Skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing—the list goes on- and so does the gear required for these pursuits. You need a way to organize, carry, and protect it all. Enter the Rux Essentials Kit, The RUX 70L is a  hybrid between a duffel and a tote that can transform its shape and layout like a modular gear caddy for any adventure and any living condition be it home, condo, or van life. The RUX bag works as a divider for the RUX 70L keeping dry from wet, clean from dirty, all the while moon lighting as an outdoor handbag that is as happy headed to a board meeting as it is a meeting in the Diamond Head parking lot. The RUX pocket is a durable weather resistance organiser for all the small things that are important: driver’s license, passport, maps, keys, you name it, it’ll hold it. 

What and Who are Rux?

In a nutshell, RUX is the brainchild of a small team of four adventurers dedicated to organizing the chaos of an outdoor life. The concept was born in Whistler, where founder Andre Charland grew tired of wasting precious mountain time re-organizing gear bins.

To solve the problem, he connected with Tony and Tina, both alpinists and industrial designers with deep roots in Arc’teryx and military equipment design. With the later addition of Jamie to round out the team, they developed RUX: a highly practical, modular solution for adventurers who require their gear storage to be as flexible as it is functional.

The Rux 70L

• Volume: 70L
• Outer: 840D TPU-coated Nylon
• Base: Compression molded PE Foam laminated with 600D TPU Poly
• Empty Weight: 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg
• Dimensions (W x L x H): 15.7 x 19.5 x 13.8 inches / 40 x 50 x 35 cm
• Load Limit: 50 lbs / 22.6 kg
• Country of Origin: Vietnam

What is the Rux 70L?

 While its core essence is that of a heavy-duty hauler, no other container on the market adapts quite so seamlessly to the outdoor lifestyle. It is collapsible, waterproof, and remarkably rugged.

Everything about the RUX system is built on modularity. It can be used alongside the RUX Bag, RUX Waterproof Bag, and the RUX Pocket to completely overhaul its internal organization. Even the carry system is customizable; every strap can be moved or relocated into different configurations to suit your haul. That said, the “straight-out-of-the-box” setup is so well-thought-out that most users will find it nearly ideal from day one.

The RUX 70L: Built to Last

The Rux 70 is made from exceptionally durable materials. The compression-molded foam bottom is semi-rigid, allowing the Rux 70L to maintain shape and withstand heavy use, you can even stand on it without worry. It’s thick enough that you won’t feel small sharp rocks and it will stand up to the abuse easily. 

The side panels are made of 840D TPU-coated waterproof nylon, similar to the material used on transport truck sides. If it can handle thousands of kilometers on a freeway, it’ll easily take care of your gear.  

One end of the RUX 70L features a clear TPU window, providing a glimpse of the contents inside, and an integrated NFC tag designed to link with the RUX packing app. While the clear panel feels durable, it naturally feels slightly more delicate than the heavy-duty 840D TPU used on the rest of the bag. I’ve found myself being a bit more cautious when packing sharp or heavy gear near that window; so far, it has held up fine, but I can’t help but think I’d prefer a RUX box without the window entirely to eliminate that worry.

As for the tech, I haven’t found much use for the NFC tag or the app. I don’t use the 70L for long-term storage where I might forget what’s inside, so the visual benefit of the window is minimal for my workflow. Furthermore, I already have enough apps in my life; I’d rather just open the lid and see what’s there than manage a digital inventory of my equipment. 

Rux Corner Stays

The Rux 70L’s structure is supported by Corner Stays, think industrial-sized snap bracelets, that help it maintain shape while adding minimal weight. They also allow the Rux 70L to be collapsed when empty and be stored away. This allows the Rux 70L to go from almost 14 inches tall to 5 inches when collapsed. 

The internal Corner Stays do a great job of maintaining the bag’s structure and rigidity for the most part. However,when it comes to sliding the bag into tight spaces, attention must be paid to pushing on the bottom. When loading the RUX 70L into the back of my car, reaching over the bumper and a bike rack, I often have to push the bag to slide it all the way in. If you apply pressure directly to the corner stays while sliding, they tend to collapse under the force. To avoid this, you have to be intentional about pushing from the rigid top rails or the base of the bag rather than the fabric walls. While they work well 95% of the time, this occasional collapse when you’re in a hurry is a small but noticeable annoyance in an otherwise seamless design.

The collapsible stays also mean that you will not be able to sit on the Rux 70L like you might do on a rubbermaid tote. 

Rux Utility Rails

The Rux Utility Rails are the lynch pin of the Rux system. Found inside and outside on all four sides, they allow attachment of handles, shoulder straps, and other Rux components like the Pocket or Bag. This modular rail design is what makes the 70L so versatile.The handles, closures and straps can be moved to suit any personal use case. 

The Rux Trifold Lid

The lid of the RUX 70L is a TPU-coated, waterproof trifold design. It secures via elasticated corners that wrap snugly around the rim, along with two central tie-down clips that snap into the side rails. Interestingly, these clips are designed to be inserted from the bottom-up. While this feels non-intuitive at first, the orientation makes the removal button much easier to access when you’re ready to open up the bag.

While the elastic keeps the lid seated, it isn’t enough to keep the Rux 70L fully secured when the road gets rough. For that, you use the two transverse tie-down straps that run across the top. The true “aha!” moment happens when you undo just one of these straps: the trifold design allows you to flip back one-third of the lid to grab a piece of gear while keeping the rest of the contents secured and protected from the elements.  

Admittedly, there are a lot of points of contact to keep the lid down. In daily use, I rarely bother with the mid-lid clips, as the transverse straps handle the heavy lifting. I do, however, always pull the elasticated corners over. Even if I’m not carrying small items that could fly out, keeping the corners snug is essential to prevent the lid from flapping or snagging on door handles and obstacles while on the move.

Carrying the Rux 70L

A 70L volume allows for a massive amount of gear, which can become quite heavy depending on your kit. Thankfully, there are several ways to haul the RUX 70L, allowing you to choose the most ergonomic option for the distance you’re covering.

End Handles

On the narrower end of the Rux are small handles. As the box is somewhat large at 70L, this is kind of like carrying a large gear Tote. It can be awkward if you don’t have long arms. 

Duffel Mode

Turn the Rux 70L sideways and you can now carry the Rux like a duffel bag using the shoulder straps and hand straps. 

Backpack Mode

You can also configure the straps to wear the 70L as a backpack. Surprisingly, this is quite comfortable; the soft, TPU-coated lid acts as a padded back panel against your spine.

For the year I’ve been using the Rux 70L I’ve most commonly used the shoulder straps to carry the Rux 70L like a tote. This feels most natural to me. As the box is a little wide, it does brush against my leg a bit. This is an unavoidable reality for any 70L container.

The Rux 70L in Use

This is a well-built gear hauler capable of handling nearly anything. It easily fits ski boots, a helmet, and outerwear for resort days, and since it’s waterproof, wet gear can go right back in afterward and allow your vehicle to stay dry. 

It’s equally great for mountain biking—muddy gear included. At the end of any ride, throw your gear into the Rux 70L, including four pounds of dirt from Ditch Pig in the Rux 70L, and don’t worry about it. Cleanup is simple: hose it down alongside your bike. 

Beyond the trailhead, the RUX proved its worth in a real-world crisis: when my shower broke and flooded the apartment. It was the first thing I reached for to handle all the wet towels and bring them to the washer and dryer. I’ve also used it to haul wood to beach side fires. 

After over a year of daily use, the RUX 70L has solidified its place as my go-to gear carrier. Whether I’m staging for a multi-day trip or just trying to keep the mud out of my car, it’s the one piece of kit I reach for every single time. 

When I need a little more organisation in th eRUX 70L, then I reach for either th eRux Pocket or the Rux Bag.

The Rux Essentials Set

Where the RUX 70L really starts to shine is in its seamless integration with the rest of the lineup. Every component from the RUX Pocket to the RUX Bag is engineered to work within the 70L’s utility rails, creating an ecosystem of organization.

If you’re looking to dive in, the RUX Essentials Set is the way to go. It bundles the RUX Pocket and the RUX Bag as a combo, providing a “plug-and-play” solution for both small essentials and larger internal dividers right out of the box. Instead of one cavernous 70L void, you end up with a high-performance staging area where everything has its own dedicated, secure home.

The RUX Bag

• Internal : Nylon Monomesh mesh pockets
• Outer: TPU-coated 600d polyester bag with nylon webbing grab handles
• Attachment Loops: S-Hypalon
• G-Hook: Aluminum
• Handle: Nylon
• Made in: Vietnam

The RUX Bag is the outdoor handbag you didn’t know you needed, until now. Built from bombproof, TPU-coated 600D polyester, it is nearly as burly as the RUX 70L but the lighter material makes it an easier hand hold. This bag is a master of the “pivot,” and has become the most essential part of my kit.

With a 25-liter capacity, it easily swallows a change of clothes for a post-ride transition, then hauls the muddy kit home without a fuss. I use it on a near-daily basis for everything from organizing snowboard gear and bike tools to carrying my laptop to meetings, grabbing groceries or heading into the pool. Inside, two mono-mesh pockets, one floating and one attached at the base, help corral smaller items, though the addition of a key clip would make them perfect.

Because the TPU coating is applied to the exterior, the interior fabric can occasionally feel damp or collect trail dust if you’re hauling dirty gear. However, maintenance is surprisingly low-stress. Despite the bag’s technical nature, mine has survived countless rounds in the washing machine. It consistently comes out looking brand new, with no signs of delamination, all while the exterior maintains its waterproof performance.

Securing the bag is quick and simple via a G-hook and flap. It cinches securely, but it isn’t airtight, so maybe don’t trust it with loose change unless you’re fine donating it to gravity. For hauling clean clothes, storing essentials, or handling daily gear swaps, the RUX Bag perfectly nails the balance between rugged utility and practical everyday use.

 

The RUX bag X The Rux 70L

While two Rux Bags can fit inside the 70L, I’ve found one to be more than enough. Big or dirty items like snowboard boots or bike shoes go directly in the 70L, while the Rux Bag keeps dry or clean gear separate. The beauty of the system lies in its compatibility with the Rux Utility Rails, once it’s clipped in, it stays put no matter how full it gets.

Carrying the RUX Bag

The Rux bag has two handles on each side. It is in this essence a handbag. This being a RUX product, you know it has more potential. Enter the RUX Universal Shoulder Strap. For an extra 20 CAD carrying comfort of the RUX bag increases significantly. Soft EVA foam padding over wide webbing keeps the straps comfortable as can be. Silicon grip under the padding keeps the straps from sliding off your shoulder.  Quick-attach gatekeeper buckles mean the straps can be added or removed easily. The Universal Shoulder Strap is essential to the RUX bag.

The Rux Pocket

• Material: TPU coated 600d polyester
• Closure: Fidlock Magnetic Quick one-handed use
• Volume: 3L
• Dimensions: 28 x 20.5 cm OR 11 x 8″
• Weight: 165 g OR 5.82 oz
• Interior Pocket: Nylon Monomesh
• Handle: S-Hypalon
• Made in: Vietnam

The Rux pocket is a 3L rugged reimagining of a string and washer envelope, ideal for organizing small essentials. Crafted from 600D TPU-coated polyester, it is best described as weatherproof. While the seams aren’t fully taped and there is no airtight seal, it provides more than enough protection to live on the outside of your RUX 70L during a storm without a second thought.

The Pocket features three distinct attachment systems to attach it to the 70L. Quick Connects allow the Pocket to snap into the interior or exterior utility rails of the RUX 70L. The pocket has two small clasps at the bottom to keep it from flapping when connected to the outside.  E-Hooks allow the pocket to be attached to the straps on the outside of the Rux Soft Coolers and Waterprooof bag. Belt Loops allow you to slide it onto a webbing belt to be worn as a standalone fanny pack.

For me, the standout feature is the Fidlock magnetic closure. If you’ve used Fidlock before, you know how satisfying and secure it is. I’m a sucker for magnets; they make it virtually impossible to accidentally leave the Pocket open, as the closure practically finds itself and snaps shut with zero effort.

I use the Rux Pocket to organise the smaller things: pens, lift tickets, receipts etc. It would also do well as a tool organiser for biking, or to bring smaller essentials like radios for the backcountry.

Overview

The Rux 70L stands out as one of the most thoughtfully designed gear haulers and storage solutions on the market. It bridges the gap between hard cases and soft duffels, offering both structure and flexibility with little compromise. 

After a year of steady use across seasons, the Rux 70L has proven its durability, weather resistance, and practicality. It handles wet and muddy equipment without complaint, and packs down small when not in use. The integration into the Rux Eco system with accessories like the Rux Bag and Rux Pocket transform it from a simple container into a system that genuinely simplifies packing and transitions between adventures.

Though not flawless—the clear window could be more rugged, and the lid attachment takes a moment to master—the Rux 70L’s functionality far outweighs its quirks. For anyone who moves between mountains, bikes, and backcountry boards, it’s a near-perfect companion: tough, adaptable, and built to make outdoor life smoother.

Interested in getting a Rux 70L, Rux Bag, or Rux Pocket? Head on over to Rux and tell ’em BlackSheep Adventure Sports sent ya!

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BlackSheep was provided with a free sample of the Mammut Haute Route for this review. This in no way affected our editorial stance. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase gear through these links, we may earn a small commission which supports our independent testing at no extra cost to you.