Dometic GO portable storage review: The ultimate van life storage solution
Whether you’re packing up for a weekend climbing trip, heading out for a paddleboard, or just trying to keep your campervan organised, the Dometic GO storage solutions have you covered. With both hard and soft storage options, these rugged, thoughtfully designed containers are built for life on the move. From storing climbing and camping gear in your campervan to carrying your packed lunch to the crag, here’s everything you need to know about the Dometic GO hard and soft storage, and our honest opinion after using them on our own adventures for the past 2 years.
Dometic GO hard storage
What is the Dometic GO hard storage range?
The Dometic GO hard storage is a 50L durable, stackable, and weather-resistant storage container designed for adventures. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time van lifer, these tough boxes help you keep your gear secure and organised.
Key features of Dometic GO hard storage
- Weather-resistant & dustproof – Keeps dirt and moisture out.
- Stackable design – Perfect for compact van setups.
- Rugged latches & handles – Easy to carry, even when fully loaded.
The Dometic GO 50L hard storage boxes are perfect for storing climbing gear. City of Rocks, Idaho – May 2023
Uses
We have used our Dometic GO hard storage containers for the past 2 years to store our camping and climbing gear in our campervan. In April 2023 we shipped our campervan Ringo to the US for a year long Pan American road trip. We needed to ensure we had everything we needed for the trip in our 7m2 van, so the Dometic GO storage boxes were perfect for this.
We have one box full of climbing gear (quickdraws, ropes, trad gear and chalk, etc.), while the other box is used for camping gear (sleeping bags, mats, our tent, cooking pots and pans, etc.).
The boxes stack easily on top of one another and are easy to pull in and out of the van, so ensure our gear storage is as space efficient as possible. We were able to fit 2 stacked on top of each other, or 2 front to back with our climbing bags on top. So, we had multiple options depending on where we were and what we needed easy access to.
Stacking our Patagonia Cragsmith rucksacks on top of the Dometic GO 50L hard storage boxes. City of Rocks, Idaho – May 2023
Not as outdoorsy as us? We think the boxes still make a great storage option in a campervan for anyone embarking on van life. They would also be useful for storing extra clothes and bedding. Additionally, the dustproof and weather-resistant design makes them a good choice for protecting electronics and valuables such as camera gear and drones.Since the hard storage box has a flat, sturdy top, they can be used as a makeshift table or seat. This is especially useful for van life, where space is at a premium and you may not have room for a separate table and chairs (though if you do, the Dometic GO table and chairs are a great choice!).
Using the Dometic GO table and chairs for our remote work setup. Idaho, US – May 2023
Durability and wear – 2 years on
Our Dometic GO hard storage boxes have held up super well. After 2 years of use, other than a few cosmetic dinks (shows they’ve been well used!), they still function perfectly. We still use them pretty much every day for accessing our gear.
Dometic GO soft storage
What is the Dometic GO soft storage?
Dometic GO soft storage is a lightweight, collapsible storage bag that’s designed for carrying essentials on the go. It’s flexible, easy to pack, and ideal for day trips. The GO soft storage is available in 10L and 20L sizes.
Key features of the Dometic GO soft storage
- Collapsible & lightweight – Saves space when not in use.
- Water-resistant material – Protects your belongings from the elements.
- Easy-access zip design – Grab what you need quickly.
- Optional insert – Convert the soft storage into a sturdy cooler.
The Dometic GO 20L soft storage box in 'Glacier' and the 10L soft storage box in 'Silt' colourways.
Uses
Over the past couple of years, we have used our Dometic GO soft storage boxes for:
- Carrying lunch to the crag
- Storing quick access climbing gear
- Storage boxes for paddleboard trips
Crag snacks
Before we used the Dometic GO soft boxes for our lunch, we would always end up with squashed bananas and nuts flying everywhere. Once we realised the 10L soft storage fits perfectly inside our Patagonia Cragsmith rucksacks, it was a game changer.
It’s just the right size for a day’s worth of food, and also has enough room for a small Dometic thermos for coffee at the crag. If you’re taking one each, you can use the optional insert to further protect your food and insulate it.
Quick access climbing gear
We found the 20L Dometic GO soft storage was perfect for storing loose climbing gear. For example, we use it for chalk, tape, ClimbOn, and other small items that would otherwise easily get lost.
We also use it on bouldering trips when we don’t need to take a big rucksack. It perfectly fits our climbing shoes, chalk buckets and fingerboard, and we can carry it inside our bouldering pad.
The soft storage boxes fit perfectly inside the hard storage, so you can use them as organisers if you have lots of loose items.
Paddleboard adventures
Our favourite use of the soft storage boxes has to be for paddleboard adventures. We have done a few multi-day paddleboard trips, and they are a useful addition to drybags. We use them for items we need quick access to, such as snacks, water, suncream and layers. They are water-resistant, so everything inside stays dry.
Other uses
The Dometic GO soft storage boxes are easy to carry, and when used with the optional inserts, can function as a ‘mini cooler’. If you’re planning a trip to the beach or a picnic, the 20L box with the insert would be perfect.
The Dometic GO 10L soft storage is our go-to lunchbox for crag snacks. Margalef, Spain – Feb 2025
The Dometic GO 20L soft storage is perfect for quick access items on a paddleboard trip. Turks and Caicos Islands – May 2024
Durability and wear – 2 years on
Our Dometic GO soft storage boxes are still going strong despite using them several days a week. The material they are made from is super durable, so despite abuse sea salt, sand and dragging them across rocks at the crag, they don’t have any rips or tears in them.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for long-term storage inside a van, or need something tough for outdoor adventures, go for the Dometic GO hard storage. If you need a grab-and-go solution for daily adventures, the Dometic GO soft storage is the way to go. Or, pair both of them together for a great integrated storage solution.
Dometic GO has made life on the road (and at the crag) way more organised. The hard storage keeps our van clutter-free and protects our gear, while the soft storage is perfect for quick adventures.
Using the Dometic GO 20L soft storage on a multi-day paddleboard trip. Turks & Caicos Islands – May 2024
I’ve been looking for a good storage solution for my van, and the Dometic GO seems like a great option. It looks really durable and well-designed, especially the hard storage boxes. I like that they are waterproof and dustproof, which is essential for keeping my gear safe on the road. The soft storage options also seem useful for organizing smaller items. It’s great to see a storage system that’s designed to be easy to pack, stack, and carry.