Dry Bag versus North Face Bomber Duffel Bag

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Dry bags are great things and I currently use two smallish ones that fit nicely above each of my panniers.

I was going to get a bigger one to strap across the back of the bike but came across this today half price and, well ended up buying it. Its a 'North Face' Bomber Duffel Bag. Is made of the same PU laminate material and has loads of tie down points, carry handles and removable shoulder straps so you can use it as a back pack. The top has an opening panel that uses a zip - this is what attracted me to it as you can get at stuff withour having to empty the whole thing as you would with a dry bag :thumb2 but, it's potentially also it's downfall and hence my question..........

Has anybody used these, or similar, on a bike? How waterproof was it (the zip) -looks to me like it should be ok but I'm interested to hear from anybody who's had experience using one :)

LINKY to details on North Face web site



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Andres
 
Zip is NOT waterproof. I use a Mountain equipment branded version of that bag on the back of my bike. When it did rain, water does get through but not buckets.

In the Mountain equipment version there is a small compartment that is slightly more waterproof inside.

Just keep you clothes and bits in carrier bags etc inside the bag.

The mountain equipment ones are substantially cheaper than the North Face ones. They are always on "sale/offer" at Cotswold Outdoor.
 
I haven't used one on the bike, but I did take on to Africa recently. It was thoroughly used and abused (thrown on a luggage truck each day, dragged about, put on 4 flights by "careful" baggage handlers etc). It looks exactly as it did on the day I got it. Bags(!) of space and very rugged indeed.
 
My big red Ortlieb bag opens full length so you can find stuff and is totaly waterproof :thumb2


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MY sailing bag is very similar in appearance, and has a small internal fully waterproof pocket. The zip on the main bag is spray proof but does not keep out "solid" water.

Still a very useful bag though, tough as old boots.
 
Cheers for all the comments - those Otrtliebs loog good Kev, hadn't realised they they did ones like that.

Sort of confirms what I thought, ie not 100% waterproof but good enough as long as you're sensible about placement and packing - will make a great general bag as well :thumb2

Can I ask where from and how much?
Thanks

They look ideal Andres, where did you get it from ?

It was in the 'bargain corner' section at Nottingham's Cotswold Outdoor store so not sure if it's a company thing or just the Nottingham branch selling off stuff? Reduced from £70 to £35.

Andres
 
The North Face is a great duffel but it is certainly not waterproof - not just the zip lets water in but so do the seams. Mavettes kit got wet just from spray and drizzle.

But, it is way more comfortable to carry than the ortlieb and has very useful staps for compressing the bag and for tying it down. If you are going to use it on the bike and there is a chance of rain, pack everything inside a bin liner inside the duffel, and you'll be fine.

HTH

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/1469130807/" title="IMGP1290 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1469130807_b1f6b2316f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1290" /></a>
 
Another happy Ortlieb user here - tough as old McDonalds and totally waterproof. The medium (red) one seems to be the ideal size for most folks.
 
I use an ortlieb and it's never leaked.

The only bag i know of with a zip that doesn't leak is the old style BMW dry bag. But it's only a bit more than half the size of my XL ortlieb.
 


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