Gourdon is a roll-top waterproof dry bag, we have added just enough features to give him some extra purpose in life. What started out life as just another waterproof dry bag, is now a rucksack that is just as comfortable canyoning down the Allt Nathrach as competing in the OMM adventure race. He won’t suit everybody, but he seems to have carved out his little niche in our pile of gear.

PRODUCT UPDATE: The original Gourdon concept was a dry bag with straps, not a rucksack that is waterproof. Inevitably we couldn't please everyone, so ever since we launched the Gourdon range of drybags people have been suggesting further developments. The new Gourdon 20 pack is designed so you can fit what you need for an active day in the mountains but not much else. It will feature the same hydration compatible back system just like the latest batch of 25 and 30 litre models, as well as 2 external pockets and a bungee/compression system on the front of the pack. The pockets give quick access to snacks when an attack of the munchies kicks in, along with being useful whilst using hard bottle hydration systems rather than bladders. The bungies allow you to fix a few layers on the outside whilst slogging uphill, or to secure your helmet when you nip into the cafe for a mince slice.

The Gourdon Legend

The idea for the Gourdon dry bag came from Tomaz, and to be fair Tomaz is a pretty good mountain climber. We were chatting to him about rucksacks and he went of on one, as he does, about how everything was getting too complicated and too heavy and too well two of everything. He then described his perfect rucksack which seemed to be basically a drawstring stuff sac with a couple of webbing straps. It reminded me of the gym bag we got at school. Well sometimes these alpinist guys can go a little too extreme but he made his point and it stuck with us.

Mesh straps

The shoulder straps are constructed from a mesh spacer material which is both lightweight and drys quickly. A waist belt stops the sack bouncing around when you are on the move.

A transparent window panel lets you see the stuff in the depths of your sack, so no more excuses for finding 2 month old banana skins! The dry sac itself is constructed from 300d PVC coated nylon while the new Gourdon 20 and Stealthy Gourdons are constructed from Taslan TPU nylon. The seams are taped and the lid has a roll-top closure secured by a duraflex buckle.

Shape

Gourdon resembles your old school gym kit duffle bag, remember how cool they were?

Great, but when am I ever going to need a dry bag?

Gourdon may appear to be a speciality product but infact he is not designed for anything in particular. A few weeks back AlpNick did the Polaris Challenge, he needed a bag to carry his stuff so he grabbed a prototype 25l Gourdon. Having decided to go solo at short notice there was never going to be a problem of taking to much. This is what he managed to cram in.

• Alpkit Pipedream 400
• Alpkit Wee Airic (Folded in four)
• Tarp/tent
• One pole section (the other pole sections drop in the seat tube)
• 8 Tike pegs
• Lwt Fleece
• Waterproof trousers
• Alpkit Tifoon
• Food for 2 days
• Alpkit MytiMug
• Stove
• Bike tools
• Pump
• Waterproof jacket
• Socks/Gloves
• Bivi bag (Rab)
• And of course Alptunes “the original red ipod”

It was just on the limit, any more stuff and you wouldn’t be able to roll over the top of the bag. One thing that he didn’t manage to cram in were the tyre levers. Now they would have been very useful, however he did find out that a Tifoon does make an ok alternative if you do need to fix a puncture. Need more ideas? Attach your Gourdon to a rock and keep you milk cool in a fresh alpine stream or keep your books dry as you bike to your lecture. Go gill scambling, coasteering or take a sea kayaking trip. Gourdon is a strange little beast, ideal for all those strange little things we do.