Editor’s Note: This Halite Field Tested article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue.
We received two Halite bags in mid-2019 as we were planning a journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to Vladivostok, Russia. We were looking for waterproof bags to store on the roof of the Defender to contain soft goods: the canvas walls of the awning, winter jackets and thermal underwear, extra blankets and clothing, lightweight parts, and light, bulky goods which are necessary but not often used. Our family of four has nearly perfected the art of minimalism, but there is always the need for more storage space.
The word “quality” is synonymous with northern European products. When I think of Norway, in particular, I imagine a harsh, beautiful environment that demands the most rugged, reliable gear. Founded in 2006, The Halite company’s goal has always been “to build better and more secure solutions for people traveling in wet or sandy elements,” working in-house with personnel from leading special operations forces, outdoor, and expedition specialists. The products are built to be used in the harshest environments, from maritime operations to expeditions in Arctic waters and climbing in the Himalayas.
When we put gear to the test, we do not hold back. The pandemic pounced as we were set to leave South Africa, and we were stranded for six months until the border with Mozambique opened, and we escaped between lockdowns. Traveling carefully, we made our way across Mozambique to Zambia, where the political situation in Ethiopia forced us to turn left toward Namibia instead of continuing to Egypt. We crossed Mozambique and Zambia in the rainy season and arrived in the dusty Namibian desert for a few blissful months of exploration before returning to South Africa’s Western Cape for a wet winter. We then unstrapped the Halite bags from the roof rack, packed them with all our gear, boarded a plane, and found a way to travel to the USA after a two-week self-quarantine in Mexico. The Halite bags were then stuffed with gear and strapped to the roof of a Range Rover Classic for a journey from blistering Florida to icy Maine, across to Michigan, and down to Northern California in time for a record snowfall that winter. The trusty Halite bags were transferred to a Nimbl camper as we explored Idaho and into the mountains, camping in snow and sub-zero temperatures before driving across Baja, Mexico’s mainland, down into blistering hot Guatemala.
Kraken 140
I chose the 140-liter Kraken in the flame color as I desired an element on the vehicle that would be visible over long distances. The Kraken features integrated daisy chains for easy attachment to a roof rack and a big “wing” design zipped opening for easy access; the wings strap down to compress the bag. For ease of use and for carrying heavy loads, the bag features four large handles. The interior features compression straps to hold gear and a stash pocket. An oral air valve can be used to compress or inflate the bag. The Kraken we tested (a new Pro model is now available) is constructed of impressive materials, including a YKK AquaSeal #10 (now a TiZip MasterSeal#10) airtight zipper, a thick double-sided TPU laminate coating, and 840-denier 6.6 HT nylon fabric (1000-denier Cordura on the Pro)—the good stuff.
The Kraken is advertised as a waterproof bag, and it certainly is. The zip locks into a full waterproof position, and an oral vent allows you to compress all air out of the bag (once it is out, it stays out), or you could fill the bag with air. The construction is flawless. The 5-pound bag is large (43.3 x 20.5 x 16.5 inches) enough to transport a baby elephant, but it is also compressible and can be used as luggage for long-haul flights or carried on your back as a duffel.
The flame orange is an intense color and has faded only marginally. In retrospect, the bag was a bit too visible, and a gray or blue bag would have been more practical. While offering a perfect airtight seal, the YKK AquaSeal zipper does require maintenance (an occasional treatment with supplied lubricant). Should the zip begin to fail, it must be treated with lubricant and not forced, as the plastic slider can be damaged, rendering the bag unusable.
The Kraken is ideal for water, maritime, and overland use. I imagine it could be a lifesaver in a flood or during a marine accident due to its inflatability. The bag is an investment but is undoubtedly worth the money and should last a lifetime. The Kraken has proven to be nearly indestructible over three years of exposure to constant sun, wind, rain, and dust. The only failure we experienced was with the zip failing (on the very day I began writing the text on this review in Guatemala). The zip failure was entirely my fault as I had not lubricated it after a long period, and I am sure that a wet suit repair shop will be able to replace it.
At the time of writing, the Kraken in the flame color scheme appears to no longer be available. The Kraken range is, however, available in black (Pro range) and crocodile.
$490-$600
Halite Void 110
The Void is similar to the Kraken as it is a duffel, but the Void is more practical as everyday, multi-purpose expedition and travel luggage. The large half-moon zipped opening wraps around to the bottom of the bag, allowing excellent access to your well-protected gear. When fully opened, the lid will roll out as a tongue, making it a perfect place to stand when you change on the road or after a surf. Internal compression straps secure your gear and limit shifting, and big handles on all corners make it easy to carry heavy loads and avoid mishandling your luggage in airports. A fully TPU-laminated base allows you to place the bag on a wet surface without seepage. For extra carry comfort, the shoulder straps feature thick layers of EVA foam to spread the load, and at 3.5 pounds and 30 x 16.5 x 14.9 inches, it’s a versatile size and weight. The Void features a one-hand chest strap buckle, a long side pocket with a zipper, an ID see-through pocket, and reinforced shoulder straps and carry handles. The zipper is a two-way lockable #10 YKK Coil, the coating is a double-sided TPU laminate base, and the robust fabric is 1000-denier Cordura.
As with the Kraken bag, the construction of the Void is practically flawless, and the materials are excellent. The 110-liter bag swallows a massive amount of gear but is also compressible and can be carried on your back as a duffel. In terms of everyday usability, the Void performs very well and has proven to be as tough as nails. While the bag is not waterproof, it is dustproof, and even after weeks on desert trails, our gear remained clean and dust free.
We had no negative experiences with this product but do not recommend that the Void be stored on a roof rack in the wet season unless used in conjunction with an internal wet bag.
The Void is an attractive, excellent all-rounder, great for outdoor use in dry or dusty climates. With the addition of an additional waterproof sack, the bag could well be used permanently as a roof rack bag (thanks to the daisy chains) but would need to be dried after significant rains.
$229
us-halite.com/US, halite.no/Intl.
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