Ortlieb Big-Zip 140L waterproof expedition duffle

Ortlieb Big-Zip 140L — the bag for when everything has to go

One hundred and forty litres is not luggage in the ordinary sense. It is the bag you buy when a whole expedition's kit has to travel as a single piece: sleeping systems, cooking gear, ropes, three weeks of clothing, loaded onto a bush plane, a raft or the roof of a truck and expected to arrive dry.

The body is welded PD620, the same rubberised tarpaulin Ortlieb has built its reputation on, and the opening is a waterproof TIZIP running the length of the bag. Welded rather than stitched means there are no seam holes to seal and nothing to work loose under load.

Moving 140 litres

Extra-wide padded shoulder straps let one person carry it on the back, which is realistic for a hundred metres rather than a hike. More usefully, padded handles at both ends let two people carry it between them — the way this bag actually gets moved onto a boat or into a hold. Internal compression straps pull the load into a block so it does not shift while you are carrying it.

Where it earns its place

Rafting and canoe expeditions, where kit is thrown into a hull and takes water all day. Air freight and bush flights, where baggage handling is not gentle. Trekking support, where one bag carries what a group needs and sits in the open overnight. This is not a holiday bag and it does not pretend to be one.

Specifications

• Volume: 140 litres
• Material: welded PD620, PVC-coated polyester
• Closure: waterproof TIZIP zip running the length of the bag
• Internal compression straps
• Extra-wide padded shoulder straps for backpack carry
• Padded handles at both ends for two-person carry
• Colour: black
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Warranty: 5 years

Frequently asked questions

Is 140 litres realistic for one person?
To carry, no — not loaded. The shoulder straps are there for short moves; the end handles are the intended way to shift it when full, with two people. If you want an expedition bag one person can handle alone, look at the Duffle 85 L or the wheeled Duffle RG 85 L.

What does welded construction change?
Welded seams have no stitch holes, so there is nothing to seal and nothing that opens up over time. It is why Ortlieb uses welding on the bags that go on rafts rather than through airports.

Does it have an IP rating?
Ortlieb does not publish an IP figure for the Big-Zip, so we do not quote one. What it specifies is welded PD620 and a waterproof TIZIP — the same construction principles as on its river and expedition bags.

Will an airline take it?
As hold or freight, but at 140 litres it is well into oversize territory for most carriers and will be charged as such. Many owners use it for road, boat and charter transport rather than scheduled flights.

Does the zip need maintenance?
Yes, like every TIZIP. Run it steadily rather than yanking, and lubricate it once or twice a year. We stock the Ortlieb lubricant stick (E134).

Can it be repaired?
Yes. Ortlieb supplies replacement straps, buckles and zip lubricant, and the bag carries a five-year warranty. Our workshop at L'Hirondelle Bike Shop in Meppel handles repairs and orders parts.