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You’ve conquered raging rapids, bagged that record river monster, slogged through muddy put-ins and portages, and somehow made it back to your humble abode relatively unscathed and in one piece. Your gear, on the other hand, is a hot mess. Rather, it’s a cold, soggy mess and now you have to conquer your laundry. Whether you tackle the mound of rapidly mildewing gear promptly or leave it in a heap in the garage to be dealt with later is your business. Consequently, you need a storage solution for stinky, damp, and otherwise unlaunderable items. Here we review the best kayak gear storage bags.
While most kayaking gear is designed to keep you warm despite being damp and/or designed to be constantly waterlogged, these materials are NOT necessarily designed to combat odor. If you’ve ever forgotten some polypropylene in a dark corner you know what we’re talking about. So, before stashing your gear in one of the great options reviewed below we recommend promptly washing, cleaning, and thoroughly drying your kayak gear every time you return from the water.
Building on the last article about kayaking bags, we’ve expanded on our review to include more long-term and bulky-item storage solutions. Below you’ll find bags that will keep your kayaking gear contained and dry and hopefully smelling fresh. As a result, when your gear is organized and easily accessible, the more likely you are to actually use it. Which is probably what you had in mind when you bought that new drysuit.
Before we launch into some of the new kayak gear storage bags reviewed, let’s review two great bags from the last installment. Each is a good combination of gear-hauling capability and breathability.
A great bag to segue from travel and expedition emphasis of the last installment into this article’s air-it-out and storage bag emphasis. Advanced Elements Funk Bag is exactly what it sounds like. A bag in which even the funkiest of gear can find a home (at least temporarily, let’s hope).
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A simple gym-bag style duffel, with a large main compartment. Wear resistant nylon fabric construction and large mesh vent along top of bag. Very similar to the Advanced Elements Funk Bag, but there is an extra cool story here: each NRS Purest Remix Duffel is constructed from leftover scraps of nylon from the NRS factory floor. Reduce your environmental footprint and your “funkprint” at the same time!
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Similar in design to the NRS or Advanced Elements bags, this duffle from WildWasser boasts beefed up components in every detail. Heavy-duty nylon straps make the grab loops, carry straps, and horizontal nylon acts like a rand to keep this large bag together, which is anything but “mini.” Ventilation strikes a happy medium between the Advanced Elements Funk Bag and the NRS Purest Duffle. The bottom fabric is a rubberized tarp fabric that is creates an extremely rugged protection layer between your gear and any gnarly terrain underneath, dry or wet. Heavy duty two-way zipper and mesh top off this “monster.”
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A laundry bag on steroids. Boasting sewing and materials that are intended for expedition use, the NRS Mesh Drag Bag can just as easily function as a breathable catch-all for your soiled river gear. Reinforced nylon webbing secures a D-ring that allows this bag to be strapped to raft or, as the name implies, dragged behind a raft to keep beverages cold while on the river.
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Because most NRS equipment is designed to be at home on an expedition, even their basic laundry bag is pretty bomber. Likewise its functionality extends to your garage, pickup truck or gear closet just as well. A great generalist mesh bag for whatever needs airing, except for maybe your grievances.
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Another simple bag from Sea to Summit. This basic laundry bag gains durability and structure with the addition of lightweight Cordura silnylon fabric reinforcement around the sides and bottom. A two-sided drawstring closure allows for easy, smooth opening and cinching.
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Give your lifejackets a better life. Your PFDs work hard, why not give them a nice home. Like most NRS equipment, this gear bag is durable enough for an expedition, with reinforced bottom/sides and lash points on the side. Its square shape and simple top opening design extends its functionality to your garage, pickup truck or gear closet.
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You’re probably already familiar. If not you’re missing out. Either way, this storage tote requires very little explanation. A woven, giant shopping bag with reinforced nylon carry straps. When filled, it holds it’s upright shape, but when empty it can be easily stowed just about anywhere. Fabric can be washed and/or hosed down and hung to dry. A no-frills solution for your damp gear, which also doubles as a reusable shopping bag when you’re out running errands. It is what it is, but that’s pretty awesome for a shopping bag that costs $5.
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Can a big blue IKEA bag get any better? Yes, apparently it can. How? One word: zipper.
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Whatever bag you choose, it’s likely going to be an improvement from the corner of your garage or pile in the bed of your pickup truck. Above all, think about what storage solutions are most likely going to make you excited about grabbing your gear and getting out on the river.
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