The Anti-Duffle Trout Edition
There’s a new kid on the wader bag block.
I was recently contacted by the folks at Launch Pack with an opportunity to review their new wader bag, which they call the Anti-Duffle™ Trout Edition. To be honest, at first I wasn’t really all that excited about another wader bag: I already have a Simm’s bag that’s perfectly functional if not a bit small for everything I like to cram into it. Suffice it to say I’ve not been overly impressed by the wader bag offerings on the market: most of them are either too small or too expensive; some are both. But since Launch Pack makes their goods in Bend, Oregon, I thought, ‘What the heck—anything made in the USA deserves a look. Anything made in the Northwest, even better.’
When the bag arrived, I was rather under-impressed. I pulled it from the shipping box and just stared at it, lying there on the floor like something deflated. It seemed too basic. Like, oh I don’t know, a 1979 Chevy Pickup trying to compete in today’s world of technologically advanced vehicles? I’m not so clever as to have made that up myself—that’s is best left for you to read on the “Our Story” page on their website, getlaunchpack.com Launch Pack equates their bags to a 1979 Chevy pickup: no cruise control, stereo, GPS, back-up camera, heated seats or other of the plethora of fancy accoutrements found in modern vehicles.
But the beauty of the Anti Duffle lies in its simplicity, and after I began looking more closely at the bag, my lack of being impressed gave way to just the opposite. It’s a flat bag that folds in half, forming a sandwich, if you will. Think of waders, boots, rods and other necessities as the fixings. There are two cavernous pockets: one for waders and boots—wet, dirty stuff. That pocket has a mesh panel to allow for drainage and breathability such that things keep from getting too ripe. The other, equally large pocket, is protected to insure that your clean and dry articles of clothing stay clean and dry. Think of these two large pockets as a means of keeping the sliced tomato (waders, boots) from getting the bread soggy. Anyone who has ever made a sandwich knows there’s nothing worse than that.
The Anti Duffle is intended as a wader bag and I would say they achieved that goal nicely. It’s quite an ingenious design—so simple that you may smack yourself upside the head and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Well, you didn’t. Neither did I. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have one.
To get yours, simply visit the Launch Pack website and click SHOP. The regular price is $129 which is pretty darn reasonable for something made in America. Tell them you read about it here on the Unaccomplished Angler—you won’t get anything, but you’ll feel better about yourself.
If you’re in the market for a new wader bag, give the Anti Duffle Trout Edition a look.
You mean I don’t have to stuff all my wet boots and waders into a trash bag anymore? =) One thing I do like about it, is that it serves as a platform for changing in and out of your waders. Nice review.
Thanks, and wow you were the first to comment—probably will be the only one to comment! And for that you should be rewarded.
Looks like a great bag I really enjoy or blog and I shared your post
Duly noted, with gratitude!
But will it hold size 15’s?
Yes. Probably several pairs. However, it would hold even more pairs of size 8.
Hey Kirk! Wonder if this will reduce the already mildew-y smell that permeates my vehicle’s upholstery. One can hope.
Oh, and I shared your post.
One will never know until one acquires such a bag…good luck, and thanks for playing!
Even girls would like this wader bag. It’s perfect!
I think you’re right! Thanks for playing along.
Looking forward to experiencing all the cool things about this bag mentioned by the unaccomplished angler.
Hopefully you will get a chance to be the experiencer of all things cool about this bag, and thanks for playing along.
So After reading your review of the The Anti Duffle trout edition. Albeit a little late. I was impressed with the product. I thought to myself, self you should check out their web site. To learn more about their products. And possibly gain one of these great gear bags for yourself. Since I have like the author gone through numerous previous renditions of gear bags, with little to no satisfaction to be found. And what do I find, when I arrive at their web site? One product advertised. The very bag I am interested in. And a notice stating simply, “Out of Stock”. So I signed up for their email mail list. And looked high and low for any indication of a means to contact the company. None to be found. I fell bad for the producers of this gear bag. For they seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Leaving little trace behind of their existence. At least they adhering to the long time credo of fly fishermen everywhere, “Leave no trace”. Alas I suppose I will be grabbing my old gear bag once again.
Joe: Sorry you weren’t able to connect with us. Our email, sales@getlaunchpack.com, is in our note about placing orders, but clearly it’s easy to miss! We’ve been lying low to address some production challenges, but we have a bag for you. I’ll email you directly as well. Thanks for your patience!
Hello
I am wondering if my local fly shop in Eugene, Jason’s Homewaters, can order one for me?
I was going to say that the only one way to know for sure would be to ask the shop. However, it appears as though perhaps Launch Pack has gone out of business as their website doesn’t even load anymore. Bummer.