Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 Review

The Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 stands out as the most featured suitcase in our review, optimal for those who need to pack bulky gear and almost always travel with a helmet. Advertised as an adventure suitcase, it's not for those merely seeking a sleek or stylish bag to check at the airport. If you're an expedition traveler or adventurer who prefers a roller bag, this is an excellent option.

Performance Comparison

Storage & Organization

The ORV Trunk is aptly named. It really is more like a trunk than a traditional suitcase and stands out for its thoughtful storage design and easy to exploit capacity. While the company claims the 30-inch case carries 98 liters of gear, we feel like we get more out of it thanks to the external gear loops and helmet strap.

This bag is rigid enough to hold its shape when only partially packed yet still flexible enough to squeeze in just one more layer when packed to the gills. That said, since the weight capacity on most airlines is only 50 pounds, you need to be careful about overpacking this behemoth. The ORV is not for those seeking simplicity — it is one of the most featured suitcases we tested.

There are ten gear loops on the 30-inch version that we tested, with even more on the 36-inch option. Clipping things to the outside of your pack isn't the best idea when you're in transit, though. They'll swing around and potentially catch on things like conveyor belts. Because of this, we don't find ourselves using them often. You probably already know if you will or not. We do like them for sorting gear once we get where we're going, and they can be really handy to bungee wet gear to your bag from a last-minute mission.

The top of the bag comes with a bungee cord that easily deploys from the handle port to attach a helmet, second backpack, or purse. The top front pocket is spacious and can easily fit a pair of sandals, a camera, or any other items you need to access quickly. It also has a zippered mesh pocket for essentials like an ID or ticket.

We really love the expandable pocket at the foot of the suitcase. This pocket has a Nylon water-resistant liner that separates the pocket from the rest of your gear. When unzipped and expanded from the inside, the pocket fills the bottom third of the bag — we were able to fit two pairs of ice climbing boots inside. This is perfect if you've got gear you want to keep separate from your clean clothes.

The inside of the ORV 30 has one large mesh pocket on the zippered flap. Along the sides are three more mesh compartments where you can stash undies and socks. To hold it all together, there is a net-like gear holder that is marginally helpful though it doesn't provide much compression. If you need to compress this suitcase from the outside, simply cinch down the buckles that wrap around the outer edges. The effect is relatively minor but still helps you streamline. It is a bit tedious to have to unbuckle four buckles before getting into your bag, though.

The main compartment has a nice rectangular shape that makes packing easy with or without cubes. A photographer friend commented that it would be great for camera equipment given the amount of space. It also works well for winter expeditions that require bulky gear like snow pants, ski boots, climbing ropes, and more. Bottom line, it's easy to pack this bag with a tremendous amount of stuff. If you're traveling by plane, be sure to weigh your suitcase to ensure you don't overpack… it's really easy to do.

Ease of Transport

This suitcase isn't the easiest to haul around, but it's not bad either. Like any roller bag, it moves pretty flawlessly through the airport and on hard surfaces. The oversized wheels glide over cracks smoothly, even when fully loaded. We also appreciate that this suitcase stands on its own when loaded down and is well-balanced.

The wheels on the ORV feel very sturdy. They have friction grooves that add an element of vibration when rolling on harder surfaces, though, so they aren't super smooth. The wheels are also plastic and don't have the rubberized surface that we have grown to love on other models. However, wheel housings are bomber, holding up under the weight of a full load. It works on gravel too, but not as smoothly. Given the size of this bag, it can be heavy when loaded and hard to push and pull. It's not exactly nimble. It doesn't have a lot of clearance either, so it snags easily if you're not careful.

If you've got to pick the whole thing up to haul it over rougher terrain or toss it in the car, you've got your work cut out for you. The ORV is big and bulky, but there are six haul handles, including one on each edge and two on the front, so you'll always have one close at hand.

We appreciate the beefy and comfortable roller handle on the top of this bag. It tucks into a zippable port and is one of the sturdiest in our review. The rest of the handles are thinner, but we didn't run into any durability issues during our testing period.

Overall, this suitcase is a bulkier case to transport than most. While it has decent rolling capabilities, it should probably stick to hard surfaces that aren't littered with rocks, soft dirt, or gravel. It's a great option for car travel and can easily be used at the airport as well.

Reliability

This suitcase is solid. The outer material is a water-resistant 1000-denier polyester material that resists scratches and punctures. The wheels, zippers, and main handle are all well-constructed, some of the sturdiest we've tested. Given how durable each of these components proved during testing, we award this bag with one of the highest reliability scores in our review.

Even after throwing this suitcase in the back of a truck for a month, it still looked brand new. The corners, where you would expect to see the most wear and tear, are reinforced with plastic bumpers and thicker fabric. They really do their job, increasing the durability and longevity of the bag.

The fabric on the main body is also impressively water-resistance, repelling moisture during all our water tests. That said, the case itself is not waterproof because the zippers are permeable. If water can get past the protective zipper flap, it will seep in through the zips.

The wheels on the ORV 30 are large, rolling easily over cracks and other obstacles. They are also easy to change out if they do wear down over time with a simple twist of an Allen key.

The only durability issue we foresee is at the bottom of the bag. The rubber guard in between the wheels was pretty chewed up after our tests. If you're somebody who bumps their bags up curbs and steps, expect to see some wear and tear in that area. Of course, that's what the guard is there for, so the fabric doesn't suffer.

The burly zippers are simple enough to use, but they do get tangled up in the corners, given the softshell material. When the suitcase is fully packed, they're easier to use. The giant pulls help, especially if you're sitting on top of the bag, trying to close it.

The main handle operates simply by pressing a central button. It has one of the smoothest actions in our review and feels sturdy as it glides to one of two possible heights. It doesn't bow out under the weight of a fully packed bag, either. If you're seeking a super reliable suitcase, this is one of the best.

Weight

This is a burly piece of luggage, yet only registered 9 pounds on our scale. That leaves you 41 pounds available for gear before making it an overweight suitcase at the airport terminal. You will definitely want to double-check yourself before flying, though — the cavernous interior of this case can easily swallow way more than 40 pounds.

Style

This case has a utilitarian, technical style. The exterior gear loops and super burly fabric give it an outdoorsy or even military-style look. It's not particularly stylish. This probably isn't the suitcase for regular business trips or anyone who likes a sleek look.

Value

The ORV is on the pricier side. Those seeking a simple bag for run-of-the-mill travel are unlikely to unlock its value. That said, if you frequently travel with enough gear to head to the crag or into the backcountry, you'll appreciate its rugged durability and packing capacity.

Conclusion

The Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 is a very technically-minded suitcase. This water-resistant piece is perfect for long expeditions via boat, plane, or car — a truly good choice for adventure travel. It's not a great option for those seeking a simple checked bag due to its bulk and utilitarian looks, but this is one to seriously consider for the go-hard and go-big adventurer.