A decent tackle sack is one of the most useful bits of caving kit, whether you’re carrying rope, SRT kit, food, survey gear or a Daren drum.

Choosing the right size matters: too small and packing becomes a fight; too big and you’re dragging unnecessary bulk through crawls. This guide explains what each size is best for.

Rope capacity is only approximate. Rope diameter, packing, mud, water and any extra kit will all make a difference.

Quick tackle sack size guide

Choosing by rope length

Start with the rope you need to carry. Allow enough spare room for easy packing, particularly when the rope is wet or muddy, without making the bag unnecessarily bulky.

• Short handlines or small personal loads: 13–19 litres is usually enough.
• Regular caving ropes: 22 litres is the classic useful size.
• Longer ropes and bigger pitches: 24–28 litres gives you more room.
• Big rope loads: 33 litres is useful, but heavy when full.

Small personal bags: 3 to 5 litres

Small personal bags are for snacks, first aid, survey kit, spare batteries, valuables and repair items rather than rope. They also keep small kit organised inside a larger tackle sack.

Options include the Mini 3 Litre Personal Caving Bag, Personal 5 Litre Caving Bag and Sachetto mini Personal Caving Bag.

Use a proper dry container as well for anything delicate; a personal bag alone is not waterproof.

Compact personal bags: around 13 litres

A 13 litre bag bridges the gap between a small pouch and a full rope bag. It suits personal SRT kit, a short handline, food, water, spare layers or incident kit.

The Rodcle EcoSac 13 is a compact caving bag with shoulder straps and carry handles, without the bulk of a full-size tackle sack.

Personal caving bags: 16 to 19 litres

A 16–19 litre bag is a useful personal size: manageable through awkward passage, but roomy enough for SRT kit, food, water, spare layers or a short rope.

The Landjoff 17 Litre Caving Bag is a practical option. The tougher Rodcle Mini 119 adds more carry handles and a more robust construction.

This can be a good first bag for newer cavers who do not need a full club rope sack.

Medium tackle sacks: around 22 to 24 litres

A 22–24 litre tackle sack is the most useful all-round size for regular UK caving. It carries a useful amount of rope while remaining manageable underground.

The Landjoff 22 litre and Steinberg 22 litre bags are solid everyday choices. The premium Rodcle Medium 224 offers a tougher build and several carry handles.

If you want a first proper rope bag without a specialist use in mind, start here.

Large tackle sacks: 28 to 33 litres

Large tackle sacks suit deeper trips, longer ropes and heavier club use. A 28 litre bag adds useful space while remaining fairly manageable; a 33 litre bag is intended for genuinely big rope loads.

Landjoff Extra Tough bags are simple PVC rope sacks. The Steinberg 28 litre Ovoidale and 33 litre Big Ovoidale offer a different shape and features such as haul lines and internal rope attachment points.

Bigger is not always better: a large bag full of wet rope becomes very heavy.

Expedition backpacks: around 43 litres

A 43 litre backpack is designed for expedition packing, bulky kit and long approaches. It is likely to be excessive for ordinary sport caving.

The Steinberg 43 Litre Zaino combines padded shoulder straps with tough PVC construction, a haul line and an internal rope attachment point.

Bucket-style tackle bags

Bucket-style bags stay open for easier loading and access. They work well for rope handling, instruction, rescue and work-at-height use.

The trade-off is their bulky shape, which makes them less suitable for ordinary sport caving.

What about canyoning bags?

Canyoning bags prioritise drainage, flotation, wet-rope handling and carrying comfort. Standard caving tackle sacks are designed more for hauling kit through cave passage.

For canyoning or wet rope work, see our separate canyoning rope bags guide.

Dry bags, drums and canisters

A dry bag is not a substitute for a caving tackle sack. It can keep kit dry, but may not withstand being dragged or hauled over rock.

Daren drums, Daren jars, dry canisters and rugged cases protect food, phones, cameras, first aid and batteries.

Use the tackle sack for transport and a suitable inner container for protection.

What should I buy?

• For snacks, survey kit and small essentials: choose a 3 litre, 5 litre or small personal bag.
• For compact SRT kit or short handlines: choose something around 13 litres, such as the Rodcle EcoSac 13.
• For your own caving kit: choose a 17 litre or 19 litre personal caving bag.
• For a first general rope bag: choose a 22 litre or 24 litre tackle sack.
• For longer ropes and larger club loads: choose a 28 litre or 33 litre bag.
• For expeditions and long approaches: choose the 43 litre Steinberg Zaino.
• For keeping kit dry: place a Daren drum, jar, canister or rugged case inside your tackle sack.
• For canyoning: use the separate canyoning rope bags guide.

For many cavers, a small personal bag and a 22 litre rope bag will cover most trips. Add a 28 or 33 litre bag only when you regularly carry larger ropes.

If in doubt, choose the smallest bag that comfortably carries the rope or kit you need.