One of the best surprises of the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver this past June was a unique product called the RunOff that was introduced by a company called Nite Ize. If you're not familiar with Nite Ize, all you need to know is that it makes a slew of products designed for the use in the outdoors, many of which you won't even know you need until you've seen them in action. The company's line-up includes everything from rechargeable headlamps to collapsible dog bowls, with things like tiny s-biners, reusable twist ties, and lighted dog collars thrown in for good measure. The RunOff line is a welcome addition to this broad and eclectic mix of product categories however, bringing something truly ground breaking and useful to adventure travelers.
In a nutshell, RunOff is a collection of products that are designed to keep important items completely safe from water while traveling or exploring the backcountry. The line-up includes things like a waterproof wallet and toiletry bag, as well as several packing cubes. Recently, I got my hands on one of the medium sized packing cubes to put it through its paces, and I didn't not come away disappointed.
Obviously there are a lot of waterproof bags on the market, many of which use a roll-top enclosure to prevent moisture from getting inside. This is generally a pretty effective method for keeping water at bay, but it brings some intrinsic design issues along with it - most notably, most of those bags end up looking somewhat alike, and they tend to be overly large and bulky in order to accommodate the roll closure. Nite Ize has circumvented this problem by creating the Tru Zip, a patented waterproof zipper that is silent, has no teeth, and is completely waterproof. Best of all, the zipper can be integrated into a wide variety of products with nearly endless possibilities as to how it used.
Packing cubes have been around for awhile now and they come in handy when you want to stay organized while on the road. I know plenty of travelers who don't leave home without them. But, the RunOff models also happen to be made from waterproof fabrics, which working in conjunction with the Tru Zip allow the cube to be fully immersed in water and still keep the interior contents completely dry. In fact, the RunOff Packing Cube is rated as an IP67 level of protection, meaning it can survive in water 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes without any kind of problems.
Despite the fact that his is a "medium" sized packing cube, it is still quite spacious. Particularly if you're like me, and like to travel light. You can fit a spurring amount of clothes inside the pack, dropping it into luggage or a backpack in convenient fashion. Using a packing cube like this one also makes it easy to locate the specific things you're looking for and separate them from the other gear you're taking with you. It even compresses down in size to help you save space and weighs only 3 ounces (85 grams) when empty.
Much like Nite Ize's other products, the RunOff line is filled with items that on their own won't necessarily blow you away with their functionality. It isn't until you start to use them that it begins to dawn on you just how handy and useful they are to have in your own gear closet. Items that provide lots of convenience don't always stand out at first glance, but it is their simplicity and focus that makes them special. That is exactly what you'll find here - a simple, effective, and handy product that you'll end up finding more uses for the longer you own it.
Priced at $44.95, the RunOff Medium Packing Cube is pricier than similar products from competitors. But, those other models aren't going to offer the durability, versatility, and level of protection that you'l get from the Nite Ize version. And if you happen to be going on a paddling trip, spending time around a body of water, or visiting a destination that has lots of moisture and humidity, this is the perfect bag to take along. It performs above and beyond expectations and for those who need its fantastic level of performance, you'll find it is more than worth every penny.
Find out more here.
