Dry bags again

[charliefirpo]

Hi

I have been searching through the forum for anything dry bag related since I need one or two dry bags for longer trips.
Here is what I found.

These first two brands have by far the most recommendations:

Lomo
https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Dry-Boxes-dry-bags-uk.html

Ortlieb
https://www.ortlieb.com/p-liste.php?ptyp=packsack&lang=en

Also mentioned were:

Over Board
https://www.over-board.co.uk/dry-bags/all-dry-bags.html

Held
https://www.getgeared.co.uk/Motorcycle_Luggage/Waterproof_Luggage

And this one I found worth a mention too because it is very cheap but a very good quality brand:

Alpkit
https://www.alpkit.com/featured/dry-bags



Before making a decision myself I have a question for those of you who have luggage experience:

What's the advantage/disadvantage of these two shapes on a bike. Roll or flat, does it make a difference?

https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/motorbike-drybag.html

https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/dry-bag-holdalls.html

[Snod Blatter]

I have used a Lomo, it has been very good. I expected the stitching to tear apart where I threaded bungee straps through it but it's all still in place and doesn't leak at all, highly recommended.

I too couldn't tell the difference between the two kinds, so went with the sort that rolls up at the top as they are cheaper and bigger. The problem with these is that once they are strapped to the bike they are sealed, you can't get anything in or out without undoing it all and putting the bag on the floor. The type that close at the end are supposed to allow you to dip in and out should you need it. I survived with the first sort, kept things I may have needed in panniers or the top box instead.

Ortlieb are needlessly expensive IMO when a Lomo does the job just as well. Also don't go larger than 60L, I know it's tempting but 60L will already have you wishing your seat was longer if you fill it!
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1994 CB250, 1984 CBX250RS-E, 1989 K100RS, 1995 TRX850, 2016 Z250SL

[charliefirpo]

Thanks, 60 was my maximum anyway. Im actually thinking of two 40L bags. Maybe one of each type.

It's probably easier to put two rolls together than two bags. So I guess that makes a difference too.

Are the Ortlieb ones really that expensive?

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ortlieb-dry-bag-pd350-35l-ag110075

35L for 19quid.

Pretty much the same as the 40L for 21quid

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/251911176305?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

As for the colours I am a little torn. Obviously bright would be good for safety but I'm thinking dark would not attract too much attention which is a) good for wild camping and b) when I park the bike in a city I am (maybe irrationally) afraid somebody will slash the bags and steal what's in there. I'm thinking of my upcoming Spain round trip.

Edit: I see what you mean now with the Ortlieb price. I was comparing a motorcycle specific Lomo to a generic Ortlieb. Both as motorcycle editions, the Ortlieb ist twice as expensive.

In that case I will get these two:

https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/dry-bag-holdalls.html
https://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/motorbike-drybag.html

Not sure about the bags colour though. Yellow or also black like the roll..

[nerald]

Lomo - Great bags cheap prices. Used one all over Europe last year, can't recommend them enough- they do what they should.
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V-Twins - 60 or 90?

[John933]

I'll never say you will get it slashed in Spain. But the chances are small, unless you leave on your bike over night. Just to park up and walk round, SHOULD be no problem.
John933
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My trip

[stinkwheel]

Put some bungees on your order too, they cost next to nothing. Lomo bungees have the strongest elastic I've been able to get since ebay became flooded with fake MOD issue ones.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[charliefirpo]

Cool thanks for your info.

About the bungees, should I get regular bungees or should I get those POK straps that the cool kids have these dasys ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003DXRIBA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A16CJL4V894YZ4

I like that they don't have any metal to scratch things up. They seem to have a good reputation. Or is it not a good idea to rely on these plastic buckles.

[FlightRisk]

[Clanger]

My mate has herself a bright yellow Lomo bag, whereas I personally have the kelp coloured Alpkit bag. I prefer mine because its lightweight, cheaper and rolls down to next to nothing in size when not in use. Its the bees knees as far as I'm concerned, suits me.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[FlightRisk]

[c-m]

What are the bags for?

The type of bag you want for say a tent and sleeping gear that will sit on a rack will be totally different from the type you want to sit inside your panniers.

For the former I recommend the Q-bag. Cheap and super durable. One recently survived some mad-crazy abuse in Morocco, including some former Dakar pistes.

For bags to store your gear in inside your panniers take a look at Exped's range. Good and cheap.

[kelvyn]

I use the 40L lomo bag, yellow - opens along the long edge.

Can fit clothes, tent and shoes in.
Tankbag for trangia / camera etc.

Have been to morocco and back and around europe as well as several UK camping and greenlaning trips with that set up.

[Peirre oBollox]

Anything bigger than 40ltrs strapped across the seat will probably obscure the rear view in the mirrors due to its length
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[charliefirpo]

Does anybody have a photo of the Alpkit bag on their bike? Unfortunately I can only find studio product photos of them and I would like to know what they *really* look like on a bike. Regarding size, where the straps holes are and all that..

[Clanger]

[c-m]

Someone mentioned earlier about the potential for bags to slashed in spain.

Not saying it won't/doesn't happen, but I travelled around Spain in 2013 and always parked in the street. I left my roll bag on the bike without incident. Including on a super busy street in Zaragoza.

Last month I was in Spain again, and left all my gear (minus electrical items) on the bike out in the street in Bilbao for two nights, and Granada for two nights, without a problem.

If you really are concerned, I recommend getting pacsafe mesh and placing that inside bag then link it to part of the bike.

Alaways buy a much larger bag than you need. Rolling it three times robs you of some of the space, and if you've got a larger bag you can always roll it more to shrink it down, and cinch it up, but it gives you the opportunity to carry more at certain times. Particularly useful if picking up supplies from a supermarket and the like.

[charliefirpo]

Thank you for the picture!

I'm going to get a thin wire cable with a lock just to keep people from taking advantage of lots of free bags but I think you are right, It'll be OK. Shit can happen anywhere.

So as I said I am definitely getting the 40L LOMO bag, the yellow one but I am still not sure which roll. I honestly like the red 35L Alpkit one because I like the colour. It makes it easy to keep track of it and it looks nice but that is a stupid reason. I think it would be smarter to get the bigger black 40L LOMO roll. Which also is a much thicker material (200g vs 800g I believe). And it makes sense that bigger is better in this case.

Who want's to make the decision for me ?

[c-m]

If this is to go inside the 40l lomo bag, I've have multiple bags and separate out my gear unless it was all camping stuff, in which case I'd just get a 40l one to match the lomo.

It doesn't really matter which dry bags you get, they all pretty much the same.

[Ash-69]

Regarding colour - I've just had a few days in Scotland with a group, and on a number of occasions my bright yellow Aldi special offer 44L dry sack bungeed to the back of my bike was the only thing that kept us all together.
On the one day of truly minging weather, bag stayed nice and dry despite costing under a tenner
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FZ1-S Fazer (licence killer😢) , CRF1000L - Adventure Sport

[Alpineandy]

I split my stuff into some of these smaller ones;
https://squaddiekit.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DB112&cat=30


Which then go inside a bag like the Lomo one.
It's double protection and makes it slightly easier to get stuff out in some order (ok, maybe a little OCD)...
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[stinkwheel]

Aldi are doing drybags next Thursday (21st May).
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-21-may/product-detail/ps/p/dry-duffle-bag-1/
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.