CarpForum.co.uk brand mark, a blue stylized fish with a white eye and a smooth modern look, set in the site header against a clean background CarpForum.co.uk wordmark in a bold flowing script style, reading CarpForum.co.uk, displayed in the site header
Menu
Utils
Go Premium Who's Online Members Weather Photo Gallery Articles
Account
Login Register
RS335 SYSTEM RUCKSACK (87 posts / 12,860 views)
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #16 22 Jan 2026 13:57
1
I sold all my cotswold gear after i had the fabric fade and cotswold didnt give a toss,I also hated how it folded in on itself once you took gear out
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #17 22 Jan 2026 14:06
0
In reply to Post #16
Yes that really annoyed me. I ended up just using there padded cool bags as didnt fold in on themselves. All i use now are their link rod sleeves.
Churchy Churchy
Posts: 1,333
Post #18 23 Jan 2026 16:00
1
In reply to Post #15
Hahaa...exactly the same, me and a mate bought the deceptor thinking the'yd be ace and they were a right pain, completely unfolded they took up and entire bivvy.

I also had the Vulcan rucksack and the original Roamer one, all horrendous on your back and just not great quality. I felt the same with the various carryalls i had from Cotswold, floppy sided, as soon as you took stuff out they collapsed on themselves. Zips were pretty poor but that was a lot to do with the floppy sides and pockets

I've spend thousands on Cotswold kit over the years and the only things i still own are their rod lead straps and a bespoke brolly bag from about 15 years ago.
MrFrosty
Posts: 637
Post #19 25 Jan 2026 12:39
1
Really fancied one until i saw the price. Like the modular way bits can attach on. Got the Speero compact rucksack for that reason and think it's horrible on my back. Might try a ESP 40l quickdraw one instead.
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,618
Post #20 25 Jan 2026 13:51
0
In reply to Post #19
The Speero gear is diabolical, if it was a direct choice of them or CA even with the price and flaws I'd chose CA.
JasonM JasonM
Posts: 1,764
Post #21 25 Jan 2026 16:18
0
When I bought my trident rod holdall nearly 20 years ago quality wise it was a cut above what else was available and I'm sure the price I paid was half of what they are today.

I have the thinking anglers rucksack which I purchased for the rivers.
It's slightly smaller and half the price.
I think this is too expensive considering the choice we have today.

stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #22 25 Jan 2026 22:29
0
In reply to Post #20
Got just about everything speero make and had just about everything cotswold have made and even if speero were the same price as cotswold i would buy speero, best luggage ive owned.
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #23 25 Jan 2026 23:07
0
In reply to Post #22
Agree,having owned both the speero is far better
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #24 26 Jan 2026 08:14
0
In reply to Post #20
What makes it "diabolical"? I think it's very good personally and use a few of their bits
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,618
Post #25 26 Jan 2026 09:01
1
In reply to Post #24
The military grade (lol) zips don't open/close one handed, fabric is very flappy so collapses in (especially when wrestling with a zip) and it's very uncomfortable when on your back when walking any distance especially if you add the clip on things to it.
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,618
Post #26 26 Jan 2026 09:17
0
In reply to Post #25
Should have added, this is based on using a couple of hundred quids worth of their stuff:

1 X compac rucksack
2 X modular add ons
1 x modular bait carryall

The trakker nxg 55l rucksack for 65 quid, not perfect but works a whole lot better than the Speero stuff
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #27 26 Jan 2026 10:42
0
In reply to Post #26
That's exactly the same bits I had (minus the bait bag)and found them to be perfectly decent.
Busted
Posts: 1,882
Post #28 26 Jan 2026 11:38
0
In reply to Post #23
I agree as well, ive pretty much replaced all of my Cotswold luggage with speero now
Beyonce
Posts: 1,711
Post #29 26 Jan 2026 13:17
0
What's the distressed office photography all about?!
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #30 26 Jan 2026 13:34
0
In reply to Post #25
All of the larger speero bags are padded so definitely dont fold in on themselves. I dont use any fishing rucksack from any tackle company as Ive found everyone ive owned to be uncomfortable including speero which is why I only use carryalls. Ive never had an issue with any zip and ive probably got a dozen speero bags/pouches. Maybee you have just been unlucky as never heard of anyone else having issues and its very popular.
Are you sure?

This action cannot be undone.

Yes, continue

Loading…