Ortlieb Duffle Lite 40L lightweight waterproof travel bag

Ortlieb Duffle Lite 40L — the same promise, a quarter lighter

The classic Duffle is built from rubberised tarpaulin, which is why it survives being dragged behind a pickup and why it weighs what it weighs. The Duffle Lite makes a different trade. Same volume, same IP67 rating, same TIZIP — but cut from PS33, a PU-coated nylon, which takes roughly a quarter off the weight. At 760 grams it is lighter than most unlined canvas holdalls, and it is still sealed against a metre of water.

For anyone flying with a baggage allowance, that quarter matters more than the fabric philosophy. It is a kilo of clothing you get to bring instead.

What PS33 changes

PS33 is a PU-coated nylon, free of PVC, BPA and PFOA. Practically, it feels like a technical fabric rather than a tarpaulin: softer in the hand, quieter, and it packs down when empty in a way the classic Duffle does not. It is a genuinely robust material, but if your bag's life involves being dragged across gravel every week, the PD620 body and PS620C base of the classic Duffle remain the tougher choice.

Organisation, which is where it wins

A removable inner compartment with two flat zipped pockets lifts in and out, so you can pack it at home and drop it in, or take it out entirely when you need raw volume. Ortlieb's own tip is worth repeating: laying that inner compartment under the zip protects your contents from being caught as you close it.

• Removable inner compartment with two zipped flat pockets
• Internal compression strap to hold the load still
• External zip pocket for quick access
• Two daisy chains on the top for lashing extra gear
• Padded removable shoulder straps, joining with hook-and-loop into a single carry handle
• Zip pulls secured by a buckle and strap, which also compress the bag

Waterproofing, precisely

IP67: dust-tight and protected against immersion in one metre of water for thirty minutes. As on every TIZIP bag, the rating depends on the zip being closed all the way to the end stop. The zip has a T-pull and a jam-protection function, and it does not like being yanked — hold it square and run it steadily. A lubricant stick once or twice a year keeps it that way; we stock the Ortlieb one (E134).

Specifications

• Volume: 40 litres
• Dimensions: 22 × 53 × 31 cm (H × W × D)
• Weight: approximately 760 g
• Material: PS33, PU-coated nylon — free of PVC, BPA and PFOA
• Closure: full-length waterproof TIZIP, lockable, with T-pull and jam protection
• Waterproofing: IP67, dust-tight and immersion-proof to 1 m for 30 minutes
• Removable inner compartment, internal compression strap, external zip pocket
• Padded removable shoulder straps for backpack carry
• Colours: black, dark sand, rooiboos
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Warranty: 5 years

Frequently asked questions

Lite or classic Duffle?
Same volume, same IP67, same zip. The Lite saves about 226 g at 40 litres and uses a PVC-free PU-coated nylon; the classic uses rubberised tarpaulin with a reinforced Cordura base and takes more abuse. Choose the Lite for flying and travel, the classic for expedition abuse.

Will it pass as cabin luggage?
At 53 × 31 × 22 cm it fits many airline cabin allowances, but limits vary and change. Check your carrier. Empty, it also packs down far smaller than the classic version.

What does IP67 actually mean?
Dust-tight, and protected against immersion in one metre of water for thirty minutes. It is a real step above the IP64 on our roll-top bags, which covers splashing only. It is not rated for prolonged submersion or diving.

Can it be locked?
Yes. The zip pulls take a small padlock, not supplied.

Can I take the inner compartment out?
Yes, entirely. That is the point of it. Out, you get the full 40 litres uninterrupted; in, you get organisation without packing cubes.

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