Remember how simple camping felt as a kid? These days, prepping for a weekend in the wild means organizing food, clothes, gear, and a dozen other things. Having a piece of gear that is not only large enough but also easily transported and extremely durable is crucial for peace of mind and protection against Mother Nature. The Riversmith 45L and 60L Haulers are my go-to bags for any type of prolonged adventure into the wilderness for exactly those reasons.
Capacity and Versatility
While camping across Colorado this summer, I found countless advantages to using the Hauler compared to many other types of bags. I’ve tailored my camping experience to use the 45L Hauler as my tent bag, which includes transporting and storing my clothes, electronics, toiletries, sleeping bag, and—depending on the length of stay—the tent itself. The 45L Hauler is the perfect size and shape for this application: it doesn’t take over my limited tent space but has enough capacity and rigidity to protect my important belongings in the worst of conditions.
I typically leave the roll top inside the Hauler to maximize available space, or fold the roll top into a bowl shape (pictured above), increasing overall storage capacity. When the weather decides to turn, it’s quick and easy to “waterproof” the Hauler in either of these positions.
As for the 60L Hauler, I use it more as a general-use or outside-the-tent bag. The large storage space allows me to fit a small cooler (such as the Yeti Hopper Flip 12), cooking supplies, hand tools, fly boxes, hammocks, extra gear like rope or tarps—and so much more! I leave this bag in a waterproof position (top rolled and buckled) if I’m away for a significant amount of time, or if I need a small shelf to lay my dry towel or clean change of clothes on top of.
Another added benefit of the Hauler’s simple yet effective design is how easily you can transfer gear in and out. In the worst-case scenario, you can dump everything out by simply turning the Hauler upside down and reloading it with more sensitive gear. I wish I didn’t have to admit to doing this more than once…
Transport
The majority of gear transport when camping, overlanding, or engaging in any other type of outdoor activity is done by vehicle. While that’s great for our knees and backs, it can be tricky to keep items organized in the trunk or bed of your car. Truck owners can store their gear in the bed of their truck without fear of the elements—and also rely on the tote-like design of the Hauler to keep things contained and in place.
Once you reach your destination, the Hauler keeps on giving. Both the 45L and 60L versions have three main carrying methods:
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Integrated side handles
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“Duffel” style - strap handles
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Shoulder strap
Each method shines in different situations. The shoulder strap is great when traveling longer distances on foot. The duffel handles are convenient when you have other items to carry. The side handles are best used with a second person. Only once has my 60L Hauler been too heavy for me to carry alone (thanks to its modest 6 lb. empty weight); if it weren’t for the side handles and a strong friend, I would’ve had to drag it back to my car.
Durability
The last—and probably most important—feature of the Riversmith Convoy line as a whole is the durability of the materials and the thoughtful, rugged design. The Hauler is by far the simplest design in the Convoy line, but that simplicity is its strength.
The “tote” style, paired with a few mesh pockets on the inside, allows for maximum versatility while preventing small items from getting lost in the “void”—common in most dry bags or totes. The fabric, molded bottom, and reinforced sides are incredibly durable and allow users to shove, drag, carry, haul, or float their gear from one spot to the next without concern.
Finally, the waterproof roll top combined with the water-resistant side access pocket is my favorite feature. Having to unroll and dig through the top of a dry bag every time you need something can be time-consuming and frustrating. The Hauler’s large side zipper provides easy access to the mesh pockets and bottom, so your gear stays dry and accessible. That’s something I’m extremely grateful for.
Final Thoughts
While it would be false to claim you’ll never need another piece of gear after the Riversmith Hauler, it is the ideal place to start. The 45L and 60L versions are incredibly versatile, and the list of use cases is practically endless.
On that note, pairing the Hauler with a PackOut Bag in a camping environment is a great choice. The trash bag feature and easily accessible pockets in the PackOut Bag mean more time by the water, and less time throwing away trash or searching for your bottle opener.
Practicality, versatility, and durability are the name of the game for the Riversmith 45L and 60L Haulers—and they do all three extremely well.
