Metolius Dirt Bag II Review

The Metolius Dirtbag II is an affordable rope bag that offers a simple design. Though it is difficult to pack and doesn't offer any space for other pieces of gear, it easily packs into a larger crag pack and effectively keeps your rope out of the dirt. The new and improved version supplies a larger tarp that increases the overall functionality of the design. If you're after an affordable and simple rope bag, the Dirtbag II is tough to beat.

Performance Comparison

Packability

The Dirt Bag II scored slightly below average among our testers in the ease of packing the rope category. While it wasn't hard, and the zippered opening certainly helps, it just took a little more effort to stuff and roll the tarp, rope, and any extra gear back into the bag. This was even more noticeable when we had a thicker 70 meter rope over a skinny 60 meter cord.

The Dirt Bag II is surprisingly easy to pack inside of a larger cragging pack. Though it doesn't feature any compression straps, the fabric along with the supple nature of the design made the Dirt Bag II surprisingly easy to shove into any larger crag pack. This rope bag packs much more efficiently than most “backpack” style models and is simple to load with any rope. Its main shortcoming in packability is that it doesn't have any compression straps to reduce any unused space inside the bag.

Carrying Comfort

The Dirt Bag II features a single padded shoulder strap, which provided enough comfort for approaches that required thirty minutes or less. For short approaches or simply moving to a different climb at the same crag, the Dirt Bag II was more difficult to move than some other models that offer designs that stay open like a bucket.

The zippered opening of the bag did allow us to easily pile our rope and minimal gear inside while we walked a short distance with the zipper open. When we over-stuffed, zipped it up, and slung it over our backs, the button came undone on a few occasions and the bag slowly unzipped as it jostled with each step. Though not a perfect design, it is easy to use and affordable.

Rope Protection

The new Dirt Bag II does a much better job at keeping the rope out of the dirt than the original design. The original tarp felt tiny; just 36" x 36" and our testers would have to try hard to keep our cord off the ground, especially while flaking the rope. Now that Metolius has gone to a 52 x 58" tarp with the Dirt Bag II, this is no longer an issue, and the tarp feels big enough that users won't have to take meticulous care while flaking out the rope.

While the tarp was average in surface area among rope bags in our review, its tarp is bigger than most compared when looking at rope bags in general and it felt big enough to catch falling ropes effectively. So while the Dirt Bag II doesn't feature the biggest tarp in the review, it is not far behind.

Ease of Use

Though the Dirt Bag II doesn't offer a feature-rich design, the rope bag is simple and easy to use. The bag doesn't offer any backpack-style straps nor compression straps but it does have a few nice, very functional features like a zippered opening to make packing the rope easier, a top grab loop and a padded shoulder strap.

The Dirt Bag II also easily slides into a larger crag pack for those looking to simply keep their rope out of the dirt and use a larger pack to carry other essential gear for a day of cragging.

Should You Buy the Dirt Bag II?

The Dirt Bag II is one of the most affordable rope bags in our review. Featuring a large tarp, simple design, and compact profile, this rope bag is easy for us to recommend for those climbers on a tight budget. Despite its low cost, it delivers adequate performance in a stream-lined package. There are certainly better options available if you have a large budget, but for those seeking a basic rope bag that keeps your rope off the ground, the aptly named Dirt Bag II gets the job done.

What Other Rope Bags Should You Consider?

The Metolius Dirt Bag II is a no bells and whistles rope bag that will do a great job of adding longevity to your rope and could last up to a couple of decades of abuse. We also really like its single shoulder strap for medium distance approaches. If your rope bag purchase decision is primarily price-driven, this model is a great choice. If the price tag is still too steep, check out the Edelrid Liner which also offers a basic and simple design that's easy to pack, however, the bag is not as durable and the tarp measures quite a bit smaller than the Dirt Bag II. Are you after a little more versatility? Check out models like the DMM Classic and the Petzl Kliff that offer backpack-style straps, compression straps, zippered pockets, and removable tarps in exchange for a higher price tag.