As you know, we travel a lot. If we are not away trekking or experiencing new cities on long trips we are spending weekends away or visiting friends and family. We really cannot stay still, so are constantly packing and unpacking. We are always on the lookout for new and exciting products to see what works best for the kinds of activities we enjoy. We received the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL and were excited to try it on our trip to Tucson, Arizona.
In the past, if we were going on a plane, coach or train and not planning to hike from place to place, we would take a suitcase. If we went hiking or camping, a backpack would be the answer. Today, regardless of where we are going, we normally opt for a travel roll. It is the new generation of luggage, that is slowly but surely replacing the rest. Our current favorite is the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL.
What is the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL?
The HOBOROLL is made from lightweight and seemingly durable nylon-type material. It measures 10″ in diameter and 15″ in length.
These packs expand as you need them to and can be opened and secured from both ends. There are five separate compartments which separate your items.
There is also a hidden zippered pocket which can hold your wallet, phone, etc. As of now, the HOBOROLL comes in three colors: Mineral Blue, Midnight Lava, and Pinyon Pine. There is a separate adjustable strap that is sold separately.
This is a unique piece in that — unlike other roll luggage — you do not lie it flat. You sort of stuff the compartments then secure the drawstring end closures.
What we like about the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL
This compression sack is really a multi-purpose bag. It works well for going to the beach or pool and even would make a fantastic diaper bag. It seems like it would be easy to attach it to a backpack as well.
Empty, it seems small, so I was surprised by everything I was able to fit in it. It folds up to a tiny square and weighs only 3.5 ounces. Therefore, it is not going to take up much wardrobe space should you pack it to use once on your trip. The Gobi Gear HOBOROLL will easily fit your belongings.
The first day I used it, I was able to fit my water bottle, a pair of flip flops, sunscreen, bug repellent, a first aid kit, a hat, and a tee shirt. There was room to spare. I liked that I was able to keep like items together like the sunscreen, repellent and the first aid kit.
During my trip, I used the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL mainly for easy day hikes but found it useful even for short walks with my family. I put three water bottles — one in each compartment — along with a sweatshirt in the HOBOROLL when walking at night with my kids.
(My kids were happy to not have to carry their water bottles for once!) It was nice the water bottles weren’t clanging against each other. They fit well with room to spare.
There is a versatile and adjustable shoulder strap available. This is an extra but a useful one. It easily clips to the bag.
The padded shoulder piece was very helpful when I carried heavier items, like the water bottles, in the HoboRoll. I like that you can chose whether or not to buy this item separately. For my purposes and habits, it was essential, so I’m glad I have it.
I also liked that I could open the sack from either side. While I didn’t have it stuffed with clothing like I would for a trip or bigger excursion, if I did, it would be very handy to be able to open the sack from one end or the other without having to empty the contents of the bag for something I had packed at the bottom.
The clips are made from anodized aluminum which we learned makes them very strong but lightweight… no plastic here!
The Gobi Gear HOBOROLL is exceptionally well made. It is a stylish and functional stuff sack.
What we don’t like about the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL
We like pretty much everything about this innovative bag. The only thing was that it would be nice if there was a way of turning this into a pack that you can carry like a backpack. This would make it more versatile, and then you really wouldn’t need the strap.
Packing tips for your Gobi Gear HOBOROLL
There is definitely a knack to packing the Gobi Gear HOBOROLL if you want to get the most out of it.
Start by stuffing the secret pocket with sensitive items like your keys, wallet, and other important items you may need access to.
Depending on where we were and what we were doing, we most often would tend not to put our phone or passport in there. We normally carry those items on us somewhere we can quickly find them and regularly check that they are still there.
Now you just need to fill each compartment. Shoes will take up an entire compartment or even two, depending on the size and type of shoe. It is best to fill the compartments with socks, underwear or small toiletry items to maximize the space you have available.
Slot them into a compartment and fill in any gaps with more socks or other small items. Tee shirts, shorts, swimsuit, fast-drying travel towels, and lightweight pants will fit well too.
We enjoy using our Gobi Gear HOBOROLL and look forward to using it on a longer trip. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy it, especially as I continue my trip through in Arizona in the summer, where I am always either carrying or using my water bottle, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. You will be happy with how much you can fit into the innovative Gobi Gear HOBOROLL.