There’s a reason why snowmobilers drive big pickups and SUVs: we have a lot of stuff to haul. From tools and jack stands to helmets and riding apparel, we need a lot of gear and supplies in order to be prepared for the adventures a snowmobile trip can present. Fortunately for riders like me who take “preparation” to the Nth degree, the EVS Sports Freighter is king-sized so I can haul all of my loot in one bag.
When I go snowmobiling, I want to be ready for all weather I might face. At 16 by 18 by 32 inches, the red, black and gray Freighter bag had enough capacity for all of my gear. I could haul a pair of boots, one helmet, my Tekvest chest protector, two pairs of riding pants, two coats, several pairs of goggles, three or four pairs of gloves, socks and a balaclava, not to mention several days’ worth of under layers and street clothes. Several external pockets made it easy to organize goggles and gloves in one spot, a few trail maps in another pocket along with a safe place to stash valuables.
The bag has proven to be fairly durable over the past year I used it. The zippers are smooth with big pulls that are easy to grab with a gloved hand, and the wheels still roll smoothly even after all of the snow, slush, dirt and gravel I rolled them through. Five big, sturdy handles make it easy to lift the bag into the back of a pickup or pull it from the baggage carousel at an airport. One seam, however, has split and needs to be repaired.
There’s only one downfall to the EVS Freighter: the changing mat, which is on the wrong side of the bag – the back. So, when I zipped open the lid, it flopped down and covered the mat that I wish I could have stood on to keep my feet clean and dry. If the mat would have been on the front side, I could’ve stood barefoot in a snow-covered parking lot while I reached in the bag for my socks and pulled them on in one easy step. How did EVS designers miss this?
At $139, the Freighter bag is a good value. It’s fairly rugged, its styling is cool and most importantly, it has room for me to pack everything I need.
EVS Sports
Rancho Dominguez, California
800/229-4387
evs-sports.com
