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On board, a waterproof bag rarely ends up sitting neatly in a storage compartment. The Gill Voyager 30-liter bag has gone from the boat to the paddleboard, from boat trips to boat shows, without receiving particularly careful maintenance. Here?s what this prolonged use has revealed.
Three years without special treatment
A waterproof bag used on board rarely stays clean and neatly packed. For three years, our 30-liter Gill Voyager has seen use in a wide variety of conditions?as a sailing bag, for business trips, and on paddleboarding outings.
It was placed on the pontoons, carried on board, exposed to sea spray and submersion, and regularly left in the sun. Mediterranean UV rays were therefore an integral part of this long-term test. And when it came to maintenance, we kept it to a minimum: rinsing with fresh water was rare.
This test is actually quite representative of what a regularly used boating bag might go through. After three years, it allows us to observe its aging process with greater perspective.
The canvas and the assemblages have aged well
The Voyager features a PVC-coated fabric construction with high-frequency welded, seamless joints. Gill still uses this design in the current Voyager 2.0.
After three years, we haven't noticed any tears in our bag. The canvas has held up well not only to regular use but also to repeated exposure to the Mediterranean sun. We haven't observed any deterioration that could compromise its usability or waterproofing.
The same was true for the welded joints: they remained intact.
Storage solutions that eliminate the need for a big catch-all bag
One of the positive aspects noted is the internal organization. The compartments allow you to separate some of your gear and prevent everything from ending up at the bottom of the bag.
Searching for a pair of glasses, keys, or a small accessory in a deep bag while the boat is rocking can quickly become frustrating. Here, the organization is simple and easy to understand.
The front pocket remains its biggest pitfall
However, there is one limitation you need to keep in mind: the front pocket is not waterproof. Gill describes it as having a water-resistant closure, which is not the same thing as a waterproof compartment.
On paper, there?s nothing misleading about it. In practice, it?s more nuanced. This pocket is so easily accessible that we often find ourselves spontaneously slipping small items into it. However, when the bag falls into water, while the bag itself floats, the contents of this pocket are exposed to moisture. Nevertheless, the crystal (the transparent part)?despite being sensitive to salt and UV rays?has retained its properties without yellowing.
On the back, the texture reflects the bag's natural character
The Voyager can be worn like a regular backpack, which is a real advantage when walking between the boat, the car, and the dock. The carrying system in the current line also features breathable mesh padding.
In hot weather, your back gets sweaty. The waterproof shell and the Mediterranean climate aren't exactly the best combination for ventilation.
For a few hundred meters around a harbor, this isn?t a big deal. But on a long hike in the middle of summer, it becomes much more noticeable. The Voyager is, first and foremost, a waterproof water sports backpack?not a hiking backpack designed with ventilation in mind.
In conclusion, waterproofing is still a relevant issue today
This is precisely where the value of a long-term test becomes apparent. When new, almost all waterproof bags perform as intended.
Our 30-liter Gill Voyager has no tears, its seams are still intact, and, most importantly, its main compartment remains watertight. The fabric has also held up well despite minimal maintenance.
There are two drawbacks: a convenient front pocket that isn't waterproof?so you have to learn not to put anything valuable in it?and the fact that it gets hot when the temperature rises.
But the main takeaway from this review is something else: after three years of heavy use without any special precautions, the Voyager continues to do what we chose it for?keeping our belongings dry.
