Firstly, there are the deep sea fishermen who work the stormierst waters of them all, the Bering Sea, in their bid to catch the highly sought after King Crab. Indestructible equipment is essential for this job, which is described as America’s most dangerous. The brand new bright orange colour is a tribute to their courage and the conditions they work under.

Secondly, the people in southern Mexico have to endure relentless heat, plants with intent on inflicting cuts and pain, and rough arid terrain. These are the harvesters working the agave farms to collect the essential elixir of life for Tequilla and inspiring the new colour Agave Tail.

TUNDRA 45 HARD COOLER

The TUNDRA 45 is the the original stalwart of the YETI family. When Ron and Roy Seiders, YETI’s founders, set out to design the TUNDRA, they needed an indestuctible cooler that would withstand abuse and keep their catch fresh for several days during their fishing trips into the wild backlands of America.

This cooler is rotomolded for its legendary toughness – in other words, it’s made from one piece to alleviate any structural weakness – and the NEVERFAIL™ hinges and T-REX® lid closures are indestructible. The insulated FATWALL™ design combined with the PERMAFROST™ insulation means whatever you’re keeping inside is going to stay cold for days on end.

Whereas carrying is facilitated with DOUBLEHAUL™ polyester rope handles, secure transportation is guaranteed by the non-slip BEARFOOT™ feet and ANCHORPOINT™ lashing slots. That means you can safely stow the TUNDRA on a boat, a trailer, in the bed of your pickup or the back of your 4×4.

PRICE € 340

LOADOUT® GOBOX 30 GEAR CASE

The YETI LOADOUT GOBOX 30 is tough and ideal for storing all your everyday gear. Whether you are a fisherman, hunter, photographer, craftsman, vanlifer, off-road enthusiast or overlander, you’ll soon learn to appreciate its versatility and ruggedness.

No matter what you keep inside, you can rest assured your gear is fully protected against dust and water. The BEARFOOT™ feet means the GOBOX won’t slip on smooth surfaces and ANCHORPOINT™ lashing slots ensures it will stay where you put it when you’re on the move.

Inside, you will find an organiser’s paradise: pockets in the lid, a removable divider and a tray for smaller items. And while we’re talking about organising, the GOBOX 30 stacks reliably with its GOBOX 15 and 60 counterparts.

PRICE € 280

NEW: YONDER 34 oz – 1 LITRE WATERBOTTLE

If it’s got YETI written on it, you know its going to be tough. So it goes without saying, the YONDER waterbottle is a perfect companion for your outdoor adventures when you need to hydrate, but don’t want to lug unnecessary weight.

Made from BPA-free recycled plastic, the YONDER tips the scales at around half the weight of its stainless steel brother, the RAMBLER. The innovative cap is firmly attached to the bottle and 100% leak-proof.

The YONDER bottle has inherited the YETI DNA and combined it with a new lightness. So there are no excuses to leave this one behind when you embark on your next adventure.

PRICE € 30

RAMBLER®20 OZ (591 ML) COCKTAIL SHAKER

The YETI RAMBLER Cocktail Shaker means you can now serve your favourite cocktails on the beach, side of a mountain, open plains or wherever your journey takes you.

The robust and stylish cocktail shaker, made of dishwasher-safe, stainless steel and double-walled insulation, keeps drinks nice and cold from the first sip to the last. Thanks to the easy-to-close lid and the 1-oz screw cap, you can precisely measure your shots and the contents are sealed perfectly against leakage.

All you need is ice and your favourite recipe to let those good spirts flow.

PRICE € 70,00

YETI

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I need a case that is sturdy, water- and dust-proof, stackable, versatile and, if it’s going to be on the outside of the vehicle or be taken on a flight, lockable. Having a selection of compartmentalisation solutions is ideal. And a range of sizes is beneficial.

I have used Front Runner Wolf Packs in the past and, to be fair, they are extremely robust, usefully sized, admirably withstand shocks and scrapes of overlanding, and can be used as a seat. The deal-breaker for me was the potential ingress of dust and water, unless you kept them in a protective bag. Admittedly that did work, but seemed like a lot of effort to achieve something other cases manage on their own.

Then, Front Runner announced the Wolf Pack Pro. Now, I do like a challenge and am not unknown to change my opinion about something especially when a large company like Front Runner steps up and makes fundamental improvements to an existing concept. Nevertheless, I still couldn’t shake off my doubts. Just to make sure, I wasn’t going to be too biased, I even asked Charlene Ribotta for her opinion of the Wolf Pack because she is currently living with some as she explores Africa in Rafiki, her Toyota HiLux. Her biggest gripe, beside the fact they could be a little higher to accommodate standard one-litre bottles, is, and I quote: “…the clasps seem weak for everyday use and hurt the fingers with regular use.” The standard clasps are made of plastic, relatively narrow, and can be a pain to fasten or release especially in freezing weather if you have really cold fingers. I have never used them long enough to establish if they’re durable or not, but Front Runner do offer some steel clips as an option—seems to be self-explanatory.

FROM THE OUTSIDE

Side by side, the Pro shares several traits, including identical exterior dimensions, thus making it unmistakably a Wolf Pack. However, you can’t miss the first significant upgrade: From afar, you can easily identify the four large contrasting aluminum clasps powder-coated in grey. Even my large hands can operate them with four fingers—three with thick gloves on—and they snap reassuringly into place to secure the lid.

Whereas the earlier model has deep channels in its lid to locate with the base of another Wolf Pack for stacking, the Pro is smoother and more aesthetic to look at, with a large logo emblazoned on its centre. The earlier lid fits over and around the container while the Pro lid sits inside the container parameter. At this point, I will point out that the Pro can be stacked on the Pro and the predecessor on one of its kind, but you cannot stack a Pro on an earlier version or vice versa—something to consider when upgrading.

The Wolf Pack has holes in its sides at each top corner so that you can tie them down to a roof rack using Stratchits, for example. Instead of the holes, the Pro has a recess in the top edge of each long side between the clasps which either act as a guide for a ratchet strap, Stratchit or as the location point for mounting brackets specifically designed for the Pro and to harmonise with Front Runner’s roof rack systems.

FROM THE INSIDE

Inside, the Pro is 5 mm shorter in length and width and 2 mm shallower. Being water- and dust-proof does mean that the Pro doesn’t have its predecessors drain holes in its floor. But, the real difference between the two can be found under the lid. Whereas the original Wolf Pack relied upon its lid being larger than the container itself to redirect water, the Pro has a rubber seal sunk into a channel in its lid. Combine this with the compression exerted by the four wide clasps and you have a good basis for water and dust proofing. Another modification to the lid is a honeycomb reinforcement for even more stability.

As far as space is concerned—and this applies to both models—they are voluminous enough to stow a fairly well-sorted camp kitchen, or pack t-shirts, underwear and other clothing items for a week to ten days (smart packing rules apply). On the other hand, they are not large enough for you to pack them to such an extent that they suddenly remain immovable.

THEORY TO PRACTICE

I am reluctant to write anything about a new product unless I have had an opportunity to subject whatever it is to real-life conditions. The brace of Pros in my possession have been with me for slightly more than six months and have not been spared. They’ve been stored outside, bounced around in the back of a vehicle over thousands of kilometres, suffered temperatures ranging between minus 18°C and plus 35°C along with being caked in ice and drenched in torrential rain. The Wolf Pack Pro has fulfilled what Front Runner set out to achieve: a sturdy, weather- and dust-proof storage container that trumps its predecessor.

If you are considering storing them on the roof rack, then I believe Front Runner’s mounting brackets are a must. They are designed to pull down on the sides of the container as opposed to squashing down the lid. By nature of the material used for manufacture, over-tightening a ratchet strap cast over the lid could cause some deformation which may render the seal slightly less effective. I haven’t experienced that, but just the idea underlines the practicality of the brackets.

VERDICT

Secure mounting brackets and foam compartment inserts are all I need to strongly consider the Wolf Pack Pro as a viable option for our 2024 Cape To Cape expedition. The Pro case and accessories provide me with a good alternative, in most instances, to my trusty aluminum cases. Especially when you consider the overall compact dimensions and an empty weight of just 3.65 kilos. The new clasps speak for themselves and are leagues ahead of their predecessors, and visible and physical representation of the effort Front Runner have invested in this significantly improved case.

As far as the price is concerned, the old Wolf Pack costs €36 and the Pro €49. Having lived with both models under authentic overlanding conditions, I feel the extra €13 are well spent because the Pro performs as I would hope and is built for longevity.

€49 | frontrunneroutfitters.com

SPECIFICATIONS

• Material used: Polypropylene black plastic
• External Dimensions (LxWxH): 510 x 400 x 230 mm
• Internal Dimensions (LxWxHx): 445 x 335 x 203 mm
• Weight: 3,65 kg

The post Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro – is it really worth the extra money? appeared first on overland-europe.

It is constructed of a PU Oxford weave with a PVC inner layer, seams are heat-sealed and taped, and rubberized panels cap each end. There are two zippered mesh pockets inside and a Velcro-secured pocket on the exterior. A semi-rigid plastic panel offers a stable platform for contents, and thick webbing around the closure is easy to grip when rolling it down. Four quick-release buckles, one on each end and two across the midsection, allow you to efficiently cinch the bag down to any size. When the closure is tightly rolled, Velcro strips line up and lock in place, reducing the possibility of snagging on other gear. There are two lashing hoops on either side, and the hand and shoulder straps have held up to heavy loads and numerous airports.

Although the Cargo Storm is not rated as a river bag, mine has endured downpours and being sprayed with oozy Central American mud, and I have yet to pull a pair of soggy socks from within. Available in 69- and 155-liter sizes.

ARB.COM

Written by Chris Collard, this article first appeared in the Autumn 2016 edition of Overland Journal.

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General construction is 1- to 1.5-mm formed aluminum with beaded walls and corners for increased dimensional strength. All joints are riveted and sealed, the stainless steel piano hinge is robust, and spring-loaded handles on each end make for an easy carry. The lid opens to about 110 degrees and is held in place by two webbed straps. When the lockable, stainless steel latches are cinched down, a polyurethane gasket on the lid seals the cases airtight. All are IP54 rated for water intrusion (IP65 is available), ATA (Air Transportation Association) 300 Category I approved, and meet MIL-STD-810 and 461 standards for structural integrity.

The K470 series is available in 25 standard sizes, but custom units can be built for specific needs. My cases are 23.6 x 15.7 x 13.4 inches, weigh in at 11 pounds each, and fit perfectly with my other gear (the cost for this size is $305). I’m using one for my mess kit, the other for food storage. Another nice feature is the formed cast-aluminum corners, which allow me to stack one case atop another without fear of having it shift or slip off. I suggest they thread the corners and offer adjustable, screw-in legs to allow the case to be used as a table.

Although the cases come from Zarges unlined, Bauer Cases now offers CNC-cut, .25-inch, 6-pound Stratocell (closed-cell) foam liner kits. I found two distinct advantages to the liner: protection of content and sound insulation. Overall I’ve been really happy with this storage upgrade. The K470s are lightweight, rugged, and weather resistant. If I need to pack them for a flight, I know they are certified for most consumer products. Bravo!

ZARGES

This article first appeared in the Summer 2016 edition of Overland Journal Europe.

Words and images: Chris Collard

The post Zarges K470 Cases – Quality storage solutions for the long haul appeared first on overland-europe.