The RUX 40L Gear Box is an ideal solution for storing, transporting, and organizing your SUP accessories.
RUX 40L Gear Box: Overview
The Gear Box was one of RUX’s first products, and the latest iteration with a press-seal lid and modular organization system is my new favorite way to store, transport, and organize all of my SUP accessories. The RUX Gear Box is made with durable, waterproof materials, can collapse down to just 3” tall when not in use, but provides a full 40 liters of storage space, and is available in a 70L model as well.
RUX 40L Gear Box: Specs & Construction
The core material of the RUX Gear Box is a waterproof TPU-coated nylon fabric. This material is highly durable, but lightweight and flexible.
The press-seal lid is made with solid TPU material and can be further secured with the included backpack straps.
RUX 40L Gear Box Specifications
- Exterior Size: 20” x 17.5” x 8.5”
- Interior Size: 19.5” x 15.7” x 7.9”
- Volume: 40 L
- Weight: 5 lbs 11 oz
- Closure: Press-seal lid
RUX uses two different materials for the core construction of the Gear Box. The bottom is made with a polyethylene panel laminated with 600 denier TPU-coated nylon fabric. This nylon fabric is a standard material for things like backpacking bags, but the thermoplastic polyurethane coating makes the material fully waterproof and more durable than standard nylon fabric. The sides are made with a heavier-duty 840 denier TPU-coated fabric to help the Gear Box maintain its shape and stand up to the collapsible design.
All of the seams on the bag are RF (radio frequency) welded together for a waterproof, permanent mechanical bond.
The press-seal lid fits snugly onto the plastic rim of the box.
The press-seal lid is made of molded TPU material giving it a mostly-rigid structure. The lid fits very snugly onto the plastic rail of the box, and you can add extra closure security by tightening the backpack straps over the lid. The built-in lash tabs also make it possible to tie down with other straps.
Four removable plastic bars hold the soft sided box open.
The soft sides of the Gear Box allow it to collapse down to just 3” thick for easy storage when not in use. When you are ready to use the Gear Box, there are four plastic bars that slide into pockets inside the corners that keep the box open.
Overall the RUX Gear Box feels very well built and I’ve not hesitated to simply toss the fully-loaded box around in my truck when getting ready to go paddle. While the Gear Box is not meant for immersion, the tight fitting lid, waterproof materials, and welded seams definitely make it splash proof, so you could use it for certain applications on the water as well.
RUX 40L Gear Box: Features & Versatility
Like RUX’s other products, the Gear Box is designed for versatility, and is compatible with a whole host of their storage and organizational accessories.
The handles and straps attach to the outer rail system, but are fully adjustable and removable.
RUX products hit that perfect blend of minimalist aesthetic with maximalist versatility. They manage this balancing act with their system of quick-connect rails both inside and outside the box, and through visibly-seamless lash points around the base and on the lid.
The nylon rails have multiple slots to adjust position without sliding.
You can easily adjust the position of the straps on the outside of the box, or adjust the position of the optional packing system bags and organizer panels inside the bag, by unclipping them from the rail and slotting them back in another position. The rails have individual slots built in for improved durability and to keep the straps/organizers from sliding along the rail.
The 40L Gear Box all packed up.
So how much can the RUX 40L Gear Box actually hold? Well, like I’ve mentioned the Gear Box has been my new method of storing and organizing my SUP essentials for a while now (I used to use a combination of multiple plastic storage boxes/crates). It easily handles everything I normally keep in my car and bring with me to the waterfront.
Expanded view of my Gear Box Contents.
Inside the 40L Gear Box I pack:
- Outdoor Master Shark 3 electric pump
- RUX 10L Packing Bag
- Spare straps/carabiners
- Spare leash
- Spare inflatable PFD
- Sunscreen and bug repellant
- RUX 2L Packing Bag
- Pump hose adapters
- Fin bolts/keys
- SUP and dry suit repair materials
- Spare CO2 canisters
- RUX 5L Cooler Bag/Lunch Box
- Blackfin 4L Waterproof fanny pack with SUP testing equipment and phone case
- Two spare fins
- Neoprene Socks
- Changing Robe
It took me a couple tries to figure out the best arrangement for all of this equipment to fit easily, but it didn’t take long with the quick connect tabs and rails around all four sides of the box.
The RUX packing system bags look like a traditional dry bag with a roll top closure, however the UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene – for the curious reader) fabric and stitched seams are NOT waterproof at all. These are simply organizer bags. RUX is launching a limited edition set of packing system bags made with a new “TX50 Ultra” waterproof material, but I still would caution using them as a true dry bag as I’ve struggled to get high-quality closure from these smaller roll top bags.
Packing the RUX Gear Box 40L is quick and easy – even with lots of stuff!
RUX also makes the Gear Box in a 70L configuration. The 70L has the same footprint (about 20” x 17”) but is nearly twice the height, allowing you to easily pack more items like a second pump or full change of clothes. Because I paddle year round, I use the 40L box as the core of my accessory packing system and then pack anything else I need (wet suit, dry suit, change of clothes, etc) in another bag (like my Rux Waterproof Tote).
RUX 40L Gear Box Review Summary
The RUX 40L Gear Box is a great way to organize and store all of your SUP essentials
I have really enjoyed using the RUX 40L Gear Box as my new storage system for paddleboarding essentials. It’s just large enough to hold everything I need, plus some spares/replacements for those commonly forgotten or broken items. The integrated rails make it easy to keep everything in its place, and the overall kit is lightweight and easy to transport by the handles or by the padded backpack straps. I really appreciate the bronze color option – especially inside the box. That was one of my biggest complaints with the RUX Waterproof Bag and insulated Cooler Bag – the black interior fabric makes it harder to see everything that’s inside.
Though it’s not designed for immersion, the multiple lash points, waterproof materials, and press-seal lid (especially when secured with the backpack or other straps) make the RUX 40L Gear Box a possible solution for easily packing non-critical items (or critical items in their own dry bag) on your SUP for those extended day or overnight trips as well.
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