Loading Up the Osprey Gearkit 40L Duffel Bag

Osprey has been making packs for more than 40 years. They make some great hydro pack options for mountain bikers but they’re also interested in supporting riders that use gear bags. I used to throw everything in the back of the car but more recently I’ve been using a bag of some sort. It’s easy to load into someone else’s vehicle and chuck on the floor of my own. Before the Mountainsmith Cycle Cube, the bag of choice was a cheap duffel, but the cube changed that. Can the Osprey Gearkit Duffel take its place?

Highlights:

• Stowaway contoured harness and yoke for comfortable backpack carry
  
• Stashable helmet carry
  
• Dedicated ventilated footwear compartment
  
• Large U-zip access to the main compartment
  
• Three solid grab handles
  
• Weather-protected main compartment zip path with overlapping rain flaps
  
• Side panel web lashing points for securing duffel or attaching gear
  
• Dual-zippered 3-D end pockets with overlapping rain flaps for quick access to smaller items
  
• Zippered side panel nutrition and small items organization pocket
  
• Zippered side compartment with water bottle carry/webbing straps for attaching accessories
  
• MSRP: 140 USD

My packing style meshes well with a large top-entry duffel bag. A backpack doesn’t open wide enough for me to carelessly chuck stuff in. Some compartmentalization is nice, but I find it often slows things down when all I want to do is load and go.

Osprey Gearkit duffel bags come in the 40L (seen here), a 45L and a 75L monster. Each size is targeted toward different user groups but all are relatively adaptable. The bags are riddled with compartments, nooks and crannies. I found the pockets got in the way of each other, making it difficult to load the bag and easy to lose smaller items. Access was similar to a backpack, making it difficult to throw things in and go, unlike a typical duffel bag.

The Gearkit 40L's quality construction is clear, a testament to Osprey's roots. The zippers are high quality and feel solid in use, a concern I had with the Mountainsmith. Materials are durable and the handles provided have a sturdy feel. They're capable of supporting a lot of weight should you load the bag up. It’s versatile too, with a pair of backpack straps that are hidden when not in use. Osprey also sells a shoulder strap separately if you want to use it more like a duffel.

I enjoy the Osprey hydro pack I have but the Gearkit duffel bag isn't for me. I’ll stick to loosely throwing my stuff in the Cycle Cube, which is roughly the same size but can fit heaps more gear, including my helmet, inside the bag. If versatility and a specific place for all your gear are important, the Gearkit duffel is definitely worth a look.

More about the Osprey Gearkit Duffel Bags...