Get a wife or girlfriend
they are not waterproof, and a wife is cheaper than a girlfriend
Jack L
Third Ikea Bag
Also, great for camping to shuttle gear from kayak to camp and back. Take 2, they stuff down to nothing. Can get them on Amazon in bundles of five…
Several people I know use a plastic tote
A zillion sizes at many places.
Good for You
I’m happy for you & your results Jack, but that has not been my experience.
fourth for Ikea
the iconic Ikea bag is the most trusted and cheapest piece of equipment for so many paddlers around the globe.
I have seen them pictured in use in use in so many countries and often on expeditions.
Stupid cheap, very light, a bit waterproof when new-ish and even comes in zippered version.
Despite looking flimsy I have not managed to blow out a single strap after years of use.
If only all gear would be that good!
Those are too small
Check my gear list above. Looking for something that can hold everything.
plastic tote and ikea bags
I use plastic totes (not sure of size - about 12" x 12" x 24") for wet gear and Ikea bags for the loose stuff that isn’t usually wet.
The plastic tote could be stood in to change shoes without getting feet dirty, and can be filled with water to do a rinse of gear.
Ikea bags are also great to carry with you in a hatch and transport all the little stuff between boat and car/campsite/wherever.
See ekilson’s post above
Those huge mesh duffle or drawstring bags found in sporting goods stores are just the ticket if the Ikea bags are too small. I have one for my gear and hubby has one for his. Just load and go.
tall plastic totes
I had trouble finding a photo of what I use but you can find them in virtually every store (Kmart, Wally World, Big Lots, building supply stores) for a few bucks.
Thttp://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-L3-2600P3-ROYBL-Bushel-Laundry-Hamper/dp/B002IOEFXO/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_y
They are tall perforated plastic totes, with open tops and handles. The nice thing is that they don’t hold moisture, air can circulate and stuff doesn’t get moldy and stinky in them. Also they stand up in the back of the car and to load and fit neatly on my gear storage shelves in the basement. You can carry two piece paddles in them easily. I have 5 kayaks and gear for each so I when we do a group trip I have a set of everything for each boat in a dedicated bag – paddle, PFD, bilge pump, sprayskirt, drybag, and there is still room for personal items and clothing. Easy to see everything in them to find items without unpacking and easy to carry. Also easy to hose off when they get mud and river slime on them. Look for ones with solid bottoms to keep the car cleaner.
large mesh bag
A large, flat 24" x 36" mesh bag will hold a PFD, helmet, water shoes, spray skirt, water bottle, bilge pump, dry bag, throw rope, spray jacket and spray pants.
I dare say you could jam another few items in but those are things that I have carried in a single bag many times.
That might work, thanks
I like the handle in the middle as it’s easier to carry than a plastic bin with handles on the sides. Plus it has more structure than a mesh bag so it would be easier to load.
Another one for the IKEA bag
I use an IKEA shopping bag for the exact same things you are looking to use something for.
tall tote sources
If there are Big Lots stores in your area they usually have those tall totes – also have gotten them at Target. Some don’t have a protective wrap piece on the handles so the plastic edge cuts into your hand when the load is heavy – I just wrap some cushiony bike handlebar tape or Gorilla tape around the handle loop to fix that.
We’ve used them for water trail cleanup projects too, lashing them to the kayak deck riggings to hold trash bags. The workers on the collection barge would drop a rope with a carabiner on the end and we could clip our tote to it to lift up and dump as we filled them.
I’ve Went Through a Lot…
…of mesh laundry bags that last a month or two and fall apart. I think this is the one I have now and it’s lasted a couple years:
http://www.nrs.com/product/3080/mesh-bags
Might consider
a duck decoy bag. Usually they have straps so that they can be worn like a backpack while keeping your hands free. I think they usually have a mesh side and a waterproof side so that you can protect the floor you lay them down on and yet still have air flow for drying.
Might be hard to find in stores right now but if you did find one you might get a really good deal on it. These often go on sale pretty cheap in the fall.
Mark
Another Ikea Bagger and Big Toter
Do most paddlers think alike?
two words: mesh duffle
– Last Updated: Jun-18-14 9:55 AM EST –
I got mine at campmor but someone else told me they found different sizes at Sierra Trading Post. Everyone I paddle with uses them. Sometimes they're on sale. I have two, to separate my gear into two classes, one that's strictly barebones stuff for paddling, in case I want to just grab one bag and go for a day paddle. Although I'm going to pick up on Celia's suggestion and get another small fabric drybag.
Mesh is nice because if you leave wet stuff in them you can just hang the whole bag up overnight, and it won't get stinky. Plus you can see what's in the bag without opening and rifling thru it. On trips I can cram everything into two mesh bags which makes it much easier to schlep stuff to and from the camp.
mesh bags
I was actually looking for a Snapdragon backband and stumbled across this small company, Lochsa, in Idaho who makes some really nice-looking mesh duffels designed specifically for paddling gear. Never heard of them before but I may order one of their smaller ones for hauling gear in the canoe. They make stretch fleece drysuit liners too. Know nothing about them other than what is shown here (hope it is OK to give them a plug.)
http://www.lochsaconnection.com/sportbagleaf.htm
I like to buy stuff from small domestic “artisan” makers when I can. I’ve had good luck with most such items, from kayaks and paddles to wetsuits and camping gear.
Rubbermaid
bins come in different colors
http://goo.gl/4V1IiC
measure auto storage size, size 2 or more for efficiently fitting into auto space.
I have one for pfd/wetsuit/booties/spray cover/gloves.
Can use a washtub for wetsuit/pfd. Place washables on cover.
These bins have one or two pillar reinforcements protruding from the long sides.
If kayak touring, one for each hatch/hold.
Under 180 lbs ? Bring a 1x6" then you may stand on the box.
Ikea bags for all!
Early last summer, a woman I was paddling with gave me an Ikea bag at the end of our trip. After that, I made a point to go to Ikea to pick up a dozen so I could pass along the goodness to anyone I might paddle with. I’m down to my last two—-until my next trip to Ikea.