The more you look at different hiking and rock-climbing packs, the more you realize the truth of the outdoors industry; you pay more to get less. What I mean by this is that you pay for higher quality materials that are incredibly compact and weigh substantially less.
If you’re looking for that too, then this isn’t the article for you. If you’re not looking for that, and you’re more of a casual outdoorsy person like me, then this article is for you.
I wanted to find a product that met my needs; a bag that’s amazing for indoor rock climbing but can be used for occasional outdoor activities. So iLL’s 25L Dirt Bag did exactly that. This bag accommodated the four things I needed it to do.
- Big enough for two
- Durable
- Multi-purpose
Big Enough for Two
I’m blessed to be married to a beautiful woman that enjoys spending time in nature like me. And when we first got married, it quickly became clear that we needed a bag large enough to carry our gear; roughly 20+ liters. (If you don’t need this big of a bag, then I would check out the Mini Dirt Bag that has a 12 liter capacity.)
But if you too need or prefer a larger sized pack, then the 25L Dirt Bag from So iLL should do it for indoor rock climbers.
So iLL’s bag easily carries two pairs of climbing shoes, chalk bags, harnesses, and anything else you need to have a great training session. Even if you push it and the bag can’t buckle at the top, the strong interior velcro will keep the bag closed and your gear inside. Plus, with the different ways you can carry the bag, whether it’s light or heavy, you can rearrange the carrying strap and make it a lot more comfortable.
This happened a few times when I’ve gone to new outdoor climbing spots and had no idea where to go. What should’ve been a 10-20+ minute walk becomes an hour-long hike. In these instances, I was able to move the strap, so the bag turned into a cross-body backpack. Making a heavy, gear-filled bag into something much more manageable and convenient to carry.
Durable
When we first opened the package and felt the rubber material, we thought this bag might not last because of the rubber-like material. After two years though, we haven’t had any problems with it. I thought for sure that between the dry, sandy places we typically go climbing that this bag would dry out, crack, and rip. Some how though, even with it sitting in below 0° temperatures for days on end, nothing bad has happened in the slightest.
In addition to the unique flexibility that comes with this TPU material, aka plastic rubber, it’s also waterproof. Usually, we all plan ahead to some degree, looking at the weather for the day, but no matter what we end up in circumstances we tried to avoid. Admittedly, this has happened a few times when either going to the gym or climbing outdoors.
One time, my wife was top roping an outdoor route and it started to lightly rain. At first, we were completely fine and since rain wasn’t in the forecast we thought it would quickly pass and clear up. As my wife got to the ground after cleaning the route of our gear, and moving to the next route, the storm flipped a switch and started down pouring. Hard! We quickly packed our gear into the bag and called it a day. When we got home, everything in the bag was dry and muck-free.
The So iLL Dirt Bag also has an impressive number of loops, straps, and handles. All of which come very tight and secure when it’s new. These also seemed like a potential weak point, but to this day we haven’t had a single problem with a loop tearing or stitches pulling away from the body of the bag. You can clip on helmets, water bottles, belay glasses, smaller bags, and they’re not going anywhere, all while not damaging the bag.
The last piece that I still wonder about its longevity is the top opening velcro. Thankfully So iLL uses a thick and wide strip of it on each side to prevent short term problems. The velcro grabs extremely well, so much so that it roughed up the sleeve of one of my sweatshirts on the first day we got it. However, over the last couple years the velcro hasn’t turned into a problem either.
Multi-Purpose
I’m not some next level, ultimate outdoorsman. I enjoy hiking, running, climbing, snow shoeing, and many other outdoor activities. I don’t like all of them, but when I find ones that I do enjoy, I try to devote a portion of each day to them. (Even during the exceptionally cold winters of Southeastern Idaho.)
Because of this, I wanted a bag that was specific to climbing indoors but suitable for other activities throughout the year. I was also willing to pay a more premium price for a bag that could last us a decade or more. If you do this too, then you’ll find some incredible packs out there; some made of ultra-light materials, and others that seem like they’d survive a drop from space.
Although cool, I wasn’t interested and it’s not what So iLL’s Dirt Bags are either. Their bags are great if you’re a casual gym-goer, rock climber, runner, etc. Your belongings are safe, and the bag is going to last you years. Heck, I honestly consider buying their Mini Dirt Bag for a baby bag alternative just because of how durable and easy to clean the materials are.
The Recap
I have a buddy that’s a diesel mechanic, and anytime I have a question about what tools to get, he always recommends buying the more expensive options the first time. Why?
“Because they’ll probably outlast you.”
I apply the same principle to rock climbing gear, and though this bag may seem steep for what it’s priced at, I have no doubt this bag will last my wife and I a long time. You can find similar bags at half the price, but it’s more likely that you’ll need to replace them in 3-5 years or less.
So, if you need a bag that’s phenomenal for indoor climbing, with a sprinkle of outdoor activities, then So iLL’s 25L Dirt Bag is a great option!