Avid RVS Deluxe Hard-Top Carryall

How well is it built?

The hard-top build is the reason this bag scores well for construction. The moulded EVA base keeps the bottom rigid and stops damp ground soaking through, while the moulded EVA lid gives the top a firm, flat surface that shouldn't sag.

Inside, lightweight stiffening bars hold the walls up when the bag isn't fully packed, which is exactly when a soft carryall tends to slump.

The outer is water-resistant 600D Oxford fabric with a polyester lining and padding between the layers, and the zips are heavy-duty 10mm units with Avid's camo detailing. Those are a clear step up from the thin zips on many cheaper bags.

To be fair, it isn't a fully boxed-in carryall in the way the Solar Tackle SP C-Tech Tackle Carryall System is, with its Vertabr8 construction and densely padded walls. For a mid-priced bag, though, I think the 8.5 is well earned.

Storage & Organisation

There are three external pockets, made up of one large front pocket and two side pockets.

That's enough for the smaller bits like rig wallets, leads, a head torch and PVA, but it's fewer than the four big pockets on the Trakker NXG Carryall or the five on the Korda Compac Carryall.

The main compartment is where the hard top earns its keep. Because the stiffening bars hold the bag open, it's easy to drop accessory pouches in side by side and lift them straight back out, and the walls shouldn't fold in around them as the bag empties through a session.

The integrated slot in the lid also keeps a phone or tablet safe and off the ground.

Are three outside pockets enough? For overnighters and shorter sessions, I think they are, especially with pouches inside. Overall, the 8.0 reflects a bag that's tidy rather than crammed with compartments.

Ease of Use

Getting it to the swim is straightforward. There's a removable padded shoulder strap for carrying, and side grab handles make it simple to lift on and off a barrow.

On a loaded carryall, being able to grab it from both ends rather than hauling it up by the strap saves a lot of awkward heaving.

Once it's down, the rigid shape really helps. The bag stands square on its EVA base, the main compartment stays open while you work from it, and the chunky 10mm zips should be easy to grip with cold or wet hands.

Having the phone slot built into the lid means your phone is always within reach when you're sat by the rods.

The one drawback is that rigid sides don't squash down, so it takes the same space in the car or on the barrow whether it's full or half empty. That's a fair trade for a bag this easy to work from, and it earns its 8.5.

Is it good value for money?

It costs a little more than the Trakker NXG Carryall, which has an extra pocket, but the Avid gives you a moulded lid and base and a frame that holds its shape.

Against the Nash Subterfuge Carryall, which also has a stiffened EVA lid and rigid struts, the RVS Deluxe costs a fair bit less.

There's also the plain Avid RVS Carryall, which is much cheaper but is a soft bag with no moulded lid or stiffening bars. If a rigid carryall matters to you, the Deluxe is the one to pick, and the extra spend goes on exactly the parts that make the difference.

Overall, I'd recommend the RVS Deluxe Hard-Top to carp anglers on overnighters and weekend sessions who want a tidy, rigid carryall with a firm lid and a safe spot for the phone.

If you'd rather have a softer bag with more pockets for a little less, the Trakker NXG is the alternative.