There is a certain unspoken ceremony that takes place at the end of every great ride. It involves the peeling off of mud-caked layers, the swapping of stiff mountain bike shoes for something more forgiving, and the inevitable struggle of where to put all that damp, dirty gear without ruining your car’s interior or inducing a permanent funk.
This is exactly where High Above steps in. Their legendary Lost Lake Duffel Bag 30L has returned by popular demand, and it is every bit the rugged, military-spec companion that riders have been clamoring for.
At The Coolector, we have a deep-seated appreciation for gear that prioritizes purpose over fluff, and this duffel is a masterclass in “right-sized” utility.Clocking in with a $99.99 price tag, the Lost Lake Duffel is an investment in gear that is built to be used hard and put away wet—literally. Most duffel bags on the market try to protect your gear by sealing it off in a tomb of waterproof laminate, but that’s often the worst thing you can do for sweaty pads and damp jerseys.
High Above has flipped the script by utilizing a heavy-duty Phifertex® mesh construction. This isn’t your average flimsy laundry bag mesh; it’s an ultra-tough, abrasion-resistant material that allows your gear to breathe.
It’s a simple solution to a perennial problem: by letting air circulate, the bag prevents the dreaded mildew and odors that usually haunt gear bags. Because the mesh is partially translucent, it also saves you from the frantic “digging through the dark” routine when you’re trying to find a spare pair of gloves at the bottom of the bag.
The dimensions are a thoughtfully considered 20” x 11”, providing just over 30 liters of space. In the world of EDC and outdoor gear, 30L is often the sweet spot—large enough to swallow a helmet, shoes, and a full change of clothes, but compact enough that it never feels like a cumbersome anchor when you’re moving from the truck to the trailhead.
High Above hasn’t cut any corners on the hardware, either. The bag features oversized #10 YKK zippers that won’t snag or fail when you’re forcing that last layer inside, and the entire silhouette is reinforced with military-spec webbing for superior tensile strength. This is a bag that can be tossed into the bed of a truck, dragged across gravel, and subjected to the general chaos of outdoor life without showing signs of surrender.
One of the most underrated features of the Lost Lake Duffel is how easy it is to maintain. After a particularly dusty or muddy weekend, you don’t need to worry about delicate cycles or specialized cleaners. You can quite literally hose the bag out, and thanks to the breathable mesh, it dries in a flash.
It’s an SUV for your gear. Inside, you’ll find an end pocket and a dedicated key clip, ensuring that smaller essentials like your wallet or truck keys don’t pull a vanishing act amidst your larger gear. The heavy-duty carry straps are oversized and reinforced, designed to deliver a stable carry even when you’ve loaded the 30L capacity to the absolute max.
While it was born from the needs of mountain bikers and trail riders, the versatility of this duffel means it’s just as home at the gym or as a beach bag where sand needs to be shaken out.
High Above chose their materials based on intention rather than budget, and it shows in the finished product. It’s rare to find a bag that manages to be this tough while remaining so lightweight and practical. If you’re tired of your gear bags becoming biohazards after a long weekend in the mountains, the Lost Lake Duffel is the breathable, burly, and stylishly minimalist solution you’ve been looking for.
