Tech & Gear Accessories The Best Camp Trunks of 2023 By Nathan Borchelt Nathan Borchelt LinkedIn American University Nathan Borchelt has been working in the travel industry for more than 15 years as a writer, photographer, editor, and product manager. He covers everything from trail cameras to ski equipment. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/07/22 Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong The gear-obsessed already know the value of a good camp trunk, but even if you have only a small-ish camping kit or are passionate about another activity that’s forced you to accumulate some gear, the right trunk can make all the difference. They protect your stuff from the elements, provide a way of efficiently transporting awkwardly sized items, and also offer a way to store your gear in an organized fashion when you’re back home. Some are basic hard-bodied boxes with lids and handles, others boast copious tie-down points and handles and collapse down for easy storage when not in use, and some even integrate with additional storage bags and boxes that’ll appease the most organizationally obsessed traveler. From hard- and soft-bodied options to rugged duffels with wheels, these are the best camp trunks. The Rundown Best Overall: Rux 70L at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Rubbermaid Action Packer - 24 Gallons at Walmart Jump to Review Best Splurge: Patagonia Duffel Bag at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best With Wheels: Plano Sportsman's Trunk Large at Amazon Jump to Review Best Multi-Use: Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 60 at Osprey.com Jump to Review Best Soft-Sided: REI Co-op Pack-Away Bin at REI Jump to Review Best for Stacking: Dometic GO Hard-Sided 50 L Storage Bin at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best for Water Protection: Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall Rux 70L Moosejaw View On Backcountry.com View On Moosejaw.com View On Rux.life What We Like Compresses for easy storage when not in use Comes with 70 liters of storage space Boasts multiple lash points and handles Weatherproof What We Don't Like Costly The Rux 70L demonstrates how versatile something as seemingly simple as a camp trunk can be. The soft-walled trunk features strong and durable weatherproof materials and can be fully compressed when not in use. The stowable tri-fold lid works with a wide, rigid opening to make it easy to access, and a variety of grab handles made of reinforced nylon work with carrying straps to let you haul the product in various ways. Better still, it includes utility rails to secure the box on a car or boat or to add attachments, along with lash points at the bottom. It also contains 20-millimeter nylon compression straps that let you collapse the bag to the optimal height, which helps streamline the space you need to haul the Rux. Price at time of publish: $265 Materials: 840D high-tenacity nylon, TPU coating, molded EVA | Volume: 70 liters | Dimensions: 15.7 x 19.5 x 13.8 inches Best Budget Rubbermaid Action Packer - 24 Gallons REI View On Walmart View On REI What We Like Includes the ability to secure the box with a lock Secure lid closure What We Don't Like No tie-down or latch points The durable Rubbermaid Action Packer provides 24 gallons of hard-sided storage and ample space for a cache of gear or provisions, with a detachable lid that closes tight via two latches, which you can lock for added security (lock sold separately). The stackable design should withstand years of abuse, and two side handles make it easy to haul around. Price at time of publish: $40 Materials: Plastic | Volume: 24 gallons | Dimensions: 26 x 18.3 x 17 inches Best Splurge Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 70L Patagonia View On Backcountry.com View On Patagonia.com View On REI What We Like Provides weatherproof protection for up to 100 liters of storage Oversized wheels What We Don't Like Expensive Patagonia’s Black Hole bag line has a loyal following, and the Wheeled Duffel Bag 100L may be the burliest, most comprehensive storage solution in the line. Made of crazy-durable, weather-resistant 100 percent recycled polyester ripstop, the thing can take a serious beating, with burly reinforced handles, a stout wheelset with oversized wheels to easily clear rough terrain, internal compression straps, and a large opening that provides easy access to both the main compartment as well as a zippered side pocket and mesh pockets in the lid. Price at time of publish: $169 Materials: 900-denier 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate | Volume: 100 liters | Dimensions: 32.6 x 16 x 13.7 inches The 10 Best Camping Tents of 2022 Best With Wheels Plano Sportsman's Trunk Large Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Wheels make it easy to haul around Stackable configuration Four secure latches for the lid What We Don't Like A lack of handles, especially on the non-wheeled side Modest in price, the Plano Sportsman’s Trunk (Large) provides 108 quarts of storage in its hard-sided case. The stackable box comes with molded groves, so they marry well with other Sportsman’s trunks, and a host of tie-down points make it easy to secure the box to a truck bed, roof rack, or boat. Wheels on one side make moving the trunk reasonably easy, and the fully removable lid has four clips to secure it to the box, along with the option to thread a lock through the holes next to the latches. Materials: Polypropylene | Volume: 108 quarts | Dimensions: 37.2 x 14 x 18 inches Tested and Reviewed: The 11 Best Camping Chairs of 2022 Best Multi-Use Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 60 Osprey View On Osprey.com What We Like 60 liters of reliable storage Can stand up to the harsh realities of the open road What We Don't Like No lock integration If your travel ambitions extend beyond a weekend camping trip and include planes, trains, and automobiles, go with the Transporter Wheeled Duffel 60 from Osprey. This rolling duffel sits on the brand’s rugged HighRoad chassis with oversized wheels to conquer uneven terrain and support heavy loads. Dual-sided TPU coating and an oversized flap lid lock out the elements while an internal zippered mesh pocket helps organize your kit. The duffel also has twin compression straps to secure the load inside and sizable zippers with lockable sliders. Four padded web grab handles make it easy to lift from any angle, and six lash points let you strap it to…anything. Price at time of publish: $300 Materials: Bluesign approved 900D recycled polyester, PFC-free DWR, TPU coated | Volume: 60 liters | Dimensions: 27.6 x 16.1 x 17 inches The 12 Best Backpack Coolers of 2022 Best Soft-Sided REI Co-op Pack-Away Bin REI View On REI What We Like Soft-sided yet structured Ample storage Solid protection from wear and weather Compact storage when not in use What We Don't Like No top handle that runs the length of the bin Available in both 100 and 140 liters, the REI Co-op Pack-Away Bin can help wrangle gear chaos to order. It’s constructed of 300-denier recycled polyester and a 1,680-denier recycled nylon bottom to stand up against weather and abuse, with a DWR finish to seal out moisture and reinforced fabrics at the base to provide a bit of structure and strength. Foam panels stand up on the sides to make it easy to load and unload, and the bag collapses flat and folds in half for easy storage. It will also work with the brand’s Pack-Away cubes to give you even more organizational options. Price at time of publish: $139 for 140L Materials: 300-denier recycled polyester (Bluesign approved)/1680-denier recycled nylon (Bluesign approved) | Volume: 100 or 140 liters | Dimensions: 27 x 16 x 14 inches or 33 x 18 x 14 inches Best for Stacking Dometic GO Hard-Sided 50 L Storage Bin REI View On Backcountry.com View On REI What We Like Built to be stacked with other Dometic boxes Provides ample volume to carry lots of gear Ergonomic handles Loads of tie-down points What We Don't Like The lid is hinged, so it doesn’t come off entirely If you’re looking to haul—or store—loads of gear, consider the stackable Dometic GO Hard Storage 50L. Each box provides 50 liters of storage space, wrapped around a hard-sided design that’s waterproof and dustproof to protect your kit. Integrated handles make it easy to haul the trunk, and tie-down points let you secure the box to a vehicle. The easy-pull latches secure the lid, and lock holes add security. Price at time of publish: $150 Materials: Aluminum sidewall, polypropylene top and bottom | Volume: 50 liters | Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 12.5 inches The 13 Best Camping Accessories of 2022 Best for Water Protection Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack REI View On Amazon View On REI View On Seatosummit.com What We Like Offers a way to haul your kit without worrying about water penetration What We Don't Like The hip belts don’t have loads of padding, so you carry the bulk of the weight on the padded shoulder straps Rain and snow are an unavoidable reality of the outdoor world, and if you anticipate loads of either, go with the Hydraulic Dry Pack from Sea to Summit. Storage volume goes from the day-trip-friendly 35 liters up to an expedition-ready 120 liters, each made with 600-denier, TPU-laminated, heavy-duty, waterproof, UV-resistant, PVC-free fabric and a non-wicking TPU roll-top closure with an interlocking profile to secure your gear and keep water out. Welded construction at the seams amp durability and anodized aluminum buckles make the attachments failsafe and robust. The smallest pack comes with a 25-millimeter webbing waist belt to help distribute the load, while the larger packs have a harness-carrying system that’s easy to remove when it’s not needed. Adjustable sternum straps reinforce the pack’s stability. Price at time of publish: $240 Materials: TPU-laminated 600-denier polyester | Volume: 65 liters | Dimensions: 33 x 15 x 10 inches What to Look for in a Camp Trunk Security features At the very least, you want a camp trunk that can be closed securely. For soft-sided trunks and duffels, look for solid zippers, and for hard-sided trunks, look for products with latches or other configurations that let you seal the lid. Most hard-bodied trunks also have lock holes in the lid and the box frame, which enables you to attach one (or more) third-party locks to make them more secure. Soft trunks and duffels are harder to secure in that fashion—a sharp knife to the side or top will get inside—but you can always look for luggage-style locks if you want a touch of added security. Handles Almost every camp trunk comes with handles, sometimes molded directly onto the sides (typically near the top), and other times with webbed straps. In general, the more handles and straps, the better—it makes it easier to maneuver the trunks, lets you grab ’em from different angles, and can also serve as lash-down points if you’re tying your trunk to a vehicle. Wheels Depending on what you load into your camp trunk, things can get heavy, fast. Wheels make it easier to haul the thing from your house to the car, and from the car to the campsite or airport. Look for oversized wheels as they can handle uneven terrain, and if the trunk is on the smaller side, a telescoping handle works well to help maneuver the trunk without bending over. Frequently Asked Questions What are the benefits of having a camp trunk? Camp trunks make it easy to store and transport your gear, whether camping supplies or some other gear-intensive sport like climbing or skiing. It provides weatherproof protection and can be strapped to a vehicle (typically via lash points on the trunk itself). At camp, trunks also work as a solid storage device for nonperishable foods or any gear you use occasionally and want to keep dry. And at home, they double as storage for your kit. The only potential drawback in owning a larger camp trunk is that you need the space to store it at your residence; soft-sided trunks and duffel bags make this easier as they collapse and fold up to take up a fraction of the space. How do I care for and clean my camp trunk? Conventional cleaning products will clean most hard-sided trunks, but if a metal is your trunk's primary material, consult the manufacturer's guidelines. Soft-sided trunks and duffel bags can also be wiped down with conventional cleaning products and fabric cleaners specific to the materials used. What size camp trunk do I need? Naturally, you want to get a camp trunk that’s big enough to hold your gear—or at least the gear you plan on storing (whether it be to transport everything to a campsite or to keep it in your residence post-trip). Most measure out in liters or gallons. When in doubt, go for extra space, especially because some sports gear (ski boots, stove fuel, kitchen items) are often awkwardly shaped and may take up more space than you anticipate. Why Trust TripSavvy Nathan Borchelt has been rating, testing, and profiling outdoor and travel gear for decades—and has, during that time, amassed an impressive collection of products for camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, and scuba diving. As such, he’s employed loads of different camping-style trunks to both transport various kits to and from the field and to keep them stored in an organized fashion whenever he manages to make it home. Each trunk was evaluated based on versatility, price, weatherproof protection, ease of use and transport, size, and other vital features like handles, tie-down points, and compression straps, with a special emphasis on the different types of activities where camp trunks can provide a sensible storage/transport solution. 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