Long Haul Reviews exist to answer the one question everyone has when buying new gear: sure, this might be good – but how well does it hold up over time? In this review, we’re looking at one of the surprisingly best pieces of gear I’ve ever used – the Riversmith Gear Roll.
The Riversmith Gear Roll is an all-in-one pack for your waders, boots, net, rods, reels, fly boxes, and just about anything else you need for a day on the water. Its genius lies in the simple, but efficient, design of rolling all your gear up in a single easy-to-haul bag that doesn’t ever feel bulky, but packs all the major items. Keeping your waders, boots, rods, reels, jackets, and net in one bag significantly simplifies packing, especially on trips where you’re flying. Plus, after more than two years of using this Gear Roll, it’s as durable as you’d ever hope.
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Gear-Roll Bag
Gear Specs:
- One waterproof pocket for sensitive gear storage
- Slot for net storage
- Changing mat included
- Molle loop closure system
Pros:
- Easily stores waders, boots, rod tubes, reels, nets, and fly boxes
- Expands or contracts easily to accommodate gear
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Waterproof storage could be slightly larger
The Skinny
The Gear Roll probably wasn’t meant to change anyone’s expectations of fly fishing luggage, but that’s what it did for me. It’s deceptively simple, crazy efficient, and has a spot for everything. That sort of flawless execution is sometimes wanting in fly fishing gear, especially luggage. That it doesn’t come with an outrageous price tag is just a bonus.
The Gear Roll features an integrated changing mat, so you can stand on that instead of in your bare waders on the ground. Its net storage is adjustable based on the size of net you’re rocking. The fine mesh pocket for your waders is large enough for different sizes and styles, and I’ve yet to have an issue getting a pair to fit. The large mesh pocket is perfect for boots and wet wading socks, since it traps a lot of the larger debris, but allows for airflow so your gear can dry more quickly. Oh, and there’s two straps for rod tubes that do a great job of keeping things in place, too.
It has two backpack straps, a single strap for hauling over your shoulder, and it’s designed to hang easily off racks on your truck, or in the closet of a hotel room. It’s a great piece of gear to hang under wet waders as they dry out, so you’re not making more work for the housekeeping crew.
Everything rolls up nice and tight, and the Molle loops allow for easy adjustment no matter how much – or how little – you’re carrying. Honestly, it’s impressive how much can get stuffed in this pack.
The Time Test
I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I got my first glimpse of it when Riversmith treated some writers to an early look, well before release. I thought a few of the other products were more interesting, but I told Riversmith I’d still like to look at the Gear Roll anyways. It just didn’t seem like something I’d use all that often.
This was roughly two years ago, if memory serves. Since then, I’ve used the Gear Roll everywhere from Alaska to the Rockies. It fits well in checked baggage or in the back seat of your truck. It’s become an indispensable piece of kit on just about any trip. I finished packing it up a few minutes before writing this review, in fact.
What makes this thing work is how simple it is. There’s a spot for everything, including fly boxes or reels. That you can fit your pack and net in it too makes it a true all-in-one solution. In turn, that makes it easy to pack the Gear Roll on every trip. Some luggage requires more organizing and putting-together than I prefer. The Gear Roll doesn’t, and that’s why I reach for it as often as possible.
The only evidence of wear, after two years, is a slight tear in the fabric of the wader pocket. It hasn’t spread, and it’s maybe an inch wide. I’m not sure what caused it, but it hasn’t become a problem. All the straps, buckles, and loops are in great shape, and show little-to-no evidence of spending significant time in the sun, wet, or both.
The only room for improvement I could see is making the waterproof pocket a bit deeper, to better accommodate larger reels and fly boxes. This is a minor suggestion, though, and it honestly took me a while to come up with something I’d like to see Riversmith improve upon with this product.
My Recommendation
For $170 (the current sale price) it’s hard to beat what the Gear Roll offers. It’ll haul everything you need for a day on the water, and do it admirably. It hangs from your truck, or the clothes rack in a hotel room, so your gear doesn’t always have to spend time squished in the back of the truck. If you want a true all-in-one gear solution – with rock-solid rod tube storage to boot – it’s hard to beat what the Gear Roll offers.