Avid RVS Carryall

How well is it built?

The outer is hardwearing 600D treated polyester, which is water-resistant and the same weight of fabric you'll find on plenty of dearer bags.

The zips are heavy-duty 10mm units with Avid styling, and there's camo detailing throughout, so it looks and feels like a proper carp carryall rather than a bargain-bin holdall.

The Small has a polyester outer and lining with a polyurethane and polyethylene filling, and it sits on a waterproof, wipe-clean base that's easy to sponge down after a muddy session.

So, why only a 7.5? It's a soft fabric bag that relies on its contents for its shape, and it can't match the moulded EVA lid, base and stiffening bars of its sibling, the Avid RVS Deluxe Hard-Top.

For the money, though, I think the build is honest and solid, and the fabric and zips are better than the price suggests.

Storage & Organisation

Both sizes have three external zipped pockets for the smaller essentials, which is where I'd keep rig wallets, leads, PVA and a head torch. Inside, a large internal pocket holds bigger tackle items securely, so they're not rattling around loose in the main compartment.

The Medium's 56 litres is the headline. That's about the same capacity as the Trakker NXG Carryall, which costs a lot more, and it's plenty for overnighters and weekend sessions with bait, spares and a stove.

The Small is the more compact choice for day sessions or anyone who carries less kit, and at 47cm wide it should sit neatly on a barrow or in a small car boot.

Is it as organised as the Sonik Bank-Tek Carryall, with its modular pockets and internal elastics? Not quite, as the pockets are general-purpose rather than sized for pouches, but for a budget bag the layout is practical, and the 8.0 is fair.

Ease of Use

Carrying is handled by a removable padded shoulder strap, and side webbing grab handles help when you're lifting it on and off a barrow. Side handles are one of those features that cheap bags often skip, so it's good to see them on a carryall at this price.

The heavy-duty 10mm zips should be easy to grab with cold or wet hands, and the external pockets mean you're not opening the main compartment every time you need a small item. On the Small, the wipe-clean base makes it easy to keep tidy at the end of a session.

To be fair, a soft carryall like this one won't hold itself open the way the free-standing Sonik Bank-Tek does, so it's a bit more fiddly to dig through when it's half packed. Overall, though, it's simple and easy to use, and the 8.0 fits.

Is it good value for money?

Price is the RVS Carryall's real strength. It costs a fair bit less than the Wychwood Tactical HD Packsmart Carryall and much less than the Trakker NXG, yet it still gets 600D fabric, 10mm zips, a padded strap and side grab handles.

The Wychwood has the tougher 1200D outer and split-apart sections, and it's the one to choose if you want a flexible bag.

For pure space for your money, though, the RVS Medium's 56 litres takes some beating, and if you want a firm lid and rigid frame, the RVS Deluxe Hard-Top is the step up.

Overall, I'd recommend the RVS Carryall to newer carp anglers, anyone kitting out on a budget and experienced anglers who want a spare bag for bait or cooking kit. It covers pretty much all the essentials for very little money, which is exactly what a budget carryall should do.