Can Money Buy You Packing Perfection?

This unique gear hauler definitely thinks outside of the box (and duffle).

Published April 16, 2024

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Updated April 17, 2024

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The RUX 70L is a collapsible, ruggedized storage solution that defies categorization. Is it a box? Not quite. Is it a bag? That’s closer, but still debatable.

What’s undeniable is that the RUX 70L costs $298. That’s nearly $100 more than the 70L version of Patagonia’s beloved Black Hole Duffel and far more expensive than virtually every other rugged duffel or storage bin we recommend, save for Yeti’s Panga series of fully submersible bags.

Spending almost $300 for a gear storage solution will always feel nuts for some consumers. I just wanted to know one thing.

Does the RUX 70L’s feature mix make it a better gear-hauling solution, at least for some applications? Or is the mashup just a tweener product that fails to do anything well?

RUX 70L Collapsible Tote

Pros

Holds bulky gear well
There are lots of ways to carry it
Packs down flat when you don't need it to save space
Smart lid designs makes it easy to access contents
Great weatherproofing

Cons

Can't support heavy weight on top of it like a normal storage bin
Expensive relative to other storage solutions

How I tested the RUX 70L

I used the RUX 70L as a dedicated hauler and storage solution for a weekend camping trip. Ahead of the journey to the campsite, I packed it with various cookware, including pots, pans, utensils, cutting boards, cups, plates, insulated mugs, spices and cleaning supplies.

After arriving, I left the RUX outside next to the camp kitchen to serve as a kitchen drawer/cabinet throughout the weekend. As a result, it was lightly rained on and sat through swings in temperature ranging from 85 to 35 degrees. For the trip home, I packed the RUX more like a traditional suitcase, tossing in clothes, heavy outerwear and fragile items including a camera and a bottle of bourbon. To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

What makes the RUX stand out?

Its flexible side walls are more forgiving, making it easier to pack and store certain items.

The lack of rigid side walls gives the RUX 70L a few advantages. Like a duffle, squeezing the RUX 70L into a tightly packed trunk is a bit easier than a standard bin. It’s also a more forgiving container for dealing with awkwardly shaped gear like protruding handles of pots and pans or cramming in softer, formless items like clothes.

a woman holding a rux 70l packing it into the back of a land rover defender 110 — The RUX 70L’s softer sides make it slightly easier to squeeze into crowded trunks.

It can collapse down to save space.

The ability to collapse down is one of the most obvious benefits for anyone considering the RUX 70L as a storage solution. The RUX 70L’s clever design allows the bin to transform from a 15.7 x 19.5 x 13.8-inch box into roughly a 3.5-inch tall rectangle of the same size.

showing how the rux 70l storage bin can collapse down flat — There’s no better way to show off the RUX 70L’s shapeshifting capability than this simple GIF.

Of course, rugged duffles take up less room when empty too, but they’re also less convenient to pack than the open bin design of the RUX 70L. Plenty of other hard-sided crates can also break down, but that design choice typically comes at the cost of weather resistance.

The RUX 70L’s unique design offers both benefits without the tradeoffs. It can collapse without jeopardizing its durability, but it’s still easier to pack and dig through when expanded than a traditional duffle.

The lid design makes it easy to access contents.

The tri-fold design makes it easy to partially open it to grab a few items and quickly close it back up. This made the RUX shine as a camp kitchen cabinet. I could grab a mug or extra salt without entirely removing the lid. But I could still pop the top off when I needed a god’s-eye view to locate a strainer and spatula buried at the bottom.

the lid of a black rectangular soft sided storage bin is partially peeled back to reveal its contents — The smart tri-fold design of the RUX 70L’s lid makes it easy to quickly access contents.

Its utility rail system can add more storage functionality via RUX accessories.

RUX sells smaller RUX bags that can attach to the inner side of either utility rail and nest inside the RUX 70L, creating a storage partition. There’s also a pocket-sized accessory intended for personal items that can attach internally or externally. A few additional strap options and a set of hooks for hanging the RUX on L-track and slatwall storage systems round out RUX’s accessory offerings.

My testing unit came with a compatible bag and pouch. I found both valuable when I used the RUX 70L as a suitcase for everything from camera gear to personal items. But together, these accessories also add an extra $125 in costs to an already spendy system.

an orange rux 70l hands on a slatwall storage system — The utility rail allows the RUX 70L to hang on slatwall storage systems.

I also removed both bags when using 70L like a standard storage bin for camping cookware, plates, mugs and utensils. The extra organizational benefits didn’t outweigh the internal space they occupied for my needs.

It can be carried many handy ways, though a few methods feel awkward.

The RUX 70L features so-called utility rails made of composite nylon mounted near the top open edge on all sides. A curved nylon webbing hand strap sits in the middle of each rail on the shortest sides, letting you lift the RUX like a laundry basket. The handles are also mounted in a way that allows them to extend straight out from the sides of the RUX, making it easier for two people to each grab a side and walk together, sharing the load.

A downside of this handle positioning is that the space gap between the back of your hands and the lid is limited when carrying it solo. The handles worked fine in my testing, but my hands are relatively thin and narrow. I’m guessing the handles could feel tight if you have larger hands or were lugging the RUX while wearing thick gloves, forcing you to hold the handlesat more of an angle versus straight up.

a black rux 70l stored under a camping cot — The RUX 70L features shorter side handles and longer over-the-shoulder carrying straps.

Over my testing weekend, I mainly defaulted to using the longer carry straps in tote mode for lengthier walks with the RUX. And it was unquestionably a perk compared to walking with a storage bin stretched across both arms.

The backpack method was awkward and uncomfortable. The thinness of the nylon webbing straps and lack of padding are mainly to blame. A large rounded rectangular box measuring 15.7 x 19.5 x 13.8 inches is also a clumsy form factor for distributing weight across your back. Still, having it as an emergency option for wrangling heavier loads is nice. (For the record, the RUX 70L’s load limit is 50 lbs or 22.2 kg.)

There’s also a pair of longer, reinforced straps for carrying the RUX over the shoulder like a tote or even as a backpack with some adjustments.

The longer carry straps can also be cinched down when not in use to secure the removable lid tightly in place.

It is sold with a warranty and is repairable if accidents happen.

RUX offers a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects only. I don’t put a lot of stock in product lifetime guarantees. That’s not because I believe brands aren’t sincere about offering them. Realistically, though, having any confidence about the far future is a crapshoot at best. And as consumers, it’s unwise to bet on any brand continuing to exist forever or honor agreements made potentially decades in the past.

What’s personally more meaningful as a potential RUX 70L owner is the brand’s apparent commitment to repairability. According to the company’s warranty page, RUX offers to repair items for a small fee. They also sell a few of the RUX 70L’s most losable and potentially breakable parts a la carte, including additional corner stay sets, utility rails and even replacement lids. So you won’t have to worry about purchasing an entirely new storage unit in the event of a mishap.

Where the RUX struggles

Its frame is strong enough to offer some crush protection for fragile contents. But it’s not a hard sided storage bin.

a quick hand chop on the side rail of the rux helps disengage the corner stays to collapse the box down — The fastest way to collapse the RUX 70L down starts with chopping the corner support stays.

The RUX 70L sports a thicker plastic frame along the inner lip of the bin opening, a reinforced floor and a removable EVA foam top. The container pops up thanks to four collapsible corner stays — which feel and function like heavy-duty snap bracelets, complete with snapping sound effects — that sit in four narrow slots running along the interior of the unit’s curved vertical corners.

These elements create a semi-rigid support skeleton that allows the RUX to hold its boxy form when expanded to maximize packing space and interior visibility, mimicking one of the most compelling features of traditional storage bins.

The unit’s collapsible corner stays appear to be designed primarily for shape-holding versus bearing weight. But the structure does let the RUX 70L support some weight stacking on top of the lid without collapsing the bin frame and crushing the contents inside.

The method for breaking the bin down is straightforward as long as you know a crucial trick. Quickly collapsing the bin stumped me until I watched a How to RUX: Pro Tip Video that showed how to karate chop each of the four corner stays to quickly collapse the frame.

I didn’t have time to methodically work out the maximum weight-bearing tolerance of the RUX 70L. All that mattered in my test case was that the RUX 70L was sturdy enough for me not to worry about packing camera equipment and laptop inside while piling a lightly packed backpack and a few odds and ends on top of the lid. But I admittedly wouldn’t have felt comfortable stacking a full cooler on it like other reviewers have, apparently successfully.

a rux 70l packed with fragile contents including a camera and bottle of bourbon — The RUX 70L’s frame can support some weight being stacked on top of it, making it safe to pack fragile items inside.

Could the RUX’s corner initially support some weight levels but eventually give up after an extended period? Could a packed container squeezed next to the RUX inadvertently hit one of its middle of a corner stays and cause the frame to collapse accidentally? Neither situation seems likely, but neither is out of the question. The snap-bracelet-like functionality of the corner stays just didn’t inspire much confidence for me.

RUX’s designers do deserve tons of credit for creating something that offers flexibility and rigidity. They also clearly had to make conscious decisions around balancing both qualities while making the RUX 70L easy to use. A mechanism for locking the containers vertical supports feels like an essential missing piece to an otherwise great concept that I’d love to see added in a future iteration.

My recommendation to potential buyers today though is to avoid throwing anything too fragile into a RUX if you also plan to stack other heavy items on top. Better safe than sorry, right? Maybe I worry too much.

The RUX 70L requires some initial setup work. Mastering its strap system also takes time.

I was surprised that the RUX required setting up after opening up the shipping box. First-time users must slide each of the four corner stays into dedicated slots in the bag’s four corners, a finicky process. The longer carrying straps also need to be attached to the utility rail system. I spent about 10 minutes completing both tasks.

Getting the most out of the RUX 70L in regular use also hinges on understanding which straps to tighten or loosen in a given situation. There’s a small learning curve to cinching down the lid or ensuring the bin stays flat.

hand pushing on end tab of rux 70 l shoulder strap to detach it from the bags utility rail — Straps and additional accessories can be easily attached or removed from the RUX 70L’s integrated utility rail with just the push of a tab.

The RUX 70L is extremely water resistant, but it’s not a dry bag replacement.

I dumped a full 20-ounce Yeti Rambler of water on the lid and sides as a spill test, albeit a highly aggressive one. I also left the RUX 70L outside during a misty, rain-scattered evening. Water beaded on the surface in both cases and easily wiped off. The internal contents also remained bone dry. It’s clear the RUX 70L can keep contents dry even in heavy rain or when splashed while strapped into a boat (assuming it didn’t capsize).

The only vulnerability I saw regarding water getting inside comes from the RUX 70L’s lid attachment mechanism. Unlike your typical storage bin lid that snaps into place around a plastic lip or a duffle with a watertight zipper, the RUX’s lid edge features a narrow apron of softer nylon with an elastic cord stitched inside.

a hand pulling the rux 70l's corner pull tab to seal the lid shut — Sealing the RUX shut involves tugging on the corner pull tabs to wrap the lid’s elastic apron around the lip of the bin. It works well in daily use, but it does hamper water resistance.

Large pull tabs attached at the lid’s four corners make it easy to stretch the nylon apron over the corner of the base bin for a secure fit. For extra protection, the lid can cinch down further using a pair of integrated lid straps and even the longer carry straps if desired. Compared to a snapping attachment mechanism, this setup makes it easy to open just one side of the lid to grab an item inside and swiftly close it back up. But no amount of cinching feels like it could prevent water from seeping under the lid’s nylon apron and into the box in an extreme situation – say, if the RUX 70L were to fall into water or be tipped over in a spectacular downpour.

That said, as a design decision, I believe RUX made the right call prioritizing quicker access to contents over hermetically sealing the internal environment. Its weather-resistant chops are solid enough that users don’t have to worry about leaving it in a truck bed or outside for extended periods in lousy conditions. But the RUX 70L shouldn’t, say, replace a large dry bag on a kayaking expedition.

It’s got a thick enough skin to survive pokes and pricks unscathed. Buyers should be mindful of one potential area of vulnerability though.

Like several other adventure duffles on the market, the RUX 70L is made primarily from 840D TPU-coated waterproof nylon. The material is reassuringly thick, tactilely conveying durability. It feels smooth and produces a noticeable sheen, albeit far less aggressive than Patagonia’s Black Hole line. The material also sounds slightly crinkly and creases can remain visible on the sides of the RUX for some time after it has expanded.

I inadvertently gouged a sidewall of the RUX 70L with the tip of an unwrapped kitchen knife while pulling it out for meal prep. Not only did the nylon material not slice open, but I couldn’t even see a scratch in it. The walls also easily managed the pressure of pointy pan handles pushing firmly against them at various awkward angles.

a green rux 70l bin sitting in a shallow river pool next to a person holding a fly fishing rod — The RUX 70L is rugged enough for water-based adventures as long as it’s not submerged.

However, each RUX 70L also features a clear 9.5- by 4-inch strip of plastic along one of its shorter sides that acts as a window to see the bin’s contents. This particular section of material, which feels akin to what you might find on a thick plastic raincoat, could be a point of vulnerability in the bin’s design, given that we permanently scratched it after its first weekend of use.

As with any rugged bag made with heavy-duty nylon vs. a hard-sided bin, a sharp enough object stabbed forcibly enough could pierce the material. I’m no actuary, but the chances of this happening feel slim, even for the weaker clear plastic window, unless you frequently carry a crossbow.

Conclusions

The RUX 70L shines as a smart alternative to rugged duffles, less so as a storage bin replacement.

After using the RUX 70L to store and carry everything from camp cookware to camera equipment and clothes, I can confirm that the innovative container delivers on most of its hybrid design potential.

It’s easy to pack like a traditional hard-sided crate but also easier to carry like a tote or duffle, assuming it’s not packed too heavily. It can keep contents dry even in very crappy conditions and survive rough handling within reason. You can also customize its internal and external organization by adding accessories. And when it’s empty, it collapses to save space for the next time you need it.

a larger hard sided rubbermaid actionpacker crate sitting next to the softer sided rux 70l — The RUX 70L compares more favorably to a rugged duffle than to a hard-sided storage bin.

The RUX 70L’s weight-bearing limitation is the most significant factor holding it back from replacing a traditional storage bin, partly because the RUX’s maximum stacking weight feels variable depending on the packing situation. In my testing, the corners of the frame were sturdy enough to withstand my pushing down with a significant level of force without a sign of buckling the corner stays. However, applying the same amount of pressure to the soft middle portion of the lid caused the lid to sink inward and compress the items stored inside.

I’d expect that time and experience using the RUX 70L gives users an intuitive sense of the bin’s weight tolerances, which would, in turn, tamp down lingering anxiety about a poor packing decision potentially damaging essential gear. Still, I recommend thinking of the RUX 70L as an innovative and often superior alternative to a ruggedized duffle for vehicle-based adventures and activities and packing it as such. Its box-like shape and removable lid make it far easier to pack, organize and regularly access the gear inside compared to a duffle. And while it can’t handle full submersion like a dry bag, its weather resistance chops are solid enough to manage most adventurers’ needs.

Are those packing conveniences worth a substantial premium over other excellent but more traditional gear-hauling bags like Patgonia’s Black-Hole duffle? That’s a decision only buyers can answer.