I can drop it onto the muddy floor, open it as much as get my stuff, roll it again closed, then put the clear facet again onto my again. I’ve one other duffel that has shoulder straps and a padded again on the other facet of the opening, and opening it on moist/snowy/muddy floor is a large number.
And, I’m already a fan of utilizing small & gentle musettes to prepare my gear inside. Ortlieb additionally has new Packing Dice luggage for group, that I’m going to check out as properly.
Thus far, I’ve solely used it in backpack mode, and tossed it into the field of my cargo bike. These easy shoulder straps are surprisingly snug and secure.
However I also can think about strapping it down onto a giant rear bike rack – there’s loads of house on the again of this foolish factor to lash down a 60cm lengthy stuffed Duffle RC. It’s too large for an everyday rear rack, however strapping it to any cargo bike could be a stable technique to preserve your stuff dry, and transition simply off the bike.
Ortlieb Duffle RC – Pricing, availability & choices
The profit to the simplified Ortlieb Duffle RC design is that it’s greater than a 3rd cheaper than the usual Duffle, regardless that it’s nonetheless 100% made-in-Germany. My smaller however nonetheless large Duffle RC 49L sells for $130 / 120€. And the massive 89L one is only a bit extra at $150 / 140€. (Evaluate that to $230/185€ & $250/195€ for the closest dimension Duffle 60L & 85L, respectively.)
The versatile Duffle RC is available in black, olive inexperienced & coral orange. And is offered now from Ortlieb direct within the USA or EU. Or via common Ortlieb retailers.
Ortlieb.com
