Product Review: Solus Luggage

By Josh Cheong

The Daiwa Solus luggage range is a budget-friendly yet practical option for anglers looking for reliable storage without spending big. Designed for versatility and practicality, the range includes a backpack, hip bag, and boat bag—each suited to different fishing styles and trip durations.

First Impressions

I won’t lie when I first came across the Solus luggage, I palmed it off as entry level gear due to the price range and lightweight construction. My current bags at the time were Daiwa’s hard based boat bags which offer a much greater level of water resistance and structure which suited my offshore fishing requirements. However, when I needed a few bags for an interstate trip, I discovered just how handy these bags are.

Build Quality & Design

One of the standout features of the Solus range is its ripstop material construction, which is lightweight, water-resistant, and designed to resist tearing hence the name.

The khaki appearance combined with the cross-hatch pattern give the bags a modern utilitarian look, equally at home on the water as they are on the way to school or down the street. They don’t scream fishing and apart from the subtle Daiwa logo on the corner you would be hard pressed to even know what was inside.

They don’t have the gimmicky features found on many other bags, no bungee cords, magnetic plier holders, or inbuilt sunglasses holders here. A simple bag for a simple purpose.

While it’s not premium-grade luggage, the bags still feel durable, with strong zippers, clips, and straps that hold up well in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

One of my favourite design features of the bags is just how small they pack up and how lightweight they are. As a travelling angler, I’ll often stuff the backpack or boat bag in my luggage, when I’m flying as they weigh next to nothing which is great when you’re working with weight restrictions, the ripstop material can really be scrunched down to fit in the tightest of spaces which is a great alternative to more rigid bags when packing space is limited.

Storage & Practicality

The Solus bags focus heavily on open, flexible storage, making them suitable not just for fishing, but also for general travel or everyday use. They don’t come with any storage trays, which helps keep the price down for anglers that already have a selection of trays.

* Backpack: Includes a laptop sleeve, drink holders, and space for several tackle trays in the main compartment as well as space for leader, tools or a small tackle tray in the front compartment. —it is ideal for land-based anglers, who want to carry some gear whilst remaining hands free. Ideal for shorter day trips, the bag does lack any real support in the way of chest straps or lumbar support something to keep in mind if your fishing spot requires a long hike in. 

*Hip Bag: Simple in design, it excels for short duration trips, think going for a flick at camp after dinner where you just want to carry the essentials; a pack of plastics or two, some jig heads, scissors, leader. It sits comfortably on the hip and doesn’t stick out very far, great if you must weave your way into some tight country to get to and from your fishing spot.  

*Boat Bag: Larger capacity, fits multiple tackle trays, and includes a removable divider for organisation. The boat bag also doubles as a great over night bag easily fitting a few sets of clothes, jacket and toiletries.

Value for Money

This is where the Solus range really shines. With many other bags manufactures swapping quality for features, you can easily end up paying for more for features you don’t want or need, The Solus range bucks this trend offering excellent value and quality while giving anglers what the need.  

You’re getting durability, decent storage, and trusted brand reliability without a premium price tag.

Pros

*Affordable and great value

*Lightweight and easy to carry

*Durable ripstop material

*Versatile for fishing and everyday use

*Small pack down

Cons

*Limited organisation compared to premium bags

*Basic design (function over style)

*No support on backpack

Final Verdict

The Daiwa Solus luggage range is a solid, no-frills option that delivers exactly what it promises: affordable, practical storage for everyday anglers. It’s best suited to beginners, casual fishers, or anyone needing a simple grab-and-go setup.

If you want something tough, lightweight, and budget-friendly, the Solus range should be on your shopping list.