The Most Costly, Versatile Storage Bin Ever: RUX 70L Evaluate

I like gear storage and group options, however I don’t sometimes search out the flamboyant choices. Go searching my storage and also you’ll discover shoeboxes holding mittens, winter hats, and headlamps. Close by two $11 plastic totes are stuffed with completely different helmet/goggle mixtures and 4 pairs of ski boots. Below the steps, extra plastic containers maintain our camp kitchen provides, sleeping baggage, and backpacks.

Every time we set out on an adventure-filled street journey, we merely toss the bins at the back of our Mazda CX-5, subsequent to a pair of Patagonia Black Gap duffels, a couple of different totes stuffed with nonperishables, and a cooler.

My technique of substances association (“system” might be too beneficiant) isn’t elegant. However it’s lengthy served me effectively and solely set me again round $400 all-in.

So, whereas I used to be impressed once I first heard in regards to the RUX 70L storage bin/bag/case, I admit my eyebrows rose at a triple-digit sticker value for the only merchandise. Nonetheless, after testing it on a number of half-day outings to Eldora, a weekend ski journey to Steamboat, and a week-long street journey throughout Colorado (stuffed with plenty of packing and unpacking), I’m satisfied the RUX 70L actually is one thing particular. That’s if you may get over the value tag.

In brief: The RUX 70L ($298) guarantees to be a hard-sided gear case, soft-sided utility tote, backpack, and duffel bag in a single. And there’s no query this sturdy, waterproof shapeshifter delivers for these keen to abdomen the fee. Setting it up takes some follow, and is way extra time-consuming than a tote. However the versatility within the design of the RUX 70L goes effectively past any of the run-of-the-mill storage containers that my storage is stuffed with.

Rux 70L Evaluate

First Impressions of the RUX 70L

Upon initially unboxing the RUX 70L, I discovered the product squished down in long-term storage mode. It comes with 4 nook stays, two carry straps, and two compression straps all made from climbing-grade, 20mm nylon webbing.

It wasn’t instantly clear to me how all of the items labored collectively. So, I turned to the directions included within the packaging (a helpful QR code hyperlinks to video tutorials) and commenced working the stays into the 4 nook compartments. The method takes a little bit of finesse.

However as soon as I had them in place, I appreciated the snap-bracelet-style design. That enables them to both stay rigidly upright or compress down once more with a easy chop to all 4 corners.

Subsequent, I moved on to the 2 free carry straps (the compression straps come already hooked up). These additionally required a look on the directions to know how they connect to the utility rail. 

The primary time, the entire meeting course of took me about 10 minutes. Now, after extra follow, I can get the job completed in sub-90 seconds. That’s not unhealthy given the flexibility the completely different configurations enable.

Admittedly, although, it’s a much more concerned course of than utilizing a ready-to-rock bin or tote.

Packing

Packing up the RUX is a breeze. Similar to my plastic bins, the RUX is a gaping abyss prepared to carry out of doors toys and grub. On completely different events, I stuffed my RUX with our assortment of ski boots, grocery objects like a gallon of milk and cans of chili, provides, ski attire, and so on.

The corporate additionally sells a RUX Bag ($80) and RUX Pocket ($40). These function buckles to connect to the utility rail and handles for on-their-own transport. Handy and considerate touches? No query. However additionally they include pretty hefty value tags of their very own.

Those that reside by the adage “a spot for the whole lot and the whole lot as an alternative” may do higher with a extra compartmentalized (albeit smaller) choice just like the Mountain Hardwear Camp Powerful Tote Bag ($75). That bag has six helpful exterior pockets along with its central gap.

As soon as the RUX is full, I can simply safe the lid with 4 tugs on the helpful nook straps. It’s clear the lid isn’t going wherever with out some severe pressure, but when I actually needed to batten down the hatches, the 2 compression straps add an additional stage of safety.

The tri-fold lid, which rolls over a few times (your selection) to permit easy accessibility to the inside, is one other inventive contact, particularly for somebody like me who habitually provides further must-haves on the final minute.

A Cooler?

Glancing by means of the RUX’s overwhelmingly constructive client suggestions (4.9 stars out of 118 opinions), I seen that one particular person threw a bunch of ice of their RUX to maintain their bevvies chilly. It’s not one of the best cooler round, nevertheless it’ll do in a pinch.

To be clear, that isn’t the RUX’s meant use (the edges aren’t insulated). However hats off to that purchaser for benefiting from the waterproof TPU-coated nylon in a inventive manner.

Carrying

The place the RUX actually shines in comparison with my helpful dandy plastic bins is within the number of methods I can carry it. The 2 aspect handles make it simple to move like an ordinary bin (this was my most well-liked hauling technique). However I can see the hands-free backpack mode coming in helpful this summer season when shifting gear from my automobile to the campsite.

The straps can be reconfigured to facilitate an over-the-shoulder carry, an over-the-forearm market-style carry, and an ordinary single-handed carry.

In Transit

The RUX’s quasi-rigid rectangular silhouette puzzles collectively effectively with different equally formed gear at the back of a automobile. But as a result of the edges are delicate, it affords extra give than your commonplace bin (nice for squishing right into a full trunk). I used to be additionally impressed to search out the nook stays didn’t buckle below the appreciable weight of a full cooler.

The model boasts that the RUX’s rugged, 840D exterior is “robust as nails.” That’s a lofty declare certainly. However after the RUX survived automobile journeys jostling subsequent to my skis — in addition to a couple of stabbings with the enterprise finish of my ski poles — I’m satisfied the fabric is fairly darn robust.

And if the RUX’s integrity does fail because of a producing defect the model covers it below a lifetime assure. Even after prolonged use, in case your RUX rips, or breaks by some means, the model will change it.

I solely traveled with the RUX contained in the automobile. However given the tight-fitting lid, further safety of the compression straps, and waterproof nature of its exterior sides, I anticipate the RUX might simply stand up to snow, slush, and street grime in the event you had been to drive with it on a roof rack or hitch-mounted cargo service.

It’s barely too massive to hold on a kayak or smaller paddleboard. However for an in a single day rafting journey or on an extended touring paddleboard, it might be used to guard your gear, meals, and electronics from water.

Storing the RUX 70L Lengthy-Time period

As soon as the enjoyable is finished, it’s simple to hose off the RUX and flip it the other way up for air-drying. There are then a number of configurations wherein the RUX can hibernate. That is one other space the place the RUX’s versatility units it aside. Squish it nearly flat (the specialists advocate taking the nook stays out to forestall kinks), and it takes up minimal area on a shelf.

In case your storage has slatwall hooks or an L observe, the RUX can connect to the wall. Retailer the RUX full of substances, and the side-panel window lets you see at a look what’s inside (that’s, in the event you retailer it neatly). 

Scan the QR code in that very same window to entry the RUX net app (due to course there’s an app for this factor) and register your particular RUX. There, you can too itemize what’s saved inside your RUX, arrange packing lists, open a map to see the place your RUX final was, and extra.

However That Value …

Look, clearly there are extra inexpensive storage bin choices on the market. For $300 you possibly can purchase round 26 black and yellow plastic totes. You would purchase a Yeti 35 cooler. Or you possibly can purchase two 40L Patagonia Black Gap Duffels — that are additionally water resistant, simply storable, and could be carried in a single hand, in your shoulder, or like a backpack.

So, why on Earth would you get the RUX 70L as a substitute? It does supply extra versatility than the remainder of these choices. And, this can be very sturdy. Then there are the enjoyable options like that app and the panel window that exhibits you what’s inside.

Whether or not or not these options justify the value level, is subjective and can rely closely on what persons are utilizing it for. However it’s a extremely laborious factor to look previous. Particularly when the alternate options are a lot cheaper.

Rux 70L: Conclusion

There’s no query that the RUX 70L is overengineered. However that’s the fantastic thing about this versatile gear-hauler. Bin, tote, duffel, beer cooler, or backpack: The RUX 70L could be no matter you need it to be. It’s made with burly, waterproof supplies, affords quite a few carrying configurations, and has a lifetime assure. There’s even the accompanying app.

The caveat to all of those advantages — the sizeable hit to your pockets. Even shopping for one in every of these is pricey — and folks typically want multiple storage container. Do the options constructed into the RUX 70L justify the practically $300 value level? For some organization-happy adventurers, it’ll.