Searching for a waterproof duffel

I looked at the First Gear Torrent but it doesn't seem as nice as the Enduristan and has the same dimensions (altho it is cheaper) The dryspec was criticized for a small opening and hard to pack. I need to get a laptop, CPAP, toiletry bag, and clothes in there. I don't know how easy it will be to get the laptop in there. What was your experience with it?
 
jodog said:
I looked at the First Gear Torrent but it doesn't seem as nice as the Enduristan and has the same dimensions (altho it is cheaper) The dryspec was criticized for a small opening and hard to pack. I need to get a laptop, CPAP, toiletry bag, and clothes in there. I don't know how easy it will be to get the laptop in there. What was your experience with it?
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A laptop should be fine.. I've packed a kermit chair in there, compressed sleeping bag and exped air mattress.. while it doesn't open as wide as the others, it's still good enough.. especially for a laptop.

What are the dimensions of the cpap?
 
Here's a pic of the dryspec bag opened with a ruler.
 

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Smaller than the laptop. Laptop bag is about 18x12x4 while cpap is 13x10x3.5 . Probably 21+ liters between them. Toiletry bag is no small item either, 5x5x9-10 inches so another 3+ liters there. All that plus a pair of shoes, off bike clothes, and one change of base layer clothes. It adds up quick. It would all get much easier if I could pack the laptop elsewhere.
 
it looks like Ortleib's are either too long or too thin. Plus they lack the D ring tie down spots and compression straps. Do you use rok straps that wrap the entire bag? And they only come in hi viz yellow or orange :( Not that that's a deal breaker. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the Enduristan pack I linked above.

B
 
jodog said:
it looks like Ortleib's are either too long or too thin. Plus they lack the D ring tie down spots and compression straps. Do you use rok straps that wrap the entire bag? And they only come in hi viz yellow or orange :( Not that that's a deal breaker. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the Enduristan pack I linked above.
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You said 22x14. The large Ortlieb is 24x14. I chose the bag in part because of the bright yellow colo(u)r. I make my own straps from genuine Fastex buckles, snaps, D-rings, and quality 1” nylon webbing. I was a parachute rigger. No bungees, ever. I see no need for external compression straps other than the two fastening straps by the handles that hold down the center of the roll top. Depending on how much I cram into it, there is some compression available by making another roll of the roll top, after squeezing out as much air as possible. The fewer seams for extraneous straps, tie downs, ribbon loops webbing, etc. the better, IMO. Each end of the roll top does have a D-ring but I wouldn’t use it as sole tie-down point.

I mount the Ortlieb(s) to custom mounted anchor female Fastex buckles in a cross-the-top/X method. They’ve never failed of course, but if one did, the bag will remain relatively secure, versus being levered right off to the side of the remaining strap if using front-to-back (same side) straps. These straps are run through the bag’s carry handles. To keep the bag from wiggling around when heavily loaded I do often add ~1/2” front-to-back nylon webbing straps. As I mentioned, I have lots of experience with my bag(s) and setup; put a lot of thought into it. I used to have all this documented but Webshots died and I’ve not put the pictures up in my ST-Riders gallery... yet.

The bag you linked looks very nice. I’m sure it will fit your needs. Anything in this price range is probably good, certainly better than a GI duffel bag with garbage bag liners. :)

Just curious, what’s in your saddlebags? I only use my Ortlieb for camping stuff.

FWIW YMMV

John
 
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SW MOTECH bags have worked well for me. This one is very close to the size you are looking at. SW-MOTECH Drybag 350 Tail Bag Roll-Top Dry Bag | 35L Grey/Black
 
I have both the medium and large ortlieb bags in yellow and I use rok straps with them. The bags also come in black. My buddy has the sw-motech medium and large bags. Both brands are excellent.
 
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Ortleib. Everything John ooST said I second. And I do the same thing with nylon strapping and quick release buckles. Before my ST I used soft saddlebags and I put matching buckles on all my gear so they could all clip together.

And BTW my 1 Ortleib is black.
 
John OoSTerhuis said:
Just curious, what’s in your saddlebags? I only use my Ortlieb for camping stuff.

FWIW YMMV

John
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John, The saddle bags and top case (52L) have worked well until you start thinking 7 day or 11 day long rallies. I like to pack as much as possible for the start and skip stops for supplies like jerky and gatorade and granola and XYZ. So one saddle bag is heated gear, and three or four sets of base layer LD Comforts. Two, possibly three days, and a base layer is done until it sees the laundry. Less if you are crossing the mojave :) The other saddle bag has typically held CPAP, toiletries, and street clothes (1 set) and shoes. Top case then was the laptop and all rally related stuff (cameras, rally book, flashlights, tripod, and as much gatorade/food as i can cram in there). The pillion seat was taken up by my aux tank.

My new aux tank will sit at the tail and I have a 32 liter Pelican case atop it. That leaves the pillion open, so I am removing the seat and building a custom aluminum tool box shaped like the pillion with a luggage deck on top of that which will afford space for a duffel or a small pelican case that can be quick disconnected to roll into a hotel. It's going to be a lot of storage capability but I should be able to run an 11 day rally without the need to stop for anything but gas. The 11.45 gallons should let me fuel no more than three times in a day.

I am also seriously looking at a hammock to pack along.

Oh, I forgot the bike cover, gallon water jug, spare gloves, first aid kit, and probably a million other things. Check out the IBA's suggested packing list for the IBR. It's extensive.

B
 
You can always get a couple of these dry bags and split up what you want to carry into the two bags. When I go to rallies and am camping, I use a cheap duffel made of urethane coated cordura nylon. Its guaranteed not waterproof (coil type zipper) but it is 30" long and swallows all the stuff I want it to. If rain is imminent, I do what John said not to do - plastic contractor grade garbage bags inside the duffel.

No doubt after the first frog choker soaks everything I am carrying, I will change my tune, but I've not seen a dry bag big enough for all the junk I carry - tent, kermit chair, etc.
 
CruSTy said:
SW MOTECH bags have worked well for me. This one is very close to the size you are looking at. SW-MOTECH Drybag 350 Tail Bag Roll-Top Dry Bag | 35L Grey/Black
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I use these also, and very happy with it. AND, it comes with 4 quick-release tie downs (ROK-like) that keep it securely across my back seat.
Makes a good backrest there also.
 
+1 on the Wolfman Expedition bags. I use one on all my camping trips fr over 100K miles. It contains my kermit chair, tent, cot, sleeping bag, pillow and then any other miscellaneous items that will not fit in my pannier that I won't need if I stop at a motel. That way it comes off the bike but stays closed. It is 100% waterproof. Not as cheap as others, but well worth the investment.
 
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