STORMTECH WATERPROOF GEAR BAG (LARGE)

I really like this bag. It seems really sturdy and has been abused. I have used a number of offshore bags over the years and this one seems like it will last in the long run.

At first glance: This bag is thick. The material on it is nice and sturdy and if I leave it out in the rain, I'm not worried about my stuff getting wet. I wouldn't submerge it in water though. It's also spacious. I've packed a bunch of stuff in here and weighed it down with no problem. The measurements are roughly 30"x17"x17".

I'm going to compare this bag to the Ogio Seal Water-Resistant Duffel Backpack Bag since I just received that bag and really like it as well. The Stormtech bag is a little more expensive, but they're roughly the same price.

Zipper: Stormtech

The zipper on the Stormtech bag unzips and the top part folds open making it easier to load. The zipper also seems to be of a lot better quality. I have a feeling the OGIO bag zipper will get caught on the sides over time and possibly break.

Material: Stormtech

The OGIO has a 212 denier polyester with PVC liner and the Stormtech is 50% PVC / 50% Polyester. Now I don't know what any of that means but just by feeling them, the Stormtech bag feels a lot thicker and more durable.

Straps: Stormtech

The Stormtech bag has handle straps just like the OGIO bag, but it also has two shoulder straps that turn the bag into a backpack. This is an awesome feature that I use often. First off, if you use both straps to use it as a should bag, it distributes the weight. It makes it feel sturdier. I've used it as a backpack many times when ascending/descending stairs. The Stormtech bag also has compression straps! This is one of my favorite features because it keeps your bag nice and tight if it's not full.

Features: OGIO

I think the OGIO is better in this aspect. The boot bag is nice so you don't muddy up your clothes. I ended up using the boot bag with my Stormtech bag. Also the outer pocket is nice in case you have items you need to get to easily. The Stormtech bag has a webbed inner compartment on the top flap that I don't use that often. There's also a clear ID pocket on the side that I don't use at all.

Appearance: Tie

I think they both look like nice bags. The OGIO may have an edge here but I don't really care about looks more than I do functionality.

The winner is... Stormtech. I do like both, but for every day rugged use, I think the Stormtech will last longer. The OGIO I will probably just use for day trips or camping.

For now, the Stormtech bag is my bag of choice. I don't see myself replacing it any time soon.