Need a Way to Store and Transport Your Outdoor Gear? This Is the Simple Solution.
Whether you’re camping, climbing, traveling, or more.
Reviewed by Ryan BrowerSenior Gear and Reviews Editor
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IT’S MORE THAN a hypothetical for a lot of people: When you’ve got the outdoor gear, where are you going to put it?
This is a question that pertains to all types, from backcountry hikers and car campers to outdoor photographers and skiers. Each pursuit has its own array of toys and those toys ought to be arranged nicely, for the sake of both easy transit and less clutter. An organized home for your gear makes recreating all the easier, as it offers some predictability where you need it most (you know, the part you can actually control).
Our Favorite Gear Haulers
- Best Soft Shell: Thule Chasm 55L
- Most Nimble: Rux 40L
- Best Collapsible: Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Box
- Best Tote Style: Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote
- Best Hard-Sided: Gregory Alpaca Camp Box 2 Pack
When considering the many things that help you embrace the outdoors all the better—be it the best camping gear, the gadgets you use for info and safety, the appropriate clothing and footwear—a gear hauler ought to come to mind. They can be employed gainfully for everything from auto organization and water sports to off-season storage and overlanding. And they can bring peace of mind to you and some much-needed discipline to your ever-sprawling piles of useful goods.
Do I Need a Gear Hauler?
Do you have gear? Do you like to travel with it? If you answered yes to these questions, then the answer is yes. Think of the gear hauler as a small portable closet in which you can organize your stuff. These relatively simple but highly effective systems are ideal for road trips as well as keeping your car tidy.
Now, as somebody who’s just thrown stuff in his car for years, hear me out: There’s a better way. I immediately appreciated the touch of organization haulers impart, not to mention their ability to protect more valuable gear from damage in transit or weather while out in the open. It was nice, for example, to have all of my fly-fishing or SUP gear in one spot (and even organized within). It beats wasting 10 minutes sniffing around the trunk of your vehicle for that missing hiking sock or bottle of sunscreen. Sure, there are great duffels and packs out there. But the gear hauler is better for gear because it’s stronger, boasts specialized compartments and seals, and can often collapse, nest, stack (or all of the above).
The more I did, the more I wanted more haulers—for bouldering gear, for snow sports, for backcountry outings in Montana (which can necessitate things like bear spray, mosquito nets, burly boots, and a water filter). Shoot, I even started using a gear hauler as a camping pantry of sorts, splitting it up to house the propane tank and stove and associated dishes along with meals and useful camp kitchen tools. And while it’s tempting to get one for every genre of outdoor activity, there’s no need to go that far. The very best in the gear hauler category maneuver from hobby to hobby pretty close to seamlessly.
There’s one (or two) out there built just for your version of weekend fun, so here’s a few of our favorites right now along with what to think about when looking for a gear hauler.
Thule Chasm
Thule Chasm
Pros
- Softer build makes it more nimble in tighter packing situations
- Helpful magnetic clasps on cover
- Mobile divider
- Collapses to being virtually flat
- Waterproof molded base
Cons
- Doesn't do as well when at the bottom of a heavy stack
- Limited colorways
Boasting 55 liters of hauling capacity, the Chasm is a nice midsize option for the go-getter who wants to better sort his stuff. The divider can be moved and secured between three button-down spots depending on what you’re carrying, the waterproof nature of the hauler keeps everything inside dry, and the whole thing collapses with ease to save space. In testing this one out, I particularly like it when hauling fly-fishing gear and cycling accoutrements, as it’s just big enough to handle loads involving things like boots and vests, or helmets and pumps. The volume is also ideal for clothing for your week-long trip, if you pack wisely. Bonus points for the mesh pocket attached to the divider along with the side handles that can unsnap and become a proper duffel handle. About the only qualm is trying to stack heavier things on top of the hauler. The softer build of the model (while still quite strong) can’t stand up to too much weight above. For more volume, there is an 80-liter version.
Read More: 2026 Outdoor Awards
Rux Rux 40L
Rux Rux 40L
Pros
- Lower-set size does well in many environments
- Cool press-seal lid
- Great for overlanding and watersports
Cons
- A considerable investment
- 50-pound load limit
Rux has become a top brand in the outdoors sphere, combining state-of-the-art design with a cool, retro-military sort of aesthetic. This hauler looks like it’s built to occupy a permanent spot affixed to an Army jeep. Speaking of design, the brand just earned its first patent for the hauler, which recognizes Rux’s breakthrough design (involving collapsibility, a modular build, and a utility rail system). As a hybrid of sorts, the hauler can essentially double as a pack as it comes with two extra-padded shoulder straps. That means more versatility than a hard sided hauler, although you might be sacrificing a little bit in terms of maximum load weight. For those living the van life or into water sports, this is a great option as it can be secured to all kinds of racks and vehicle setups (lash points abound) and fends off mud, rain, and splashing water with ease. If you need something larger, consider the brand’s 70-liter option.
Cotopaxi Allpa 60L
Cotopaxi Allpa 60L
Pros
- Made with a good deal of recycled material
- Lifetime warranty
- Made for road trips
- A couple of bright color options to liven the category up
Cons
- Water-resistant but not waterproof
Here’s a great one for the road tripper. This Cotopaxi hauler collapses, comes with a removable shoulder strap, and is set up with sturdy grab handles on all four sides. Being only water-resistant, it’s best in the back of a car but offers a nice bit of chaos-straightening in the rear of your SUV or slid under a seat. Outside, or in the bed of a truck, you run the risk of moisture or sand sneaking in. Functionally, it’s a great hauler, light yet durable with a good amount of pouch space and the ability to break down in seconds. The metal latches up top are built to last and the zippered pockets inside keep things in place and sorted. It’s pretty inconspicuous and looks like a duffel but offers the expansive volume and added accents of a good gear hauler.
Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote
Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote
Pros
- Made entirely from recycled fabric and webbing
- Wide mouth for easy loading
- Lightweight
- Can sometimes find used for even cheaper
Cons
- Lacks organizational compartments and solid top seal
Like an oversized version of something you’d take to the grocery store, this tote still possesses the quality stamp that only Patagonia can offer. That means quality from top down, from the handles and loops down the side for attaching other gear to the reinforced base. I like the side pocket for quick access to things like fishing licenses, phones, walkie-talkies, etc. While an open-top option, the tote is still great for wetness, at least in terms of hauling away your damp beach stuff and wetsuit after a paddle or surf. The volume level is deceptively high and pull and tug as you may, it’s as tough as cast iron.
Gregory Alpaca Camp Box 2 Pack
Gregory Alpaca Camp Box 2 Pack
Pros
- Dual-access hinges means you can open from either side
- Clear and smashproof lid
- Deeper build for taller items
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- No hands-free carry option
If you want to go hard sided, this is your best bet. Haul them wherever you’re headed or stack them Tetris-style in your garage or shed. The depth (about 18 inches) immediately came in handy for taller camping items like lanterns, paper towel rolls, or even folding chairs. Best, you get a pair of gear haulers here. The earthy color options are a pleasing plus and the flip-flopping double lid might be the best part. The sharp design trait allows you to open the lid from either end or take the entire thing off for overflow. A few little things too that I really ended up liking—the super-strong side handle for hauling heavier loads and the ability of the lid to drain water, whether that be heavy rainfall or splashing seas.
What to Look For
Size
Obviously, volume is key. It determines just how much stuff you can pack. It can dictate whether you’re dealing in shorter-term trips or activities with smaller gear (biking, hiking) or longer outings and recreational hobbies with larger fare (water sports, fishing). Many come in several different volume sizes and can even break down when not in use.
Portability
Certain design features can make a hauler more haulable, like handles and straps for towing or the ability to latch onto roof racks and travel van setups. Ergonomic features can make the thing less of a hassle to carry and a soft sided build can even help allow it to squish into tighter quarters when you’re, say, packing for a road trip.
Weatherproof
Are you going to be hauling it out in the elements? Will you just throw it in the bed of your truck or safe and sound in the protected confines of your trunk? Will it join you on the boat or raft? These questions will help you decide whether you need something fully waterproof or just water resistant. And if you require neither, you can likely get away with an open-top tote hauler.
Organizational Features
These come in all shapes and sizes, namely in the form of zippered storage compartments and dividers. Others offer special padded areas for more valuable goods while others feature special lids that can open wide for efficient loading and unloading or simply partway for quick access to smaller items. Many are compatible with items like coolers and packing cubes, allowing you to add even more order to your packing ecosystem.
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear, tech, running shoes, and more. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He holds a B.A. in Sport Management and is a Certified Beer Server, having previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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