Our job involves a lot of travelling, be it for shoots, media events or road trips. And it’s at times like these that I appreciate the Rynox Stormproof tail bag that I’ve been using for the past ten months or so. Not only can this bag be strapped to your bike, but it can also be used as a duffel bag or a backpack. It comes with detachable backpack straps and a shoulder strap that gives it great versatility. While I haven’t yet used it as a backpack, I have used it as a duffel bag.
With a 42-litre capacity, this bag has more than enough room for a week-long trip (if you travel light). And, if you wish to carry even more with you, Rynox has provided the bag with extra loops on which one can mount Rynox’s smaller Expedition Dry Bag 2. To mount it on the bike, it comes with four straps with quick release buckles, which makes the mounting process an easy affair. All you have to do is loop one end of the strap in a secure place on the bike and the other end latches onto the bag. There’s also good adjustability on offer as the straps are quite long and the buckles feature a loop to adjust the tension.
The bag is constructed using a vinyl fabric with no visible stitching on the outer shell, so it’s waterproof. It features a roll-top closure with a velcro strap in the middle and quick release buckles on either side to keep it closed. Rynox recommends a minimum of three folds on the top to ensure that no water enters the bag, and this is something I can vouch for. I’ve ridden through heavy showers, and at the end, all the bag’s contents were bone dry. In fact, I trust its waterproof capabilities so much now that I even travelled with my laptop in it on a recent ride. Faults with the bag have been few and far between. The bag’s duffel bag straps have begun to fray and the adjuster loop on one of the plastic snap fit buckles has broken. While the bag has been used quite roughly it is disappointing that this happened.
Furthermore, you also have to be mindful of how you pack your luggage in the bag. If you carry heavier items on one side or if it isn’t packed with enough stuff on one side, the bag tends to rest lopsided on the bike. It takes a little time to get used to, but once you know how to pack the tail bag it stays securely in place.
Other features include a small, zipped pocket on the outside to store small items, some reflective material for better visibility to other road users and a six-month warranty. At Rs 4,150, the value is very good, but the plastic components will require some cautious use.
Gavin Rodrigues
Dinshaw Magol
Rishaad Mody
