RUX 40L Gear Box Review: The compact, waterproof hauler that fits where big bins can’t

We’ve used the RUX system for a while now (our long-term RUX 70L review is on the site) and the concept still makes sense: part bag, part box, all about moving gear without the usual chaos.

The new RUX 40L Gear Box shrinks that idea into a shorter, carry-on-friendly form that fits where the 70L simply can’t; think truck drawers, van bench cavities, boat decks, overhead bins.

On paper it keeps the rugged DNA (RF-welded waterproof seams, lifetime-serviceable parts) and adds a simpler Press Seal Lid designed for fast access while keeping water and dust out.

Key specifications

• Price: $250 at rux.life
• Volume: 40L. Dimensions (W × L × H): 40 × 50 × 20cm
• Empty weight: 5.7 lb / 2.6 kg (spec sheet also lists 5.66 lb / 2.67 kg)
• Load limit: 50 lb / 22.6 kg
• Waterproofing: RF-welded waterproof seams + Press Seal Lid (RUX-exclusive)
• Collapse: Compresses to ~3 in / 8 cm tall
• Carry options: Backpack straps, shoulder carry, grab handles (redesigned, padded, silicone-backed)
• Mount/lash: Flush lash points, utility rails; compatible with L-Track, slatwall, RUX tie-down and utility straps
• System compatibility: Packing Cubes, Soft/“Cooler” Cube, Short Organizer Panels
• Colors: Black or Bronze
• Warranty: Lifetime (repair/replace/serviceable parts)

Performance review

Form factor & fit

If you’ve ever tried to slide a 70L or a big plastic tote into a truck drawer or under a van bench, you know the pain.

The 40L’s half-height profile solves that.

You keep a box-like, wide-mouth opening that makes packing and finding things easy, but you gain placement options the taller bins can’t match.

For us, that screams beach gear (our current use for is), camp kitchen kit, overland recovery set, or “grab-and-go” marine box, the stuff you want shallow and accessible, not buried.

Access & waterproofing

The 40L swaps the 70L’s roll-top lid for the new Press Seal Lid.

Expect two practical wins here:

1. Speed: It snaps on/peels off quickly for frequent access (think camp cooking or gear changeovers).
2. Travel friendliness: Lower fuss than a roll-top when you’re in/out of vehicles or airline overheads.

For heavy rain, boat spray, and dusty roads, the Press Seal + RF-welded seams should be plenty.

If you routinely expect sustained submersion or white-water scenarios, the 70L’s roll-top still has the edge in “belt-and-braces” water security.

But for most adventure use, the 40L’s lid is the right trade-off between protection and access speed, you just need to decide how you plan to use it.

Carry comfort

RUX’s backpack/shoulder/handle triad works well on the 70L, and the 40L Gear Box will feel easier to shoulder thanks to the shorter stack and padded, silicone-backed straps that grip clothing.

The 50lb load rating is ample; in practice, half-height boxes encourage smarter packing and less “black-hole” weight.

If you’ve ever lugged a fully stuffed 70L duffel up cabin steps, you’ll appreciate this.

Rigging & vehicle integration

RUX’s flush lash points, ribbed base, and utility rails are what separate it from duffels and totes.

The 40L keeps those, and the smaller height makes it friendlier for drawer systems, slatwall, L-Track side mounting, and deck lashing.

For vanlife or garage walls, you’ll still be able to hang cubes/panels, clip on pockets, and cinch it down exactly where you want it.

Modularity is the secret sauce of the whole RUX platform, this 40L just unlocks tight spaces the 70L can’t touch.

If you’re new to the ecosystem, read our RUX 70L review for a deeper dive into rails, clips, and accessories.

Durability & serviceability

The same 840D TPU-coated nylon, tough base, and aluminum/acetal hardware that impressed us on the 70L are here.

We’ve liked that RUX sells spares and designs for field longevity; the lifetime warranty backs that mindset.

Expect the 40L to shrug off wet docks, sandy truck beds, and frequent roof-rack duty.

Organization (and what to pack)

Shorter height changes how you build kits, in a good way.

Stack stoves, pans, utensils, or camera bodies and lenses in shallow organizers so nothing disappears in a deep well.

Recovery gear (snatch strap, shackles, gloves, soft shackle, compressor hose) fits cleanly and stays easy to reach.

For water-adjacent use like we’ve been using it, that Press Seal Lid means you’re not wrestling a roll-top for every grab-and-go task.

Trade-offs & things to know

• Waterproofing style: The Press Seal makes access fast; for prolonged dunking, the 70L’s roll-top still wins.
• Price vs. plastic totes: $250 is premium. If your gear lives mostly on a garage shelf, cheap bins work. But if you move gear a lot, RUX’s carry/rigging advantages and lifetime serviceability tend to pay off in use, not on the spec sheet.
• System buy-in: It shines brightest with RUX cubes/panels. You can start with the 40L alone, but the ecosystem is what makes it addictive.

My verdict

If you love the RUX 70L idea but need something that slides under benches, nests in drawers, and fits airline overheads, the RUX 40L Gear Box hits the mark.

You’re getting the same rugged build, modular rails, and smart tie-downs in a friendlier height with a faster-access lid.

For camp kitchens, recovery kits, marine essentials, or compact travel setups, the 40L is likely the better daily driver than a deep bin.

If your use case is bulk hauling (family basecamp, winter gear piles), the 70L remains the right tool.

But for everything else, especially when space is tight, the 40L is the RUX we’d reach for first.