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Metolius Dirt Bag II Review

Incredibly functional and offered at a fantastic price
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metolius dirt bag ii rope bag review
Credit: Metolius
Price:  $30 List
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Manufacturer:   Metolius
By Ian Nicholson and Steven Tata  ⋅  Sep 30, 2019
50
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 9
  • Packability - 30% 4.0
  • Carrying Comfort - 25% 3.0
  • Rope Protection - 25% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 20% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Metolius Dirt Bag II features a much-improved closure system as well as a much larger and therefore more useful tarp, over the original model. Not only did the Dirt Bag get better but it also dropped in price from previous iterations. While we don't think the Dirt Bag II is the best rope bag, it's a sweet, no-frills functional rope bag, that does everything a rope bag is supposed to do well, without a lot of extras and all at a killer price.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Easy to pack inside anotherpack
Durable
Single shoulder strap is surprisingly comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as easy to pack the rope into
New Colors

Though no longer available in the blue we tested, you can pick up this Best Buy winner in green! All features and specs remain the same.

November 2018

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, easy to pack inside anotherpack, durable, single shoulder strap is surprisingly comfortableLarge removable tarp, comfortable backpack straps, useful compression strapsEasy to roll up rope, big tarp, compressibleLarge tarp, plenty of space within the bag to pack extras, tarp windowRidiculously easy to pack your rope, large volume, super light, easily packed into larger packs
Cons Not as easy to pack the rope intoThin fabric, not as durable as other modelsNo smaller pockets, not as nice to carry for long distancesOuter nylon not as heavy duty as other bagsFabric is not as durable, no extra features
Bottom Line Incredibly functional and offered at a fantastic priceA top-notch model that is comfortable to carry and easy to packAn upgraded version of the original Ropemaster, that we found to be much more useable than the older versionThe Trango Antidote is a basic rope bag that is a little cheaper than other options you'll find in our reviewA fantastic lightweight option for those that like to pack their rope in their cragging pack
Rating Categories Metolius Dirt Bag II DMM Classic Metolius Ropemaster HC Trango Antidote Black Diamond Full...
Packability (30%)
4.0
8.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
Carrying Comfort (25%)
3.0
8.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
Rope Protection (25%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
Ease of Use (20%)
5.0
9.0
6.0
4.0
6.0
Specs Metolius Dirt Bag II DMM Classic Metolius Ropemaster HC Trango Antidote Black Diamond Full...
Bag Design Burrito Burrito Burrito Burrito Burrito
Tarp size (inches) 52" x 58" 43" x 51" 52" x 58" 48" x 60" 40" x 40"
Accessory Pockets 0 1 0 1 0
Number Shoulder Straps 1 2 1 2 0
Compression Straps No Yes Yes Yes No
Metal or Plastic Buckles Plastic Plastic Metal Metal None

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


metolius dirt bag ii rope bag review - metolius keeps it simple with this affordable rope bag. we managed...
Metolius keeps it simple with this affordable rope bag. We managed to get a 70m rope, harness, shoes, quickdraws, and a chalk bag inside, but it was tight.
Credit: Steven Tata

Packability


The Dirt Bag II scored slightly below average among our testers in the ease of packing the rope category. While it wasn't hard, and the zippered opening certainly helps, it just took a little more effort to stuff and roll the tarp/rope/whatever else back into the bag. This was even more noticeable when we had a 70m fat rope over a 60m skinny cord.


The Dirt Bag was surprisingly easy to pack inside a larger cragging pack, while it didn't compress down or have any cinch straps, the fabric and construction's supple nature made the Dirt Bag easier than you'd think to shove into any pack. The Dirt Bag II packs much more efficiently than most "backpack" style models and is simple to load with any rope. Its main shortcoming in packability is that it doesn't have any compression straps to reduce any unused space in the bag.

Rolling up a 70m rope in the Dirt Bag II's tarp.
Rolling up a 70m rope in the Dirt Bag II's tarp.
Stuffing the rolled tarp into the bag's only cavity.
Stuffing the rolled tarp into the bag's only cavity.

Carrying Comfort


The Dirt Bag II features a single padded shoulder strap, which proved to be enough for most approaches up to around 30 minutes. For shorter moves, the Dirt Bag wasn't quite as easy as some other models like that stay open like a bucket, but it wasn't far behind.


The zippered opening of the bag did allow us to easily pile everything inside and walk a short distance while the zipper was left open. When we over-stuffed, zipped it up, and slung it over our backs, the button came undone on a few occasions and the bag slowly unzipped as it jostled with each step.

metolius dirt bag ii rope bag review - for road-side approaches, the dirt bag ii works as a minimalist crag...
For road-side approaches, the Dirt Bag II works as a minimalist crag pack, but after a few minutes of walking, it becomes uncomfortable.
Credit: Steven Tata

Rope Protection


The new Dirt Bag II does a much better job at keeping the rope out of the dirt than the original. The old Dirt Bag's tarp felt tiny; just 36" x 36" and our testers would have to try hard to keep our cord off the ground while sorting ropes. Now that Metolius has gone to a 52 x 58" tarp with the Dirt Bag II, this is no longer the case, and its tarp feels big enough that users won't have to take meticulous care when flaking.


While the tarp was average in surface area among rope bags in our review, its tarp is bigger than most compared when looking at rope bags in general and it felt big enough to catch falling ropes effectively. So while the Dirt Bag doesn't feature the biggest tarp, it is big enough.

metolius dirt bag ii rope bag review - our testers found the attached tarp inside the dirt bag ii to be...
Our testers found the attached tarp inside the Dirt Bag II to be sufficient to keep the rope out of the dirt.
Credit: Steven Tata

Ease of Use


The Dirt Bag 2 pretty much has no "extra" features but is very simple to use. It sports no pockets or gear loops, but it does have a few nice, very functional features like a zippered opening to make packing the rope easier, a top grab loop and a padded shoulder strap.


metolius dirt bag ii rope bag review - the dirt bag ii has two internal tie-in loops (one red, one black)...
The Dirt Bag II has two internal tie-in loops (one red, one black) to help with rope management.
Credit: Steven Tata

Value


The Dirt Bag II is one of the most affordable rope bags in our review. With a large tarp, simple design, and compact profile, the Dirt Bag II is our OutdoorGearLab Best Buy Award Winner. Despite its low cost, it delivers decent performance in a streamlined package. There are better options available if you have a large budget, but for those seeking a basic rope bag that keeps your rope off the ground, the aptly named Dirt Bag II gets the job done.

Conclusion


The Metolius Dirt Bag II is a no bells and whistles rope bag that will do a great job of adding longevity to your rope and could last for a couple of decades of abuse. We also really like its single shoulder strap for medium distance approaches. If your rope bag purchase decision is primarily price-driven, get this model.

Ian Nicholson and Steven Tata
 

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