Best Fishing Carryalls

For most carp anglers, the Korda Compac Carryall is the best carryall in the guide. It's offered in four sizes from a 20-litre Small, with a firm lid you can use as a bivvy table and a reinforced waterproof base under water-resistant fabric.

Five outside pockets surround the main compartment, and the modular ones take Korda's Compac boxes, from one Compac 110 or two 100s on the smaller sizes to a Compac 140 on the Large and XL. Heavy-duty zips and a wipe-clean lining finish it off.

Carp anglers who switch between stalking trips and longer barrow sessions will get the most from it. Next to the Nash Subterfuge it has more pockets and fits Compac boxes, while the Subterfuge counters with rigid struts and a 90-litre XL.

To be fair, even the Large holds only 30 litres in its main compartment. For anglers who want one tidy, well-thought-out bag for most sessions, though, I think it's the one to buy.

Nash's Subterfuge Carryall is a rigid carp bag in four sizes, running from a 30-litre Small to a 90-litre XL. The struts inside and the rigid base stop it sagging, and the three-sided zipped lid opens wide so the whole compartment is in view.

On top, the stiffened EVA lid has a raised lip that keeps a receiver or a pot of hookbaits in place. Three full-width outside pockets take Nash boxes and accessory bags, and the Medium and Large add twin EVA loading handles.

Boat anglers and barrow users will like it most. Next to the Korda Compac Carryall it has fewer pockets but a stiffer frame, and compared with the Solar SP C-Tech it costs far less, though the Solar's padded walls and moulded base are tougher.

To be fair, only two of the four sizes get those loading handles. For carp anglers who want a rigid, boat-ready carryall without a top-end price, though, I think it's a very smart buy.

Built like a padded box, the Solar Tackle SP C-Tech Tackle Carryall System has the toughest build of any carryall in the guide. A Vertabr8 frame stops it collapsing, and a moulded waterproof EVA base sits under recycled G-Tex fabric in a 60 x 35 x 28cm body.

Padded outer pockets are sized for Solar Accessory Cases, two vertical pockets keep pop-ups and bottles upright, and the lid adds mesh pouches and two waterproof pockets. You carry it by the handles or a removable, self-ventilating AirStrap.

It makes most sense for carp anglers who barrow their gear and already own Solar cases. Next to the Nash Subterfuge it's better padded but far dearer, while the Guru Fusion EVA Base Carryall is a cheaper, wipe-clean option aimed at match anglers.

To be fair, it weighs 2.46kg empty and it's the dearest carryall on the list. For anglers who want as much protection as a carryall can give, though, I think it's well worth the outlay.

Two fully waterproof EVA sections clip together to make the Guru Fusion EVA Base Carryall. Joined up, it stands 42cm high, 58cm long and 27cm wide, with a 12cm lower base under a 30cm top base.

Down below, thicker, heavier-duty EVA takes metalware and seatbox accessories, while the taller top section holds Fusion luggage, including an XL rig case. An adjustable strap and an interlocking central handle carry it, and the two sections stack neatly on a trolley.

Match and commercial anglers are who it's really for. Next to the Solar SP C-Tech it's cheaper and wipes clean all over, while the Fox Camolite Compact Carryall suits carp anglers who'd rather have soft, pocketed storage for bait and bits.

To be fair, everything sits behind the two zipped lids, so it's slower to dip into than a pocketed bag. For match anglers who carry seatbox metalware and Fusion rig cases, though, I think it's a really tidy system.

At 33 litres and 54 x 32 x 33cm, the Fox Camolite Compact Carryall is a mid-sized carp bag at the cheaper end of the premium carryalls. Its front pocket is made to hold a large Fox Edges box, so your terminal kit stays in one place.

Inside, the main compartment takes accessory bags or clothing, two medium side pockets hold other essentials, and the stiffened lid has a large mesh pocket. Water-resistant 500D treated polyester, double 10mm zips and a removable padded strap complete it.

For me, it suits carp anglers on day sessions and overnighters who already use Edges boxes. Next to the Guru Fusion EVA Base Carryall it's softer but far more pocketed, and the Korda Compac Cube Carryall adds fibreglass bars and cable ports for more money.

To be fair, it's a softer bag than the strutted Nash Subterfuge or the Compac Cube. For anglers who want a tidy home for their Edges box, though, I think it's a sensible buy.

A 30cm cube sits at the heart of the Korda Compac Cube Carryall Dark Kamo, giving 30 litres inside a 40 x 40 x 30cm bag. Fibreglass bars keep it rigid and hold the firm lid flat enough to use as a bivvy table.

Around it sit four outside pockets, and the front one has homes for Funnel Web Systems, Kutters, marker floats and head torches. Four moulded cable ports let you charge from a power pack inside a pocket, and there's a pocket for a small tablet.

Short-session carp anglers who like a square bag on the barrow are the obvious fit. Next to the Fox Camolite Compact Carryall it's more rigid but holds slightly less, and the mid-priced Trakker NXG Carryall gives you about 55 litres for a lot less money.

To be fair, it costs more than the standard Korda Compac Carryall. For anglers who want charging ports and a barrow-friendly cube, though, I think it's a very neat bag.

Roughly 55 litres of room is the headline with the Trakker NXG Carryall, all in a body 60cm long and 29cm high. Heavy-duty twin-direction zips open the main compartment from either end.

Four large external pockets take the smaller kit, and the hard-wearing n-dura fabric sits on a waterproof base with rubber feet. A padded shoulder strap and grab handles on both sides help with barrow loading, and the bag itself is only 1.5kg.

Long-session carp anglers who want one roomy bag for bait, spares and a stove will get the most from it. Next to the Korda Compac Cube Carryall, it has far more space for a lot less, though the Cube's firm lid and fibreglass bars make it the tidier bag. The Avid RVS Deluxe Hard-Top costs a touch more and adds a moulded lid and base.

To be fair, it's a soft bag, so its shape depends on how full it is. For anglers who want big capacity without a big spend, though, I think it's a lot of bag for the money.

Avid's RVS Deluxe Hard-Top Carryall pairs a moulded EVA lid and base with lightweight stiffening bars, so it keeps its shape even when half packed. The Standard size is H40 x W58 x D35cm, with an XL as well.

Three external pockets, one large front and two at the sides, take the small kit. A built-in slot in the lid holds a phone or tablet, while the 600D Oxford fabric and 10mm zips should stand up well to bank life.

For overnighters and weekend sessions off a barrow, it's a tidy, rigid bag. Next to the Trakker NXG Carryall, it costs a touch more and has one fewer pocket, but it holds its shape far better. The Sonik Bank-Tek Carryall is a little cheaper and also free-standing, though it has a fabric top rather than moulded EVA.

To be fair, three outside pockets is fewer than some rivals offer. For anglers who want a firm, square carryall that's easy to work from, though, I think it's well worth the small step up in price.

Sonik's Bank-Tek Carryall is a rigid, free-standing bag that stays open while you fish. There are three sizes, running from the 49cm Compact to the 70cm Large.

The outer is HD 600D fabric with a PVC backing and reinforced wear points, over an HD waterproof base. Pockets are sized for most accessory pouches, internal elastics hold the contents in place, and a padded removable strap does the carrying.

Carp anglers who like to unzip the bag and leave it open by the bedchair will get on with it. Next to the Avid RVS Deluxe Hard-Top Carryall, it costs a little less and is more organised inside, though it has a fabric top instead of a moulded lid. The JRC Defender II Carryall is cheaper again but uses lighter 500D fabric.

To be fair, only the Large gets side grab handles for barrow loading. For a well-organised, stand-up carryall at a mid price, though, I think it's a very sound choice.

Built around JRC's Defender pouch range, the Defender II Carryall has a main compartment and three external pockets that all accept Defender bags and pouches. Large and XL sizes are offered, with the Large 57cm long.

The fabric is a tough, water-resistant 500D polyester in green over a reinforced base, with double zips on every compartment so you can open each one from either side. A padded, non-slip adjustable strap and webbing handles do the carrying.

If you already own Defender luggage, you'll get the most from it. Next to the Sonik Bank-Tek Carryall, it costs a little less but swaps the rigid, free-standing body for a softer build. The Wychwood Tactical HD Packsmart Carryall is cheaper again and splits apart, though it holds far less than even the Defender II Large.

To be fair, the build is plain and the base is water-resistant rather than waterproof. For carp anglers already using Defender pouches, though, I think it's a sensible, roomy buy that ties the system together.

Why carry the whole bag on a two-hour session? The Wychwood Tactical HD Packsmart Carryall splits into a main compartment and two smaller ones that detach completely, with 35 litres in all.

Tough 1200D material in camo, heavier than most carryall fabrics, covers the whole bag, and it has bespoke zips and a mesh pocket inside. Fully assembled, it measures 40 x 30 x 30cm and stays compact on a barrow.

It suits anglers who switch between quick trips and overnighters. Next to the JRC Defender II Carryall, it costs a little less and is more adaptable, but it's far smaller. The Avid RVS Carryall costs less again and holds more in its Medium size, without the split-apart sections or the 1200D outer.

To be fair, 35 litres won't take a full weekend's kit. For mixed short and overnight sessions on a tight budget, though, I think it's a clever, tough bag for very little money.

At 56 litres in its Medium size, the Avid RVS Carryall offers serious space on a small budget. The outer is water-resistant 600D treated polyester with camo detailing, and there's a Small size too.

Smaller kit goes in three external zipped pockets, with a big internal pocket for larger items. The chunky 10mm zips, padded strap and barrow-friendly side handles lift it above most budget bags.

Newer carp anglers and anyone kitting out on a tight budget should look at it first. Next to the Wychwood Tactical HD Packsmart Carryall, it costs less and holds more, though the Wychwood's tougher fabric and detachable compartments make it the more versatile bag. The dearer Avid RVS Deluxe Hard-Top adds a moulded lid and base.

To be fair, it's a soft bag, and the waterproof base only comes on the Small. For a first carryall or a spare bait bag, though, I think it's an easy recommendation.