Loop: The Last Duffle and Dry Bags You’ll Ever Need

Loop’s duffles, dry bags and packs are engineered to last a lifetime, at a price that won’t give you the butterflies before purchase, nor buyer’s regret after you’ve slid that card at the register.

I like my gear to last and I can’t afford failure while fishing in the Inland Northwest where we encounter various weather conditions and fluctuating river flows. When thinking duffels and bags, I need something that keeps the elements out and my gear, including emergency equipment, safe and sound. That’s why I buy the best gear I can and look at each purchase as a lifetime investment.

Compared to some of the other duffels, dry bags and packs that North 40 sells, the Loop series are the most affordable, due to our special in-store pricing. I own the Swell dry pack and use it regularly when fishing various waters, including the St. Joe River. I store extra clothes, lunch, snacks, a first-aid kit, and water bottles in it while fishing, and it works great for me.

There are other options, of course. Yeti offers the submersible Panga duffel, which is on par with Loops duffel. The welds on each are high quality, although they are a little cleaner on the Panga. The Panga also has “Metallock” hardware that handles a little rougher treatment than Loop’s Duraflex buckles.

Simms also has a great lineup of bags, including the Dry Creek, which is comparable to Loop’s Swell 50-liter. The Dry Creek, which is made with 210 D fabric, is a little easer to pack down and store in small spaces. It’s also a little lighter than the Swell, which is great for backpacking. However, I think my Swell is tougher than the Dry Creek and can take rougher treatment over the long haul.

Fishpond also makes some great gear, one item being its Wind River rolltop backpack. The Wind River is comparable to Loop’s TPU Dry Backpack and it is built with the same material—420 D TPU coated Cyclepond. It has a 38 liter capacity, which is more than Loop’s Dry Backpack offers. The Wind River also is comparable with Fishpond chestpacks, which can be attached with clips on the shoulder strap and hip belt. The hip belt can be adjusted vertically for different torsos, one thing the Loop bag doesn’t offer. However the Loop TPU offers two outside mesh pockets for carrying a water bottles or thermoses.

You can’t go wrong with any of those bags, but I really like the Loop products for value and dependability.

I own the Swell dry pack and use it regularly when fishing the St. Joe River and the places. I store extra clothes, lunch, snacks, a first aid kit, and water bottles in it.

Here are details on the Loop packs and duffles we carry at North 40.

Loop TPU Dry Backpack 23 litre

What in the world does TPU stand for? Thermoplastic polyurethane is the answer. Wikipedia states that TPU is any class of polyurethane plastics with many properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease and abrasion. Loop uses a modern welded technology to construct each bag.

Features

• 420d Nylon with a TPU coating inside
• Two four-way mesh fabric pockets
• Daisy chain fasteners
• Four adjustable straps for rod or rod tube attachment
• An ergonomic back plate designed with channels that ventilate and circulate air
• An adjustable waist belt
• An internal zipper for phones, keys, etc. 

Loop Dry Backpack 35 liter

A heavy-duty roll-top backpack made from welded, heavy gauge PVC tarp with a reinforced bottom. Loop designed this pack to provide comfort while carrying a full load of gear. Read the full review and see what goes into Fred Telleen's bag.

Features

• Soft adjustable shoulder straps
• Back padding
• Non-waterproof front pocket(which is the only con)
• Internal zipper pocket for keys, phone, etc.
• 4 adjustable side straps to secure rods and rod tubes 

Loop Swell 50 liter Dry Pack

This pack is a 100 percent waterproof. It features a robust roll-top so you can store extra clothing, fishing equipment, camera gear, food, etc., and not worry about it getting wet. This dry pack isn’t only for the fisher folk—you can utilize it for other water activities, like kayaking or going to a beach on the Snake River and elsewhere.

Features

• Heavy duty gauge welded PVC tarp
• See-through design
• 2 D rings for lash points
• 2 adjustable webbing straps

Loop Duffel Bag 50 and 90 liter

These duffle bags are made from heavy gauge welded PVC tarp and are fitted with removable shoulder straps. They are 100 percent waterproof up to the zipper and semi dry above it.

Features

• YKK zippers
• Duraflex buckles
• Heavy-duty handles for carrying comfort
• One internal zipper lid pocket
• 4 D rings for securing the bag
• Removable padded shoulder straps
• The 90 liter model has adjustable cinch straps for compression and secure storage