Ortlieb Duffle RG 34L wheeled waterproof travel bag

Ortlieb Duffle RG 34L — a waterproof bag that rolls, and fits in the cabin

Wheeled luggage and waterproof luggage are normally two different purchases. Roller cases keep the rain out until the zip gives up; dry bags keep everything dry until you have to carry forty litres across an airport. The Duffle RG is Ortlieb's answer to both, and at 34 litres it is the size that clears most airlines' cabin allowance at 55 × 34 × 23 cm.

What makes it unusual is where it works. Large wheels, an aluminium frame and an impact-proof underside mean it tracks over gravel, cobbles and the gap between a taxi and a hotel door, not just over polished terminal floors.

Three ways to move it

Pull it on the telescopic aluminium handle, carry it one-handed, or put it on your back — the shoulder straps are part of the design, not an afterthought. It stands up on its own whether full or empty, which matters more than it sounds when you are checking in or packing on a hotel floor.

Waterproofing

The body is a waterproof polyester and the opening is a 10 mm TIZIP Masterseal, the heavy-duty version of the drysuit zip. Ortlieb publishes no IP figure for the RG, unlike its roll-top bags, so we will not quote one. What the fabric and that zip deliver in practice is a bag whose contents stay dry through rain, spray and a wet quayside.

Specifications

• Volume: 34 litres
• Dimensions: 23 × 55 × 34 cm (H × W × D) — within most airline cabin allowances
• Weight: approximately 2,800 g
• Material: waterproof polyester, aluminium frame, impact-proof base
• Closure: 10 mm TIZIP Masterseal waterproof zip
• Telescopic aluminium handle and large wheels
• Removable shoulder straps for backpack carry
• Free-standing when full or empty
• Colour: black
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Warranty: 5 years

Frequently asked questions

Will it really pass as cabin luggage?
At 55 × 34 × 23 cm it is within the stated cabin dimensions of most European carriers, which is exactly why Ortlieb built this size. Limits differ and change, and some airlines also weigh cabin bags — at 2.8 kg empty, this one starts heavier than a soft holdall. Check your carrier before you rely on it.

Why does it weigh 2.8 kg?
The wheels, the aluminium frame and the reinforced base. That is the cost of a bag you can pull across broken ground, and it is normal for wheeled luggage of this size. If weight is your priority and you do not need wheels, the Duffle Lite 40 L is 760 g.

What is the difference with the Duffle RS?
The RS is the expedition version; the RG is built around the telescopic handle and wheel frame for travel. Same waterproofing philosophy, different job.

Does it have an IP rating?
Not one that Ortlieb publishes. The roll-top Duffles are rated IP64 and the TIZIP Duffles IP67; for the RG the manufacturer states waterproof construction with the TIZIP Masterseal but no IP figure, so we do not quote one.

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

Can it be repaired?
Yes. Ortlieb supplies replacement wheels, straps 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.