Alpkit drybags WARNING.

[BigMonster]

Hi guys. Just to give you a bit of feedback on Alpkit Airlock line of drybags:
https://www.alpkit.com/featured/dry-bags

Over the last 3-4 years I have purchased 7 or 8 of them in various colours and sizes. They have never been washed and some of them have only been used as storage in the closet. So they had the easiest life possible.

Every single bag have now delaminated quite dramatically making them totaly non waterproof, the tape used on the stitches have a serious longevity problem. I have no hopes for any warranty and don't want to bash Alpkit as they have some good kit. Just to give you guys heads up to check your silnylon drybags and maybe even your tarps.

 

[oldtimer]

I've had this happen on other brands too. It seems to be a problem with the tape.
Another problem is that the inside coating and the tape seems to wear away with the friction of putting in and taking out of things used regularly, or maybe as they move around while being carried.
I suppose one solution would be to go back to using heavy duty plastic bags again.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Sadly, dry bags are not forever purchases, even if kept in a dark cupboard their materials may age and cease to be waterproof. I had two old, but lightly used Exped bags cease to be waterproof, both at the same time, not through the seams, but through the fabric itself. Coating didn't peel off, it just ceased to be water/air tight.

Chris

 

[Trojan]

Have you told Alpkit - they might like to know and might help!

 

[BigMonster]

Have you told Alpkit - they might like to know and might help!

Yes, I have been exchanging emails with Alpkit since yesterday.

In short their response was:
1. We have sold a ton of them and any problems would have came up by now, you are doing something wrong.
2. We can offer you a discount for new bags but not repair or replacement.
3. If you do decide to replace your bags keep in mind this could have been caused by moisture when stored.

Generally they are not bothered with a sprinkle of sarcasm in their messages.

 

[BigMonster]

Sadly, dry bags are not forever purchases, even if kept in a dark cupboard their materials may age and cease to be waterproof. I had two old, but lightly used Exped bags cease to be waterproof, both at the same time, not through the seams, but through the fabric itself. Coating didn't peel off, it just ceased to be water/air tight.

Chris

I know Chris, but two years of lying in the closet?
My 5 year old Karimors from SportsDirect are holding better.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Two years is very poor! I would not be happy with that. The Exped lasted a lot longer than that. Mine were urethane rather than silicone treated, so slightly different beasts.

I would go with the suggestion of contacting Alpkit and saying how disappointing this is.

Hope you are able to get some satisfaction from them.

 

[BigMonster]

This fight is not worth my time and energy, I'll just settle at "lesson learned". I was more curious have anyone else experienced this issue as their drybags were very popular at some point.

 

[Nomad64]

This fight is not worth my time and energy, I'll just settle at "lesson learned". I was more curious have anyone else experienced this issue as their drybags were very popular at some point.

Probably takes less time and energy to send an email to the retailer/manufacturer highlighting an issue with their product than to start a thread on here moaning about it.

Edit - apologies just seen earlier post saying you had raised concerns with Alpkit and not had a constructive response.

 

[BigMonster]

Please read the above posts. I have contacted Alpkit and have been exchanging emails and images with them since yesterday. They told me they can't do anything about it and they are the manufacturer... I have better things to do than taking it to the next level so I'm abandoning this fight.

This thread was to let people know that Alpkit Airlock line of drybags goes bad fairly quickly even in storage. I can't see where in this thread I'm "moaning" about anything???

 

[Wayne]

I would have thought Alpkit would have been more customer friendly in their response. I’m disappointed in them. I had two of their self inflating matresses fail on me after a short period. Their response was not overly encouraging then. I have avoided buying anything from them since.
This thread has confirmed my decision to avoid purchases from Alpkit where a product failure could lead to a serious situation.

 

[jmagee]

I like the heavier duty drybags such as ortileb as overboard ones. Think all others will fail sooner rather than later.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

[C_Claycomb]

I recall having a similar response from Clarke shoes and from Samsung regarding a television, both faulty or poorly made, and both just outside warranty. I will never buy Clarkes again (Vivo might be an exception), and will never buy another Samsung TV (or anything else if I have a choice). Following this I think I will stick to buying nothing but metal work from Alpkit, I have had good luck with their tent pegs and a stove and had been eyeing their dry bags as a possible alternative to Exped. It isn't hard, I don't need more kit anyway!

Thank you for sharing!

I have an Ortileb, weighs a ton, but has been with me since 2005 and is still water tight. Not a pack liner though, its the sort of thing that is tough enough to go it alone!

I do wonder whether it would be possible to do some sort of repair job with thinned sealant and patch material? Maybe not submersion-proof, as you might want for canoeing, but seems like it might be enough for a dry bag that lives in a pack. Seam sealing is good enough on silnylon tarps...

ATB
Chris

 

[BigMonster]

I had a small puncture hole in on of the bags which I repaired with silnet seam sealant quite sucessfully. So if I find some time I might just do the seam sealing like I did on my silnylon tarps as the drybags are made from silnylon.

But yeah, Alpkit bags are no longer that attractive pricewise and in the future I will go for Exped or Osprey.

 

[Trojan]

Yes, I have been exchanging emails with Alpkit since yesterday.

In short their response was:
1. We have sold a ton of them and any problems would have came up by now, you are doing something wrong.
2. We can offer you a discount for new bags but not repair or replacement.
3. If you do decide to replace your bags keep in mind this could have been caused by moisture when stored.

Generally they are not bothered with a sprinkle of sarcasm in their messages.

Then that is very poor!

 

[Toddy]

I've had a quick check of some now very old exped drybags, and they seem fine. I'd need to put them into water to be sure, but no signs of tapes coming off or fabric delaminating......they still 'feel' right, if I make myself clear.

I admit I'm surprised at Alpkit's response. Usually customer service at least makes an effort to be helpful.

That said, I'm with Chris on the Clarke's shoes. I don't buy Clarke's anymore, and I used to buy three or four pairs a year. Quality not there and their customer service couldn't have been any more useless.

I don't think the thread is a moan, more that it's an unhappy "Heads Up", from someone who rightly feels cheated. I would too, I reckon.

M

 

[Broch]

It is interesting isn't it that we define our opinion on a manufacturer/supplier by how they handle a problem. They spend millions on marketing to get us to like their products then forget that just one bad support experience makes us vow to never buy again! I love my Samsung TV but I've never had to test their customer support, I've never had a problem with Clarkes shoes (but don't buy that many), I have ten year old Karrimor dry bags that are still waterproof and no sign of deteriorating yet we slate the new 'cheap' Karrimor at every chance we get.

Who'd want to be in consumer products in this day of social media?

 

[saxonaxe]

These are good... £6.50p for 30.....

 

[Broch]

These are good... £6.50p for 30.....

Yep, but when you turn your canoe over and your kit drags on the rocks or the brambles on the bank it just shreds and everything gets wet . OK'ish for rucksack liners I guess.

 

[petrochemicals]

I have an alpkit xl version, a bit more heavy duty but not too much. I have to say different story all together. I use it as a stow bag for bread and eggs etc. It is hung by the sewn on lashing points on the outside of the rucksack, with rain shine thorns etc. Seam tape still perfect, even at the weight bearing lashing points.

I must say that the materials have a lot of effect, some the tape sticks to but not well. I have had cheap waterproofs delaminate too.

Bags for life, every time, thin, lightweight, initial outlay cost of 10p (per bag) and if the bag should become worn, they will replace it for free !(providing you take it back to the right shop)