RUX 70L Review for Van Life: Clothing Storage
Two RUX 70L bins = a removable closet: more than a week's worth of layers inside; basics stay in the built-ins.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele and additional images courtesy of RUX.
Storyteller Overland Dark Mode at a Mulberry Gap Basecamp with bikes on the rear rack.
I recently bought a Storyteller Overland Dark Mode.. On my first trip, storage was a mess. I needed clothing storage that was easy to reach—neither a rigid container nor a standard duffel. After looking at the garage layout, I mounted two RUX 70Ls on the wall. The square footprint stacks cleanly, they stand open when I’m parked, they’re soft-sided, and when I stay at a hotel or Airbnb, I lift one out and carry it inside—no reshuffling. I’m very design-focused and minimalist as an art director/designer, and this setup checks both boxes: design and function.
I keep repeat-wear pieces (sweaters, midlayers, tees) in the bins. Daily items—underwear, socks, fresh base layers—stay in the van’s built-ins. That split keeps clothing items in the best places to reach, and it works for their categories.
Who Is RUX? The Squamish, BC Brand Behind the 70L Collapsible Gear Box
RUX is a design‑led outdoor storage brand based in Squamish, British Columbia. Founded in 2019 by a small team of designers and product folks, the company builds a modular storage system centered on the collapsible RUX 70L, with add‑ons like bags, pockets, Utility Rails, Utility Hooks, and the Press Seal Lid.
RUX 70L Collapsible Gear Box in black with backpack straps and lid.
Their mission—quoted above—shows up in the details:
Lifetime guarantee on RUX‑made products.
Modular components that move cleanly between vehicles, garages, and camp.
Repair‑friendly, collapsible construction with waterproof fabrics and RF‑welded seams.
If you’re new to the brand, the 70L is the core piece; everything else snaps in to fit how you pack, mount, and carry.
RUX 70L Specs & Dimensions (At-a-Glance)
Capacity: 70 L
Exterior: 15.7 × 19.5 × 13.8 in
Empty weight: ~5.3 lb
Carry options: tote, duffel, backpack, grab handles
Materials: soft-sided, weather-resistant build (TPU-coated 840D nylon; RF-welded seams)
Optional lid: Press Seal Lid for tighter sealing/easy on-off
Storage bonus: collapses nearly flat when not in use
What I Tried Before (and Why It Didn’t Work)
I thought I had storage dialed. I love my Gregory camp storage bins (read my review), so I figured they’d work in the van. In the garage space, though, the hard containers were too rigid—they caught on the bed legs and were a pain to get in and out. The duffel was worse: clothes mixed together and I could never find what I needed.
Standard duffels: everything sinks to the bottom, constant digging, eats floor space, no clean way to mount, messy on travel days.
Hard plastic bins (including my camp bins): heavy and loud, hard corners scuff interiors, live on the floor, awkward to carry into hotels, and in my van they hung up on the bed legs.
What I needed: a soft-sided box that stays open like a drawer and although soft rigid, mounts off the floor, carries like a tote/backpack, lifts out for hotel nights, and moves easily from the garage to the living area without catching on bed legs.
Why the RUX 70L fit: the square footprint stacks cleanly, it stands open when parked, mounts off the floor, is weather-resistant, and collapses when I don’t need it. The design also uses corner sleeves for stays—these add structure so the bin stands up, yet it still collapses with them installed.
“Our RUX mission is to make space for the good life by creating the most agile and sustainable systems for people to manage and move their gear.”
Mounting the RUX 70L in a Van (Pro Install)
I’m having Alabama Truck Outfitters install the wall track and hang points. They installed my OWL Vans Monster Boxes and a few other things. This is the handoff I’m giving the shop, so the setup works for clothing storage and easy hotel carry.
Quick note: the Utility Rail mounts to the bin; the L-track is on the van wall. Utility Hooks connect the rail to the wall via L-track rings.
Goal: mount two RUX 70Ls side‑by‑side on the passenger side of the garage, so the lids clear and the floor stays open for other gear. Soft‑sided bins should hang cleanly and lift off fast.
Hardware (bring/confirm):
RUX Utility Rail (400 mm) — mounts to the long side of each bin.
RUX Utility Hooks — 2 per bin; slide onto the rail and hang from L-track rings.
Wall hardware: L-track with single-stud rings — mounted to the van wall.
Inside the Bin: Packing System Bundle (Organization)
I run the RUX Packing System Bundle in one bin to keep layers and small items separated. The pre-set organizers keep the soft-sided bin tidy—especially when it’s half full—without adding bulk.
Why the RUX 70L Beats Duffels and Hard Cases in a Van
Organized access: works like a drawer; stands open when parked.
Floor space back: shoes and a small hamper live underneath.
Grab-and-go: lift one bin out for hotel nights—no repacking.
Packability: collapses when not needed; lighter than hard cases at similar volume.
RUX 70L Value at $298
For van clothing storage, yes. It mounts off the floor, opens like a drawer, carries as a tote/backpack, and collapses when you don’t need it. If you only need a cheap bin or max crush protection, a plastic tote or hard case is a better value.
Context: purpose‑built van storage systems and built‑ins often cost thousands. Two RUX 70Ls create a comparable clothing closet for about $596 (two bins; lids optional)—less than half the cost of many fixed setups.
Verdict: For a two-bin van closet, the $298 price per bin is worth it for me.
FAQs
Is the RUX 70L waterproof?
The fabric (840D TPU-coated nylon) and RF-welded seams are waterproof, and the bin is highly weather-resistant. Add the Press Seal Lid for a tighter seal. It’s the same polyurethane-coated nylon family used in many packrafts and some inflatable boats.
What’s it made of?
TPU-coated 840D nylon with RF-welded seams, reinforced base, and a composite rim.
How much does it weigh empty?
About 5.3 lb per bin.
Will two fit side-by-side?
Often yes—tape two 19.5 × 15.7 in rectangles on your wall at mount height to confirm clearance for lids/doors.
What about the warranty?
RUX offers a lifetime guarantee on RUX-made products (defects are repaired or replaced; normal wear is not covered).
RUX 70L Gear & Accessories for This Setup
Two RUX 70L bins mounted off the floor in a van using Utility Rails and Hooks.
Ready to build this closet? Start with the bin, then add the pieces that make hanging/removal clean and fast.
RUX 70L Collapsible Gear Box — Shop RUX 70L
RUX Packing System Bundle — Shop RUX Packing System Bundle
Utility Hooks — Shop RUX Utility Hooks
Check out More Van Gear Reviews That Changed My Van Life for the Better
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks. She values quality and craftsmanship in everything she buys—from outdoor gear to everyday clothes and furniture. Her choices may seem expensive to some, but she believes in buying less and buying better. Longevity matters, both in terms of function and style. Her couch is five years old and still sold at Design Within Reach—that's the kind of timelessness she looks for. Some of the links in this review are affiliate links, which means she may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support her work. She only recommends gear she’d bring herself.
