We’ve had the same gear bag for the last five or six years. It’s held up pretty good. The zippers haven’t broken, the waterproof liner hasn’t torn and it doesn’t reek of mildew. The one major problem is that it’s just too dang small.
Cramming a vest into it and a pair of water shoes eats up all of the room, leaving little space for much else. If we pack a helmet? Forget it, you might as well bring another bag. Our bag, like so many, is really a nicely outfitted duffel, when in reality, want we find ourselves needing is a true full-sized gear bag.
Unfortunately, the slim pickings are slim when it comes to such an item. Slippery makes a decent bag, but again, it’s very limited on space. Now JetPilot’s Wake Wheelie bag is nice, but priced at $130 retail. Space is still a little tight when packing vests, gloves and booties for the whole family, but the rollers and rigid back is more up our alley.
That is why we gravitated towards Hydro-Turf’s Hydration Roller Bag. It’s voluminous, sturdy and surprisingly affordable (more on that in a little bit).
Stitched together from heavy-duty nylon, the Hydration Roller Bag weighs in at an impressive 29”x17”x14” tall. That’s some serious real estate to fill. Likewise, the bag features large wheels with sealed bearings that glide along smoothly, and can be pulled along by a molded handle grip.
Additionally, three thick nylon skids on the bottom provide some added rigidity and durability not found in many other bags. Heavy duty zippers seal the main area and full-width front pouch as well.
Our first use of the bag was possibly the best way imaginable: We loaded it with our old gear bag and a backpack and checked it on a cross-country flight. At the terminal the bag arrived safely, unscathed and no worse for wear.
The following week we loaded up the bag in the bed of our truck and headed to the lake with enough riding gear for two. Yes, it’s big and most of the time, you likely won’t need to fill it to the brim, but that’s not the point. It’s about having the space to fill in a bag that’ll hold up to the rigors of the outdoors.
Normally, the Hydro-Turf Hydration Roller Bag retails for $80, which is a great deal as it stands. But, because Hydro-Turf is friggin’ awesome they are offering a special deal to all you loyal readers of The Watercraft Journal: If you type in the code “CODE-TWJ” in the comment section at the end of the ordering process, you will not only get the Hydration Roller Bag for $50 (that’s a $30 savings) but you’ll also earn a 15% discount on all mats, seat covers and sheets of Hydro-Turf! (this cannot be combined with any other discounts.)
The discount won’t show up in your total, but will be applied by Hydro-Turf when the order is processed and the card is billed.
Again, we can’t say what a major offer this is. If you’re looking for an awesome gear bag, or even to score on some discount Hydro-Turf matting or seat covers, now is your chance! (Don’t say we don’t do nuthin’ for ya!)
[…] the readers of The Watercraft Journal is still in effect, so if you’re interested in getting Hydro-Turf’s Hydration Roller Bag for $50 (that’s a $30 savings over retail) or a 15-percent discount on all mats, seat covers and […]
CODE-TWJ
I’ve had this bag since I bought it at WF in 2010. It’s a great bag and fits enough gear or clothing for any occasion. However, there is one HUGE flaw that drives me crazy. I’m 6’2″ and if I use the end handle to try and roll the bag like a normal suitcase, the angle I drag it at (with my arm fully extended) doesn’t allow the bag to track in a straight line. If you are a shorter person it probably drags and rolls just fine, but for me to use (and not piss off people in airports with my bag swerving into others) it I have to tie on a nylon strap to the handle to keep the handle side of the bag lower to the ground so it will drag and track straight.