https://redoriginal.com
By Peter Tranter
“You get what you pay for,” was one of my father’s favourites and this sentence very neatly sums up both of these top notch bags from Red Paddle Co. subsidiary named Red Original. They have produced a whole range of accessories for every type of SUP and paddling experience. We’ll start with the bags and move onto the smaller items in the next issue of the Paddler.
Red Original Watertight Cool Bag
OK so firstly the price. The medium cool bag that we tested retails for £160, with the large costing an extra £20. Expensive, I hear you say but what you get is a shed load of ideas and build quality for your money.
Both bags are designed to attach themselves very securely to your board via a luggage tensioning system, whether that be a Red Paddle board or from another manufacturer and when we say secure, we mean secure, they’re rock steady. However, the tensioning system can also be effectively tied to the inside an open canoe but it really wouldn’t work on a kayak due to its size and height.
The adaptability of these types of boxes can be enhanced as much by what’s on the outside as well as the inside. What you get are two external pockets, the front one being for something like a bottle and the rear one for bags of whatever you’re taking. Either side of both pockets are webbing daisy chains, which you can attach any type of kit that can be secured with a carabiner or bungee.
Of course with a full bag and external items, the bag can become quite heavy. That’s where the quality of the materials play their part. Reinforced carry handles combined with a tough sturdy construction and finished off with a YKK Aquaseal waterproof zip means this bag can take anything you’ll throw at or in it and it all stays dry.
Did we mention it insulation capabilities? Well it’s probably what your first question would be, so let me put your mind at rest – the Cool Bag is tops in that regard. The thermal lock insulation keeps everything as cold as you would expect, except for longer. We used ice packs alongside three six-packs and left them overnight and most of the next day. The beers were still fridge temperature 20 hours later. Like we said, you get what you pay for and in this case it’s worth every penny. If you want the perfect SUP/canoe day where you take your lunch, liquid refreshment and the rest of the tittle tattle, then this is your cool box.
The box is very stylish and ooze quality all the way but above all they have been really well thought out with attention to detail. You cannot really put a price on keeping everything safe and cool on a hot day and in short should really be a no-brainer considering all the ‘extras’.
Medium (as tested): 18-litre. L:380mm; W:300mm; H:370mm.
Price: £160
Large: 30-litre. L:560mm; W:300mm; H:370mm.
Price: £180
