Rjays versus Ventura

[MaxB]

My take on it is the Ventura system is more expensive, tougher and a simpler design. The RJays gear I have owned is good value, not as tough but has heaps more features.

I have a Ventura Rally pack with the fitted rain cover. The cover makes a big difference.

[Grant`]

I own both a Ventura and a San Remo pack and both have there ups and downs.

The ventura is my day to day around town bag, light rain it has had no problems but in a downpoor once it started leaking it was all on. You can get a storm cover for it which i have purchased but they are an optional extra well for the bag i brought anyways and quite expensive..

The San Remo i have is the 40litre expandable to 56 ( i think those are the specs )and it also works really well, does come with a built in storm cover (my bag didn't have any way to tie down the cover so i use bungies), however the zips seem flimsy and with out the storm cover on the bag leaks badly.

Both bags do the job they were meant to, the Ventura bag is definately a lot better quality if I had to pick one, but with out the Storm cover coming as part of the kit, the san remo was definately better bang for buck in my eyes.

If you have specific questions please feel free to pm me.

[Askelon]

Had both over the years. Still got my original Ventura bag from over 10 years ago. Its no longer as waterproof as it was of course be all in all its still in very good condition. The rjays bags on the other hand were pretty much junk. Ive had 2, both of which have basically rotted after 12mo of use. They all get subjected to use 3-4 days of the week, rain, hail or sun..

[Mom]

We have the Ventura style of bags, one large one and the smaller one that zip together, both expand, though two up we can not expand the smaller one. We did a 10 day trip last year, carried everything we needed no problem. Will let some water in though, so plastic bin liners are the order of the day.

[NZsarge]

Yep, Ventura is fine by me, I have'nt even laid eyes on a San Remo pack to be fair but I have no need to either.

[Pixie]

Isn't Ventura a city northwest of LA?

[vifferman]

They (Ventura) don't leak as such but a spot of water does get in (I suspect wind blown up through the zip) in continuous heavy rain.

Actually, the fabric is fairly waterproof, but the seams aren't seam-welded, so I suspect that's where most of the water gets in (and doesn't get out again, so you can end up with a couple of cupsful of water swishing around!). You can get a storm cover, which works OK, but ti's lightweight nylon so it flaps around a fair bit. I prefer to do as others have said, and just put anything that needs to be kept dry into a plastic supermarket bag.
I've had three or four Ventura bags now, and nearly bought a Ventura tankbag, but the Motoline was more cheaperer and betterer.

[Hailwood]

I have had an RJays Explorer? bag the one that zips out to 80litres extended..its great and has not leaked despite some heavy rain. Takes all the gear i need.

[NordieBoy]

I like my Ventura.
I also like my RJays.

I feel the Ventura is better built but the RJays has more features.
The Ventura is a bag with a zip and a front pocket.
The RJays has a kitchen sink hidden in there I swear.
The Ventura is waterproof.
The RJays is waterproof once the rain cover goes on.
I like the shape of the Ventura for riding.
I like the shape of the RJays for bunging stuff in.