PRODUCT REVIEW | RUX 70L Collapsible Tote

If you are anything like me, when evaluating daily-use gear or luggage for a particular trip, you place a premium on versatility. This applies doubly so for anything you’d expect to rely on out in the sticks. 

The RUX 70L tote bag does a fantastic job of, well, being a tote bag. But its distinctive features really help turn it into something which feels wonderfully utilitarian. With an exterior adorned with several straps of rock solid climbing webbing as well as a list of use cases, this makes a higher-than-average MSRP worth the investment. And that’s what an item like this is offering: longevity. It wants to be your forever tote. While the price tag of $265 for a tote bag surely makes you wonder if it’s that much better than your old gym bag, the RUX 70L tote still manages to impress.

The solid construction, quality materials and waterproofing, this bag certainly feels like it lives up to its price. An exterior with a wide variety of attachment points for your favorite mounting systems means it’s versatile and ready to go at a moment’s notice. It can even convert into a backpack, albeit a curious looking one.

As for storage, the generous space for your essentials and the convenience of collapsibility is hard to beat. And thanks to its rugged construction and padded design,the tote even doubles up as a seat cushion.

There are really no worries about messing up the interior or exterior, as you can confidently rinse the whole thing with a hose without ruining the bag. This can be a serious lifesaver when it becomes covered in dust during a long day on the trail.

Fundamentally, as a bag, it feels right at home alongside some of my nicer Arc’teryx jackets, which hold a similarly steep price compared to its competitors. But, if we’ve learned anything, the investment means you buy once, or rarely, the product handles several jobs or is excellent at one, a piece that patinas as it ages, and in the end, you’re supporting a company that values quality over quantity, functionality over fashion. And, that’s not to say it doesn’t look good! If the only detraction for the RUX 70L Tote is a dollar amount, then its positive attributes far outweigh the bad. If you ask me, it certainly looks right at home as the choice storage option on any adventure.