Advnture Verdict
An extremely capable adventure companion on all sorts of outdoor missions, from canoeing and surfing to hiking and mountain biking, the Mustang Highwater 60L Gear Hauler allows you to separate and carry wet and dry gear at the same time.
Pros
- +
Good harness
- +
Split chamber for separating wet and dry gear
- +
Rugged construction
Cons
- -
Non-removable harness
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First impressions
As the Mustang Highwater 60L Gear Hauler boasts 40 liters of roll-top secured dry storage and another 20 liters of overflow space held closed with a drawstring and straps, it was immediately obvious that it would let me divide and conquer wet and dirty gear from clean and dry gear, which is a huge advantage during so many outdoor escapades.
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The harness too was clearly going to come in very handy, along with the grab handles, so I couldn’t wait to get it out in the field.
• RRP: $150 (US)
• Weight: 900g / 2lb
• Size / Volume: 60L / 3,661 cu in
• Material: PVC-free ripstop fabric
• Colors: Black and azure
• Closure method: Roll-top and clip, plus drawstring and straps
On the trails
Whether I was portaging a canoe on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, heading home from an impromptu surf mission, or separating wet and stinky bike clothes from my other attire for the rest of the weekend on a three-day mountain bike trip in Northern Vermont, the Mustang Highwater 60L Gear Hauler gave me distinct storage options, so I could carry just one bag with all my stuff.
The bag was surprisingly light considering both its capacity size and the fact that its PVC-free ripstop body was rugged enough to be tossed around on deck, chucked on shore, and used as a seat while waiting for a shuttle.
While portaging, this bag’s shoulder straps saved me a trip because I could cart it hands-free while also carrying my canoe. Four grab handles made it easy to swing on-board or overhead into a roof box. The harness isn’t removable, so I didn’t check this bag when I hopped on an airplane. But the bag is so low profile and so extremely useful that I packed it empty inside my suitcase on trips where I knew I’d need dry storage.
