GEAR ON TEST – ARMADILLO BAG FUEL BLADDER - JUST 4X4S

GEAR ON TEST – Armadillo Bag fuel bladder

Armadillo Bag fuel bladder

Tested by: Phil Suriano

Developed and tested in the USA, the Armadillo Bag is a soft and flexible alternative to rigid containers for short-term fuel storage, but one that’s still tough enough to handle off-road abuse.

GEAR ON TEST – Armadillo Bag fuel bladder

Weighing no more than 680g when empty, these fuel bladders are significantly lighter than conventional jerry cans, too.

Fuel storage products like the Armadillo Bag have been popular with adventure motorcyclists for years, and as a card-carrying member of that fraternity, I can attest to their strength, versatility and usefulness when riding off road, as well as their greater versatility compared to the likes of Rotopax and other fuel storage containers.

Applying the same sort of thinking to the 4x4 market, the Armadillo Bag features a two-layer construction that consists of a leakproof TPU inner, with a tough Cordura outer that resists rips, tears and cuts.

MOLLE-style webbing means there are plenty of tie-down points for easy fastening to your vehicle or trailer, while handles on the top, bottom and sides make for easy filling and pouring. A pouring spout is included and has its own storage pocket.

The Armadillo Bag’s range of four different capacities, from 3.8 litres to 18.9 litres, may seem like odd measures, but remember, these were developed in the US, so have been configured to US gallons, not litres. Regardless, there’s a size to suit just about any 4x4ing application, from a day trip to longer adventures between fuel stops.

The real bonus with the Armadillo Bag is the fact that it can be folded up to a fraction of its size when empty – as little as 63.5mm across in the case of the 3.8-litre unit and only 101.6mm with the largest 18.9-litre bladder.

With obvious applications for camping and hunting, as well as general off-road adventuring, the ability for the Armadillo Bag to be compressed to a fraction of its full size makes it extremely handy for marine use, too. As space on a boat is often at a premium (especially if you secure a big catch!), not having empty jerry cans clanking about on deck has to be a plus.

If you’re taking a chainsaw to cut up some wood, the Armadillo Bag can also be a great way to keep your pre-mixed fuel separate from spare petrol or diesel for your vehicle. Same goes if you were towing classic two-stroke dirt bikes out for some bush-bashing.

Armadillo Bag’s Aussie distributors tell me that each unit is individually pressure tested to ensure they’re leakproof, which is another plus, but they’re rated for temporary use only, not long-term storage.