You can jimmy-rig a set of coolers, bags and boxes, held on with a dozen bungee cords (yes, we've tried that) but everything gets to your destination wet, dirty, smashed and warm, unless of course it fell off in the first mile, and then it doesn't get there at all. Or you can load everything securely into a backpack (we've done that too). Again, you arrive with lunch smashed and warm, and find yourself making "What to bring…" choices in the limited space. It also means riding with your balance possibly dangerously altered, or at least means an unnecessary distraction.

There are many better options on the market now, and manufacturers have facilitated some of the easiest to use, by including integrated rack systems on many models of utility ATVs. You can quickly and easily attach carrying containers from soft carrying bags to hard sided boxes made of plastic or metal. The choice may be limited by your vehicle make and model, but once you determine your budget and needs, there is most certainly a solutions well-suited. And definitely a better fix than the bungee cord web.

We decided first to take a look one of the simplest, least expensive, and most versatile – soft side bags, by ATVStuff.com.

There are more than two dozen products in the ATVStuff line, and most bags are defined by the size of the rack on your ATV and where you want to fasten your gear to. With bags for the front rack, rear rack, saddle bags that lay over the gas tank, or fender bags that lay from the rack down, you will want to take a walk around your ATV to see what will work best for you. If your model has a gear shift lever, that may prohibit use of the gas tank bag. If your foot treads are solid, you won't easily be able to fasten down the lower straps of a fender bag. Also consider your body position when you ride – some bags may even just be in the way. Shop for what you specifically can use.

With the variety of makes and models of ATVs we find ourselves on, key to our selection was a carrying bag with versatility. Capacity was also important, as we do sometimes travel with other ATVs that have no storage for gear.

We selected the Mini Triple Cooler Bag for the front rack from ATVStuff, verifying the dimensions and shape of the racks on the Kawasaki Prairie 360 we'd be riding. The bags arrived only days after ordering and fit perfectly.

Trail riding often means dust, water and mud. It's nice to have your gear arrive dry and clean, even if you aren't!

Our Kawasaki Prairie 360 ready for a test ride, outfitted with the Mini Triple Bag on the front rack.

Interesting features you won't find in many other bags include an insulated center gear section, and double insulation in the twin outside packs. The outside bags, perfect for a six-pack of water or pop and an icepack, can be used separately as well, allowing them to be removed from the quad and carried streamside when you reach your favorite fishing spot. Great idea.

The Mini Triple Bag easily holds an entire day's "stuff" for three people - lunch and drinks in the double-insulated side compartments stay cool and arrive intact.

With wide-opening tops, the side compartments also hold tall water bottles and fruit without crushing it.

As you can see from the photos, capacity in this bag system is generous. We packed lunches, drinks, snacks, fishing gear, bug spray, lotion, tool kit, first aid kit, rain gear, hats and sunglasses – for three people! We were easily able to "Pack it In, Pack it Out."

Features we really liked:

• Large pull-tabs on heavy duty zippers
• Velcro holding the main bag handles from flapping
• Flap of fabric overlapping and protecting zipper
• Insulated side bags
• Clean-ability
• Waterproof/Dustproof fabric
• Lightweight
• Inexpensive
• Many colors, sizes, variations available
  

In just a few seconds, you can unfasten either of the side bags, and take them with you directly to your lunch spot or fishing hole.

Nylon straps and double-D rings on all sides insures a solid, secure attachment to a variety of rack types.

Improvements we’d like to see:

• Velcro to hold handles together on small side bags – the outside handle is left to flap, and can catch on passing branches. You can easily fix this yourself with about $1 of Velcro.
• More gradual, rounded corners on the large center bag. Especially with the oversize zipper, which we like, it's very difficult to zip around the 90-degree corners. It takes two hands, and both sides of the zipper must be lined up perfectly. There's no easy "at home" fix for this.

Overall, we'd give the Mini Triple Cooler Bag a definite thumbs-up, and look forward to other products from ATVStuff.com. For only $88, it's worth its weight in convenience.

www.ATVStuff.com