Ortlieb has a brand new Duffle RC mixture waterproof duffle bag and backpack. It’s not solely cheaper than their customary duffle, however easier 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 – massive or big. And we’ve began stuffing our gear contained in the smaller 49L one to maintain every thing shielded from the nasty moist winter climate outdoors…
Overview: 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 fashionable made-in-Germany Ortlieb baggage. Or course it begins with their signature heavy-duty waterproof coated polyester material and high-frequency welded seams.
It adapts the break up clamshell design from their Atrack & Duffle backpacks that retains your again clear & dry. It immediately 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 prime closure of the Rack Packs.
No zippers, no additional pockets, no pointless options. Only a cavernous opening to stuff full of drugs you wish 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 a protracted TiZip zipper, which to be waterproof makes use of large stiff enamel that aren’t tremendous straightforward to make use of. In truth, I’ve gotten my pores and skin caught when yanking one closed, and I not have any want to get one other bag with a zipper like that. That does imply the Duffle RC is barely IP64 waterproof – that means dustproof & protected towards splashing water from all instructions. Not fairly the IP67 score 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 calmly padded & ergo-shaped shoulder strap are adjustable or detachable. They embrace 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 all sides of the roll-top to connect additional cargo straps or to strap the duffel all the way down to a motorcycle rack.
Sustainability
It’s manufactured from a PVC-coated material, which is sturdy and waterproof, however not likely good for the surroundings when disposed of improperly. Ortlieb are ongoing with sustainability evolutions to transition extra merchandise to be PVC-free. However they reside 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 “a protracted option 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 Overview
As I alluded to within the particulars above, the Ortlieb Duffle RC 49L bag remains to be new to me, however I’m already fairly happy with it. It’s actually a no-nonsense option to preserve gear protected. I like the straightforward roll closure for getting inside. That massive opening is a lot simpler than the rest 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 aspect 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 aspect again onto my again. I’ve one other duffel that has shoulder straps and a padded again on the other aspect of the opening, and opening it on moist/snowy/muddy floor is a multitude.
And, I’m already a fan of utilizing small & gentle musettes to prepare my gear inside. Ortlieb additionally has new Packing Dice baggage for group, that I’m going to check out as effectively.
Up to now, I’ve solely used it in backpack mode, and tossed it into the field of my cargo bike. These easy shoulder straps are surprisingly comfy and steady.
However I also can think about strapping it down onto a giant rear bike rack – there’s loads of area on the again of this foolish factor to lash down a 60cm lengthy stuffed Duffle RC. It’s too massive for an everyday rear rack, however strapping it to any cargo bike can be a strong option 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 massive Duffle RC 49L sells for $130 / 120€. And the massive 89L one is only a bit extra at $150 / 140€. (Examine that to $230/185€ & $250/195€ for the closest measurement Duffle 60L & 85L, respectively.)
The versatile Duffle RC is available in black, olive inexperienced & coral orange. And is accessible now from Ortlieb direct within the USA or EU. Or via common Ortlieb retailers.
