MARCHWAY Floating 20L Review
Cons: Prone to leaking, less durable plastic parts
Manufacturer: Marchway
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
MARCHWAY Floating 20L | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $17.99 at Amazon | $194.00 at Amazon | $24.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $32.95 at REI | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Inexpensive, thick durable material, simple design, optional backpack straps | Durable, easy to use, comfortable to haul around | Nearly watertight, durable, lightweight, white interior helps you find things | Lightweight, easy to use, good compression design | Very durable, easy to remove backpack straps, oversized capacity, simple metal clips |
| Cons | Prone to leaking, less durable plastic parts | Expensive, large | Will leak under duress, no easy carry straps, seams taped not welded | Not for use as a stand-alone bag | Leaks if packed improperly, metal hooks take longer to use, tough to keep organized |
| Bottom Line | This model provides a great way to transport damp gear, but does little to prevent on boarding water | This product keeps out water, no matter how rough and wet things might get | Quality protection from splashes and brief submersions for a low price | This waterproof stuff sack has all the features you need to keep your sleeping bag warm and securely stowed | An easy to use design that's well designed and durable, but overkill for many trips |
| Rating Categories | MARCHWAY Floating 20L | Watershed Colorado Duffel | Sea to Summit Big River | eVent Compression | NRS Bill's Bag |
| Waterproofness (50%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | MARCHWAY Floating... | Watershed Colorado... | Sea to Summit Big... | eVent Compression | NRS Bill's Bag |
| Weight (ounces) | 14.4oz | 4.8oz | 8.0 oz | 51.2oz | 65.6oz |
| Size We Tested (liters) | 20L | 75L | 35 L | 20L | 110L |
| Closure Type | Roll-top | ZipDry | Roll-top | Roll-top | Roll-top |
| Included D-Rings? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Style | Roll-top w/ shoulder straps | Duffel | Roll-top | Roll-top w/ lid and compression straps | Roll-top w/ shoulder straps |
| Material | Ripstop tarpaulin | Ppolyurethane-coated nylon | 420D heavy duty nylon | 70D nylon | 21oz TobaTex |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The MARCHWAY Floating is made out of ripstop tarpaulin and has a 20-liter volume. It has a 9.2-inch diameter and is 22 inches tall. Removable webbing straps can be configured to carry it either crossbody or like a backpack. It is made out of durable waterproof material, but the roll-top is prone to leaking with prolonged exposure to water.
Performance Comparison
Waterproofness
The purpose of these products is to keep your gear dry, and, unfortunately, this model puts forth disappointing results in this metric. It provides sufficient protection from splashes and is a good way to keep soggy clothes isolated in the back of your car, but any ongoing exposure to water leaves the inner contents soggy. Our testing towel was moderately wet after this product was submerged for 30 seconds, and lots of air bubbles could be seen escaping. Dragging it behind a paddleboard resulted in a completely soaked towel.
Ease of Use
The MARCHWAY is a flat bottom cylinder. It stands upright on its own, which makes it easy to pack, but because it's taller than it is wide, packing requires stacking your contents vertically. The roll-top closure is simple and easy to use, and there are dual webbing carry straps so you can use it as a backpack — though it's a far cry from being the most comfortable backpack option we tested.
Features
The most remarkable feature about the MARCHWAY is the ability to carry it like a backpack. While these straps are highly convenient for carrying the bag over short distances, they are insufficient for going farther than from the car to the beach, as the plastic clips at the top and narrow webbing make holding any real weight in this sack a pain in the shoulder(s).
The MARCHWAY also sports four plastic D rings held on by webbing. Two are located at the roll-top, and two are near the bottom on the back. These D-rings are the attachment points for the backpack straps. The bag closes using a standard roll-top design that is not at all backed up by any helpful features that would make it actually watertight.
Durability
The main body of this model is made of durable ripstop tarpaulin, which makes it resistant to scratches and abrasions. The outer body of the product sustained no signs of damage throughout our testing. The plastic D rings and thin plastic clips on the backpack straps, however, are made of flimsy plastic and are prone to breaking.
MARCHWAY makes similar models in 5, 10, 30, and 40-liter sizes. All of these models are available in a ton of unique color options.
Value
This is one of the least expensive models we tested. Its dual straps and low cost make it a better buy than similar models, but when it comes to waterproofness, you get what you pay for — that is to say, not much.
Conclusion
The MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof is a good family beach bag but offers minimal protection to prolonged water exposure. It might be just what you need to store your kids swim trunks, but if you're into more serious water sports, try one of the hardier models instead.
— Maggie Brandenburg & Leslie Yedor