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The 8 Best Duffel Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These bags will save you space, time, and headaches from overly complicated backpacks and suitcases.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Testing Process

• Others We Liked
• Tips For Buying
• Other Duffels We've Written About
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

We’ve all been there: gearing up for a long weekend trip with friends or a significant other. Or maybe a quick work trip for that special client. Either way, it’s not a long enough duration to justify a carry-on suitcase or checked bag, but you still need to make sure you have enough room for a few changes of clothes and accessories.

We gathered up 56 of the best duffel bags available and are putting them to the test in the Travel + Leisure lab. We judged them based on capacity, organization, design, portability, durability, and value, and will continue to test them for an additional six months to make sure they stand up to real traveling. These are the best duffel bags for any trip you may be taking, whether skiing or jetting off to a sunny destination.

Best Overall

Bellroy classic weekender 45l.

This weekender is lightweight and easy to pack.

We wish the clips that attach the crossbody strap to the bag were made of metal rather than plastic.

We think the Bellroy Classic Weekender 45 is the overall best duffel bag you can buy. It’s more affordable than many of its counterparts and earned a perfect score during testing. While measuring its storage capacity, we found that it easily had space for four days of clothing and shoes, and we made special note of the accessibility of the wide mouth. Other bags on our list may have more pockets, but the storage of the Bellroy Classic Weekender is extremely useful, including a huge outer pocket that has a key leash and internal organization for small items like passports, wallets, or a phone. The three inner pockets are modest but are ideal for keeping all of your knick knacks close by. Snacks, chargers, sunglasses, or anything else you may need to find are all available with just a quick glance.

Another other area that the bag accels in is portability. It comes with two hand straps and a longer crossbody strap, the latter of which kept it secure against our body when fully packed but also made it comfortable to carry with just a few items in it. When compared to another bag we tested that was the same exact size and packed with the same exact items, this Bellroy duffel felt so much lighter and easier to carry. Some large duffels get bulky and cumbersome on the shoulder, but this was not the case for the Bellroy — it stayed magically lightweight, and we can picture carrying this long distances through airports and train stations.

The Details: 14.96 x 25.59 x 15.75 inches | 2.16 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Polyester | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Monos Metro Carry-All Duffel

This vegan leather bag looks sleek and expensive, but it won’t break the bank.

It would function better as a supplement travel companion than a do-it-all bag.

If you’re on the hunt for a duffel bag that won’t make you look like you’re just leaving the YMCA, pick up the Monos Carry All Duffel, our pick for the most stylish of the bunch. It comes in four colors, each of which looks exceptionally fashion-forward and is made from vegan leather that will only get better with time. (Without completely draining your wallet like real leather would.)

We were big fans of the roomy interior and the thoughtful organization, which we think kept the large main compartment from becoming too much of a mess, even when fully packed for a four-day trip. If this four-day trip involves a lot of walking, we aren't worried. We loved the comfort of the two hand straps and were impressed by the versatility and comfort of the shoulder strap — the shoulder pad was plush and didn’t fall up and down the strap.

The Details: 20 x 12 x 10.4 inches | 4.14 pounds | 27.3-liter capacity | Vegan leather

Best for Commuters

July carry all weekender.

This versatile bag shines in crowded places where space is at a premium.

It may not be able to hold enough for a full weekend away.

Ideal for the commuter that travels by plane, train, or automobile, the compact, super portable Carry All Weekender from July is a great pick for short trips, either to work, the gym, as a personal item on a plane, or on a quick two-day vacation. The bag has an internal laptop sleeve and pockets to keep small items in their rightful place, while the easy-to-pack main compartment holds onto the clothes you’re toting along with you. We do wish it had a bit more storage, though, just to be safe.

The bag comes with a pass-through band so you can easily add it to your rolling luggage when trips go beyond a few days, while the brand’s signature QuickPass pocket uses a powerful magnet as its closing mechanism, meaning you won’t have to fuss with a zipper each time you reach for your passport or wallet. It also features a removable padded shoulder strap and external D rings to use as attachment points.

The Details: 10.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches | 2.2 pounds | 28-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Convertible

Dagne dover lagos convertible duffel bag.

Dagne Dover

It’s one of the most versatile bags we tested, with the ability to convert it from a duffel into a backpack.

It’s much pricier than other bags on this list.

If you prefer a duffel bag that you can wear in any which way, the Lagos Convertible Duffel is an excellent choice. It’s got hard-wearing hand straps, just like your average duffel, but you can also transform it into a crossbody or a backpack depending on where you’re going, what you’re doing and if you might need to use your hands.

While its cavernous, pocket-laden interior is easily able to fit all of your gear, we loved that it still could be made small enough to count as a personal item on an airplane, leaving your carry-on slot for something bigger. The bag weighs just over two pounds when empty, so it’s easy to fold up and stow in that carry-on if you think you might be bringing home more than you left with. We also found that it was exceptionally durable and water-resistant.

The Details: 16 x 11 x 11 inches | 2.15 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Polyester

Best With Shoe Compartment

Calpak luka duffel bag.

The shoe compartment makes this an essential bag for sneakerheads.

This might not be big enough for longer weekend trips, but it does come in a larger size.

We found that the Calpak Luka was perfect for two-day trips, but could easily be used on longer trips as a supplemental bag or personal item. The multiple interior pockets are ideal for socks and underwear, while the shoe compartment holds either two pairs of regular shoes or one pair of boots — a must have feature for a shoe aficionado.

The thick polyester material is nice to the touch, but we suspect that it won't be as long-lasting as some of the other bags on this list. However, at just over $100, this bag is chic enough to turn heads and spacious enough to keep all your gear in one place, including that ever important extra pair of kicks. It also comes in an impressive color range no matter what your taste.

The Details: 12 x 16 x 7 inches | 2.1 pounds | 22-liter capacity | Polyester | Water-resistant

Best for Camping

Yeti crossroads duffel bag.

This durable bag is built to last, with abrasion-resistant material that will stand up to rugged camping trips.

This is too large to be a carry-on, and the shoulder strap could be more comfortable.

Like all Yeti products, this duffel looks and feels like it was built to last, making it the ideal option for camping trips and rugged adventures. It's made of a proprietary TuffSkin nylon that helps the bag keep its shape and resist damage and dirt. The bottom of the bag is made of a harder shell for extra protection (though this means it can't pack down teeny tiny for storage). The Crossroads's interior organization features really stood out during testing with two dividers that create three sections for separating different types of items and several smaller pockets for belongings like phones, wallets, and chargers. Two exterior pockets on the top provide yet more slots for your stuff (though these two pockets are pretty small).

The bag has three handles for carrying — one on each end and another on top — as well as a detachable shoulder strap. The strap has a firm, flat section meant to mold to your shoulder area, but it could be a little more comfortable. Overall, it's a sturdy, durable piece with good organization, and it's a great choice for longer trips or outdoor camping adventures. Plus, the three-year warranty will give you some peace of mind as you take it on its first few forays into the wilderness.

The Details:  24 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches | 4.3 pounds | 60-liter capacity | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova

Tripsavvy / Nick Kova

Best Budget

Gonex canvas duffel bag.

It's comfortable to carry and has generous side pockets.

Because you can pack so much in it, this bag becomes heavy quickly and can be difficult to carry.

Our favorite things about the Gonex Canvas are the price, flexibility, pockets, and durability. We love the sheer number of pockets and zippered compartments that it has. Aside from the main compartment, there are five additional zippered compartments on the outside, and the inside has an additional zippered pouch and two pockets for holding your wallet, keys, phone, and other small items. Plus, it's one of the  best lightweight luggage  options on the market.

The strap handles for this bag can be secured together under a flap, and the shoulder strap is nicely padded; carrying it was comfortable. The exterior canvas won't attract dirt, and the bag protected all cargo and showed no damage or scuffs during our durability testing. We also love that there are several color options and patterns to choose from.

The Details:  17 x 11 x 10 inches | 2.8 pounds | 50-liter capacity | Cotton canvas

Best for Long Trips

Thule chasm sport duffel bag.

It comes with a packing cube, and it's made of strong materials.

It doesn't have any external pockets.

Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well. We were all impressed with the durable, waterproof tarpaulin exterior and the spacious, pocketed interior — though an exterior pocket or two would have been nice. It even comes with a packing cube that can be used for clothing, toiletries, or a smaller pair of shoes.

Coming in four sizes, we also loved that the bag can be held either by the handles or by the very comfortable backpack straps. It's a bit strange that there's no shoulder strap option, but we did not find ourselves missing it. The Chasm nailed our durability tests and is a great option for longer trips or even weekends in the outdoors.

The Details:  29 x 17 x 13 inches | 4.4 pounds | 90-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant

The Spruce / Nick Kova

We've tested duffel bags on multiple occasions in our New York City lab, trying out 56 bags overall. First, we weighed each duffel bag with a luggage scale and noted whether the weight was the same as the weight listed by the manufacturer. Then we measured the length, width, and depth (height) of each bag and made the same comparison.

Next, we got packing. We ordered dozens of identical outfits and packed three pairs of pants (a mix of jeans and sweats), two coats (one fleece, one jacket), five shirts, two pairs of shoes, a full toiletry bag, and a coffee mug into each bag. We answered questions that included: how well does everything fit? Is there enough space to keep the clothes tidy, or do you really have to jam them in there? Can you zip it up easily? We also took careful notes of the organizational and structural features of each bag as we packed, looking for useful pockets, compartments, sleeves, and other features.

Then we walked around carrying each bag after it was packed, spending several minutes trying out each possible carrying method and noting comfort and ease levels.

Finally, with the bags fully packed and zipped closed, we pushed them off of a ladder or table several times each, trying to make them land on different parts of the bag each time. We examined them for scratches, marks, scuffs, etc., and we opened the interior to be sure everything held up. We then carried the bags around again to check for any changes or problems.

After our lab testing process, we sorted through our team's feedback and analyzed the information to recommend the highest quality products. We continued to test each of the winners over the course of six months to make sure they held up in our real travels. We also will continue to update this article as we test even more duffel bags worth buying.

Other Duffel Bags We Liked

Some of the duffel bags we tested did not make our list of recommendations. They all had positive attributes, but a few things held them back.

The North Face Base Camp Medium Duffel Bag : This bag performed so-so on most of our tests, but a finicky zipper that kept getting stuck kept it off our winners list.

Tumi Double Expansion Travel Satchel : The bag looks good but it's a little too expensive for the very limited capacity.

Baboon to the Moon Go-bag Big : While spacious, we found it awkward to carry for longer than a minute or two.

Carhartt Trade Series 2-in-1 Packable Duffel with Utility Pouch : It was fine overall, but the near-complete lack of organizational features meant it was not a standout.

Briggs & Riley Weekender Duffel : This straightforward bag has everything you need for a weekend trip. It’s not packed with features or fashion, but if you’re looking for a standard, no-fuss option, this duffel may be for you.

Herschel Bennett Duffel : With a special shoe compartment and a suite of pockets, this bag from Herschel is one of the most spacious duffels we tried. While we wish it had a dedicated laptop sleeve, we think it’s great for someone who’s looking for a large duffel bag.

Tips for Buying a Duffel Bag

Comfort is key.

If your duffel bag doesn't roll, then you will be carrying it, so you want to make sure it's comfortable to do so. Look for duffels that are lightweight and have padded straps, as well as different carrying options. Many duffels come with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap so you can ensure your bag is the perfect length for you. Consider a convertible duffel with backpack straps if carrying by hand or perhaps a rolling duffel with wheels. A good goal may also be to find a bag under three pounds so it starts out lightweight and won't minimize the amount of items you can pack.

Know your organization needs

Some duffels are simply single compartments, some have dividers, some have lots of pockets. For business travel, look for bags with laptop sleeves and pouches for things like chargers, keys, and wallets. If you're more of the spur-of-the-moment roadtripping type, a simple one-compartment bag lets you throw all your belongings in with ease and without too much thinking. If you want to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones or your shoes away from your shirts, look for a bag with interior dividers. It's a matter of personal choice; just be sure to pay attention to details about pockets, pouches, shoe bags, and other special features before making your purchase.

Look for durable materials

Whether your travels include packing for an Irish vacation or a hike to your local campground, you need a bag that will survive the journey. Bags made of materials like nylon, polyester, and most vinyls are likely to be waterproof, protecting your bag from the elements. Meanwhile canvas and leather bags may not be water-resistant, but the thick and durable materials should prevent against rips and tears.

Frequently Asked Questions

It all depends on the size. There’s no hard-and-fast rule because duffel bag sizes widely vary. But as a general rule, if your duffel bag can fit beneath the seat in front of you, it’ll be considered a personal item . If it’s too big to fit underneath an airplane seat, you will then need to place it in the overhead bin, and it will be counted as a carry-on. If the bag exceeds your airline's carry-on size restrictions, you will need to check it.

Yes, in almost all cases you can check a duffel bag. Just be sure to secure the straps and handles so they don’t get caught during processing. If you have a high-end duffel bag, just be careful as checked baggage is susceptible to rough handling during transit. And keep in mind that if the duffel bag does not have a lot of protective padding, your items inside may break, so be sure to keep any fragile or valuable items in your carry-on.

It’s best to pack your heavier items first so that they act as an anchor and keep your bag in position. Apparel such as shirts and pants should be rolled up in the shape of a cylinder to prevent wrinkling. Then you can store smaller items such as socks or accessories in the extra free space or in dedicated pockets. You can also use compression packing cubes to help make the most of your space.

How you clean a duffel bag will depend on the material and the manufacturer's recommendations. Sometimes bags are machine washable, but we'd suggest spot cleaning to play it safe. You can usually use mild dish soap and a damp cloth or paper towel to get out dirt or stains. Water-resistant materials may help protect your bag more than materials like cotton or canvas.

Other Duffels We've Written About

If none of the duffel bags above are catching your eye, here are some other standout duffels that may suit your needs.

Patagonia Wheeled Duffel Bag : Having a wheeled option means you can easily roll your duffel around the airport instead of carrying on your shoulder, and this Patagonia option is our favorite out of all the wheeled duffel bags we've tested. It comes in three sizes, and we tested the massive 100-liter version, which is impressively spacious.

Travel + Leisure/Jhett Thompson

Yeti Panga Dry Duffel : If you need something that will stand up to rainy destinations, this large Yeti bag is our favorite waterproof duffel. In fact, you can fully submerge it in water three feet deep for up to 30 minutes, and nothing inside will get wet thanks to the locking, leakproof zipper.

Aer Travel Weekender : If you're looking for something smaller in size that you won't have to pay to check, this 35-liter weekender topped our list of our favorite carry-on duffel bags . It's easy to carry with the adjustable shoulder strap, and it has a padded laptop pocket.

Royce New York Leather Duffel Bag : This pebbled leather duffel is our top pick for leather duffel bags , serving as a stylish carry-all for weekends away. There's an option to monogram the bag for a special touch.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, writer Joe Niehaus went through T+L testing feedback and data, read through customer reviews, and consulted the manufacturer’s product descriptions. Joe is also an experienced traveler and recognizes common pain points when searching for travel baggage like duffel bags.

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The Best Duffle Bags

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

Few bags are as simple, versatile, and satisfying to use as a duffle.

Its utilitarian design—a soft, oblong bag with one zippered opening plus two handles and/or a shoulder strap—suits anything from a daily commute to a weekend away to a fishing trip.

Though that basic form works in many situations, no single duffle bag (the word is also spelled duffel ) can fit everyone’s taste or needs.

A small, barrel-shaped duffle may be perfect for toting a couple of towels and lunch to the beach, for example, but it doesn’t offer the organization or space to pack for a three-day business trip.

The seven bags we recommend—plus three alternates—are well made, comfortable to carry, and intended to fill a range of roles, including as a versatile adventure bag , a weekend-away duffle , a daily-carry bag , a lightweight convertible backpack , an ultra-packable duffle , a rolling duffle for checking , and a waterproof gear hauler .

The research

Why you should trust me, most versatile duffle: patagonia black hole duffel 70l, also great: decathlon forclaz duffel 500 extend, best weekender: lands’ end waxed canvas travel duffle bag, best for daily carry: herschel supply co. sutton duffle mid-volume, also great: cotopaxi mariveles 32l duffel bag del día, for traveling on foot: cotopaxi chumpi 35l duffel del día, for when you need a spare bag: matador freefly packable duffle, also consider: waterfield packable duffel, best as checked luggage: dakine split roller 110l bag, best for keeping things dry: yeti panga 50l waterproof duffel, other good duffle bags, how we picked and tested, the competition, what to look forward to.

I’ve reviewed bags for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time, I’ve interviewed countless bag designers, brand executives, fabric specialists, zipper zealots, and a host of bag hobbyists and satchel obsessives. These interviews and my own years of research have earned me at least something of a journeyman’s understanding of how a good bag should feel and what makes it work in a given situation.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L

A rugged, versatile bag to hold your gear.

This bag is the most versatile gear duffle we’ve found. It’s tough, water resistant, and great for toting clothes and equipment in almost any travel or outdoor scenario.

Buying Options

Get this if: You need a sporty, water-resistant bag that can handle anything from toting sports gear to holding stuff for a two-day camping trip to going on a weeklong vacation.

Why it’s great: The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L is a true jack-of-all-trades. The exterior is made of polyester ripstop that is laminated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to protect against abrasion and has a water-resistant coating. Over the years, I’ve dragged, thrown, kicked, and carried these Patagonia bags across most of the country, and they’ve never failed. You can carry the Black Hole at your side using the two handles or over your shoulder using the strap, or you can wear it as a backpack with its two padded straps. The Black Hole is available in three other sizes, too: 40 liters , 55 liters , and 100 liters . (We originally tested a now-discontinued 120-liter version.) For all practical purposes, the bags are identical except for their increasing size, though the two smaller sizes come in a wider range of colors than do the two larger sizes. The Black Hole folds down into its own stuff sack, which turns into a storage pocket when you unfold the duffle. Patagonia has a highly regarded replacement and repair guarantee that we’ve tested many times without complaint.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: There’s little about the Black Hole to critique. It does what it needs to, and Patagonia’s reputation for high-quality materials and craftsmanship has set the standard for this type of bag for years. One small detail: The shoulder straps can take a moment to situate because of their unusual eyelet attachment, but once you figure them out, adjusting them is easy to do with one hand.

Dimensions: 28 by 13 by 17.5 inches (LWH) Capacity: 70 liters Other sizes: 40 liters , 55 liters , 100 liters

Decathlon Forclaz Duffel 500 Extend

If you need a versatile bag that expands.

This expandable bag is an absolute bargain, considering the quality and strength of the materials. However, Decathlon is still a lesser-known brand in the US, and we haven’t tested this bag for as long as we have our other picks.

Get this if: You need a durable and water-resistant bag for travel, sports, or longer adventure trips. With its extra 20 liters of expandable space, it’s a particularly good pick if you tend to travel with a small load and return home with a larger one—so consider this bag if you anticipate receiving gifts or doing some shopping while you’re traveling.

Why it’s great: When we first compared the quality of the Decathlon Forclaz Duffel 500 Extend against its listed price, we thought there must have been some kind of mistake. We rarely see a bag with coated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyester, both of which offer water resistance and durability, of this quality for less than a hundred dollars. In many respects, the Forclaz Duffel is similar in material quality to the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L , yet it’s less than half the price. That said, we have some small concerns that we can’t address without further testing, namely the stitching at critical points (more on that below).

Beyond the price, the standout feature of the Forclaz bag is its Transformer-like ability to expand from a 40-liter backpack to a 60-liter bag with the adjustment of a few zippers and clips. The expansion process is a bit fiddly at first, but it’s well worth the effort if you find yourself frequently packing more than you expect during your trips.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Upon close examination of the Forclaz bag, we found that our biggest concern involved the stitching at certain critical points, such as at the shoulder attachments and along key seams; we’d prefer to see more double stitching and bar tack reinforcements, as we found on the Patagonia Black Hole. This bag has notably high review scores on the Decathlon website, and its sturdy materials lead us to anticipate that it will wear well. That said, Decathlon’s limited warranty does not look as rock solid as Patagonia’s. There’s really no way for us to address this bag’s potential flaws without spending a lot more time with it, which we plan to do.

Dimensions: 21.5 by 15.5 by 12.5 inches (LWH) Capacity: 40 liters (expands to 60 liters) Other sizes: none

Lands’ End Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag

A buy-it-for-life travel bag.

The more you use this rugged weekender, the better it will look. The canvas body, leather reinforcements, and brass hardware all promise durability, though we’d prefer more waxing in the canvas.

Get this if: You want a bag with a heritage look, to carry on quick trips, that can take a few knocks and age well with the wear.

Why it’s great: The Lands’ End Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag is the toughest bag we could find—it’s made of sturdy canvas, with leather trim and brass hardware—that is also consistently available. The shoulder strap comes off, which is useful if you prefer to carry your bags by their handles. A small internal pocket is convenient for tucking away, say, your wallet or your house keys. The waxed duffle fits a specific aesthetic: It’s maybe not the bag you’d take on a business trip but rather to a cabin in the mountains. That outdoorsy look, however, has practical benefits, as with a little care a duffle like this should last a long time. (We should note, however, that Lands’ End no longer offers a lifetime warranty—you now have recourse only within a 90-day return period.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Waxed canvas is heavier than most modern fabrics (such as nylon and polyester), and we noticed the extra heft of the Lands’ End bag in comparison with the weight of other duffles we tested. Although Lands’ End describes this duffle as waxed, we’d call it lightly waxed at best. The canvas is mildly water resistant, but liquids won’t roll off it in the way you might see with more heavily waxed items. If you do want more protection, you can add more wax to the canvas yourself . When we tested the bag, it came in brown and navy. Currently, it’s available only in navy.

Dimensions: 24 by 11 by 11 inches (LWH) Capacity: 40 liters Other sizes: none

Herschel Supply Co. Sutton Duffle Mid-Volume

An affordable bag for daily use.

This midsize bag is for anyone who wants a simple duffle to use during the day. It’s great for commuting, going to the gym, or toting supplies on a park or beach excursion.

Get this if: You need an inexpensive bag with a casual style for your day-to-day activities and hobbies.

Why it’s great: If you were to ask a random person on the street to picture a small, basic duffle, they’d probably imagine a bag like the Herschel Supply Co. Sutton Duffle Mid-Volume . It has the classic shape, look, and feel of a traditional barrel duffle. Like most of the duffles we looked at, it comes with a removable shoulder strap, but you can carry it comfortably by its top handles, too. This decently constructed polyester bag with a center zipper running down its length is small enough that you can’t really overpack it or make it too heavy; basically, it’s the perfect size for daily tasks. Herschel bags are backed by a limited lifetime warranty . One thing to note for anyone who likes internal organization: The Sutton Duffle Mid-Volume has no internal pockets. It comes in a range of colors and a couple of patterns—six in all.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: This Herschel duffle is not the best-made bag we’ve encountered—the fabric feels thin, and the stitching is a bit slapdash. However, it is one of the better-made bags we’ve seen that cost less than $75. Even with light daily use, the Sutton Duffle Mid-Volume should last a good amount of time. Oddly, Herschel placed six small grommets on the bottom of the bag to (we assume) let out moisture. Unfortunately, that placement also lets plenty of moisture in if you accidentally put the bag down on a wet spot or coffee spill, which is not an inconceivable scenario in a gym or office.

Dimensions: 20.25 by 10.25 by 10.25 inches (LWH) Capacity : 28 liters Other sizes: none

Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag Del Día

A daily-use bag made of upcycled material.

Similar in size to the Herschel bag, this duffle is strongly constructed out of upcycled materials. But it lacks a shoulder strap, and the color-block appearance may not be to everyone’s taste.

Get this if: You need a durable but inexpensive bag for simple daily use, but you also want a duffle made of sustainable materials, from a B Corporation.

Why it’s great: This kind of barrel-shaped 30-liter bag is something of a platonic ideal among duffle designs. Like the Herschel bag, the Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag Del Día has the classic shape and feel of a barrel duffle. In contrast, however, it’s made of repurposed ripstop nylon that’s of a higher quality than the Herschel’s polyester, and it’s available for a lower price (though it lacks the Herschel bag’s included shoulder strap). We also continue to be impressed by Cotopaxi’s overall transparency and social mission. It’s a listed B Corp , and it takes pains to be as sustainable in its bags’ construction as possible, with a particular focus on labor practices. Like many of the company’s bags (indicated by the Del Día name), the Mariveles duffle is made from discarded material otherwise destined for the cutting-room floor, left over from other companies’ larger production runs. This is why each run of the Mariveles is distinct—the precise colors vary depending on what’s available.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: We’d love to see a shoulder strap included. Although the Mariveles does have loops so you can add your own shoulder strap, even a simple nylon one provided with the bag would go a long way toward making it one of our best overall picks. (There’s also a better likelihood that an included strap would coordinate with the motley colors of the bag.)

Dimensions: 17.5 by 10 by 10.5 inches (LWH) Capacity : 32 liters Other sizes: none

Cotopaxi Chumpi 35L Duffel Del Día

A duffle that’s also a backpack.

This bag can be a backpack or a duffle—and it works well as either. If you plan on walking long distances and want multiple ways to carry your gear comfortably, this is a great option.

Get this if: You expect to walk a lot on your trips—touring cities, say, or doing some light adventuring—and need a comfortable way to carry your stuff, but you don’t require an extra-tough gear bag. Also, this bag is a good choice if you want to support a B Corp and its social and sustainable missions .

Why it’s great: The Cotopaxi Chumpi 35L Duffel Del Día has dedicated backpack straps built into the top that hide away behind two flaps secured by metal clasps when not in use. Many combo backpack-and-duffle designs rely on the handles serving double duty as backpack straps, which usually means they aren’t very good as either. The Chumpi’s dedicated straps allow it to perform as an actually comfortable backpack. When you’re finished wearing it, converting it back into a duffle is simple: Just tuck the backpack straps away and grab the bag by its handles. Unlike several other backpack duffles we tested, this Cotopaxi bag positions its zipper against your back while you’re using it as a backpack. It’s a simple, seemingly obvious (but rare) design choice that lends more peace of mind when you’re walking down a busy street or absentmindedly taking in the sights.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Is a duffle with shoulder straps as good as a backpack? No. Like most backpack duffles, the Chumpi has a tendency to slouch a bit when it’s on the shoulders. That said, I carried the Chumpi fully packed for several miles while on a trip, and I found that using its backpack straps was a nice alternative to shifting a single shoulder strap from side to side. Note that when we tested the Chumpi, it was available in a range of solid colors. Since then, Cotopaxi has switched to making the duffle using a patchwork of remnant fabrics, which is what the Del Día name refers to. This means that each bag will be one of a kind—but also possibly more boldly colored than some people may like.

Dimensions: 20 by 10.5 by 10.5 inches (LWH) Capacity: 35 liters Other sizes: none

Matador Freefly Packable Duffle

Lightweight and packable.

This ultralight duffle folds away into its own front pocket or compresses further into a cinch sack. The weatherproof material is paired with sealed zippers, which should keep everything inside dry in moderate rain.

Get this if: You want a lightweight alternative bag for emergencies, a day bag when you travel, or a last-second hauler for going around town.

Why it’s great: Unlike many packable or ultralight bags, which tend to behave like unruly sacks unless they’re filled to the hilt, the 30-liter Matador Freefly Packable Duffle manages to keep its shape whether it’s empty, partially packed, or stuffed like a sausage. It doesn’t pack down quite as small as some bags we’ve tested in the past, but it comes close enough—shrinking to about the size of a mango—and it’s much more pleasant to use as an actual bag once it’s on your shoulder. Where this Matador duffle truly excels, though, is in the high quality of its materials. With reinforced, treated nylon and sealed zippers, the Freefly is especially robust for a lightweight packable. Matador added a few compression straps on the side, too, though personally I find them more trouble than they’re worth on most bags.

If all that seems like too much for what you need, Matador also makes the 25-liter On-Grid Packable Duffle , which typically costs about $30 less. However, with unsealed zippers, it’s not as waterproof, and it doesn’t appear to be as durable. We’ve concluded that having something that should endure years of use and abuse is well worth spending a little more.

All Matador products are backed by a decently trustworthy three-year warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: One glaring flaw is the shoulder strap. Although the strap is adjustable, it’s nothing more than an inch-wide strip of nylon. Even for a pared-down packable bag, that’s pretty meager considering the bag’s 30-liter carrying capacity. For shorter-term carries, this bag does just fine, but if you need a duffle to constantly haul around town, one of our other picks is likely to keep you (and your shoulders) happier. However, if you need a spare bag to tuck into your suitcase, an extra gym bag while traveling, or a way to carry purchases you pick up on a trip, this bag is a great choice. This duffle comes in only one color, black.

Dimensions: 22 by 11 by 8 inches (LWH) Capacity: 30 liters Other sizes: none

WaterField Packable Duffel

A packable bag for travel.

Like the Matador, this packable duffle folds into its own pocket and is weatherproof. A few thoughtful details—including a luggage loop—make the WaterField more suitable for travel than other models we tested.

Get this if: You need a packable duffle that easily doubles as a carry-on item—it has a luggage handle slot—and provides extra weather protection.

Why it’s great: WaterField continues to make some of the best overall bags we’ve come across in the past few years, and the Packable Duffel is no exception. It’s more expensive than the Matador Freefly , but its upgraded materials and more-robust stitching and build may make the higher cost worth it for certain people. Travelers especially will welcome the luggage loop, which fits over suitcase handles. The exterior of the bag is made from Taslan—a lightweight but substantial woven fabric with an added water-resistant coating, which is complemented by self-sealing waterproof zippers similar to those on the Matador. The interior is lined with a ripstop nylon. Both fabrics are very high-quality materials, helping the bag stand out from the competition. How, exactly? You can scrunch this bag down to about the size of a couple of pairs of socks (it fits into a 9.5-by-8.5-inch pocket), store it for weeks, then open it up and shake it out, and the bag will look fresh and presentable without creases or stress lines. It doesn’t pack down quite as small as the Matador, but many people might prefer its more-structured design. The bag has no shoulder strap, but the handles are long enough to let you shoulder the bag and carry it under your arm.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: We wish the nylon strap made for looping over your suitcase handle were more robust. Many companies making underseat bags have opted for an entire “slip-through” panel, which holds the bag securely against your luggage without letting it slouch over.

Dimensions : 8 by 18 by 10 inches (LWH) Capacity : 24 liters (expands to 30 liters) Other sizes : none

Dakine Split Roller 110L Bag

A rolling duffle to check.

This bag offers the space and easy-to-maneuver wheels of a good suitcase in the flexible shape of a duffle bag. Multiple interior and exterior compartments let you easily organize and separate all of your gear, too.

price may vary by color or style

Get this if: You want a rolling duffle that’s well organized. Also, this is a good choice if you need a bag that’s great for checked-luggage excursions and other types of long-distance travel but want something a little more pliable and easy to maneuver than a traditional wheeled suitcase .

Why it’s great: The Dakine Split Roller 110L Bag combines the best parts of checked luggage—internal organization, wheels, and a cavernous interior—with the soft, flexible frame of a duffle bag. The Split Roller opens like a clamshell; one side of the “shell” is divided into top and bottom compartments, and the other consists of one large main compartment. Mesh dividers separate all three compartments to keep everything in place. When you expand this duffle, it holds about 110 liters—nearly 20 liters more than our top pick for checked luggage . But the Split Roller can also adjust to carrying lighter loads, as it works similarly to an expansion case: The bag has a collapsible brace in the front section that can either fold out for extra space or fold back to let the top of the bag lie flat. Two external pockets let you easily access your everyday things and travel items without opening the bag itself. (The duffle also comes in an 85-liter version .)

Similar to many of the rolling duffle models we tested, the Split Roller has dependable #10 YKK zippers and 8 cm urethane wheels. Both features are good enough for a bag of this design and price. Dakine also uses a variety of polyester and Cordura nylon materials for various versions of the Split Roller, ranging from 600-denier polyester (good for most people) to 1,000-denier Cordura blend with DWR coating (useful if you abuse your gear or travel through tough or wet conditions). We tested the 600-denier polyester fabric in the black color, and it seemed plenty durable for a travel duffle. It’s also the least expensive fabric option that Dakine offers; if you instead opt for one of the tougher, water-resistant options, you pay a little more. Dakine covers its products with a limited lifetime warranty .

Flaws but not dealbreakers: If the Split Roller is not packed properly—with the heaviest items toward the wheels—the bag can lean and even tilt over when left upright. More often than not, the Split Roller stays upright, but it isn’t as stable as the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag 100L . However, the bag’s well-thought-out organization and durable construction more than make up for this small frustration.

Dimensions: 32 by 17 by 13 inches (LWH) Capacity: 110 liters Other sizes: 85 liters

Yeti Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel

A tough bag for wet adventures.

If you want the toughest possible duffle, this is our choice. It’s comfortable to carry, waterproof, and close to indestructible. However, it typically costs nearly twice as much as the 55-liter version of the Patagonia Black Hole.

Get this if: You want the absolute toughest, most durable waterproof duffle for your adventures—particularly if those adventures leave you wading with your gear through streams or torrential rains.

Why it’s great: A waterproof nylon shell and zipper keep your stuff dry even if you submerge the Yeti Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel completely. I didn’t quite believe it until I tested the duffle several times, carrying it fully packed into the beach breaks of Oahu’s North Shore, where its impermeable barrier held in enough air to easily float my 220-pound frame and still kept the towels, clothes, and sneakers inside bone-dry. If you’re on a trip where your bag might end up in the water, you’re sure to appreciate this feature. Like the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel , the Yeti Panga Waterproof Duffel comes with a plethora of lash points that you can use to secure your bag on your adventures. Thanks to its rigidity, the Panga is also surprisingly comfortable to use as a backpack. (Its handles serve as the backpack straps.) The Panga comes in two larger sizes, as well: 75 liters and 100 liters .

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The price of the Yeti Panga is nearly double what you pay for a similarly sized Patagonia Black Hole. All that weatherproofing isn’t light, either—the Panga is the heaviest bag we tested, weighing more than 5 pounds when empty. If you need a waterproof bag as tough as the Panga that also includes wheels for load assistance, the Ortlieb Duffle RS is a good option. However, wheels are just one more thing to break on a bag, and the necessary skid plates and axles tend to make rolling duffle bags like the Ortlieb a bit less flexible than the Panga. The Panga comes in two colors: gray and tan.

Dimensions: 23.5 by 10 by 14 inches (LWH) Capacity: 50 liters Other sizes: 75 liters , 100 liters

If you don’t mind a stylized look for your everyday-carry bag: Previously we listed the Topo Designs Classic Duffel 20″ in the Competition section, but we now believe that you should consider it if you like its look. This is a great 27.5-liter duffle with Cordura nylon and rucksack details, but it has a specific style that many people may not like. Topo has a reputation for making excellent gear, though, and if you find this bag appealing, you won’t go wrong with it.

If you transport heavy stuff that can’t get wet: Consider the 85-liter Ortlieb Duffle RS , which is a decent waterproof alternative to the Yeti Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel, especially if you prefer built-in wheels to assist with the load. The Ortlieb bag, which is made with PVC-coated polyester fabric, has a rigid aluminum floor plate; this piece protects the base of the bag without taking up a significant amount of space (an issue with other rolling duffle bags). Note that all the extra parts mean more complexity and more things to break. Our biggest complaint, though, is that when the bag is left upright, it has a tendency to tip over because of its narrow wheelbase. (The bag also comes in 110- and 140-liter sizes.)

We began our research by poring through brand websites, reading bag blogs, and surveying a multitude of review sites. We divided the field into several broad categories: duffles for everyday use plus weekend trips and longer travel, backpack duffles, packable duffles, and duffles meant to haul adventure gear. Working from an initial list of 88 possible contenders, we considered each duffle’s design, accessibility, size, features, organization, materials, price, and brand warranty. Using those criteria, we narrowed the list down to 33 bags that we called in for hands-on evaluation.

To test the duffles, I packed and unpacked each one and used them as much as possible in my day-to-day life. With every bag I tested, I asked myself, “Would I live with this bag? Could it replace something I already have?” Specifically, I looked at the following:

Ease of use and accessibility: How easy is the bag to pack, unpack, and otherwise use in everyday situations? Does it have enough pockets? Are they well organized and well placed? I also kept a close eye on zippers and how they acted, tugging them from different angles. It was especially important to me that the zippers on our picks were easy to open on the go, even when the bag was hanging from a shoulder.

Carrying comfort: A great bag is pretty useless if it isn’t comfortable to heft and cart around. After I loaded up each bag with as much gear, clothes, sneakers, books, and usual ephemera of life as I could, I carried it around. I spend a lot of my time on the move, so each of our potential picks became—at least for a short while—something of an everyday-carry companion in my life until I understood the bag’s character.

Quality of the materials: Most bags are made from one of a handful of fabrics (nylon, waxed canvas, polyester). I paid special attention to the material’s weight, heft, and weave, as well as any special tech like TPU coatings.

Weight: Duffles should be light enough to carry easily but not so light that they feel flimsy or about to tear. Most of our picks weigh less than 3.5 pounds.

Cost: We eliminated any duffles that we determined were overpriced for what they were. You do get what you pay for in this category, though, and better quality and materials are often worth spending just a little more.

Guarantee or warranty: Not all company policies are equal. We favored bags that came with a warranty of two years or more.

Versatile/adventure duffles

Sea to Summit Duffle Bag : Although this heavy, water-resistant adventure duffle is good for the price, we were more impressed by the consistent performance and simplicity of the Patagonia Black Hole (our pick among versatile duffles) and the sturdier construction of the Yeti Panga (our pick among waterproof duffles).

The North Face Base Camp Duffel L : This duffle is similar to the Sea to Summit Duffle Bag, except it lacks that bag’s rigidity and attention to detail.

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe : We liked the separate compartment at the bottom of the bag that allows you to pack a few pairs of shoes, say, or to separate out dirty laundry as you travel. But the materials of this duffle weren’t as good as those of other picks, and it didn’t carry as comfortably.

Everyday duffles

Mission Workshop Transit Duffle : We aren’t sure who this laptop duffle is for. The bag was so divided up and over-organized that we had trouble carrying much of anything in it. In addition, the main zipper was too short, which made it hard for us to open the center of the bag all the way.

Bellroy Lite Duffel : We very nearly made this one of our picks except for the odd design of its top zipper closure. That zipper extends out past the edges of the bag’s main compartment, which makes it easier to access the interior but also leaves two large openings on either end of the bag when it’s closed. The extra length of zipper does fold down, but the bag doesn’t have buttons or clasps to keep it shut. The gap feels like a large oversight, especially given the duffle’s price.

Backpack duffles

Osprey Transporter Duffel 40 : This duffle bag wasn’t great to pack or carry in our tests. The materials felt thin, and the straps didn’t sit well on our shoulders when the duffle was fully packed.

Piorama A10 : An adjustable duffle bag that’s both a day bag and an extra-large backpack? Seems like it should be great, but in practice the design felt fiddly, and the cinched sphincter-like ends were unsettling.

Topo Designs Mountain Duffel : The one flaw of this Topo backpack duffle is that the shoulder straps are placed on the bottom of the bag, which means that as you wear it, the zipper is worryingly exposed to the world.

Rolling duffles

Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag 100L : The rolling Black Hole’s design is identical to that of the non-rolling version that we like, except for the addition of wheels, a reinforced base, and haul handles. Those additions do make it heavier and less flexible than the non-rolling bag. The best part of the design is that it stands upright unassisted, even when empty. But most travelers are better served by the organization and extra pockets in the Dakine Split Roller .

Amazon Basics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel 30″ : Inexpensive and well organized, this Amazon Basics duffle could almost qualify as a budget pick. However, you get what you pay for in this case, and we found that most of the internal materials, such as the pocket dividers, weren’t especially durable. Most people are better served spending a bit more for quality materials.

eBags Mother Lode 29″ Checked Rolling Duffel : The Mother Lode is more of a hybrid piece of checked luggage than a true rolling duffle. Most of the bag is shaped around a hard-shell bottom, which seems to take away from the flexibility of a rolling duffle. You’re likely to be happier choosing one of our other duffle picks or one of our checked-luggage picks.

Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 90 : This Osprey model is a large, cavernous bag on wheels similar to the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag. But the Patagonia duffle has a sturdier frame and tougher materials than the Osprey, which needs a bit more structural reinforcement to compete. Again, however, we ultimately preferred the organization and split interior of the Dakine Split Roller in this category.

We also tested duffles from American Apparel, Incase, Marmot, Osprey, Thule, and Tortuga that have since been discontinued.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

We’re testing Peak Design’s Travel Duffel in both the 35- and 65-liter sizes.

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

The Best Gym Bag

by Kit Dillon

After stuffing more than 40 gym bags with clothes, gear, water bottles, and more, we want to carry the KNKG Plus Duffel  to our next workout.

The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags

There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Here’s how to choose the right one for your travel needs.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

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The 16 Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market in 2024

Amar Hussain

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Table of Contents

Things to consider with travel duffel bags, the 12 best non-wheeled travel duffel bags, the 4 best wheeled duffel bags, final thoughts.

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Duffel bags are a great alternative to suitcases or backpacks and are designed to fit as much as you can comfortably carry.

Whether you’re looking for something small to carry on the plane, or a massive beast of a bag with wheels to pull behind you, there are plenty of great duffel bags to choose from.

A great duffel bag is one that has enough room for your clothing, enough extra pockets for your bits and pieces, and one that you’ll be able to carry, wear, or pull along with ease.

There are a number of qualities to consider before you buy your duffel bag.

Size and Capacity

If you’re planning on being airborne with your duffel, it’s pretty important that it meets the carry-on requirements of your airline . This way, you no longer have to worry about checking your bag into the hold, and you’ll always have your personal belongings within easy reach in the cabin.

Small duffel bags will offer between 25 to 50 liters of usable space, and most of them will meet the 22 x 14 x 9-inch specification for most major U.S. airlines. These smaller duffel bags are pretty useful for weekends away, solo travelers, and those who only like to pack the bare minimum.

If you think you need a little more space to carry your gear with you, consider a 50- to 75-liter capacity bag. Perfect for those who need more space for extra layers, but aren’t worried about carrying bulky equipment, most of these medium-sized duffel bags will need to be checked in when you fly.

For those who do need to take the kitchen sink with them, large duffel bags with a 75-liter or higher capacity are an excellent choice for adventurers who need to haul heavy loads as they go.

From tents to fishing gear, and everything in between, you can fit everything into these oversized duffel bags, but watch your weight as bags over 50 pounds may incur excess baggage fees .

Because not all duffel bags are equal, it means that some can weigh significantly more when empty than others. If weight is an issue for you when you travel, consider the following before you buy:

• Wheeled models will be heavier than non-wheeled duffels, with some weighing as much as 20% of your total 50-pound luggage allowance — even before you’ve started to fill it.
• Heavy duffel bags are exhausting to carry long distances or up and downstairs, so think about how easy it will be to walk with your duffel when you need to.

Wheels vs. No Wheels 

Wheeled duffel bags are much easier to lug around airports, and sling in and out of cars, boats, and trains. They usually have 1 main compartment that will hold your belongings with ease, making them the best-loved choice for those who need to take some serious sporting or camping equipment with them.

Duffel bags without wheels are also a strong contender for those looking to explore distant shores as they tend to be lighter to carry. Wheeled or rolling duffel bags can become unstable on rugged ground, causing your belongings to fall or spill. If you’re carrying it close to your person, this won’t happen.

Carry Options

The size of your duffel bag, how much it weighs, and how long you intend to be carrying it are all important considerations when it comes to choosing your new duffel bag.

Wear it like a backpack or carry it like a tote — there are options out there, and you should choose the one that best suits you.

• Backpack-style Straps — If you like to throw your bag on your back and do not need to access it regularly, many of the premium duffel bags on the market offer removable backpack straps that have some light padding to make them more comfortable than regular straps.
• Shoulder-style Straps — If you want easy access to your bag while you travel, and are only covering short distances, carry it using a shoulder strap. Lots of duffel bags come with shoulder straps that are removable.

Whether you choose a wheeled duffel, or one without, at some point, you’ll need to rely on a handle to make simple maneuvers with your bag.

Every type of duffel bag will come complete with a handle of one sort or another. Your duffel could come complete with either or both of the following:

• Carry Handles — This could be a simple padded handle that connects the backpack straps, a pair of dedicated handles like a handbag, or just a single carry handle. Any of these are useful for picking up your luggage and moving it from one place to another, as you’ll often need to do when you’re hot-footing it around the globe.
• Grab Handles — Located at either end of the bag, or somewhere on the sides, these handles sit loose to the surface and can be used to “grab” your bag quickly or slide it along. These are very useful if you’re loading your duffel in an overhead bin, or putting it in a taxi.

Access, Pockets, and Organization

Duffel bags are designed for adventures, and with that in mind, you’ll no doubt want to make sure that you can carry everything with you when you go.

Most duffel bags will offer plenty of useful internal storage pockets to keep smaller items safe in transit and make it easy to find them when you need to.

External pockets are useful for items that you’ll need while you travel, such as your passport, your cell phone, or your noise-canceling headphones . Different brands of duffel bags will have different sizes and types of internal compartments.

If you’re paying bigger bucks for your bag, you may even find that it comes with expandable external pockets that work well for keeping dirty clothing or footwear away from the rest of your luggage.

Alternatively, they may have separate compartments inside the bag itself.

While we’re on the subject, we should also talk about daisy chains, also called lash points.

If you’re planning on traveling via plane, train, or automobile, you might be wondering why on earth you would need to worry about such things, but stick your duffel on a roof rack, saddle it to a donkey, or take it just about anywhere else when you get there and you’ll see how vital they are.

Bottom Line: If you’re planning on taking your bag with you on exotic adventures, you’ll want a duffel with plenty of reinforced lash points to keep your luggage safe and secure.

Water Resistance

Being water-resistant doesn’t always mean waterproof , and you’ll do well to remember this while you travel. Duffel bags that are advertised as “water-resistant” are purely designed to keep your bag, and your belongings, protected from light rain and damp ground. If you throw your bag in the ocean, it won’t work miracles.

Usually made from durable, ripstop fabric, water-resistant duffel bags are treated with a DWR solution that will help to prevent the moisture from soaking in.

You should also be wary of zipper openings as these may be the weakest point on your duffel, and the place where the wet gets in if the weather is bad.

If you’re keen on water sports, you may want to seek out a top-of-the-range duffel that is made from fabric that offers better protection against actual torrents of water, but if you’re planning on sticking to dry land, water-resistant should be good enough for you.

Material and Durability

If you want a duffel, you’re no longer tied to stuffy old canvas ones.

Duffel bags are available in a wide range of materials, including ripstop nylon, leather , laminated nylon skins, and other water-resistant and durable materials that should stay in good shape, wherever you take them.

1. Bargain Duffel Bag for Long Weekends and Short Trips 

Canway 65 Liter Weekender Bag

Weight: 1.74 pounds

Dimensions: 26.3 x 13.7 x 12.2 inches

Rocking in at under $30, this is one of the most popular and capable duffel bags on the market today. Made from water- and tear-resistant 600D polyester, this duffel will take you anywhere you want to go.

You’ll have no trouble stashing all your gear in here as there’s plenty of space. The main compartment is great for all your usual clothing and gear, but there are hidden extras that will make you grin with delight.

The shoe pouch, for example, is perfect for keeping smelly sneakers or wet flip-flops away from the rest of your gear, while the multiple pockets will keep your passport , travel documents, and anything else you hold dear, safe and sound on the go.

For easy transportation, the bag can be slipped over the luggage handle of a suitcase and a TSA lock can be used with the double zippers, keeping your gear safe.

What We Like

• Can be folded up and zipped away for storage

What We Don’t Like

• No solid base to give the bag structure

2. The Classic Adventure Duffel

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40 Liter

Weight: 2.8 pounds

Dimensions: 21 x 13.7 x 10.6 inches

Made from a burly polyester ripstop material and covered with a highly weather-resistant TPU laminate and DWR finish , this is one heck of a duffel that will stand up to almost anything. A “black hole” of a bag, you’ll easily be able to fit everything you need in there for a long weekend, and is the perfect size for a carry-on.

The main compartment has a large opening that makes for easy packing, while the zippered side pocket is perfect for super-fast access to essential items like your phone, wallet , or boarding pass.

The 40-liter capacity is big enough for a fun-filled weekend or a longer adventure, and when it’s empty, it simply folds into its own pocket for easy storage.

Lightweight and incredibly durable, the Black Hole Duffel has removable, padded shoulder straps that keep it comfortable while you walk with it, and the reinforced haul handles make it super easy to grab quickly. Internal compression straps ensure that your luggage stays in one place during transit.

A black hole worthy of exploring, this duffel is an all-weather vessel for every type of travel.

• Made from 100% recycled fabric
• Not particularly heavy duty

3. Spacious and Capable Duffel Bag From Osprey

• Osprey Packs Transporter 40 Expedition Duffel

Weight: 2.5 pounds

Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.57 x 1 inches

The Transporter from Osprey is available in 4 different sizes: 40L, 65L, 95L, and 120L. In this article, we’re concentrating on the 40L version.

Compact on the outside, but incredibly roomy on the inside, this Tardis-like duffel bag doubles as a backpack with its yoked shoulder harness.

Sling it over your back for long walks and adventures, then tuck that strap back in its very own storage pocket when you no longer need it. It’s clever additions like this that are synonymous with the Osprey brand and ones that many travelers love and actively look for.

Made from tough 0.2-millimeter, TPU-laminated, 800D nylon, this beauty is weather-resistant and incredibly capable of withstanding the roughest of journeys.

The zippers have easy-to-grab zip pulls for fast access on the go, and the main compartment has a smooth, lockable U-zip to keep your belongings safe. For those little extras that you need in transit, there are dual-zippered, 3D end pockets with overlapping rain flaps — perfect for stashing your phone, passport, or wallet.

Made by one of the best in the business, the Transporter is well worth its top price tag and is the kind of duffel bag that will last through many adventures.

• Can be carried like a backpack or messenger bag
• No compression straps

4. The Truly Waterproof Duffel Bag 

YETI Panga Airtight, Waterproof, and Submersible Bag

Weight: 5.14 pounds

Dimensions: 23.5 x 14 x 10 inches

From the makers of possibly the very best coolers ever made comes this supercool duffel bag that’s designed to protect your belongings from virtually anything.

The Panga comes in 50-, 75-, and 100-liter versions, but in this article, we’ll be looking at the smallest of the bunch — the 50L. Claiming to be a “100% dry duffel,” your gear should remain bone-dry no matter how wet the weather gets.

Made with a unique Hydrolock zipper and a U-dock terminal to create an airtight seal, you should never have to worry about getting wet with this beauty — perfect for adventurers who love water sports.

The thick-skin shell is made from high-density, high-quality nylon and thick TPU laminate, making it both puncture and abrasion resistant and perfectly able to withstand the bumps and knocks of international travel.

The 50-liter volume means you have plenty of space to pack everything you need for your next adventure, and there are 2 side pockets that are great for easy access to everyday essentials like your cell phone, passport, or wallet.

While designed to fit in an overhead airplane bin, we would stress that the rigid design of this duffel is both its saving grace and the biggest downside. You may struggle to squeeze it in if it’s fully loaded.

If you’re happy to take the risk of a potential baggage check situation, this is indeed one of the most awesome duffel bags on the market today. Waterproof, resilient, and a great investment that should last you forever.

• Waterproof material and zippers
• Not enough pockets to easily locate smaller items

5. Perfect for Long-term Traveling

The North Face Base Camp Duffel 95L

Weight: 4.05 pounds

Dimensions: 15.8 x 27.6 x 15.8 inches

This behemoth of a duffel from the big brand The North Face is plenty big enough to fit everything you need on your next adventure, and then some!

Available in a variety of sizes including 31L, 50L, 71L, 95L, 132L, and 150L, we’re focusing on the massive 95-liter model. Made from highly durable 1000D, phthalate-free, TPE fabric laminate and 840D junior ballistic nylon, this bag should last you for many years to come.

The main compartment is sizable and easy to secure using the D-zip opening with its weather-resistant zipper flap, while the internal mesh pocket will keep small things safe from sliding around during transit.

Full of useful additions that you’d expect from a brand that knows its globetrotting audience, there’s an end-cap zippered compartment that allows you to separate wet clothes or dirty shoes. There’s also a zip mesh storage bag that acts as a packing cube .

When it comes to carrying your life on your back, the detachable and adjustable, alpine-cut shoulder straps offer a perfect fit and allow you to carry your duffel backpack-style. The 4 compression straps will keep it tightly packed, and the water-resistant material should mean you’re good to go, no matter the weather.

Too big for overhead bins, this is one duffel that will have to be checked in. But, its size is great for anyone planning on long-term travel.

• D-opening for easy access to the main compartment
• Backpack straps could be more padded

6. The Business Travel Duffel

NEWHEY Garment Duffel Bag, 55L

Weight: 3.2 pounds

Dimensions: 22 x 12.2 x 12.6 inches

If you’re a high-powered professional who needs to travel a lot with your work, this duffel bag could be just the ticket. That said, you could also use it for weekend breaks, family vacations, and a whole host of other adventures.

Made from rugged, high-quality polyester and featuring strong, YKK zippers, this is a bargain of a bag that will suit many applications. A heady blend of form and function, this garment duffel bag will keep your suit crease-free while looking every bit as stylish as you do.

The design of this duffel enables you to pack your clothes flat, using the fixed hanger and tie pockets, before rolling it up to become a compact bag that should fit in most overhead cabin lockers. There’s also a handy compartment for keeping your phone, wallet, and passport safe, and a separate pouch for shoes and dirty clothing.

The interior buckle system holds your clothes in place while you travel, helping to keep them in tip-top condition for when you arrive at your destination.

• Fits a lot of clothing
• Quite heavy for a garment bag

7. The Ultra Lightweight Duffel Bag

• Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel, 60L

Weight: 2.25 pounds

Dimensions: 26.75 x 10.25 x 13.5 inches

Another big bag from one of the bigger brands in adventure travel, this Eagle Creek ultralight duffel weighs a mere 2 pound 4 ounces but can hold a whopping 60 liters of gear. If that’s not the right size for you, the Cargo duffel also comes in 40-, and 90-liter versions.

Made from water-repellent Bi-Tech Armor Lite fabric, this duffel is designed for (nearly) all-weather, and the bartack reinforcements on the stress points ensure it keeps its strength no matter how full you fill it.

If you can’t decide how to carry your bag, this one gives you 3 different options. Either carry it using the removable backpack straps, padded top haul handles, or the side grab handle. There are also 6 incredibly useful lash points that can be used to secure the bag to a car’s roof rack, a camel, or any other unusual modes of transport.

Made up of 1 large compartment and 2 easily accessible end pouches, the U-shaped lid is easy to open, and when you’re not using it, the smart pack can compress into itself for easy carrying!

Perfect for camping trips, plane journeys, and even road trips , this is a little (big) bag that weighs next to nothing.

• Can be carried 3 different ways
• Backpack straps could be more durable

8. Lightweight Duffel That’s Roomy Enough for Any Traveler

Marmot Long Hauler Travel Duffel Bag

Weight: 2.4 pounds

Dimensions: 60 x 33 x 30.5 inches

Available in a choice of 4 sizes (S, M, L, and XL), it’s the medium bag we’re reviewing in this article. This duffel bag is made from 1000D 100% polyester with TPE laminate, making it superstrong and able to withstand the bumps and knocks of domestic or international adventures.

The lining is wipeable nylon, which is great for internal leaks , while the bag is reinforced with 100% ballistic nylon for extra strength wherever you’re headed.

Ideal for an overnight bag, a checked bag, or even for the gym, this duffel has a D-shaped main zipper opening for easy access and haul loops on both ends to make it easy to lift. The double bottom ensures its durability, and the tough YKK zippers will hold their own after many, many uses.

The main compartment is plenty big enough to carry your clothes and belongings for big trips, and the zippered end pockets are easily accessible, making them perfect for stowing your passport, keys, cell phone, and wallet.

There’s also a removable shoulder strap that converts to carrying handles, giving you multiple carrying options when you need them.

This bag may not set the world of luggage alight, but it’s a nicely-priced, secure, and durable duffel bag made by a brand that’s synonymous with high-quality travel bags and accessories. An investment well made, the Marmot medium duffel bag is a good-size bag for most occasions.

• Has a mesh pocket for dirty clothing
• Handles get in the way of the main compartment opening

9. A Large Duffel Perfect for Expeditions

Thule Chasm Duffel Bag

Weight: 2.86 pounds

Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 10 inches

The Thule Chasm Duffel bag comes in a choice of 2 different sizes (40 and 70 liters), but in this article, we’re looking at the sizable yet easy-to-carry 70-liter option.

Made from phthalate-free TPE laminate with a 1000D nylon base, this duffel is durable, water-resistant, and offers exceptional tear resistance. The bag also comes in an array of attractive colors. The Bluegrass option is perfect for sticking out in a crowd.

Because carrying your luggage is important, Thule has included removable backpack straps that make lugging your bag over long distances as easy as pie. When you get there, remove the backpack straps, and revert to using the duffel strap as usual.

The oversized, wide mouth opening is perfect for easy access to your belongings, and the external compression straps are designed to prevent your belongings from getting squashed up at the bottom when you carry it in backpack mode.

On the inside, there are also internal mesh pockets for keeping smaller items safe and a lockable, zippered side pocket for keeping small items secure and within reach while you travel.

• Removable shoulder straps
• Not overly comfortable carrying as a heavy backpack

11. Bargain Bag for Those Who Want Something a Little Different

• Plambag Canvas Duffle Bag for Travel

Dimensions: 20.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches

This is a stylish and almost retro-looking duffel bag that’s well-suited to the traveler about town. Made from high-density, 16-ounce, 100% cotton canvas, and featuring classical bronze-tone hardware, this bag is as stylish as it is practical.

With a 50-liter capacity, the large main compartment can easily hold your clothes, shoes, and toiletries, as well as a 15-inch laptop or large iPad. The inner zipper pocket is perfect for smaller items, and the 2 side and front pockets, as well as 1 on the back, means you have plenty of space for everything you need speedy access to.

If you need even more space, there are 2 zippers on each side of this little duffel that will expand the capacity of the bag  and give you more room to carry your gear. The bottom of the bag is well cushioned and has a hard film protector to help keep your belongings dry and safe on dirty or damp floors.

Compact and easy to carry, this is a great overnight or weekend bag that has nicely padded handles and an adjustable and removable shoulder strap. Probably not ideal for around-the-world adventures, this is a capable duffel designed with style and practicality in mind.

• Lots of pockets to stay organized
• Zippers can get stuck

12. This Vintage Leather Duffel Shouts Sophistication

KPL 21 Inch Vintage Leather Duffel

Weight: 4.2 pounds

Dimensions: 21 x 9 x 11 inches

This vintage-style leather duffel bag is a real classic. Made from genuine, full-grain leather, the rich natural patina of this bag will change over time, ensuring that it always stands out from the crowd.

This beautiful bag will be just as home in a first class cabin as it would be out in the wild. Carrying a bag like this makes a real statement.

With 1 large compartment that will hold your clothes, shoes, and toiletries, you can keep the remaining 2 side zipper pockets free for items you need instant access to, such as your passport, cell phone, or wallet. The interior is also fully lined with canvas, giving more practicality and a high-end feel.

The front, satchel-style pocket adds interest and is in keeping with the vintage look of the bag, while the adjustable carry strap is well-padded and can be removed when not in use.

Want to carry it instead? This bag also comes with 2 sturdy, leather handles that will feel awesome in your hands as you carry your gear from plane to hotel and back again.

• Has a detachable shoulder strap
• The top compartment opening is quite restrictive

1. A Rolling Duffel That Can Handle Anything You Throw at It

Eagle Creek Travel Gear No Matter What Flashpoint Rolling Duffel XL

Weight: 4.19 pounds

Dimensions: 35.8 x 15 x 14.2 inches

Really, “no matter what” your adventures throw at it, this bag can handle almost everything! With a capacity of 128 liters, this duffel is big enough to cope with all of your gear while you travel.

Made from tough Bi-Tech fabric, it offers abrasion resistance and weatherproof capabilities, while the super-tough webbing and seam reinforcements mean your bag won’t fall apart when you fill it up.

If you find it too big to carry comfortably for more than a moment, you’ll be delighted to hear that this beauty comes with oversized, heavy-duty, treaded wheels for smooth mobility and maximum durability .

You’ll be able to easily maneuver it through airports, hotels, and business centers, while it will still be able to handle rough terrain like a boss.

If you need to carry it for longer distances, the adjustable and removable shoulder straps allow you to use it as a backpack. Or, you can use the center haul handle for rolling long distances and the side grab handles when loading it onto transportation.

The main compartment is easily accessible and plenty big enough to carry your clothing and equipment, while the front zipper pocket is ideal for storing quick-access items like your headphones , cell phone, and book.  

• Bright and easy to spot on the carousel
• Can be difficult to roll when heavy

2. Affordable Wheeled Duffel From Amazon Basics

Amazon Basics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel

Weight: 11.9 pounds

Dimensions: 37.5 x 18.25 x 16 inches

Another great bag from the Amazon Basics luggage range , this ripstop wheeled duffel comes in 26-, 30-, and 35-inch variations. They’re also available in multiple colors, such as black, blue, or red. Here we’ll look at the larger 35-inch version.

Its durable design makes this an affordable, yet practical option for anyone heading off on a vacation or adventure. With a 100% polyester top to protect against moisture in the air, and sides and a base made from 1680D ripstop nylon and 210D lining, this bag is strong and well-made for the price.

Because Amazon Basics understand that you want to take as much away with you as you possibly can, it has incorporated zippered front and main compartments for easy organizing and secure storage on the go.

The top portion is deep, and the opening is wide, making it easy to pack while the end pockets are perfect for stowing your passport, cell phone, wallet, keys, or anything else you need easy access to.

When it comes to moving your gear around, the upright, telescopic handle and inline wheels ensure easy mobility over smoother terrain and will cope (just about) with more rough roads on location.

Perhaps not as good as some of the more expensive rolled duffel bags, this is a good bet for the budget-conscious traveler.

• Comes with a 1-year warranty
• Can topple over if front-heavy

3. A Capable Rolling Duffel That Expands for More Space

Travelpro Bold 30″ Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel

Weight: 10.9 pounds

Dimensions: 30 x 17 x 16.5 inches

The largest rolling duffel bag in the Travelpro range , this drop-bottom bag is big enough to carry tons of stuff and easy enough to roll around the globe.

Made from rugged, high-density 100% polyester fabric, this duffel has a water-resistant coating to keep your belongings safe and dry wherever you may be. This duffel also comes with a “Built For A Lifetime Limited Warranty.”

Inside, the zippered divider panel allows for 2 separate packing spaces or 1 large packing compartment, depending on your needs, and the adjustable, hold-down straps will keep everything in place while you’re on the move.

Need more space? No problem. This duffel comes with a 2-inch expansion capability for additional packing capacity and a large zippered wet pocket for damp or dirty items.

The high-performance ball-bearing wheels are built for high-mileage travel, and the silky-smooth, ball-bearing, inline skate wheels make this duffel a pleasure to pull along with you.

The aircraft-grade aluminum handle system makes it incredibly comfortable to find the right height for your needs, and the compression straps will keep the duffel neatly pulled together.

• Can be packed as 1 large compartment or as 2 separate spaces
• Very easy to exceed airline baggage weight limits

4. Top of the Range Rolling Duffel With High-end Extras

Thule Crossover Rolling Duffel Pack

Weight: 9.47 pounds

Dimensions: 17.3 x 16.5 x 31.1 inches

This top-of-the-range Thule duffel bag is an all-singing, all-dancing kind of bag that will accommodate everything you need and more on your next adventure. With an 87-liter capacity and a wide, unobstructed mouth for easy loading, this is one of the best, wheeled duffel bags your money can buy!

The durable exoskeleton and the molded polypropylene back panel are designed to withstand rough terrain and absorb the impact of rugged travel. The durable, oversized wheels make for smooth rolling, and the patented Thule V-Tubing telescoping handles guarantee a steady and straight pull that’s a pleasure to roll along behind you.

The main compartment is as big as they come and can comfortably house all of your clothing and travel gear, while the divider allows you to keep your dirty gear separate from your clean stuff.

The heat-molded, crush-proof SafeZone is a revelation that allows you to protect your eyewear, portable electronics, and other fragile gear on the go. This is a handy feature for anyone who wants to take expensive gear with them while they travel. This compartment can also be locked and removed to keep your stuff safe.

A very impressive duffel bag, with a price tag to match, this is an investment item for those who want to up their duffel bag game.

• Durable and smooth-rolling wheels
• The telescopic handle is a bit short for taller people

For every journey, there’s the perfect duffel. While wheels or no wheels will always be a great debate, whatever camp you’re in, you’ll find something to suit your travel needs. With so many great duffel bag manufacturers out there, such as The North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, Osprey, and Eagle Creek, you’re spoiled for choice!

Like this review? We’ve got more! Check out these other articles on the best-of-the-best travel products on the market:

• The Best Checked Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-on Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Laptop Backpacks To Buy for Travel
• The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Men and Women
• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

What size duffel bag can i carry on a plane.

Duffel bags, like any type of carry-on luggage, will have to meet the luggage size restrictions set out by the airline you are flying with. These can differ from each airline, but 22 x 14 x 9-inch luggage is a fairly common restriction. Please check with your airline before you fly.

What are the best duffel bags?

Whether you’re looking for something small to carry on the plane, or a massive beast of a bag with wheels to pull behind you, there are plenty of great duffel bags to choose from. These are some of our top picks:

• Patagonia Black Hole 40 Liter Duffel
• The North Face Base Camp Duffel

Are duffel bags good for traveling?

Duffel bags are a great alternative to suitcases or backpacks and are designed to fit as much as you can comfortably carry. A great duffel bag is one that has enough room for your clothing, enough extra pockets for your bits and pieces, and one that you’ll be able to carry, wear, or pull along with ease.

How do I choose a duffel bag?

There are a number of qualities to consider before you buy your duffel bag:

• Size and capacity
• Wheels vs. no wheels
• Carry options
• Access, pockets, and organization
• Water resistance
• Material and durability

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 8 Best Duffel Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Versatile luggage pieces you can take to any destination

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For weekends away and other short trips, duffel bags are an ideal pick for your luggage. They’re lightweight, so they won’t dent your airline allowance, and they can be as bare bones or as feature-packed as you’d like. Plus, they can easily fold down for storage or travel flat in your checked bag as a backup carry-on if you do a little shopping on your vacation. And they look cool, whether you go for a classic take on the duffel or a more modern design.

There are a ton of duffel bags out there to choose from, including classic designs, affordable-but-durable canvas bags, and convertible wheeled options. We tested two dozen duffel bag options in our Brooklyn testing lab.

Final Verdict

Other products we tested, product selection, how we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, kipling bori duffle bag.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Very durable

Spacious with extra smaller pockets

Great all-rounder

Style is a bit outdated

Kipling’s famous duffels are incredibly well made—one reason why our testers liked the Bori Duffle Bag most. Testers loved how spacious the bag was and how that size could be increased or decreased using the side buckles. We also enjoyed the exterior and interior zip pockets and sheath pockets for storing smaller items. It was one of the lightest bags we tested, weighing less than 2 pounds. It also passed our durability tests without a noticeable mark, scuff, or scratch.

Said one tester: "This is a great duffel, although there isn't a separate compartment or bag for shoes or anything else that you want to separate, which some may prefer. The design isn't particularly sophisticated either, but as a duffel, it is really great, with a large capacity, very smooth zippers, and a lightweight feel."

Another of our testers has owned a Kipling duffel for the past 10 years, and despite using it for long-term travel, there’s barely a stitch out of place. Plus, soft sides keep the bag shape flexible, so packing is a breeze—and you have a bit of wiggle room for any souvenirs you pick up along the way.

Weight: 1.6 pounds | Dimensions: 24 x 10.5 x 14 inches | Volume: 49 liters | Planet and Social Impact: Not listed

Best Budget

Gonex canvas duffel bag.

• Capacity 4.5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Portability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Easy to maintain

Spacious external pockets

Comfortable handles and detachable shoulder straps

Nothing yet

Gonex's Canvas Duffel Bag is a classic-looking duffel with handles, a shoulder strap, ample interior space, and many smaller exterior pockets. While our testers could not fit all items into the main center pocket, they were able to utilize the side pockets to complete packing. They also liked that the handles connected via Velcro and found that the extra removable shoulder strap boosted comfort and maneuverability.

The bag's material held up during durability tests, and our testers were impressed that the cloth stayed clean throughout. Our conclusion? "This is a solid choice for someone looking for a duffel on a budget," one tester surmised.

Weight: 2.76 pounds | Dimensions: 20.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches | Volume: 40 liters (50-liter expanded option available) | Planet and Social Impact: Not listed

Best Weekender

Dagne dover landon carryall bag.

Dagne Dover

Attractive and functional

Excellent organization

Easy to pack

Some creasing in material during durability tests

Dagne Dover is known for stylish, well-thought-out, minimalist bags, and its carryall duffel is no different. With long straps and a tapered shape that hugs close to the body (rather than, like some duffels, uncomfortably bouncing against it), this bag is a faithful companion for long weekends and shorter trips. It’s full of the thoughtful details the brand is known for, too, and we mean full: Think a padded laptop sleeve for laptops up to 16 inches, a shoe duster, key leash, water bottle pocket, and a mesh pouch to keep hand sanitizer and lip balm on hand. Made from super-durable neoprene, which is excellent for travel, the bag is water-resistant and can be hand-cleaned.

"This bag is made for travel," one tester reported. Our testers loved all the pockets and accessories. They also loved the included zip bag for shoes and how wide the top zip opened for packing accessibility. "I loved this bag, and while the price is steep, it does seem like the type of item that will last a long time and can be used for various types of travel," one tester concluded.

Weight: 2.82 pounds | Dimensions: 15 x 9.5 x 12 inches | Volume: 5 to 42 liters (XS, S, M, L, XL sizes) | Planet and Social Impact: Lining made with recycled materials, like recycled bottles

Best Rolling

Eagle creek no matter what rolling duffel.

• Portability 4 /5

One of the most durable bags tested

Comfortable hand straps

Loads of storage space

Shoulder strap could be more comfortable

Eagle Creek's No Matter What duffel basically says it all in the name. With sizes up to 133 liters, this super durable and water-resistant bag comes with wheels, making it ideal for pretty much any trip or adventure. Our testers were impressed by the large capacity. They loved the broader straps, which felt very comfortable. "The handle straps were very nice in preventing the bag from swaying when maneuvering, and it feels comfortable in the hand," one tester noted. "For shorter people, the bag allows the wide handle straps to double as shoulder straps, which feels more comfortable than the adjustable shoulder strap."

The No Matter What passed all of our durability tests without any scratches or scuffs, and testers noted it felt tougher than most other bags tested. "We would recommend this bag, especially for the traveler looking for a duffel with wheels," our testers concluded. "It holds a lot and is also soft enough that it can squeeze tightly into an overhead bin."

Weight: 2.7 pounds | Dimensions: 33 x 15 x 16 inches | Volume: 39 to 133 liters (S, M, L, XL sizes) | Planet and Social Impact: Not listed

Best for Durability

Yeti crossroads duffel bag.

• Portability 3.5 /5

Inside partitions aid organization

Can carry a lot of stuff

Rugged Yeti build

Pockets could be deeper

Yeti's name has become synonymous with toughness, whether you're buying mugs, tumblers, coolers, or carry-on luggage for men and women. The Crossroads duffel is no different. This large-capacity bag is constructed with Yeti's proprietary TuffSkin nylon and comes with sturdy, rigid partitions on the inside to separate compartments. "The hardshell bottom makes the entire product feel durable and worth the price," one tester noted.

The bag comes in 40- and 60-liter sizes and features side pockets, a water bottle or tumbler holder, and a padded laptop "vault." While our testers did appreciate the bag's durability, they noted that it also added some weight and a level of rigidity that prevents the bag from being packed down small. Still, if your travel involves outdoor adventures where amped durability and strength are luggage necessities, the Yeti is worth the extra spend and weight.

Weight: 4.3 pounds | Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 10 inches | Volume: 60 liters (40-liter version also available) | Planet and Social Impact: Not listed

Best Eco-Friendly

Lo & sons the catalina deluxe weekender.

Lo & Sons

• Design 3.9 /5
• Durability 4.1 /5
• Value 3.5 /5

Separate bottom compartment

Very planet-focused

Comfortable to carry

Zipper can be problematic

Eco-friendliness aside, the Catalina Deluxe is simply an excellent travel bag. But we also love that it's gentle on resources. The bag comes in recycled polyester or organic canvas and doesn't use harsh chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers in its production. Bonus: The brand claims the sourcing and production of the bag encourage species diversity.

But beyond the feel-good environmentally conscious production, our testers loved how easy the bag was to carry using the shoulder straps and top handles. In particular, our testers enjoyed the bottom layer for packing shoes and sneakers. If you're looking for a highly functional bag that's also good for the planet, this is it.

Weight: 2.7 pounds | Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 15 inches | Volume: Not listed | Planet and Social Impact: Made with recycled poly and organic cotton, claims to reduce carbon emissions and keep 24+ bottles from landfills per each bag

Best Packable

Patagonia duffel bag.

Deceptively spacious

Comfortable ways to carry it

Convenient self storage

Patagonia calls its duffel line the Black Hole series because of the seemingly endless amount of space these bags offer. Indeed, our testers noticed and enjoyed the vast amount of space this bag—which comes in 40-, 55-, 70-, and 100-liter sizes—truly has. But perhaps the best part about this bag is its ability to collapse in on itself and be stored in a smaller inner pocket.

Beyond its packability, this solid bag scored well throughout our testing. Its ultra-durable ripstop fabric is highly water resistant. Attachable backpack straps give you different ways to haul it around, while zippered side pockets and daisy chain loops help boost the storage and carrying capacity. "This is a very good quality bag with a nice design and great features," one tester concluded. "It can also fit more contents than its appearance suggests." Hence, the Black Hole.

Weight: 2.19 pounds | Dimensions: 22.5 x 13 x 8 inches | Volume: 40 liters (55, 70, and 100 liters also available) | Planet and Social Impact: Made with recycled fabric, materials, and webbing

Most Rugged

Thule chasm sport duffel bag.

• Capacity 4 /5
• Design 4 /5

Good organization

Very comfortable straps

Included packing cube

No pockets on the outside

Our testers were thoroughly impressed with Thule's Chasm Duffel Bag. From its organizational capability to the comfort of its backpack straps, its solid materials, and its waterproof zippers, testers raved about this bag. Thule uses tarpaulin fabric, which is durable and weather resistant. It also features a padded bottom for extra protection of packed items. Its 2-in-1 design makes it easy to convert from a traditional duffel to a backpack. And there are multiple grab handles around the bag for moving it quickly.

"The bag, when fully packed, is a lot to carry without the backpack straps," one tester commented. "But it's easy enough to hold and carry with the straps." Said another: "I like the size, durability, zippers, and backpack straps of this bag. It also comes with a packing cube that can be used for clothing, toiletries, or even a small pair of shoes."

Weight: 4.22 pounds | Dimensions: 30 x 13 x 10.5 inches | Volume: 40 liters (70, 90, and 130 liters also available) | Planet and Social Impact: Not listed

For the best overall duffel bag, we like Kipling's Bori Duffle Bag . It struck the best balance of functionality, carrying capability, and durability. If you're looking for a budget option, you can't go wrong with the Gonex Canvas Duffel .

Herschel Sutton Duffel Bag ( view at Amazon ): This bag is reasonably priced for what it is. It isn't flashy and won't hold a tremendous amount of clothing, but our testers thought the price makes it a good gift option for a weekend warrior or college student.

Samsonite Tote-A-Ton Duffel Bag ( view at Amazon ): This is a solid choice for anyone wanting an inexpensive bag that holds a lot. Our testers saw this bag as better for a road trip than carrying it through an airport or train station.

Leatherology Kessler Duffle ( view at Leatherology ): Our testers thought this was a good option for a high-end leather bag. But for the casual traveler or someone looking for a decent weekender, it's a bit much in price. We envision this being a solid hop-off-the-plane-and-go-to-work bag.

L.L.Bean Adventure Rolling Duffle Bag ( view at L.L.Bean ): Our testers thought this was a solid bag. They enjoyed how it rolled and, despite a rather narrow opening, were impressed by how much it could hold. Testers definitely recommend it.

Carhartt Trade Series 2-in-1 Packable Duffel ( view at Amazon ): This bag is another good pick for anyone looking for a solid weekender bag. This is a good option for a small bag that's meant to look worn.

Cuyana Leather Triple Zipper Weekender ( view at Cuyana ): This would make a chic weekender bag, but the overall functionality and practicality were lacking. If style is what you're going for, this bag will work. If your goal is getting the most function and storage out of a bag, we suggest others on the list.

Rains Duffel Bag ( view at Rains ): Our testers liked this bag, and while they said they'd like to see the cross strap be more padded, they would recommend it for anyone looking for a durable waterproof weekend bag.

Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag Big ( view at Baboon to the Moon ): This bag will hold a lot and is durable. Our testers recommend it for anyone road-tripping or car camping. However, with backpack straps only, it's not a true duffel.

Tumi Double Expansion Travel Satchel ( view at Tumi ): Our testers were not impressed with this bag, especially considering its price. "This feels like a common bag," one tester concluded. "Most of the cheaper bags performed comparably, and some even out-performed this bag by a lot." Overall, the bag felt slightly flimsy and didn't hold as much as our testers saw in other bags.

Olympia 8-Pocket Rolling Duffel Bag ( view at Amazon ): The Olympia 8-Pocket is a good option for anyone looking for a simple bag to make it from point A to B. But for anyone looking for a tougher bag able to hold up to more rugged travel, other options on the list are better. And while our testers loved the rolling feature, they did find it annoying to carry.

Yeti Panga Duffel ( view at Amazon ): This bag is probably overkill for the average traveler. But for the adventure traveler or anyone looking to have a duffel that can double as a rafting, camping, or overlanding bag, Yeti's Panga is a solid choice. It's basically a Yeti soft backpack cooler in duffel form.

The North Face Base Camp Medium Duffel Bag ( view at Nordstrom ): This is an adventurer or gearhead duffel similar to the Yeti bag directly above. It's got excellent organization, great space, and is super durable. It might be a bit much for the casual traveler taking a few trips a year.

Paravel Foldable Bag ( view at Amazon ): While this bag had a few things we liked (it's foldable and lightweight), we can't advocate it for extended or airplane travel. After a few drops from the ladder, the test coffee mug shattered, making us unwilling to recommend it for checked luggage.

Modoker Garment Duffel Bag ( view at Amazon ): Less of a travel duffel and more of a gym or day bag, our testers did like the Garment Duffel Bag. Overall, testers reported wanting more space and pockets, but its durability and versatility rated well.

Away The Everywhere Bag ( view at Away Travel ): Our testers thought this bag was OK but not great. It looks chic but doesn't have the functionality or practicality our testers were looking for in a proper travel bag. "I like the style of the bag, and it would make a good complement as a carry-on, but I think travelers would need a larger size for more than an overnight," one tester concluded.

Products were selected based on our editors' prior knowledge and experience with luggage brands and products. We also based selections on highly reviewed and rated duffel bags on Amazon and other e-commerce sites. A finalized list of 25 duffel bags was created to meet a wide range of budgets and intended uses.

TripSavvy editors tested all 25 bags mentioned in this roundup in our lab in Brooklyn, New York. Attributes like organization, maneuverability, durability, and value were all considered. After weighing and measuring each bag, we packed it with five shirts, five pairs of pants, two jackets, two pairs of shoes, one toiletry bag, and one coffee mug. We then rated each bag's organizational features based on that list.

With the bags fully packed, we carried them around the testing lab to assess their maneuverability. We carried each bag with handles, shoulder straps, and cross straps when available. Lastly, with the bags still packed, we pushed each one off the top of a ladder three to five times, making sure the bag landed at a different angle each time. We checked how well the coffee mug fared and if there were any visible scuffs, scratches, or marks on the bag's exterior.

What to Look For in a Duffel Bag

Duffels come in all sizes, from an overnight carry-on to bags that can hold a week’s worth of gear. Envision your likely load, and think about sizing up a bit to give you some additional space. If you want an easy-to-carry bag to bring souvenirs home from a trip, look for ones that collapse into themselves so you can stash it in your other luggage and pull it out for the trip home.

Organization

If you’re in the market for one big bag to carry everything, models with a big main pocket will suffice, though they typically come with a few additional zippered pockets for smaller items. Other designs distribute their storage into a handful of different sections, which helps you keep things more organized.

Every duffel bag comes with a shoulder strap. Look for an adjustable, padded, and removable one for optimum comfort. Bags with wheels often include telescoping handles, which allow you to roll through airports and across pavement with ease, then lift the pack to carry it with the shoulder strap when the terrain gets rough.

Sometimes it can be challenging to pack a duffel bag because of the lack of interior pockets and organization. It is best to put large, bulky items like shoes and things you won’t need access to so often on the bottom. Fold your clothes and place them on top along with essentials like your phone charger. The outer pockets can be used for small items like travel documents and toiletries. If you prefer more structure, packing cubes help make the most of your bag’s space. For added security, consider tossing in a luggage tracking device .

A heavy duffel bag can cause muscle strain, so be sure to alternate which shoulder you carry it on. Pay attention to the strap when choosing a bag to purchase, because some offer more cushioning than others. Also, try to carry the bag close to your body as this can reduce the stress put on spinal muscles.

Depending on the size of your duffel bag and how much you pack into it, a duffel bag can be a personal item. Most airlines consider a personal item to be anything that can fit in the space under the seat in front of you. If you plan to pack more in your duffel bag, it may be considered a carry-on and can be stowed in the overhead compartment. Extra large ones will need to be checked.

Amber Nolan  has been working in the travel industry for over 10 years. She has written for TripSavvy since 2016, and her work has appeared in USA Today, Jetsetter, Cruise Critic, and several other travel publications.

Nathan Allen is TripSavvy's Outdoor Gear Editor. He's used duffel bags made by Yeti, Patagonia, Cotopaxi, The North Face, and Outdoor Research. Durability and water resistance or waterproofing are the essential features he considers when picking a duffel bag.

Jamie Aranoff , an associate editor at Travel + Leisure, helped lead testing in our Brooklyn testing lab.

While researching duffel bags, we spoke with grooming and travel journalist Adam Hurly .

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9 Best Duffel Bags for Your Next Vacation, According to Testing

These versatile bags are ideal for road trips and air travel alike.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all types of travel bags, including travel backpacks , underseat luggage and suitcases . We test their durability by assessing abrasion resistance, drop testing, water resistance and more. Lab analysts also pack each bag to see how much it can hold and rate the ease of packing. We also consider the weight and strap padding to find the most comfortable bags. Whether you prefer a small weekender style or a rolling duffel, GH experts tested a variety of styles in the Lab and reviewed hundreds more online to make these selections. These duffel bag picks include top-tested styles as well as picks from brands that have previously impressed us in Lab testing.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Duffel Bag

Patagonia black hole duffel bag 55l.

Best Value Duffel Bag

Herschel novel duffel bag.

Best Duffel Bag for Road Trips

Vera bradley cotton large travel duffel bag.

Best Weekender Duffel Bag

Lo & sons the catalina deluxe.

Best Versatile Duffel Bag

Away f.a.r duffle 55l.

Best Adventure Duffel Bag

Eagle creek migrate duffel bag.

Best Duffel Bag with Wheels

L.l.bean large adventure rolling duffle bag.

Best Duffel Bag for Kids

Pottery barn kids mackenzie rainbow heart duffel.

Best Gym Duffel Bag

Puma evercat candidate duffel.

After shopping our top duffel bag picks for your trip, keep reading to learn more about our testing protocols and shopping tips from fiber science experts.

Patagonia has been a top-performing brand in the Textiles Lab for many years with its durable bags and winter coats . The Black Hole Duffel is a popular bag with its sturdy top straps, side handles, a longer shoulder strap and the option to wear it as a backpack for easy toting. With reinforced exposed daisy chains on the side, you can hook on all types of gear. GH analysts especially love that t his whole duffel can actually compress into a small bag , taking up very little space when not in use. Note that the Black Hole duffel is water-resistant, but not entirely waterproof. This pick also comes in a wheeled version , too. Patagonia also has a renowned commitment to sustainability , offering a trade-in program and a shopping interface for used items.

Herschel bags and backpacks have impressed GH analysts by featuring durable materials with simple designs, making them versatile enough to take to the gym or use as a weekender. This duffel bag aced Lab testing. The bottom kept its shape as we packed it making it easy to load and unload, and it showed no signs of wear after abrasion testing. The separate shoe compartment held two pairs of shoes in testing or it could be used to keep dirty clothes separate. GH analysts found the synthetic leather handles comfortable to grip and appreciated the padding on the shoulder strap. However, the plastic hooks for the shoulder straps were not so sturdy. One tester said a hook broke after extensive use.

Vera Bradley duffels come in the brand's classic paisley designs as well as other bright colors and bold patterns. In our tests, we appreciated just how spacious this duffel is. It was able to hold every item in our packing test plus more. Testers liked the flexible fabric that made it easy to shove in the trunk of a car but did note that items shifted around inside the duffel. To keep things where you want them, there are multiple zippered pockets that keep items easily accessible . Reviewers rave that they've had these bags for years and they've stayed in pristine condition long-term. The side handles are long enough that you can also wear them over the shoulder. This pick is made with 100% cotton fabric, and while it's not as durable and nylon or polyester, it didn't show any changes in appearance during our abrasion testing. We do wish that it had a trolley strap so it could easily sit on top of a suitcase.

Lo & Sons The Catalina Deluxe

This classic duffel from Lo & Sons is perfect for a weekend trip as it has a separate shoe compartment and a spacious interior to hold everything you'll need. This bag is available in both canvas and 600D recycled polyester, depending on which style you prefer. With two sizes available, the site has excellent reference images to show what the bags look like when people of different heights and shapes wear them . For a more luxurious option, one GH analyst especially loves the brand's O.G. 2 Bag for being extremely easy to clean by just using a wet wipe.

Away recently launched new adventure travel products with its F.A.R. line. GH analysts especially liked the F.A.R Convertible Backpack and this duffel. Both styles have the option to carry it like a duffel or wear it as a backpack with comfortable padded straps . The large interior held everything in our packing tests and built-in compression straps kept items in place. There are two small zippered pockets — one on the outside and the other inside. We like that it has both top handles and smaller side handles, making it easier to put in a car or the overhead bin. (The smaller 40L version is carry-on compliant!) There are also exterior daisy chains to easily attach extra gear and a side trolley strap to help it sit on top of a suitcase. Analysts did note that the zippers are quite noisy when opening and closing.

Eagle Creek continues to impress us by offering durable travel items that last year after year, including the brand's signature packing cubes . One GH analyst especially loves Eagle Creek duffels for how well the material holds up even after being tossed around. Most duffels are prone to their contents shifting, but the outside compression straps on the Migrate help keep all your items perfectly in place . It features a more sustainable bottom material coating that was developed by harvesting windshield plastics from landfills, though we found it felt a bit waxy and did show some marks. It is a very structured bag and keeps its shape for easy packing. The larger tabs on the zippers are convenient for comfortable opening/closing. There are large top handles as well as smaller handles on all sides, so it's easy to maneuver.

If you prefer to roll your bag but still want the option to pick it up and carry it over your shoulder, a rolling duffel is perfect. This pick from L.L.Bean is available in eight colors with options for monograms, making this a great gift too. It has top handles and smaller side handles for easy lifting. The shoulder strap can be attached when you want to carry it but should be removed when rolling. GH analysts like the less structured fabric that's ideal for overpackers to fit as much as possible . The straps attach together to tighten it, so items don't shift around inside. With all the ways to carry it and the massive interior, this is a great pick for family travel.

This Pottery Barn Kids duffel makes a great gift with monogram options and fun designs , including this rainbow design and a dinosaur print. Not only do they feature fun, playful patterns, but these duffels also hold up to heavy use. GH analysts have tested all types of luggage from PBK and continue to be impressed by the durable materials. Lexie Sachs , Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, uses these duffels with her kids and especially loves how easy they are to pack. The brand offers a ton of pieces to complete the set including packing cubes , backpacks , lunch boxes , toiletry bags , rolling suitcases and more.

A gym bag has to hold everything you need without being too bulky — this PUMA bag is up to the challenge. Its amazing organizational design features zippered pockets and a separate shoe compartment to keep smelly sneakers and dirty gym clothes separate. Available in 18 styles, it's made with polyester and is machine washable . While we haven't yet tested this style in Lab, we have tested a variety of products from PUMA and found they are a great value for the affordable price. This bag has over 30,000 rave Amazon reviews and costs less than $30!

How we test duffel bags

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing travel products (including duffel bags) for decades. GH analysts tested duffels using standardized test methods and state-of-the-art lab equipment. We also sent duffel bags to testers to use when traveling. Here is how we evaluate duffels:

✔️ Size and weight: Each duffel bag is weighed when empty since online specs aren't always accurate or listed. GH analysts assess the bag's size and construction to determine what it's best suited for. If it's designed to be a personal item or a carry-on, we measure it to ensure it complies with the dimension restrictions of common airlines.

✔️ Abrasion resistance: Swatches of fabric are cut from the luggage and loaded into our abrasion machine, which rubs the fabric over an abrasive material 15,000 times before being graded for signs of wear. A GH analyst is seen here setting up abrasion resistance testing.

✔️ Packing capabilities: Our analysts pack each piece of luggage using a standard load with real items like clothing, shoes, toiletries and more. In this process, we rate the ease of opening and closing the zippers, ease of accessing the compartments and how much of our load actually fits inside.

✔️ Comfort: When the bag is fully packed, we carry it to rate the comfort of the handles and straps. GH analysts also test each bag's features like convertible backpack straps as seen here to rate the ease of use and comfort.

✔️ Consumer testing: Testers use each duffel on vacations and trips to give feedback on the comfort of the straps and handles, ease of packing and more. Testers have brought these duffels on road trips, cruises, international flights and more!

What to look for when shopping for the best duffel bag

✔️ Material: Most duffels are made with either nylon or polyester. Nylon is a very popular synthetic fiber for softside luggage as it's durable and can withstand abrasion. Polyester is a more affordable synthetic option that's lighter in weight than nylon but is generally slightly less durable.

✔️ Denier: Oftentimes, the denier of the fabric may be listed, which is a unit of measurement used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads or filaments used in the fabric. The higher the denier, the stronger the fabric tends to be.

✔️ Wheels: If you struggle carrying heavy loads, opt for a duffel with wheels. Because of the bulky wheels, rolled duffels cannot be as easily stored as ones without wheels.

✔️ Capacity: When shopping for a duffel, look for the capacity of the bag, which is usually listed in liters. The larger the capacity, the bigger the bag. Compare the dimensions to the airline restrictions for personal items and carry-ons to ensure a smooth boarding experience. Around 30 L is great for weekend trips while 50-70 L is better suited for a week-long trip.

✔️ Carrying options: Some duffels feature convertible options, so you can carry it with a crossbody strap or wear it as a backpack. Many testers especially appreciated the backpack carrying option!

✔️ Pockets and organization: Most duffels feature one main top zipper with a large internal compartment for packing. Testers especially liked when duffels had a separate zippered compartment for shoes and an easily accessible front pocket for must-have travel items.

Should I use a duffel as a carry-on or a personal item when flying?

Duffels can make a great personal item or carry-on when flying. However, it's important to note the duffel's dimensions to ensure that it complies with the airline's listed size restrictions. If you plan on using a duffel as a personal item, we recommend ensuring that it has a back luggage strap and pairing it with a rolling suitcase for easy toting in the airport. Because duffels feature fabric on all sides, they can be squished more easily in overhead bins and underneath the seat in front of you — this also makes duffels super popular for road trips too!

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over three years, testing all types of travel products including suitcases, packing cubes and backpacks. She tested a variety of duffels for this story in Lab. She has a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University.

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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Best Duffel Bags of 2024

From proven outdoor models with backpack straps to rolling designs for travel, below are the year's top duffels.

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Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers for good reason: they’re easy to load and carry, and many are built to take a beating. Below we break down the best duffels of 2024, including top travel, outdoor, and waterproof bags of both the standard and rolling varieties. For more background information, see our duffel bag comparison table and buying advice below the picks.  

Our Team's Duffel Bag Picks

• Best Overall Duffel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole 55
• Best Budget Duffel Bag: REI Co-op Roadtripper 100L
• Best Carry-On Duffel Bag: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21”
• Best Weekender Duffel Bag: Thule Aion Duffel Bag
• Best High-Capacity Wheeled Duffel: Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L
• Best Ultralight/Packable Duffel Bag: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel
• Best Waterproof Duffel Bag: Yeti Panga 75

Best Overall Duffel Bag

1. patagonia black hole 55 ($169).

Patagonia’s Black Hole line helped make duffels cool, and we think the 55-liter version is the best all-around bag on the market. In 2024, all Black Holes are made with 100%-recycled materials, along with the premium build quality and trendy colorways that Patagonia is known for. The duffel is beautifully constructed from end to end, and you get multiple color options from simple black to phosphorus green. It’s remarkably tough, too: The fabric is burly 900-denier ripstop nylon with a beefy TPU finish for water resistance (note: in the latest version, this laminate is now fully recycled and has a matte look). This duffel is not waterproof like the Yeti and SealLine models below, but it should keep your gear dry in light to moderate moisture just fine.

We've been using the same Black Hole Duffel for almost ten years now and it's still going strong, despite being packed with sharp climbing gear and shlepped to all corners of the world (by plane, train, horse, and snowmobile). In terms of features and carrying comfort, you get a multitude of ways to grab and carry the duffel: The removable backpack straps are more comfortable and functional than most, and the bag comes with reinforced haul handles and webbing loops for carrying by hand. Keep in mind that this duffel does not have a particularly rigid structure (only the base is lightly padded), so it doesn’t offer a ton in the way of protection for your fragile items. Finally, Patagonia’s Black Hole line also includes a variety of versions (we love the 70L for expedition use and the 40L as a carry-on), including smaller travel packs and wheeled duffels. See the Patagonia Black Hole 55

Best Budget Duffel Bag

2. rei co-op roadtripper 100l ($70).

If you’re in the market for basic storage and protection for your gear, the REI Co-op Roadtripper is one of the best values on this list. At just $70, this bag is made from burly recycled polyester and sports a large detachable shoulder strap and handles (no backpack-style straps here, which is notable for those who plan on carrying their bag long distances). We also love the minimal weight, which at just 1 pound 6 ounces is one of the lightest duffels here.

Who is the REI Roadtripper Duffel best for? It makes a great gear hauler for those who need space and protection without the bells and whistles. We’ve used the 100-liter version on a number of big trips including all the way down to Patagonia (four flights) and came away impressed. The bag is well-built, functional, and has withstood quite bit of use and abuse. At the same time, it’s not waterproof (or even highly water-resistant) and definitely not a fully featured bag for travel. If you want more protection and conveniences like internal storage, side compartments, and backpack straps, we’d recommend the Patagonia Black Hole above instead. See the REI Co-op Roadtripper 100L

Best Carry-On Duffel Bag

3. the north face base camp voyager roller 21” ($240).

For frequent travelers, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of a wheeled duffel, especially one that can be used as a carry-on. At 40 liters and with dimensions that meet size restrictions for most airlines, the TNF Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great option for air travelers who don’t pack the kitchen sink. The wheels are large yet smooth and functional over a variety of surfaces, and equally at home on the dirt roads of a far-flung village as in the airport. What’s more, the rigid internal frame and strong plastic handles (one telescoping) are durable enough to take a beating, whether you’re lifting the duffel, rolling it over cobblestones, or tossing it into the back of a truck. And with a PFC-free DWR finish, the Base Camp Voyager will keep your gear dry in the process.

What the Base Camp Voyager Roller is not, however, is a fully featured piece of luggage for business travelers. It lacks the sleek look and organizational compartments of more typical roller bags, with only one internal mesh pocket, a laptop sleeve, and a small external zip pocket. And at $240, you’ll pay a premium for the durable construction and wheeled design. For $40 less, the Osprey Daylite Carry-On 40 offers better organization, but its sophisticated appearance might not appeal to those looking for a true duffel design. In the end, the Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great combination of durability, functionality, and outdoor style. For those who want more space, TNF also makes a 29-inch version that can accommodate more than 90 liters' worth of gear. See The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21"

Best Weekender Duffel Bag

4. thule aion duffel bag ($190).

Many of the duffels here are designed for expedition use or toting a week’s worth of gear (or more), but the reality is that most travels take place over the weekend. A good weekender bag can hold around 35 liters’ worth of clothing and personal supplies, meets carry-on requirements, and features a range of internal and external pockets to help you stay organized. Within this category, the Thule Aion is our top pick and gets high marks for style too, with a classy aesthetic that looks the part in both urban and outdoor environments. The 35-liter bag is also decently durable, with a waxed 600-denier polyester canvas outer that’s abrasion-resistant and can fend off light moisture.

In addition to its good looks and build quality, the Thule Aion is high on organization with two separate internal compartments (great for separating clean and dirty clothes), a laptop sleeve and internal zippered pocket, and external stretch and zippered stashes beside the front zip. Portability is also good with two carry handles, a padded (and removable) shoulder strap, and a pass-through sleeve for securing to a roller bag. Added up, the Aion offers similar functionality as a travel backpack but in duffel bag form, which is great for those looking for a cleaner, more streamlined look. At $190, it’s more expensive than most bags here of similar size, but the added features and sleek appearance do help justify the added cost.  See the Thule Aion Duffel Bag

Best High-Capacity Wheeled Duffel

5. osprey sojourn shuttle 100l ($395).

For travelers torn between a standard duffel and traditional wheeled luggage, the recently updated Osprey Sojourn Shuttle (previously just the “Shuttle”) may be exactly what you’re looking for. This high-end duffel is extremely roomy, durable, and comes with tons of organization. Time and time again, we’ve loaded an entire vacation’s worth of clothing and gear into the Osprey with ease. Unlike cheaper wheeled duffels that have a tendency to fall over when full and upright, it maintains its stability nicely, and the larger-than-average wheels get the job done on uneven surfaces like cobblestones and gravel roads. And all of the other features are there, from external compression straps to tighten down your load to a separate lower compartment for wet gear.

The major shortcomings of the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle are simply trade-offs inherent to the roller design. First, you won’t be throwing this duffel over your shoulder and strolling through the airport or walking through a major city. It’s heavy at over 8 pounds empty and must be transported almost exclusively on wheels. In addition, when packed to the brim, you may find yourself pushing the standard 50-pound checked baggage limit—particularly if you go with the 130-liter version (we’ve cut it close with the 100L on occasion). Finally, at $395, the Sojourn is pricey—even within Osprey’s lineup, you can save with the simplified Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85 ($240) and more durable Transporter Wheeled Duffel 90 ($340). But for a premium roller duffel from a brand known for its high-quality, durable offerings, look no further than the Sojourn Shuttle. See the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L

Best Ultralight/Packable Duffel Bag

6. osprey ultralight stuff duffel ($45).

Not everyone needs their duffel bag to pack down small, but in certain situations, it can be a really nice feature to have. Perhaps you’re low on storage space, headed out on an expedition where every inch and ounce count, or simply need to bring along an extra duffel for the souvenirs you plan to pick up during your travels. Regardless of the reason, it’s hard to beat the utility of an ultra-packable design, and Osprey’s 30-liter Ultralight Stuff Duffel is one of our favorite options. Clocking in at just 7.1 ounces and packing down smaller than a 1-liter water bottle in its integrated pocket, the aptly named Ultralight Stuff is far and away the most streamlined option here. For just $45, it’s almost a no-brainer whether you’re using it as your primary bag or a backup.

We love the versatility of the Osprey for space- and weight-conscious situations, but keep in mind that this isn’t your standard travel duffel. With a thin nylon construction and small 30-liter capacity, it won’t hold up to long-term abuse, keep your gear dry, or shuttle much more than a well-organized overnight kit. But it’s fully functional for the right application with a padded shoulder strap, accessory pocket, and smooth-running zippers.  See the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel

Best Waterproof Duffel Bag

7. yeti panga 75 ($350).

Osprey is an industry leader in backpacking packs, so it should come as no surprise that their Transporter toes the line between backpack and duffel better than most. With padded straps and an adjustable sternum strap designed with carrying comfort in mind, the Transporter is a great option for travelers who need to cover distance with their duffel. In terms of features, a zippered pocket at one end is great for storing important items like travel documents and charging cables, and you get a wide U-shaped opening along with an interior mesh pocket, deployable rain flap, and straps to keep items in place as you walk. Added up, the Transporter is one of our favorite duffels for trips that start at the airport and take you to seriously adventurous locales.

Coming in at $180 for the 65-liter version, the Osprey Transporter is a similar bang for your buck as the Patagonia Black Hole above and a touch more expensive than The North Face's Base Camp below. Durability-wise, its 900-denier recycled polyester is on par with that of the Black Hole (the TNF is a bit more robust at 1000D), and our duffel shows no real signs of wear after being thrown around on a month-long trip to Nepal. The lack of an over-the-shoulder strap is a bit of an inconvenience, but you do get a functional carry handle along with Osprey’s best-in-class backpack carry. All told, if you’re looking for the carrying comfort of a premium pack alongside the convenience of a duffel, the Transporter should be near the top of your list. And for those who spend a lot of time around water, Osprey also makes the Transporter Waterproof Duffel , which is available in 40-, 70-, and 100-liter capacities and offers an impressive IPX7 rating. See the Osprey Transporter 65

9. Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel 100 ($280)

For climbers embarking on long journeys into the greater ranges, it doesn’t get much better than the Mountain Hardwear Expedition. This duffel is purpose built for hard work, with water-resistant 840-denier ballistic nylon in the body and a burly 1000-denier base lined with foam for both structure and protection. A wrap-around daisy chain allows you to lash it down in endless configurations, whether you’re headed to basecamp with the help of a mule, truck, or boat. And the Expedition’s most unique element is its massive D-zip opening, which extends via wings on each end and even folds all the way open for great basecamp organization (complete with internal tote bag-style handles). 

For such a utilitarian duffel, the Expedition packs in a surprising number of organizational features. You get a handy internal compression system that can secure all or some of your load, along with four small zip pockets (two internal, two external). And because we’re all familiar with wrestling the zipper closed on an over-full duffel, many will appreciate the integrated top compression strap that cinches the sides together and reduces zipper strain. Finally, like most designs here, the Expedition includes backpack straps, which also serve as a carry handle by way of integrated Velcro patches. The technical style, oversized capacities, and price tag will turn away most casual users, but for demanding expeditions, the Expedition is a great tool for the job. See the Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel 100

10. Gregory Supply 90 ($120)

We really like what Gregory has done with their Supply Duffel. Updated last year, this bag simply screams “function,” with a durable 600-denier polyester body and base, burly #10 YKK zipper and oversized T-Grip pull, and a price tag that beats out most duffels here. In fact, at just $120 for the 90-liter version, the Supply is still considerably cheaper than many 60-liter models on our list. For travel and outdoor applications like camping, ski trips, and even expeditions, this is a durable and high-capacity duffel that checks most of the boxes. 

But with its function-first attitude, the Gregory Supply isn’t for everyone. While you do get tuckaway backpack straps and one external pocket, it lacks the bells and whistles we see in much of the competition, including a U-shaped top zip and dirty-laundry compartment. We’ve come to value the large top access of a model like the Black Hole when we’re living out of a duffel, but the simple entry of the Gregory is sufficient for most uses. In the end, as long as you’re aware of the trade-offs, the Supply is a really nice option to have that will save you some money without making many compromises in terms of durability. See the Gregory Supply 90

11. The North Face Base Camp Medium ($149)

First released in 1986, the Base Camp is a classic offering from The North Face and a direct competitor to our top-ranked Patagonia Black Hole above. It’s similarly tough and water-resistant, offers easy access to the inside, and can be carried as a backpack, which we love. Both bags offer comparable organization pockets, but the Base Camp’s medium and large models add an exterior compartment on one end that allows you to separate dirty clothes and shoes. The Base Camp comes in more colors and designs than we can count, and is available in capacities ranging from 31 liters (XS) to a whopping 150 liters (XXL). For everything from a carry-on to an expedition workhorse, this is one of the most popular duffels on the market year after year.

Although we do like the Base Camp line and have used them for years, we prefer the Black Hole for a few reasons. First, the outer fabric on The North Face shows scuff marks more easily than its Patagonia counterpart. Second, at 3 pounds 8 ounces, the TNF is nearly a pound heavier. Finally, we found the backpack straps on the Base Camp to be slightly more difficult to detach than those on the Black Hole, making your airport check-in a bit more frantic. But for a reliable all-around duffel and more versatility in terms of size and colors, the Base Camp is a solid choice. And TNF also offers the Base Camp Voyager (in 32, 42, and 62L versions), which features a more modern design, lighter materials, and improved organization.  See the North Face Base Camp Medium

12. Black Diamond Stonehauler 60L ($190)

Relatively new to the scene is Black Diamond’s Stonehauler, which offers a climber’s take on the classic outdoor duffel. Building off popular designs like the Patagonia Black Hole and TNF Basecamp, Black Diamond placed 5-millimeter closed cell foam into the Stonehauler’s walls to guard against sharp gear like ice tools and climbing cams (a nice touch, as our cams have dug a hole in the base of our Black Hole). They also added on a 2-kilonewton haul loop for extra assurance when securing your gear to a mule or truck (heck, you could even haul the duffel up El Cap). Tack on a rugged 600- by 1500-denier body fabric and reinforced ends, and the Stonehauler is impressively durable and ready for all the rigors of your next expedition.

We’re impressed with Black Diamond’s design and think the Stonehauler makes a great fit for climbing, but the duffel risks being overkill for the majority of people and uses. Most travelers don’t need a haul loop or padded side walls, especially when the added tech results in a higher price (the 60L Stonehauler is $41 more than the TNF Base Camp 71L, for example). Further, we’re a bit miffed by the design, which places more durable fabric on the ends of the bag but not on the base. But BD does add some nice travel features with three zippered pockets, an internal laundry bag and compression straps, and removable shoulder straps. And you can upgrade to their Pro models (30 and 45L), which feature a padded laptop sleeve. See the Black Diamond Stonehauler 60L

13. Eagle Creek Migrate 60L ($129)

The Eagle Creek Migrate 60L is a nice option for travelers looking for a durable hauler with an assortment of carry options. It’s one of the more affordable duffels on the market at just $129 for the 60-liter version, and offers no shortage of bells and whistles with both tote and haul handles, glove-friendly zipper pulls, lockable main zips, an external zip pocket, and the option for both over-the-shoulder and backpack carry. What’s more, the main fabric is fairly robust (900D) and dirt-resistant, while the seamless bathtub base (1680D) will keep your gear dry even on wet ground. It all adds up to one of the best values out there and a great duffel from a respected travel luggage company.

All that said, the Migrate falls short of the more premium options above in one main way: access. Eagle Creek opted for a straight zip instead of the U-shaped lid of many duffels here (like the Black Hole above), meaning the Migrate is a lot harder to live out of and keep organized. But on the bright side, the simplified build does result in a lower price tag, and you get 5 extra liters of space if you leave the side buckles undone. And we’ve gotta give props to Eagle Creek for their efforts toward sustainability: The Migrate is made with bluesign-approved materials and recycled plastics. In addition to the standard version here, it also comes as a wheeled duffel in 110- and 130-liter capacities. See the Eagle Creek Migrate 60L

14. Gregory Alpaca 60 ($160)

Updated last year, the Gregory Alpaca is a durable and water-resistant duffel that checks all the boxes for rigorous outdoor use. Like the Black Hole above, it has a large U-shaped opening, boasts padded and removable backpack straps, and is made with a durable 900-denier ripstop polyester with a TPU coating for water resistance. Throw in storm flaps over the top zipper, an expandable end pocket for dirty laundry, internal mesh pockets, and an included packing cube that pulls double duty as a stuff sack, and the Alpaca strikes us as another thoughtfully built and well-equipped outdoor/travel duffel.

The Alpaca is a direct competitor to the Black Hole, and there’s certainly a lot to like about the design. The 60-liter version is about $10 cheaper than Patagonia’s 55-liter duffel, the packing cube is a nice addition (similar designs will run you $20 to $30), and the oversized end pocket has a lot of utility compared to the Black Hole’s smaller side pocket. But Gregory can’t quite match the brand cachet of Patagonia, and you only get a choice between three colors (compared to the Black Hole’s nine). In the end, both are high-quality outdoor duffels from trusted brands—built to withstand air travel, far-flung expeditions, and everything in between. See the Gregory Alpaca 60

15. Cotopaxi Allpa 70L ($200)

Cotopaxi has carved out a corner of the market with their spunky outdoor and travel gear, epitomized by fun colorblocking and sustainably sourced materials. The Allpa Duo 70L here is their largest and most functional duffel, great for international flights and road trips alike. Similar to the Black Hole, the Allpa features durable materials and large U-shaped access to the main compartment. But it tacks on a few more features, including a separate laundry compartment with mesh pocket (we’ve found this incredibly useful) and three zippered accessory pockets on the exterior (the Black Hole has just one). We also appreciate the Cotopaxi’s convenient carry-handle stash pockets, which get them out of the way when not in use.

At $200 for the 70-liter version, the Allpa is about the same price as the Black Hole 70, and offers an extra dose of convenience with its additional features. But we do have a major gripe with its design: The duffel does not include buckles on the backpack straps, meaning you’ll have to unthread the webbing for unhindered access to the main compartment. But there’s still a lot to like about the duffel, especially for fans of Cotopaxi’s design aesthetic. The Allpa duffel also comes in a 50-liter version, and the Allpa collection also features a full lineup of travel packs, hip packs, and gear hauler totes.  See the Cotopaxi Allpa 70L

16. REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Recycled ($139)

We know the competition is stiff in this category, including popular and proven bags like the Patagonia Black Hole and The North Face Base Camp above. But the second REI duffel to make our list wins out in one important category: price. For $139, the Big Haul 60 is another tough and versatile option with a healthy array of bells and whistles. You get solid weather resistance, comfortable backpack straps, a number of handles for easy grabbing, and decent organization on the inside in the form of mesh pockets. The 60-liter duffel included here likely can be used as a carry-on provided it’s not stuffed to the gills, or you can play it safe and opt for the 40-liter version for $119. 

Given that the REI Co-op Big Haul 60 is a strong value, why is it included toward the bottom of this list? From our experience, the build quality isn’t quite up to Patagonia standards, and the REI doesn’t have that sleek, high-end look either. On the other hand, the Big Haul has a thicker (1680D) fabric around the bottom to prevent wear and tear (and a thinner 400D nylon around the top), many of the same features, and should get the job done for most people and uses. What’s more, it's now made with recycled fabric, which is a big win for everyone. All in all, it’s another quality product from REI’s in-house line at an attractive price point. And the Co-op also makes the Big Haul Recycled in a rolling version, which comes in both 30 and 34-inch sizes ($279 and $299, respectively). See the REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Recycled

17. Mountain Hardwear Camp 4 65 ($140)

Mountain Hardwear offers some of the most serious outdoor duffels on the market, from the high-capacity Expedition above to the Camp 4 here. Riffing off the design of a haul bag, the Camp 4 has a cylindrical shape that lies on its side when open but can stand up on its own when full. In our opinion this is more of a stylistic feature than anything (climbers will love the vibe), but it might come in handy while staging duffels for transport—and we do love the large external zip pocket at the top for staying organized. Finally, one large grab handle on each side are great for the duffel shuffle, and the backpack straps remove when not in use.

But despite its haul-bag aesthetic, the Camp 4 is not particularly robust compared to most duffels here. The relatively thin 420-denier nylon will hold up to a lot of abuse, but we don’t recommend actually trying to haul the bag up an abrasive rock face (the similarly minded Black Diamond Stonehauler above features a much thicker 600x1500D shell). On the other hand, we do appreciate the Camp 4’s generous reinforcements around the edges, which is where duffels tend to collect wear, and its relatively compact packed size will come in handy for some. In the end, the Mountain Hardwear is a great combination of style and function for $50 less than the Stonehauler 60, making it another nice option for those packing for their next adventure. See the Mountain Hardwear Camp 4 65

18. Backcountry All Around 60L ($139)

The All Around is Backcountry’s addition to the outdoor duffel market and a continuation of their growing line of in-house gear. Similar to the Patagonia Black Hole and The North Face Base Camp above, it boasts a U-shaped zipper opening, several pockets for organization, and the option of being worn as a backpack. And like the Base Camp, an external zipper on one end opens to a large secondary compartment, great for separating dirty laundry or shoes. And with a recent redesign, the All Around now includes a padded base for added structure and protection.

Backcountry didn’t necessarily do anything new in the All Around, but they did make a quality bag at a respectable price point. Stacked up against our top-ranked Black Hole, it lags behind in durability (300D vs. 900D polyester) and capacity options, and you’ll either love or hate the bold goat logo on one end. And while some of Patagonia’s colorways are more subtle or sophisticated (call it what you will), Backcountry has taken a page out of Cotopaxi’s book with their loud, colorblocked designs. The All Around will save you $30 compared to the Black Hole 55 (and give you 5L more space), but we recommend that consistent travelers stick with the tried-and-true Patagonia. See the Backcountry All Around 60L

  19. SealLine WideMouth Duffel 70L ($165)

Along with the Yeti Panga, SealLine’s WideMouth is the only other fully waterproof duffel on this list. These two bags are quite different, however: With a much thinner nylon build, the SealLine has a significantly lower weight and profile than the Yeti, which is great when space is at a premium. Further, it features a roll-top design instead of the Panga’s burly waterproof zipper, which doesn’t offer quite the same level of protection, but it does pack down nicely. Perhaps most importantly, the WideMouth is roughly one-third the price of the Panga and more than enough duffel for most people. 

Why do we have the SealLine ranked here? The Yeti has more structure and is much easier to pack, not to mention the fully waterproof zipper system offers more assurance (and less room for user error) than the WideMouth’s roll-top seal. Moreover, the Yeti has backpack straps and therefore is easier to carry. The cherry on top: The extra thickness of the Yeti means that it’s much more durable and abrasion resistant in the long term. But for those looking for a waterproof duffel without breaking the bank, the WideMouth is a nice option. And SealLine also makes the Pro Zip Duffel , which features a waterproof main zipper and retails for $315 for the 70-liter capacity. See the SealLine WideMouth Duffel

Duffel Bag Comparison Table

Duffel bag buying advice, duffel bag categories: travel, outdoor, waterproof, duffel bag capacity, roller duffel bags.

• Main Compartment
• External Pockets
• Compression Straps
• Daisy Chains (Lash Points)
• Carrying Options
• Durability (Denier)

Water Resistance

• Packability  

Travel Duffels Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway, flying home for the holidays, or going to the gym, travel duffels offer a durable way to transport items from Point A to B. These bags range from minimally featured duffels—often just sporting hand carry straps and shoulder straps for short commutes—to roller bags (like the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L ) that are great for carting around heavy loads. Robust fabrics and rugged wheels set the travel bags in this article apart from the standard suitcases and rollers you often see at the airport. That said, these bags lack the focus on water-resistance that we see in outdoor duffels, usually forgoing storm flaps over the zippers and DWR coating. But for travelers who don’t plan on subjecting their bags to the elements, travel duffels are a nice mix of durability, convenience, and simplicity.

Outdoor Duffels Many duffels on this list are made by big outdoor brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Osprey, and Black Diamond. Outdoor use can vary substantially, from throwing your bag in the back of a truck to hardcore expeditions. In this category, look for robust fabrics with DWR coating, water-resistant zippers or storm-flaps, comfortable backpack carrying straps, lash points, and handles for grabbing the bag from multiple angles. And versatility is a notable upside of outdoor duffels: We’ll often use them for basic travel purposes as well, especially those with multiple carrying options and convenient organizational features like U-shaped openings and multiple pockets or compartments. For example, the Patagonia Black Hole , our top pick, can be used from anything from serious outdoor exploration to standard air travel (and it looks the part for both). 

Waterproof Duffels Most duffels here are highly water-resistant, meaning they're able to keep out light to moderate rain and snow. But a small percentage of users, including rafters, fishermen and women, and winter adventurers, need a fully waterproof duffel. The market is limited, but there are a few bags that offer a high level of waterproofing, including the Yeti Panga, SealLine WideMouth, Osprey Transporter Waterproof , and NRS High Roll Duffel Dry Bag. With the help of thick waterproof fabrics, watertight zippers, and roll tops, these bags are designed to keep your gear dry on wet boat decks, in inclement weather, and during quick dunks in the water (the Osprey even has an IPX7 rating, meaning it'll keep water out when submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes). Given their overbuilt nature, we wouldn’t want a waterproof duffel for anything but the harshest and wettest of environments: They’re simply too heavy, expensive, and technically oriented (minimal organization and straps) for everyday use. 

Large: 75+ liters Duffels that are 75 liters or larger are heavy haulers for longer trips, multiple people, and outdoor equipment (boots, backpacks, tents, etc.). When we fly to go backpacking, we love our 100-liter REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel : It can fit multiple empty backpacks, bulky footwear, and all of our extras. It’s worth noting that these bags can get heavy fast depending on what you stow inside of them, so keep an eye out for total weight as you’re packing. Clothing and most regular items should keep you below the 50-pound checked bag limit, but if you’re packing anything particularly heavy, it can be an issue. And for serious outdoor and expedition use, duffels like The North Face Base Camp are made all the way up to 150 liters.

The roller duffel is one of those “have your cake and eat it too” scenarios for travelers wanting the ease of wheeling their bag with the packing convenience of a duffel. We’ll start by noting that roller duffels are quite popular, and particularly for air travel. You simply take the bag out of your car, wheel it to check-in (or your gate if it’s a carry-on), and you’re off. Roller duffels are ideal for those who don’t want to carry their bag on their back or shoulder, and some of the smaller versions (in the 40-liter range and under) are carry-on compatible.

But roller duffels do have their limitations. First, rarely do roller duffels come with anything more than carry handles (read: no backpack straps), making them difficult to transport in areas without sufficient rolling surfaces. Second, cheaper or ultralight duffels have a tendency to fall over when full, which is something to be aware of when making a purchase (heavier models like the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle do not fall over, which makes them worth the extra cost in our opinion). Finally, roller duffels inherently have more breakable parts. Some duffels have replaceable wheels but many don’t, which is a quick way to lose all of that easy transport functionality.

For travel scenarios where you’ll be moving around a lot—think backpacking through Europe—we prefer non-roller duffels. They’re easy to grab and throw on your back, and you don’t have to worry about the surface (if you’ve ever tried taking a roller duffel down a cobblestone street, you know what we’re talking about). If you’re primarily an air traveler and moving your bag long distances by vehicle, a roller duffel is a fine option, and you do get the added benefit of one hard side for protecting your belongings. For the purposes of this article and the picks above, we’ve included a handful of our favorite roller models, and some of the standard designs have wheeled versions available.

  Pockets and Organization

Main Compartment Hands down, the easiest duffels to pack, unpack, and rummage around in are those with a large, U-shaped opening. Duffels such as the Osprey Transporter 65 feature this design: A zippered flap extends around three of the four sides of the top of the duffel and opens to reveal most of the contents. These bags provide easy access whether in a hotel, tent, or on the road. Other bags open in a more traditional style, with one zipper that extends across the top of the bag. With a smaller opening, access to the contents is more limited, and especially when full (this means more rummaging and disorganization). If you’re looking to prioritize convenience above all else, large roller duffels like the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle offer the most rigid structure and largest opening for packing and unpacking.

External Pockets When choosing a duffel, consider how much you’ll want access to your belongings as you travel. The most streamlined models feature one large compartment with no internal organization (the REI Co-op Roadtripper, for example), while more fully featured designs include handy external pockets for small items or padded compartments for a tablet or computer. Some duffel bags are even made with specific gear organization in mind, such as the Thule Bike Gear Locker Duffel (with dedicated pockets for shoes and a helmet) and the Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel, which features a fleece-lined goggle pocket and boot compartments on each end. For travelers, we think that at least one external pocket is nice to separate out your smaller essentials. 

Compression Straps Compression straps, both internal and external, can help make a duffel’s load more compact. Internal straps remove strain from the zipper and compress your gear inside the duffel to keep it from shifting during transit. We see these on models like the Patagonia Black Hole and Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel . External compression straps can be on the ends or sides (such as with The North Face Base Camp) and tighten the duffel after the zipper has been shut. External straps are especially useful on large duffels that might not be stuffed to capacity, and they help make your bag less unruly for travel. Additionally, if you plan on frequently carrying your duffel as a backpack, we encourage you to consider a model with compression straps—it makes the whole operation a lot more comfortable.

Daisy Chains (Lash Points) If you’re using your duffel primarily to transport your belongings via plane, train, or automobile, you’re probably wondering why you might need the daisy chains lining the exterior. However, put your pack in a raft, saddle it to a mule, or strap it to the roof of your van, and you’ll wonder how you ever got by without them. Not all duffels come with daisy chains (a.k.a. lash points) and some have more than others. If you know that you’ll need to secure your duffel for a wild ride, definitely be on the lookout for a bag that sports plenty of reinforced lash points. The most outdoorsy the bag, the more likely it is to be lined with daisy chains.

Carrying Options: Backpack Straps, Shoulder Straps, Handles

We’ve all been there: clumsily dragging our bag across the airport lobby and cursing ourselves for not purchasing something with wheels (or a travel backpack ). And if you’re looking for a bag in the 60-liter range or larger, know that when it gets full, it’s going to be heavy . The good news is that duffel manufacturers have gotten creative with designing bags that can be carried in a multitude of ways. Below are the main carrying options, and some fully featured bags offer all four. Backpack Straps For those who are able to throw their bag over their back and walk with it, backpack straps are our preferred carrying method. Many of the high-end bags on this list have backpack straps that are lightly padded and often removable. One duffel in particular, the Osprey Transporter , has many similarities to an actual backpack and is great for those planning to cover longer distances. Keep in mind that carrying comfort does vary, which is one reason why some bags are ranked higher than others. When not in use, many backpack straps simply detach for storage in the main compartment (this keeps them out of airport conveyor belts). Sometimes, simply tightening down the straps flush to the bag can be enough.

Shoulder Straps Though less comfortable than backpack straps over extended periods, a single shoulder strap is a quick way to carry your duffel short distances. In particular, we like shoulder straps on smaller duffels that don’t weigh a ton (they can start to get uncomfortable around the popular 60-liter range). Not all duffel bags come with shoulder straps, but we see them frequently on smaller capacity, travel-specific bags. Shoulder straps usually are removable, allowing you to streamline your duffel for transport. Carry Handles Most duffels have carry handles of some sort, whether they’re dedicated straps or a simple padded handle connecting the backpack straps to each other. Carry handles are useful for picking up a bag and moving it a short distance, and they’re great for carrying small capacity bags in one hand. Some duffels like the Osprey Transporter omit carry handles altogether­ in favor of shoulder and backpack straps. This can make sense for big, heavy bags, but we still prefer having the option.

Grab Handles Grab handles often are located on the ends or sides of a bag and sit close to the surface. Similar to carry handles, they are used to quickly lift or slide a duffel. Having a grab handle on each side is convenient when moving the bag around (think about grabbing it from the overhead bin of an airplane or the storage compartment on the bottom of a bus). We love grab handles: They are one the reasons that duffels are so versatile and easy to move around.

  Durability (Denier)

We reference durability frequently in this article—everyone wants their investment to last. The most common way of measuring fabric strength is denier (D), and the higher the rating, the tougher the fabric will be. All deniers are not created equal, but this gives you a general idea of how two duffels stack up to each other in terms of toughness. When available, we’ve included the denier rating of each bag in our handy comparison table above, which range from 1000-denier for a bag like The North Face Base Camp down to 300-denier for the Backcountry All Around. It’s worth noting that the manufacturers sometimes provide two numbers, which refer to the different panels (usually the highest number is the bottom of the bag that is exposed to the ground, whereas the lower number are the sides and top). This number may not be the definitive factor in your buying decision, but it certainly can help tip the scales when choosing between two close competitors.  

Duffels advertised as “water-resistant” are designed to keep your belongings protected from light rain and soggy ground. These models often cover their durable ripstop fabric with a laminate that keeps moisture from soaking in (often a DWR treatment or something similar). A DWR treatment certainly is a nice feature for everyone using a duffel: The weather is unpredictable when traveling, you never know when your duffel might be sitting on the tarmac for a few extra minutes, and it’s super helpful for outdoor use. In addition, some bags have flaps covering the zippers, which can be a point of weakness. Water-resistant gear does have limitations: It should work well in light-to-moderate precipitation but eventually will soak through. 

As mentioned above, a few duffels on this list take it a step further. The Yeti Panga and SealLine WideMouth are both built with waterproof fabrics. With a fully waterproof zippered seal, the Yeti can even be submerged, and the SealLine's roll-top does a decent job as well (no guarantees, but your stuff should stay dry). On the other hand, most duffels with vinyl or laminate finishes (such as the Patagonia Black Hole) will keep your gear dry in a rainstorm, but their zippers and seams might leak with sustained exposure to moisture. All things considered, a waterproof duffel is essential for water sports but overkill for travelers who stick to land.  

Some travelers may not care about the weight of their duffel, but for others it’s a factor, and particularly with heavier rolling models. Most non-wheeled duffels weigh just a few pounds or less, which makes them easy to carry, throw in your car, and store when not in use. Rolling duffels, on the other hand, tend to get a bit heavy. For example, The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller weighs 9 pounds 7 ounces empty for the 94-liter version, which already accounts for almost 20% of the standard 50-pound limit for checked bags. And the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L weighs 8 pounds 9.6 ounces but has a larger capacity at 100 liters (and comes in a massive 130-liter version). We can tell you that a loaded Sojourn Shuttle with things like shoes can get awfully close to the 50 pounds—we’ve been in the high 40s on a number of occasions. It’s also worth noting that a 45-pound bag isn’t the easiest to get in and out of your car or up a flight of stairs.

Packability

Packability won't be high on the priority list for most travelers, but there are a few instances in which a streamlined duffel can come in handy. For those who anticipate coming home with more than they started—or vice versa—being able to stow an empty duffel in another bag is a great way to consolidate your load. A few of the picks above pack into a stuff pocket or included packing cube, including the REI Co-op Roadtripper 100 and Patagonia Black Hole 55. However, it's worth noting that these options are still quite bulky—if you need a more minimalist design, check out a model like the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel . Ultra-packable duffels do come with their fair share of tradeoffs—including less durable fabrics, a floppy structure, and typically small capacities—so we only recommend them for those who specifically need the more streamlined design. Back to Our Top Duffel Bag Picks   Back to Our Duffel Bag Comparison Table

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Home » Gear » best travel duffel bags

Best Travel Duffel Bags – Discover the Art of the Duffel Carry

Most people tend to travel with a suitcase or backpack, but we’re here to review the best duffel bags and highlight their many advantages.

Now that big outdoor brands like Marmot, The North Face, and Patagonia have put their know-how and years of experience into this marketplace, the duffel bag has been revolutionized, no longer just an oversized bag to get from point A to point B.

Even the simplest travel duffel, however, have their advantages. For one, they’re the best option if you are traveling with bulkier items such as snow boots, life jackets, or camping gear.

All of that being said, not all duffel bags are created equal. Whether you need a bag for your next adventure or simply a sleek bag to travel for work, we’ve reviewed dozens and dozens of duffels and compiled a list of the top ones on the market.

So if you think your luggage is due for an upgrade, check out our comprehensive reviews of the  best travel duffel bags around, and get yourself a duffel worthy of broke backpackers, adventurers, vacationers alike! We’ve got everything from duffel bags with compartments, those with backpack straps and weather resistant numbers too!

So, ya’ll want to find out what THE best travel duffel bag is, you’re in the right place! Let’s go!

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Quick Answer: The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market

Top picks of the best travel duffel bags, how to choose a travel duffel bag, how we tested these duffel bags, the best travel duffel bags – comparison table, faq about the best travel duffel bags, what is the best travel duffel bag – final thoughts.

• Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel – The Overall Best Duffel Bag
• Black Diamond StoneHauler Pro 30 L Duffel – Overall Best Duffel Bag (Runner-up)
• Nomatic Travel Bag – High-Utility Backpack Meets Duffel Bag
• Monarc Settra Duffel Backpack – Best Eco Duffel/Backpack
• REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel – Best Travel Duffel Bag with Wheels
• Patagonia Black Hole – Best Carry on Travel Duffel Bag
• Kodiak Leather 60l Weekender – Best Men’s Leather Duffel Bag
• Under Armour Women’s UA Motivator Duffle Sport Bag – Best Women’s Travel Duffel Bag
• UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel – Best Business Travel Duffel Bag
• The North Face Base Camp Duffel – Best Duffel Bag for Expeditions
• The Classic Duffle by Mahi Best Small Travel Duffel Bag
• Gregory Alpaca – Best Packable Duffel

Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel

• Price: > $$
• > Stowable padded backpack straps
• > Rain flaps

Black Diamond StoneHauler Pro 30 L Duffel

• Price: > $$$
• > Wonderful design
• > Laptop compartment

Nomatic Travel Bag

• > Highly-functional backpack with a duffel mode
• > Durable and modern traveler equipped

Monarc Setra Duffel Backpack

• > Carry on Compliant
• > Made from recycled bottles

REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel – 30

• > Integrated wheels
• > Large for longer trips

Patagonia Black Hole Duffle

• > Backpack handles and grab handles
• > Nice and light

Kodiak 60l Weekender

• > High quality leather
• > Roomy and spacious

Under Armour Women’s UA Motivator Duffle Sport Bag

• > Lightweight
• > Water Resistant

UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel

• > Rolls out flat to take suits
• > Wrinkle-free clothes storage

The North Face Base Camp Duffel

• > Just 4 lbs in weight
• > Come with backpack straps

MAHI Leather Duffle

• > Compact and 28L
• > Tons of organizational pockets

Gregory Alpaca Duffel

• > Comes with packing cube

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Overall Best Duffel Bag – Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel

The Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel offers its users the best of both worlds. It has all the features that drew you to a travel duffel bag in the first place, along with a comfortable set of stowable, padded shoulder straps if you have to carry it for a longer period.

This duffel’s zippers are lockable, giving added peace of mind if and when you need to let it out of your eye line – such as on an aircraft or in a hostel room – and also has the bonus of a padded internal compartment to keep your delicate tech safe while on the move.

What’s more, the quickest of touches will convince you of the long-lasting durability of the materials used, together with a rain flap to keep precipitation from ruining your time away!

• Stowable padded backpack straps
• Zips can be locked
• Padded compartment for tech
• Not fully waterproof
• 40 liter might be too small for some
• Not guaranteed to be carry-on compliant
• Rigid construction

How The Osprey Transporter Tested

I have personally tested dozens of Osprey travel packs now and its rare I encounter one that I don’t love. We took the transporter on a road trip across the Atlantique region of France and packed it full of enough gear for 2 people. It felt very strong, rigid and weatherproof and I have no doubt that it would withstand a goos few years of abuse. The organisational layout is highly intuitive and we found it easy to pack, and retrieve our gear when we needed it.

In terms of downsides, I am just not all that sure about how much I like backpack /duffel hybrids and this one does feel slightly awkward to me when I wore it as a backpack. Sure, the backpack straps do pack away but this adds to the weight and I did feel it.

Is the Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel for me?

If you love the idea of a travel duffel bag but worry about how you’re going to transport it further distances, then the Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel has it all figured out thanks to the incorporated backpack straps! It’s one of the reasons it stands out amongst the other duffel bags.

The padded tech compartment is a great addition, as is the ability to lock the zips!

Our team rated this as their “best travel duffel backpack”, which means kinda what it says, a duffel that works just as well as a backpack and they love that versatility. They felt it had most of the features of some of the best Osprey backpacks whilst having the ability to be used as a duffel.

They really love that it opens up more like a clamshell backpack into a super roomy interior. As an added bonus the skate rats on the team loved that it came in well as a travel skateboard bag even if it wasn’t explicitly designed that way.

Overall Best Duffel Bag (Runner-up) – Black Diamond StoneHauler Pro 30 L Duffel

Black Diamond backpacks are among the hardiest and most respected in the travel world. Their StoneHauler Duffel Bag is no less impressive! If you’re looking for a duffel bag with compartments then this is the perfect option.

This duffle bag was specifically designed for air travel, so it really shines when it comes to internal organisation in the main compartment with a dedicated area for your laptop and chargers. It includes a proper set of backpack straps that really do feel, well, like an actual backpack, which we found to be a great feature when we tested it! Its size makes it perfect for carry-on-only travel for week-long breaks.

• 3o L perfect carry on size
• Wonderful design
• Weather resistant material
• Fully padded exterior zippered laptop sleeve
• Backpack straps on the same side as main zipper
• Zips are a big fiddly
• No water bottle pocket

How The Black Diamond StoneHauler Tested

To put the Black Diamond StoneHauler through its paces we brought it along on a weekend escape. Firstly, it passed the “will Ryanair actually let me take this into the cabin test?” comfortably which is pretty much 101 for any would-be carry-on piece. Moving on, the Black Diamond StoneHauler feels nice to the touch and its suave, blue-grey shades suited our clothes wonderfully. Zips and fittings all work very well and show no sign of breakage and we found the extra pockets and pouches great for packing in chargers and snacks.

It didn’t rain during our trip so cannot comment on the weatherproofing but all things considered, we were very impressed by the StoneHauler.

Is the Black Diamond StoneHauler for me?

This is a well made and well thought out travel duffel bag. Its features, pouches and external pockets are perfect for a short trip. It’s very durable and aesthetically pleasing. This carry on duffel bag is great for business trips because it stores your tech with ease. The only thing we’re a bit disappointed about is that it doesn’t fit a 15″ laptop — you’ve got other packs for that .

Our team loved this bag and felt it was the best duffel bag with internal compartments. Our team tends to travel with quite a bit of tech gear so they really love how these pockets and compartments can be used to store things like cables, chargers and hard drives. They also thought it was a great size for carry on without becoming too heavy.

Duffel Bag Meets High-Utility Backpack – Nomatic Travel Bag

This duffel bag is not purely a duffel bag. In fact, it’s not even primarily a duffel bag. And that’s why we like it so damn much!

The Nomatic Travel Bag is a backpack for the modern-day traveller. It’s loaded on the organization without an excess of empty space for unnecessary packing. Tech gear gets sleeves, shoes and dirty laundry get dedicated compartments, and everything else gets a space too!

But the best part is that if you flip this bad boy over and modify the straps, you have a completely functional duffel bag! Could we say it’s like a transformer. Yes, it most certainly is.

It functions as a very structured duffel bag with a lot of interior organisation, however, to be totally honest, that’s kinda rad!

• 40 L of pure organizational storage
• Qualifies for carry-on luggage
• Incredibly durable design
• Doubles as a backpack!
• Not a traditional duffel bag
• Kind of cube-like in duffel-mode
• Premium pricing
• Not the right choice for everyone

How The Nomatic Travel Bag Tested

We’re pretty intimate with the Nomatic travel bag now and it has accompanied various team members all over the world. We love its high quality materials and the fact it looks and feels new even after a year of use. We always make the most of its packing and organisational capabilities where everything has its right place. In fact, the Nomatic travel bag performed so well during a recent trip to Barcelona that a street thug could not help but steal it from us…is there any higher accolade that can be bestowed upon a bag?!

Is the Nomatic Travel Bag for me?

For people seeking a traditional duffel bag, no. However, for those that dig the option to wear it as a backpack and travel for work and with a certain selection of gear they need to keep protected (eg. a laptop and tablet), it’s perfect.

Our team are really massive fans of this bag and for a few different reasons. Firstly, the actual functionality between using it as a duffel and a backpack is second to none and it really means this bag can be used in so many different situations. On top of that its organisational features were a real selling point for our team.

If you’re on the fence, we’d recommend checking out the Nomatic Travel Bag review .

Best Eco Duffel/Backpack – Monarc Settra Duffel Backpack

The realities of travel can really take their toll on the planet. It’s no surprise that Ecological and Sustainable travel initiatives are now really gaining momentum. The Monarc 2-in-1 Duffle-Backpack is the world’s first backpack made from 100% recycled bottles and the producers have been awarded a highly coveted “plastic negative” rating.

But here this, not only is this backpack totally eco-friendly but it’s also a bloody great pack. Firstly, its 2-1 concept design means it can be worn as a backpack or carried as a duffel using the comfortable handle/ shoulder strap. If you do wear it on your bag, there are adjustable straps to help carry the weight. I really love this pack, even though I am not a HUGE duffel fan I have now had this bag for years and tested it extensively.

• Made from recycled plastic bottles
• TSA Carry-on compliant
• 2 in 1 Duffel and Backpack!
• Kinda heavy
• No compression straps

How The Monarc Settra Tested

I have had this pack for over a year now and so Ive tested it extensively. It performs really well for weekend break type trips by public transport where you can need to pack a change of shoes. It slots into over-head compartments on planes/trains/buses nicely and the organisational layout makes it really easy to find your gear when you need it. I have been rained on quite heavily with this pack and it stayed perfectly dry.

In terms of downsides, it does feel quite heavy after carrying it for a while and I am not a fan of how it feels when worn as a backpack at all.

Is the Monarc Settra Duffel for me?

Then there are the organisational possibilities. Its’ 40L of storage can go pretty far and the pack offers a shoe compartment and a 17” laptop sleeve. Coming in at $149.00, it’s well worth the bucks although if you have the budget we also recommend picking up the full set including camera cube, compression cubes and laundry bags.

Anything else? Oh yeah, it’s also water-resistant, TSA Carry-on compliant and comes with a lifetime guarantee!

Our team are a real environmentally conscious lot and any product that offers features such as being made out of recycled ocean plastic is a winner for them! On top of the sustainable side of the bag, they feel it packs some great features too and they particularly love having the security of both the dedicated laptop pocket as well as the lockable zippered sections.

Best Duffel Bag with Wheels – REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel – 30″

While we love The North Face’s Maleta, we also tested the REI Co-op Big Haul and can confirm it is equally as great. This wheeled duffel provides traction in all conditions, but the Sherpa strap lets you carry your duffel when you need to.

Its handle and back-panel structure add durability to the rolling duffel bag. You also have internal compression straps, external zippered pockets, and a small zippered pocket on top for organisation.

• Integrated wheels
• Large for longer trips
• Good Capacity
• High quality
• Wheels can’t be hidden
• No added backpack straps
• Might be too big for some

How The REI Co-op Big Haul Tested

Ok, so we found the REI Co-op Big Haul was easy to neatly pack and unpack, and it slotted easily into the overhead compartments. However, the wheels do make it heavy to carry , (and you will have to carry some of the time) and my arm was aching by the end of the day.

In terms of the materials, the main materials feel strong and the weatherproofing stood up to a bit of rain very well. However, I have felt better quality zippers and wonder if the ones on the Big Haul may start to wear and break after a bit of abuse.

Is the REI Co-op Big Haul for me?

Perfect for a month abroad, The REI Co-op Big Haul wheeled duffel bag has 87 litres of interior space and ample organisation to take you (and your gear) around the world. However, there are no removable backpack straps so you’re stuck to wheeling it around!

For those of our team who need to travel with heavy gear, like the climbers and filmmakers in the gang, the REI Co-op Big Haul really works perfectly for their needs. They feel it offers them much more versatility and durability over a traditional wheeled suitcase with both the carry options and the additional compartments and pockets.

Best Carry on Travel Duffel Bag – Patagonia Black Hole 40

This mid-length machine can store everything you need for weekend trips or even entire vacations for light packers. We tested it out on a weekend trip across Europe that took in planes, buses and trains so the old Black Hole got a good and proper trial.

Store your goods in a bag that just barely sneaks under strict carry-on regulations while staying light as a feather. Once you’ve unpacked, you can neatly store this Patagonia bag inside of itself, using its own pockets to compact. 

If you are specifically looking for more carry-on options, check out our best carry on duffel bags post if this is what you’re specifically looking for.

Travelling in cattle class? Have a look at our Ryanair carry-on bags for more specific packs.

How The Patagonia Black Hole Tested

Firstly, even though I have said I am not a fan of wearing duffels as backpacks, this one actually feels ok so big hurrah! When we tested this out we were impressed by its versatility and it performed as well for business trips as it did for weekend expeditions. It isn’t a thick as some other duffels on this list which makes it lighter to carry but may mean it doesn’t last as long although we hasten to point out it felt solid and rugged enough to our testers touch.

Is the Patagonia for me?

Carry the Patagonia Black Hole pack as a duffel or a backpack. This all-purpose travel bag is made with lightweight, tear-resistant matte nylon and has protective padding so you can carry everything all day.

Our team have been big fans of this bag for a while and feel the Black Hole is a classic duffel that does what it sets out to do really well without any bells and whistles. Where the back is lacking slightly on organisational features it makes up for with its incredible durability, weather resistance and all-around versatility. The fact it can be folded down into it’s own little bag and thrown into larger packs as an overflow is also something our team is a big fan of.

Want something more? Well, check this out, Patagonia now also make a rolling duffel version of the Black Hole too!

Best Carry On Travel Duffel Bag (#2) –  BAOSHA Canvas Duffel

Although you could easily use the North Face Maleta as your carry on travel duffel bag, our top pick in this category is the BAOSHA Canvas Duffel! It’s one of the most stylish bags on the market .

So, why’s that? This bag belongs in the ‘weekend away in a fancy hotel’ class of duffel bags; this duffel oozes class with its classic look of canvas and faux leather. Durable thanks to its tough materials, it will survive the knocks, dust, and dirt of travel while weighing just 2.8 Pounds. This might just be the most stylish carry on duffel bag on the market!

It has the potential capacity of 55 litres while still being suitable as an airline carry on. Inside you’ll find two zip-close security pockets and a further two open pockets for smaller items, while the outside of the duffel has a further couple of small compartments and external pockets. It also features a removable shoulder strap for great wearability.

• Excellent style
• Durable canvas construction
• Weighs just 2.8 Pounds
• 55 liters may be a little large for some
• No dedicated laptop sleeve
• Faux rather than real leather
• Zips can’t be locked

How The Tileman Canvas Duffel Tested

So, this is not a duffel for serious travelers or outdoor heads. When we tested it we soon came to lament the lower quality material and its lack of special features. While it performed adequately for our testers weekend retreat, he commented that he felt like it may begin to fray in the face of heavier usage.

Is the Tileman Canvas Duffel for me?

If you’re looking for a travel duffel bag that will set the scene for a luxurious or romantic couple of days away, you’ve found it with the Tileman Canvas Duffel!

But more than simply a pretty face, its durability and relative lightness of weight make it a duffel bag you’ll want to reach for again and again!

For those on our team who aren’t always living the dirtbag lifestyle, this duffel finds the perfect balance between cost, functionality and business style. Here at TBB we feel it’s the perfect duffel for commuting with large amounts of gear or people who need space for their gym kid as well as business travellers wanting to look swish on the go.

Best Men’s Leather Duffel – Kodiak Leather 60L Weekender

If you need a bag for a weekend getaway, for everyday use, for business, the  Kodiak 60L is definitely the best all-around men’s leather duffel bag. This stylish choice won’t look out of place anywhere: on a high-end weekend getaway, or just running some errands around town.

Made from all thick  top-grain leather  by the folks at  Kodiak 60l Weekender which is sturdy hardwearing and bloody beautiful.

Not a typical chuck-it-all-in duffel, the Kodiak weekend bag has a few organisation options. The bag includes three exterior pockets that use YKK zips, as well as a zipped  shoe compartment and a  dedicated laptop sleeve  at the bottom of the bag. This external pocket means you can easily take your laptop out, and put it in again when it comes to airport security.

Looking specifically for a men’s bag for the weekend , check out our post for more option

How The Kodiak 60L Weekender Tested

When our tester got his hands on this duffel it wasn’t so much love at first sight as love at first scent – the finished leather smelt just lovely! Anyway the bag is not the lightest duffel on this list and our tester did feel the weight of the leather after long periods of carrying. The zips and fittings all felt solid and the pack generally feels built to last.

All in all this is a super simple, stylish pack well and truly earned its place on this list.

Is The Kodiak 60L Weekender For Me?

Speaking of which, this bag is  carry-on compliant,  so you’ll be able to throw it over your shoulder and breeze right past the luggage carousel on your next trip, which makes this high-quality bag all the more convenient.

This is a stylish, hardwearing and uber-masculine duffel option. Oh, and there’s also a removable shoulder strap for a variety of carrying options.

For the ultimate in style and durability, our team felt this Kodiak leather duffel was a real winner. In fact, they felt if you were looking for a bag you’d have for decades to some, this would be a real sound investment. They just loved how high quality the materials and construction felt alongside the sleek and timeless style.

Best 50 Litre Travel Duffel Bag – Kuhl Escape 50

The KUHL Eskape 50 is a high versatile and durable duffel, custom designed for outdoor travel, and everyday use. 

Here are key features of the KUHL Eskape:

The KUHL Eskape 50 offers litres of storage which provides enough space for a few works worth of travel gear. It has one large main compartment with a U-shaped opening, and then  several external pockets for easy access to essentials.

Its is made from tough and weather-resistant materials, including a 1680D ballistic nylon bottom and a 500D Poly-TPU coated body. This ensures that the Eskape can withstand a bit of battering and is suitable for outdoor use, protecting your gear from the elements.

• Stylish design – looks great in both urban and outdoor settings
• Quality materials that both durable yet comfy to wear
• Loads of storage space.
• Can be a tad heavy – especially when loaded
• Not be as breathable as some other packs and can get sweaty
• It ain’t cheap

Is The Kuhl Eskape 50 For Me?

The KUHL Eskape boasts padded, adjustable shoulder straps as well as a removable padded shoulder strap. This allows users to carry it comfortably as either a backpack or over a shoulder like a classic duffel. It also has reinforced grab handles on each end for easy lifting and carrying.

The KUHL Eskape  50 has several internal and external pockets. These include a zippered mesh pocket inside the lid, a side pocket with a water-resistant zipper, and a front pocket with a key clip and organizational compartments.

Best Women’s Travel Duffel Bag –  Under Armour Women’s UA Motivator Duffle Sport Bag

Its smaller size compared to some of the travel duffel bags on our list makes it great for throwing in some clothes for a last-minute night away from home, or as an everyday duffel for carrying your gym kit.

Its softshell construction means it also folds down incredibly small and can be used as a spare bag without adding much weight to your other luggage! This duffel has a good degree of water resistance, which will keep your kit safe from light rain showers, with other features including a hanging internal pocket to keep small items safe.

• Specifically designed for women
• Lightweight
• Water-resistant
• Hanging internal pocket
• Softshell construction
• No backpack straps
• Not suitable for business travel

How The Under Armour Tested

The tester brought this duffel bag along to a weekend athletic meet. She commented that the colour scheme was a bit too bland for taste, but did appreciate the way in which the bag can be packed down and minimised for day and gym use. In summary, we found this to be a perfectly serviceable day duffel but do question how well it would perform on longer trips in testing weather conditions.

Is the Under Armour Women’s UA Motivator Duffle Sport Bag for me?

Women looking for a simple, lightweight duffel to get their kit from A to B without spending hours packing to fill every nook and cranny of a backpack will be very happy to buy the Under Armour Women’s UA Motivator Duffle Sport Bag. A great everyday travel duffel bag, it also has a great price!

Our team felt this was the best small duffel bag because it just got the job done without being heavy or cumbersome. They felt it was a great affordable and lightweight duffel to use for everyday trips like heading to the beach or the gym and it’s light enough to fold up and throw into your backpack to use whenever you need on your trip.

Best Waterproof Duffel Bag –  YETI Panga 50 Dry Duffel

Considering YETI makes the most durable coolers, insulated tumblers, and packs, expect the same emphasis of quality and durability from their dry duffel. You could probably throw this duffel over a waterfall and your stuff would still stay dry!

This is the best travel duffel bag if you are doing any type of water activity – rafting down a river; living on a boat; travelling in monsoon season; you name it, YETI’s got you.

You could simply attach this to the side or a river tube and it would hold up! It has 6 lash points and 2 long straps so you can haul your bag in multiple ways. 2 easy-to-access mesh pockets keep your valuables safely tucked away. We think 50 litres is a perfect size, but if you need something bigger, this bag also comes in a 75 litre and 100-litre size.

• Most durable duffel bag ever
• Fully Waterproof
• Heavy (price you pay for durability)
• Might be overkill for basic trips

How The Yeti Panga Dry Duffel Tested

We’ll confess now, we did not test this duffel by taking it white river rafting. However, we did fill it up with clothes and drop it in a bath tub to test the water proofing and are pleased to report that the inside stayed perfectly dry.

Of course, the waterproofing may begin to wear off after extended periods of use but based on what we have seen the Yeti Panga feels pretty solid.

Is the YETI Panga 50 Dry Duffel for me?

Keep your gear dry on your next trip with the YETI Panga 50 dry duffel. This fully waterproof bag is designed to handle total water submersion while remaining 100% dry on the inside.

Need a seat? Grab your Panga. Need a backpack? Grab your Panga. Need a personal floatation device? Grab your Panga. This is the most durable travel duffel bag on this list. Use it for your craziest adventures!

Our team are big fans of how well-made this duffel is and how much confidence it gave them when it came to protecting their gear. They really put it to the test and our team were super impressed. In fact, one member ended up capsizing on a fishing trip and this bag held tight full of clothing, gear and phones for over an hour as well as keeping our team member afloat too. Pretty impressive!

Best Business Travel Duffel Bag –  UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel

Thanks to the UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel, you can still use a duffel bag and travel with the smarter clothes of a business trip. This duffel cleverly opens out flat to create a dedicated compartment for laying suits and shirts flat without folding them tightly; you’ll find them as wrinkle-free when you arrive at your destination as when you packed them away.

There’s also another dedicated compartment for your business shoes, and four internal zip pockets and a small zip-close external pocket. Lastly, at 55 litres, this duffel both has enough volume for a few days away, and is generally airline carry on compliant.

• Rolls out flat to take suits
• Wrinkle-free clothes storage
• Dedicated shoe compartment
• Internal zip-close pockets
• Made from synthetic materials
• No dedicated tech sleeve
• Not for adventure travel!

How The UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel Tested

When we tested this duffel travel bag we were quite taken by the novel design and by the dedicated suit compartment. Whether it truly keeps clothes “wrinkle free” does seem like a bit of an exaggeration although none of us owns a business suit so we could not actually test this out.

Is the UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel for me?

Need to keep a suit and shirt crease-free while travelling? Here’s the answer, the UNIQUEBELLA Suit Travel Duffel! Its fold-out design makes it super-easy to transport business wear without the need to iron at your destination and takes care of all those little extras with its shoe compartment and necktie pocket to name just two.

Even us vagabonds need to don a suit from time to time and though our team did feel this bag was a little niche, they felt it cornered position perfectly. They were unsure if the bag would be a little gimmicky but in practice they felt the design actually worked well in practical use and kept their gear wrinkle-free and ready to rock!

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Best Duffel Bag for Expedition –  The North Face Base Camp Duffel

When you are hitting the mountains for days on end, you’ll need a duffel bag that is up to the challenge. The North Face Base Camp duffel has been an essential piece of kit for explorers, mountaineers, and adventurers for decades.

• Comes in multiple sizes
• Just 4 lbs in weight
• Ultra Durable
• Come with backpack straps
• Lacks a little rigidity
• Not  fully  waterproof
• Not all versions carry on compliant
• The big sizes are awkward to carry when packed full

How Did the North Face Base Camp Duffel Test?

We tested this bag in the depths of the Karakoram range in Pakistan. It has been snagged against a barbed wire fence, stepped on by pack mules, dropped in the mud, and snowed on for hours. Whenever I head to the mountains for an extended adventure, you better believe that this bag is coming with. 10 stars.

Is the The North Face Base Camp duffel bag for me?

Are you going on a serious adventure and needing to haul all of your gear along for the ride? This is the bag for you. Our team really loved the simple but high-quality nature of this duffel and generally North Face bags as a whole. They liked that this duffel added a bit more in the way of organisational pockets than the Black Hole and also offered a matt style rather than the shiny exterior of the black hole, which some of the team really preferred.

Best Travel Duffel Bag for the Trails –  The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel

Well, never thought I would take a duffel bag on hikes and bike rides, but North Face has done it again! This is one of the best all-around travel bags, no question!

You can toss this on top of your car or stow it away on a flight. This bag can easily be used for ANY type of adventure.

The bag unzips for easy access to the main compartment. There is a top padded pocket for delicate items, side pockets for a water bottle and small items, and internal zipper pockets for organization.

The straps and back support are not as padded as The North Face’s hiking backpacks, but it will do the trick for shorter hikes and rides!

• Ripstop weather resistant Nylon material
• Versatile backpack/duffel
• Plenty of organizational compartments
• Not as comfortable as hiking backpacks
• 32 liters might be too small for some

How The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel Tested

To test this pack out we brought it along on a multi day camping trip into the wild mountains of Northern Spain. Of course, it did not feel quite as comfortable as a proper hiking backpack would and I did miss the additional support from a dedicated backpack. Still, the straps felt OK and the pack had plenty of room to fit our gear.

Is The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel for me?

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel is a mobile base camp for all your mountain-biking, trail-running and skiing escapades. It has all the organizational bells and whistles you need to organize your gear, and multiple uses mean it is a functional bag for a wide array of trips.

Our team felt this was the perfect duffel for those who love adventure travel and outdoor sports. They were particularly impressed by how comfortable it was to carry heavy gear like climbing equipment, especially when the hike in itself is pretty challenging. They also felt it offered a level of organisation for their gear that is pretty rare with these types of large gear bags.

  The Classic Duffle by Mahi  – Best Small Duffel Bag

Looking for the great men’s leather duffel bag days out and short trips? If so, the Classic Duffle by Mahi may be just for you.

Combining traditional elegance with rugged practicality, the MAHI Classic Duffle in Vintage Brown is a lovely luggage piece for those looking for a stylish gym bag , weekend or overnight bag.

It’s made with beautifully supple full-grain leather on the main body and complimented with a fawn cotton lining. Other features include four brass studs on the base, a front zipped pocket for easy access to your essential items, a smaller zipped pocket on the inside and a detachable and extendable shoulder strap with additional padding for comfort.

• Designed for low-cost carrier use
• Soft Leather
• Multiple zippered pockets
• Heavy for size
• Not big enough for many trips
• Not waterproof

How The MAHI Leather Duffel Tested

I’ve tested quite a few pieces from the MAHI leather range. The leather on all of them isn’t exactly high grade, but feels very good for the price point.

Is the MAHI Leather duffel for me?

Being a small bag, this one is approved for carry-on by most airlines either the super strict budget ones. When it comes to packing, this thing thankfully stands up on its own, not falling in on itself as some duffel bags tend to.

Our team felt this was a great compact duffel that still offered good space optimisation. They felt for the minimalist traveller or commuter that doesn’t need a whole heap of gear, it’s the perfect option. They also felt the bag offered decent quality in terms of materials for the money.

Best Large Travel Duffel –  REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Duffel

Looking to travel with a lot of kits? You’re going to need a large travel duffel! The REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Duffel comes in a variety of sizes, much like Patagonia’s Black Hole duffel series , and runs up to the 90-litre XL version. It is available at a very reasonable price tag for the volume size of the bag.

What else do you get for the price? You get a duffel specifically intended for rougher travel, made from 600 Dernier waterproof materials with a large D-zip opening for easy access. You also get two removable shoulder straps and a side zip-close pocket for smaller items.

• Made for tougher travel assignments
• 40-90 litres
• Large opening
• No major internal divisions
• Not for business travel
• Has to go in the aircraft hold
• Weight of 1.6kg

How The REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Duffel Tested

We tested this REI Co-op Big Haul Duffel by adding it to our Pakistan expedition arsenal which means that it gets used to carry packed tents and camping equipment up and down mountain sides. Of course, carting a duffel up a mountain side never easy but this one felt relatively light. It was able to withstand classes with jagged rocks and stayed dry despite drizzle. Result!

Is the REI Co-op Big Haul Duffel for me?

This unisex travel duffel bag by REI certainly fits the definition of a large travel duffel with a capacity of 90 litres. Is it the best? Well, we think it is! Tough and ready for anything, simply throw your kit in, and start your adventure!

Our team just loved how rugged this bag felt and many of them described it as pretty much bulletproof when it came to throwing anything at it! In fact, a few of the team have owned this bag for years on end and it’s been abused in all corners of the world and stood up admirably. They also loved the large zippered compartments that were big enough to use for their shoes or bigger items.

Best Large Travel Duffel (#2) –  Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel

The Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel is a travel duffel bag for anyone who needs to transport larger amounts of baggage since it has a volume capacity of 80 litres.

Rather than having an external compartment at one end of the bag, it has one at either end helping with the organization of large amounts of kit.

The main compartment has a wide D-shaped zip-close opening that makes it simple to load and unload, while the large tags on the zips make them easy to shift even with cold fingers! Water-resistant all around, it has a waterproof bottom so there are no worries about lowering the bag onto the wet ground.

• Large capacity
• The external compartment at both ends
• Wide D-shaped opening
• Large zip tags
• Water-resistant but not fully waterproof
• Too large a capacity for many
• Weight of 3 lbs. 5.9 oz
• Not ideal for business travel

How The Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel Tested

When compared to other duffels on this list the 80-litre Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel is a giant and our tested had no issues in fitting all of his camping gear in. Of course, big bags are heavier and bulkier and our tested did remark that a full packed 80-litre duffel isn’t the easiest carry. The waterproof base was kind of put to the test when the bag was laid on wet ground and we’re pleased to confirm that the pack remained nice and dry.

Is the Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel for me?

If you need a travel duffel bag with a large capacity, the Thule RoundTrip Snowsports Duffel could well be the duffel bag for you! Its 80-litre capacity is divided between the main compartment at two end compartments, while the waterproof base is another fine addition.

Our team are big fans of the Thule brand and expected big things from these duffels. They were of course suitably impressed by the durability and high quality of the bag but mostly their feedback featured high praise for the larger end compartments as well as loving the range of sizes available.

Best Travel Duffel Bag for the Mountains (DURABLE) –  North Face Base Camp

The cylindrically-shaped Base Camp duffel by North Face is a 50-litre capacity bag with an empty weight of just over 1.23 kg. They do carry sizes up to 90-liters as well!

As you would expect from North Face, the Base Camp Duffel is made from durable materials of 80% polyester with 20% polyamide. There’s a separate compartment at one end, and a zipped mesh pocket within the main compartment for easy access to smaller items.

The duffel comes with wide, adjustable, shoulder straps designed to avoid twisting, and padded grab handles. External compression straps around the circumference of the main compartment and at either end of the bag help reduce down and secure your contents.

• Good empty weight
• Made from durable materials
• Pockets for smaller items
• Ergonomically-designed shoulder straps
• Softshell duffel
• Synthetic rather than natural materials

How The North Face Camp Tested

Our first impressions upon taking out the North Face camp were that it very much looks and feels like an expedition piece – as such we are not sure how well it would translate to more “normal” travel usage. As a heavy duty camping and expedition piece its certainly rugged although the fact that its not fully water proof does cost it some points.

Is the North Face Base Camp for me?

This is an iconic, super-tough expedition duffel from The North Face. The separate end compartment means you can keep clean and dirty items divided without endless periods of repacking, while the durable materials used will ensure the Base Camp can be used for more than just the one adventure!

Another fine North Face duffel! Our team once again had high expectations but also wanted to know what made this stand out against the brand’s other offerings. Firstly they felt the Base Camp offered the most durable and weather-resistant materials, meaning they could really push where they could take this thing. With it’s larger size they also appreciated the additional of compression straps to keep everything compact and maximise space.

Best Travel Duffel Bag on a Budget –  Sweetbriar Vintage Canvas Duffel

This stylish bag is one of the best travel duffel backpacks if you’re on a budget! The Sweetbriar Vintage Canvas Duffel is listed under $40 and is perfect for a weekend in the city versus a few days of camping in the wild.

It comes in a very attractive tan canvas and leather-coloured webbing styling. It incorporates zipped compartments on the front of the bag as well as plenty of internal zippers and organisational features. Expansion zips give a total overall volume of 39 litres, plenty for that weekend away, while there are also lock-together carry handles and an adjustable shoulder strap.

• Lovely design
• Comprises zipped compartments
• Expansion zips give 39-liter capacity
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Not very durable
• Capacity may be too small for some
• Hand wash only

How The Sweetbriar Vintage Canvas Duffel Tested

What we really loved about this travel duffel bag was that in the flesh, it looks and feels like it cost a lot more than $40. If you are looking for a hardcore travel duffel that will survive all weather and last for years then this may not be the one for you. However, if you are after a budget travel bag for an upcoming trip, then perhaps you have found what you need?

Is the Sweetbriar Vintage Canvas Duffel for me?

Any man or woman about town will readily fall in love with this unisex vintage canvas duffel. The ideal size for a weekend away, it consists of smaller compartments and pockets as well as the main compartment and also boasts an adjustable shoulder strap.

Our team felt that for a pretty run-of-the-mill duffel, this thing doesn’t look cheap and with the canvas material it’s also really durable too. They also loved that it was packed full of features like interior pockets, side shoe compartments and hidden valuable pockets.

Best Packable Duffel Pack – Gregory Alpaca Duffel

The Alpaca Duffel is versatile and resilient carry-all, skillfully merging practical travel functionalities into a robust duffel design. Encased in a water-shielding TPU layer and crafted from 40% recycled material, this duffel ensures solid protection for your belongings. The bottom is fortified against wear and tear, with an additional layer of foam for enhanced durability. Thoughtfully designed for the contemporary traveller, the bag features an expandable zippered end pocket to segregate your clean attire from the soiled, alongside an ingenious packing cube that serves both as a tool for packing and a storage solution.

The detachable shoulder straps deliver comfortable carry and the interior mesh compartments are great for organization of your travel gear. With a range of sizes available, spanning from 40 to 100 liters, there’s a perfect Alpaca Duffel for every adventure, big or small. The product is priced between $139.95 for the 40L version and $199.95 for the 100L.

• Trusted brand
• Comes with packing cube
• Shiny exterior
• Doesn’t have a rigid structure

How The Gregory Alpaca Duffel Tested

I absolutely love the Alpaca Duffel for its unmatched versatility and durability on all my travels. The thoughtful design details, such as the expandable pocket for separating dirty clothes, and the handy packing cube, truly make packing and organizing a breeze. However, I find the shiny finish a bit too ‘glarey’ for me and it’s not the lightest 60 liter duffel I have tried. Having said that, it is one of the best travel items from Gregory in my opinion.

So first of all, Duffel Bags are awesome. They’re physically tough, your belongings are easy to access and kept safe by the waterproof fabric – even the worst baggage handler can’t do much harm! Below are the most important features to pay attention to when you are deciding on your purchase because there are so many bags on the market!

However, not all Duffels are the same. Choosing the right one requires looking at different factors. Our list of factors below will give you a rough idea of what you should be looking out for when being on the hunt for a new Duffel Bag.

From detachable backpack straps to a rolling duffel, there are more options than you might first think when it comes to the best travel duffel.

What do you plan to carry in your duffel bag? And where are you travelling to? You may need an ultra-durable duffel backpack that can handle the abuse of long-term and international travel, or you may only need a simple bag to get you to/from the airport.

Perhaps you’re going on a boat or river adventure or travelling around Europe in winter. Either way, a waterproof or weatherproof bag is the ticket! Pay attention to the bags’ materials because the best traveling duffel bags are tough enough to deal with your adventures!

When deciding which travel duffel bag for you, you need to first think about your style of packing. Are you looking for a duffel bag that consists of a single large main compartment, or one with several compartments and an internal mesh pocket in addition to the main one?

If you’re travelling for business, you should consider a bag that protects tech gear, such as a laptop, as well as allows you to pack your clothes without creases. You might also want to look at features such as compression straps that keep everything neat and in place.

If you’ve got heaps of gear to organise and need things easy to access you might also want to consider exterior pockets.

Ask yourself: what are you using your travel duffel bag for? There are some excellent duffel bags with incredible style if you’re looking for a bag to take your belonging to a hotel for a weekend of relaxation. Likewise, there are a great number of travel duffels more suited to the great outdoors – offering different levels of weather protection, and weighing more or less too.

Also, consider how comfortable the bag is going to be compared to other duffel bags. Does it offer a padded shoulder strap or even two removable backpack straps? If you’re going to be wearing it for a long time and it’s packed full of all your travel gear, padded straps are a lifesaver!

Finally, you may want the classic duffel bag functionality or one with wheels and/or backpack straps. Whether detachable or integrated, padded shoulder straps don’t add a lot of weight, but can make a bag a lot more comfortable in the long term.

If you’re planning to carry your travel duffel bag for long periods, such as on a camping trip or up and down cobblestone streets in search of your hotel room, weight is going to be a hugely important factor in your decision-making. The best travel duffel bags are those that maximise their space and minimise their weight.

Duffel bags with wheels can weigh significantly more, but if you’re planning to get a rolling duffel and use the wheels versus carrying it on your shoulder, this won’t be a major concern!

In order to compare these duffle bags against one another, we threw them into a gladiatorial pit and forced them to fight to the death…OK so no that did not happen. Instead, various members of Team Broke Backpacker tested these duffels over a period of a number of years taking them on trips. That means that some duffels got put through the gauntlet of a month long vacation whereas got off lightly with a weekend trips. As such, the science isn’t exactly exact here.

Still, we stand by our findings. With each duffel we paid close attention to capacity and packing functionality, we compared how comfortable each duffel felt to carry, assessed how rugged and resilient each one felt and awarded bonus points for style.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Still have some questions about the best travel duffels? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

Why should you get a duffel bag?

Duffel bags might not be as handy as backpacks, but they’re just as spacious. If you’re not planning on backpacking, duffel bags are the next best option to store all of your gear safely.

Which duffel bag is the best?

We love the Osprey Transporter Expedition Duffel as it can be carried as a duffel bag and backpack at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds.

What’s a good size duffel bag?

A duffel bag can range from 35 to 65 liters. Most of them have an average of 40L which makes them perfect for carry-on.

What should I look for in a duffel bag?

Look for these key features: 1. Quality of the material and price 2. The design 3. Packability, size and weight

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

In this guide, we’ve covered the 17 best travel duffel bags on the market. From the big players to smaller brands, we’ve reviewed the ones fit for the great outdoors, your next business meeting, or a short hotel stay.

Nowadays, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to travel gear. Do you want a duffel bag with wheels? One that is lightweight? How about a fully waterproof duffel backpack? All you need to do is pick out the best travel duffel bag for you!

• Should You Buy a Duffel or a Carry-On For Your Next Trip?
• Calling All Backpackers: Discover Your Perfect Carry-on backpacks with Us!
• Check out our rundown of the best travel bags and see what works best for you.
• Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list .

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Is it possible to travel with a duffle around the world, or you recommed a backpack fot that? Cheers

Sure, but if you travel long term consider that a duffel will mean carrying the weight of your bag with just one side of your body. It also means you won’t always have the option of two free hands, which you can get from a backpack.

where would u place the wandrd hexad all access?

Hi John, thanks for reaching out. The Wandrd Hexad All Access is a great pack, and one I will be adding to this list shortly. I have been traveling with a Wandrd PRVKE 31 for about a year as my primary daypack/camera bag and I absolutely love it – Wandrd makes great stuff. I have had a bit of first hand experience with the Hexad All Access as well – here are my first impressions: The Hexad All Access is a great pack/duffel for 4-5 days of travel, is tough as nails, and has plenty of interesting features and storage options whether you are a photographer or not. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Long story short – this duffle is solid and you can’t really go wrong.

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Table of contents

10 Best Duffel Bags of 2024

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When it comes to versatility, a high-quality duffel bag is tough to beat: they’re useful for travel, camping, storage, and so much more. Whether you need a convenient way to tote bulky items or you’re in a hurry to get out the door for an overnighter, a duffel bag makes packing quick and easy.

There are a ton of options that may seem similar at first – what’s so complicated about one large compartment? To find out, our team tested more than 20 duffel bags over hundreds of trips, putting them through the wringer through long flights, muddy camping trips, grimy train stations and frontcountry RV sites. We’ve carefully compared every detail to separate the crème de la crème from the dead ends, and we’re confident you’ll find your new favorite duffel bag on this list.

If you need a little more structure to your carryall, our list of the best travel backpacks or best backpacking backpacks has what you need. We can also point you in the right direction with day packs (which make great personal items for air travel) as well as fanny packs for items you need to keep close at hand.

Quick Picks for Duffel Bags

Check out this list of our top-rated duffel bags, or keep on scrolling to check out the entire list with thoughtful reviews.

Best duffel bag overall: Patagonia Black Hole 55 ($169)

Best value duffel bag: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60 ($119)

Best budget duffel bag:  Gonex Canvas ($60)

Most comfortable to carry: Osprey Transporter 65 ($180)

Best ultralight packable duffel: Matador Freefly ($8 5)

Best large capacity duffel bag: Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100 ($280)

Great value duffel with excellent organization: The North Face Base Camp ($149)

Highly packable & affordable duffel bag: REI Roadtripper 40 ($50)

Best waterproof duffel bag: YETI Panga 75 ($350)

Best wheeled duffel bag: The North Face Rolling Thunder ($270 )

The Clever Hiker team has been roadtripping and flying all over the world testing the most promising duffel bags out there against our favorites, and this list has seen some sweeping changes.

• The Patagonia Black Hole 55 takes the number 1 spot for unrivaled durability, impressive water resistance, and do-it-all features.
• One of the best values on this list, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60  is near the top of the list as a compressible but well-organized duffel bag with intuitive pockets and excellent attention to detail.
• We added the sleek Gonex Plambag Canvas  as a roomy duffel bag at an accessible price point for short weekend trips.
• The super cushy Osprey Transporter 65  makes the cut as a bombproof duffel bag with excellent construction that’s easy to carry thanks to soft, cushioned straps.

• Patagonia Black Hole 55

Best duffel bag overall

Price: $169

Weight: 2 lb. 9.1 oz.

Capacity: 55 L

Dimensions: 26.7 x 15.7 x 11.8 in.

• Excellent value
• Highly water-resistant
• Lightweight
• Muliple ways to carry
• Padded backpack straps
• Great color options
• Folds into its own pocket
• External lash points
• Difficult to get in & out of storage pocket
• Limited colorways

The  Patagonia Black Hole 55 has been our go-to duffel bag for a long time because it’s durable, comfortable to carry, and amazingly versatile. This duffel can be hand-carried, or you can attach the padded backpack straps to carry it on your back. If it’s not completely stuffed, it can also pass for a carry-on bag on flights, so we often use it for quick getaways over a long weekend. We love this model because it’s also able to collapse completely into its own pocket – although it can take a couple of minutes – but this feature makes the Black Hole an incredibly versatile option for trips of all sizes. The Black Hole is an excellent value and we highly recommend it for anyone looking for a stylish and long-lasting duffel with excellent weather-resistance.

• Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60

Best value duffel bag

Weight: 2 lb. 3 oz.

Capacity: 60 L

Dimensions: 26.75 x 10.25 x 13.5 in.

• Multiple ways to carry
• 3 large compartments
• Lots of colorways
• Bottom isn’t as durable as others on this list
• Few external lash points

Eagle Creek is an authority when it comes to travel bags, and their  Cargo Hauler 60  is our favorite bag we’ve used from them. Of all the bags on our list, this duffel has our most ideal organizational features – two large end compartments, a pocket on the top flap (this stores the backpack straps but could also be used for items you need often, like a jacket or travel documents), and a large main compartment with a detachable divider in the middle. It’s also nearly waterproof thanks to its material and covered zippers, so it’s a good choice for travel in unpredictable weather. We appreciate the wide variety of muted colorways to match any style. The Cargo Hauler comes at an amazing price point for the quality and features you get, and the simple yet functional organization is hard to beat.

• Gonex Canvas

Best budget duffel bag

Weight: 2 lb. 12.8 oz.

Capacity: 50 L

Dimensions: 20.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 in.

• Lot of pockets
• Comfortable shoulder strap
• Not as durable as some
• A bit bulky
• Lots of zippers

The stylish and affordable GoNex Canvas duffel is an incredible deal at only $49, making this one of our top Budget Buys on this list. This model is packed with organizational pockets – zippered pockets on all four sides, an internal zipper pouch, internal divided pockets, and a large main compartment. All of these zippers make the bag a bit noisy to walk with and a bit busy to look at, but the functionality is outstanding. Plus, it’s expandable if you need a little more space. The Gonex Duffel is our first choice for business travel when a professional look matters and we have a lot of small items we want to keep organized, but it could also transition to roadtrips, festivals, and weekend trips as well. While this duffel isn’t as durable as some of the more outdoorsy duffels on our list, it’s a standout for light use and casual adventures.

• Osprey Transporter 65

Most comfortable to carry

Price: $180

Weight: 3 lb.

Capacity: 65 L

Dimensions: 24 x 14 x 13 in.

• Very comfortable to carry
• Water-resistant
• Compression straps
• Sleek profile
• Buckles can be a little cumbersome when zipping the main compartment
• Difficult to fold into pocket

We’re big fans of Osprey’s travel bags (check out our other favorites on our  Best Travel Backpacks  list), and the  Osprey Transporter 65 is another winner in the lineup. If there’s one thing Osprey really excels at, it’s comfort. The Transporter has seriously cushy, comfy, padded straps that make it easy to carry by hand using any of the four handles, over the shoulder, or as a backpack. The large U-zip flap for the main compartment makes it easy to find what you need without having to dig around, and the internal compression straps keep things nice and tidy. We found the buckles are a cit chunky and can be clunky when the bag is packed, but this is no dealbreaker – every component of the transporter is built with the top quality materials. This Osprey model is great all around for comfort, quality, and price, so it’s the duffel we often reach for when heading to the airport or packing for longer trips.

• Matador Freefly

Best ultralight packable duffel

Weight: 8.5 oz.

Capacity: 30 L

Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 8 in.

• Durable bottom
• Packs into itself (about the size of a baseball)
• Not as durable as others
• Not as versatile as others
• Smaller size
• Uncomfortable to carry for a long time

The  Matador Freefly duffel is an impressive little bag that’s fully waterproof and highly packable. It’s also one of the lightest options on this list, making it an excellent alternative to a daypack or fanny pack. This duffel can even be tossed into a larger travel bag for packing extra goodies on the way back from a trip, or you can use it to tote essentials around while your larger bag stays in your vacation rental. Its small size might not be for everyone, but its sleek design certainly is – this simple and stylish profile blends seamlessly into professional, business and casual settings. Since its waterproof, the Freefly also makes a great beach bag or riverside picnic packer. We find that the unpadded straps and thinner materials mean don’t handle heavy loads comfortably, so it’s not the best standalone bag for anything more than a weekend trip. Still, the value price of the Freefly makes this handy bag a worthwhile addition to your collection.

• Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100

Best large capacity duffel bag

Price: $280

Weight: 3 lb. 13.2 oz.

Capacity: 100 L

Dimensions: 28 x 15 x 13 in.

• Large capacity
• Comfortable straps
• Good organiztion
• Folds into storage bag
• Too large for casual use
• Size makes it a little impractical to carry as a backpack
• Heavier than some

If you need a big duffel that can haul it all, the  Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100 is an amazing choice with an excellent array of organizational details. We use this bag a lot for car camping when we need a catch-all bag, and it’s perfect for storing our gear when we get back home. You won’t find a more burly construction on this list, especially considering the seriously thick nylon bottom of the bag. One feature we find particularly useful on the Expedition is the closure system. When the main compartment is really stuffed, you can use the compression clips to keep the side walls together making it much easier to zip shut. This bag is on the pricey side, but if you’re looking for long-term durability, ease of use, and large capacity, the Expedition is 100% worth the cost, since you’ll be investing in a bag that can withstand the gnarliest of weather, roads, and journeys.

• The North Face Base Camp

Great value duffel with excellent organization

Price: $149

Weight: 3 lb. 9.1 oz.

Capacity: 71 L

Dimensions: 14 x 25 in.

• Well-organized pockets
• Comes with storage bag
• Round shape can make it a little more difficult to pack

The classic crowd favorite  Base Camp duffel from The North Face is a solid choice for anything from travel to, well… base camp! This duffel comes in a ton of sizes ranging from 31 L all the way up to 150 L, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. We like the medium size best (71 L) because it’s large enough to pack a ton of stuff into for big adventures, but small enough that it could still pass as a carry-on bag if it isn’t completely filled to the brim. The rigid material makes it easy to pack without the sidewalls collapsing in, something that we love about this bag in a world of big, floppy duffels. The large U-shaped opening is a standout on this list, as it allows you to easily access items without having to dig. And with four separate storage compartments, it’s simple to keep all of your gear neat and tidy with the Base Camp.

• REI Roadtripper 40

Highly packable & affordable duffel bag

Weight: 16 oz.

Capacity: 40 L

Dimensions: 21 x 10 x 10 in.

• Floppy material makes it less convenient to pack than some

You know those trips where you come home with a lot more stuff than you left with – like heading home for the holidays or a trip abroad that involves some shopping? These are precisely the times when we wouldn’t be caught without our  REI Roadtripper 40  duffel bag. This bag is highly packable and very lightweight so it’s easy to stuff into your main luggage if you know you’ll need some extra space on the way back home. And its affordable price makes it a good option for use as an overnight bag or for everyday use around town. We love the versatility of the Roadtripper duffel, and we recommend it for those looking for a good balance of price and convenience.

• YETI Panga 75

Best waterproof duffel bag

Price: $350

Weight: 6.1 lb.

Capacity: 75 L

Dimensions: 28 x 15.5 x 11 in.

• Fully waterproof
• Very durable
• One-zipper access increases safety
• Adjustable backpack straps
• Burly construction
• Very expensive
• Bulky/heavy
• Size makes it a bit impractical to carry as a backpack

If you need a duffel that’s rugged and fully waterproof, check out the  YETI Panga 75 . This beast of a bag is awesome for water-centric adventures like rafting and boating when you have important things you need to keep dry. We love the structure of this model, which makes it very easy to pack because it’s not constantly collapsing on itself. That said, it’s a little heavier and bulkier than we typically like for casual use, so when it comes to a weekend trip or flying to see a friend, the Panga isn’t our first choice. The Panga comes with a pretty daunting price tag, but we think it’s worth the splurge for those who love to play on the water – if you kayak, SUP, or love a good river float, this is the best waterproof duffel out there. This ultra durable Yeti model is a premium bag if you’re looking for the best weather protection, top-quality materials, and construction to last a lifetime.

• The North Face Rolling Thunder

Best wheeled duffel

Price: $270

Weight: 7 lb. 3.2 oz.

Dimensions: (22”, laid flat): 22 x 14 x 8.5 in.

• Good value compared to other rolling duffels
• Simple, efficient design
• Perfect size for airline travel
• Telescoping handle
• Expensive compared to non-wheeled duffels
• Few organizational features

The wheeled  North Face Rolling Thunder is a great choice for those needing a convenient carry-on bag for airline travel. With sturdy, yet smooth wheels, the Rolling Thunder will get you from your door, to your terminal, and up the stone walkway of your vacation rental with ease. The telescoping handle and multiple carry options make this bag one of our favorites for plane-centric adventures. Because there isn’t much in the way of internal organization, we usually use this duffel for quick trips when we don’t have a bunch of little things and electronics to pack. That said, the rigid material of the roller does well to keep your belongings safe during transport, so you can fill this bag to the brim without worrying about damage. Compared to similar rolling duffels, the Rolling Thunder is an awesome value and it’s a great choice if you’re looking to keep the weight off your back.

What’s Most Important to You in a Duffel Bag?

Duffel bag prices vary greatly depending on the size and features they come with. If you want something large or waterproof, you’ll likely pay a premium price. That said, there are plenty of affordable high-quality duffels on the market if you don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles.

Best value duffel bags

Best budget duffel bags

• M atador Freefly
• Shacke Express Weekender

Best high-end duffel bags

Weight adds up quickly when you start tossing stuff into a duffel. Keeping the weight of the bag itself low will help reduce the overall stress on your body when you’re carrying it. That said, heavier bags tend to be more durable and are often more weather-resistant.

Best ultralight duffel bags

Best lightweight duffel bags

Best heavy-duty duffel bags

The right size duffel bag depends on what you’ll be using it for and how heavy you pack. We usually prefer duffels that are 50-60L to have enough room for necessities while keeping everything in a small, streamlined package. If you’ll be using your bag for bulky items, a duffel with a 70-100 L capacity will likely be a better fit for you.

Best 40-60 L duffel bags

Best 65-100 L duffel bags

• The North Face Base Camp (M)

CARRY-ON SIZE

Consider the dimensions of the duffel bag when it’s fully loaded if you want to be able to take it as carry-on luggage for flights. If the dimensions of your duffel are on the edge, you should still be able to carry it on a plane if it’s not filled to the brim. Carry-on size will vary slightly between airlines, but for these recommendations we used the standard 22 x 14 x 9 in.

Best carry-on duffel bags

• Patagonia Black Hole 55 (when not completely full)

Most duffel bags are designed to withstand a good amount of heavy use, but some are more durable than others in the long run. If you’ll be using your duffel for lots of air travel or rugged adventuring, consider one of our most durable picks.

Most durable duffel bags

WEATHERPROOFING

If you want to use your duffel bag for rafting, SUPing, boating, or other water-based excursions, you’ll want one that’s completely waterproof to keep your stuff dry. For most regular use, a water-resistant duffel that can shed a bit of rain is usually sufficient.

Most water-resistant duffel bags

THE GONEX CANVAS IS AN AFFORDABLE DUFFEL WITH A HIGH-END LOOK

Duffel bags are convenient for travel when you have a lot of bulky items to pack

LIGHTWEIGHT DUFFELS, LIKE THE EAGLE CREEK CARGO HAULER ( LEFT ) & OSPREY TRANSPORTER ( RIGHT ), ARE MORE COMFY TO WEAR AS A BACKPACK

THE MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR EXPEDITION 100 HAS MULTIPLE POINTS OF COMPRESSION TO HELP KEEP YOUR LOAD MANAGEABLE

THE THE NORTH FACE ROLLING THUNDER TAKES THE WEIGHT OFF YOUR BACK

THE THICK MATERIAL ON THE NORTH FACE BASE CAMP DUFFEL BAG IS DESIGNED FOR RUGGED ADVENTURING

THE YETI PANGA 75 IS FULLY WATERPROOF

Critical Duffel Bag Considerations

Getting organized.

Keeping things organized is key to a stress-free travel experience. Some duffel bags are designed with organizational pockets and compartments, but many have just one large opening. We like organizing our things in packing cubes to keep everything neat.

Carry-on size varies a lot between airlines; check your airline’s website to make sure your duffel fits their dimensions. Also be sure your toiletries and liquids meet the standard of 3-1-1 (3.4 oz. liquids in 1 bag sized at 1 quart max) for carry-on. We love using refillable GoToobs for our shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries.

Even considering the most durable duffel bags on this list, most are floppy and formless when empty. What gives a duffel bag form is it’s contents and how you pack everything. More rigid options with structure are easier to pack the bag, but tend to be more bulky; softer bags can feel more messy inside, but often cinch small and pack away even smaller. Regardless, we always recommend using packing cubes or stuffs sacks to keep like items together and add more form and infrastructure.

If you’re using your duffel bag for travel, the most important safety tip we can give is to just be aware of your surroundings. Some people also like to bring small luggage locks to lock zippers and RFID technology wallets and card sleeves to protect sensitive information.

WATERPROOFING TREATMENTS

No one plans to spend extended time in rain or snow with their duffel bags – but anything can happen. Water will eventually find its way through zippers, seams, and fabric of even the best duffel bags. That’s why we always recommend packing the items that simply cannot get wet in waterproof stuff sacks  or  Ziploc bags  inside your bag. You can also line the inside of your backpack with a  strong trash bag  to keep all your stuff dry. 

Duffel Bag Honorable Mentions

While they didn’t quite make our final list, these duffel bags still have their strong points. That said, one of them could be your perfect match:

YETI Crossroads 60  – The Crossroads is an extremely high quality duffel that’s fully waterproof. We love that this bag is rugged and holds it shaped when not packed, and it also has a very wide opening for easy packing and locating items inside. The biggest downside is it’s price tag: it’s expensive compared to other options on our list, which is why it’s an Honorable Mention. That said, we think this bag could be worth the extra cost for those looking for a tough-as-nails duffel for consistent use in seriously wet adventures.

Shacke Express Weekender – This is an incredibly low-priced duffel bag with a simple design and sharp profile. Featuring one large zippered compartment and two small external pockets, this bag stands out thanks to it’s shoe garage: slide a pair of shoes into a separate, zippered compartment to keep footwear dirt, smell, and debris away from the rest of your belongings. Unfortunately, at this price, you’re sacrificing long-term durability. But if you need an extra stash of clothes for a few days, an inexpensive option for staying organized at home, or a go-bag for roadtrips – this is the one.

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

• Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
• We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
• Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
• We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
• We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
• We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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15 Best High-Quality Duffel Bags for Travel in 2024

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

Is there a best duffel bag for travel? Check out my high-quality picks in outdoorsy travel duffels, classic carry-on duffels for flights and versatile weekender duffels.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Best Duffel Bags

• Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Peak Design Travel Duffel

• Troubadour Orbis Duffel (30L)

Quince Revive Nylon Duffle Bag

Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Duffle (42L)

Halfday Garment Duffel

The Outdoor Duffle 70L by AWAY (70L)

Bellroy Duffel (Patty Mills Edition)

Quince All-Day Neoprene Duffle Bag

TOPO Designs Mountain Duffel

Tom Bihn Night Flight Travel Duffel

Halfday Travel Weekend Duffel

• AWAY Transit Leather Duffle

Public Rec Pro Weekender

• Filson Small Tin Cloth Duffel Bag (33L)

Gregory Alpaca Duffel 40

You’re here because you’re on the hunt for a great new duffel bag for your travels this season. We’ve got just the picks for you, from all our favorite brands.

A duffel bag is a traditional type of luggage that has been modernized through so many great companies and styles these days. What’s great about a duffel bag is that you can just sling it over your body with a crossbody strap, or carry it with both handles. This makes duffel bags a versatile piece of luggage, when compared to rolling suitcases or backpacks!

We look for a few key features in duffel bags for travel, and this list is going to focus on quality , as no one wants a cheap duffel bag for a vacation.

In this roundup, check out the duffel bags we think are fantastic, from how they look, to how they perform when they get thrown into a trunk on a road trip.

Browse our 5 favorite picks

• Peak Design Travel Duffel Check Availability
• Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L Check Availability
• Troubadour Orbis Duffel Bag Check Availability
• Quince Revive Nylon Duffle Bag Check Availability
• Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Duffle (42L) Check Availability

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel was the first bag that I took with me to travel for a year in 2016. I got it based on the recommendation from a friend and, wow: he was absolutely right.

This travel duffel bag is great. In fact, read my Black Hole Duffel review to see more photos about how it folds up.

The best feature is the durability. This bag has been tossed around in more luggage racks, hostels and trunks of a tuk-tuk than I can remember. Even after all of that, you can barely see any scratches or wear. All of the stitches around the seams and straps are still very well intact.

Get the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel if durability is your #1 goal. A feature that I didn’t know I wanted was its ability to fold up into a compact cube. So, you can pack the Black Hole Duffel and take it out when you have spillover from your main luggage, or when you plan to bring back more than you came with.

There are backpack straps, but don’t expect much support because it’s a duffel, after all (not a backpack). It also comes in a 40L size , a 70L size and a 100L size .

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

With incredible durability, this unbreakable duffel packs into itself, too.

Peak Design Travel Duffel

Peak Design’s Travel Duffel is top-notch. If you’ve seen our Peak Design Travel Backpack review , you’ll see that the two are made from the same materials like a weatherproof 100% recycled nylon shell, a waterproof bottom liner and leather accents.

And gosh, what a bag. Every product I’ve used from Peak Design has reigned supreme for its durability, minimalist look, overall functionality and attention to detail. The duffel comes with two hand straps, one shoulder strap and a “handle wrap” for carrying heavier loads. It also can be worn as a backpack (although it is mainly a duffel).

The PD Travel Duffel comes in two sizes ( 35L and 65L ), with the 35L being ideal for weekend trips or for a gym bag, and the 65L being useful for when you have heavy stuff, or when you plan to check luggage for a flight.

You can learn more about Peak Design at our Peak Design brand page where we go in-depth about the different products for travel.

This minimalist and functional duffel has exceptional quality and features.

Troubadour Orbis Duffel (30L)

This beautifully-crafted duffel from Troubadour is an award-winning travel bag made from durable recycled polyester with a vegan leather handle. It lives many lives, from being an attractive gym bag, a weekender or a longer-travels bag. At a total 28L of capacity, it fits a 16” laptop and weighs about 3 lbs.

The commendable features of the Orbis Duffel are its 12 pockets and dedicated laptop pocket that fits a computer up to 16.” To find all the pockets, you have to take a good look: there’s a zipper side pocket, a hidden front “slip” pocket, and phone and pen pockets, among others. Best of all, it’s got a trolley sleeve for getting that good stacking effect on top of your suitcase.

Troubadour has become one of our favorite brands for travel because of the exquisite designs of all the products. I’d recommend checking out our Bivy Tote Backpack review , Momentum Backpack review and Ki Backpack review for some more travel inspiration.

Troubadour Orbis Duffel

An award-winning duffel bag with clean lines and 12 pockets.

Quince Revive Nylon Duffle Bag

If you’ve seen our Quince hard shell suitcase review , you know how serious we are about quality luggage that comes at an affordable price. The Quince Revive Nylon Duffle Bag is no different: it’s a chic duffel made from recycled materials that looks good and feels right.

A few of this duffel’s best features are its waterproof material and Nappa leather trims, along with two zippered front pockets and an included dust bag! It looks good carried by its top handles, or the longer shoulder strap. I don’t see this one going out of style anytime soon. The final plus is that it’s totally unisex and comes in four strong color choices.

Unisex and chic, this duffel bag is waterproof and affordable.

Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Duffle (42L)

This 42-liter duffel from one of our favorite travel brands Nomatic zips itself into a tiny little carrying case. It’s an impressive product that can be packed into a suitcase or a backpack when you’re not using it for hauling your stuff during a trip.

We like that, at 42L, it has an internal zipper pocket, can be carried as a backpack or a duffel, weighs less than 1 pound and even has a sternum strap for use during carrying. The Navigator Duffel comes at a competitive price and has a lifetime warranty. What’s not to like about this one?

This smart duffel packs down and compresses into a carrying bag.

Halfday Garment Duffel

We became introduced to this luggage brand via my old friend Michelle, and when we found out that Halfday Travel (their name sounds like Half Half Travel, so we liked it immediately) makes a garmet duffel, we had to see it.

Halfday’s smart product, The Garment Duffel, is carry-on friendly and folds flat when you need it to. Made of water-resistant polyester material, it’s ready to carry a full suit or a dress (useful for traveling to weddings around the country), as well as three sets of clothes or outfits.

Want to see more? Check out the Halfday Garment Duffel product page .

Halfday's brilliant garmet duffel is a garment bag and duffel bag, all in one, for convenient travels.

The Outdoor Duffle 70L by AWAY (70L)

From the company that made the first viral hard shell suitcase, as well as one of my original favorite daypacks (which I review at my Away Daypack review ), AWAY has come out with a big outdoor duffel .

At 70 liters, it is a heavy-duty size for carrying lots of stuff. The Outdoor Duffle is meant to fit enough packing for a week-long adventure, and is durable enough to take camping or into the outdoors. The highlight is the material, which is a recycled abrasion-resistant and weather-resistant polyester that creates a simple design and high functionality.

AWAY's high-strength 70-liter duffel is sturdy and durable enough to take camping.

Bellroy Duffel (Patty Mills Edition)

This unique duffel from Bellroy , the company behind one of my favorites in the best backpacks for woman travelers , is traditional and rugged, ready for travel or just everyday use.

Highlights are its wide-mouth opening, good for being able to see everything inside, and easy organization, which is an important feature for me. The Bellroy Duffel has a detachable shoulder strap so that it can be used by its grab handles, and fits 30L of your travel things, in total.

By getting a Bellroy travel product, your purchase comes with a three-year warranty, so make use of it if anything should go awry with your Bellroy gear.

Bellroy's answer to a travel duffel is classic and cool, with travel-friendly features.

Quince All-Day Neoprene Duffle Bag

Quince’s All-Day Neoprene Duffle Bag has everything you could ask for in a travel duffel that also looks like an oversized purse or day bag. It comes in fun yet muted color choices, and looks good whether you’re wearing it with the crossbody strap or holding it by its elongated double grab handles. I was originally introduced to the brand via ttsheir luggage, which you can see in my Quince hard shell suitcase review .

Get free shipping, plus 365-day returns now!

Shop the deal

What is neoprene, exactly? You may have heard of the term from Quince’s neoprene belt bag in my list of the best fanny packs for travel . The neoprene from Quince is made of recycled water bottles, so it’s a good choice for an eco-conscious traveler. Inside the Quince Neoprene Duffle are multiple compartments and pockets, and the sides have snap-down flaps for a classic luggage look.

Quince's All-Day Neoprene Duffle has a cute and chic look, and is an eco-friendly choice.

TOPO Designs Mountain Duffel

This fun and funky duffel from colorful brand TOPO Designs keeps everything protected with padding, and is big on pockets. It’s big enough to hold ski boots, in the main compartment!

The Mountain Duffel easily convertible into a backpack, so you can hike and camp with it and there’s no problem. Of course, it’s great for travel, with those heavy-duty YKK zippers that I really enjoy about all TOPO products I’ve tried.

Easily convertible into a backpack, this durable duffel has strong zippers and lots of compartments.

Tom Bihn Night Flight Travel Duffel

The Night Flight Travel Duffel from the Tom Bihn brand is a top-notch piece of travel luggage that is sized to fit carry-on requirements for flights, so it’s ideal for a flying trip. It also fits under a seat as a personal item based on its dimensions.

Expertly designed with side compartments so that you can even take things out in-flight, this travel duffel has a handy pass-through strap, multiple grab and carry options, a squishy handle and eight “O-rings” for attaching anything you need.

With the strength and quality of Tom Bihn goods, this duffel will last a lifetime.

Halfday Travel Weekend Duffel

As one of the more competitively-priced duffels in this list, the Halfday Weekend Duffel is an easy choice for its versatility and features. The top has a U-shape zipper opening flap, and at the side, you’ll see a shoe compartment! We have it in Marine blue.

For travel, it has a luggage pass-through trolley sleeve, a spacious main compartment that will hold all your packing cubes , mesh interior organization pockets and a zipper side pocket on the outside. I like that it folds flat for storage, so it fits it in our closet with all my other duffels, backpacks and suitcases (yes, it’s true!).

Moderately priced and perfect for a short trip, this duffel folds up flat for storage.

AWAY Transit Leather Duffle

The AWAY Transit Leather Duffle is timeless, professional, classic and chic. It’s the duffel that you could step off a plane with, and head right to a business meeting with it, like for a one-day business trip .

AWAY’s leather duffel is made from ECCO DriTan™ leather and 100% recycled polyester canvas, fits 26L of packed items and weighs 4 lbs when empty. It fits a 13” laptop, has a Trolley sleeve to attach to a suitcase and clocks in perfectly at carry-on size for your flight.

The Transit Leather Duffle by AWAY

The most classic and chic leather duffle for elegant travel days.

Public Rec Pro Weekender

Hey wow, our favorite apparel brand Public Rec came out with a travel duffel ! Public Rec is an athleisure brand that we like for when we’re working remotely or traveling. The Pro Weekender is meant for traveling professionals and is a lightweight duffel with some structure.

The Pro Weekender Duffel has a side shoe compartment, a 30-liter capacity, external and internal pockets, water-resistant fabric and three ways to wear it.

Filson Small Tin Cloth Duffel Bag (33L)

Filson products will be with you for life, and that’s how I feel about my Filson products. The Filson Small Tin Cloth Duffel Bag has a 33-liter capacity and is made of high-quality waxed cotton. It’s ideal for overnight trips, as it expertly protects your stuff and has a removable strap.

The leather grip and strong YKK zippers, along with the 100% cotton oil finish Tin Cloth are what makes this duffel bag one that you’ll have for decades. Filson doesn’t come cheap, and the brand’s quality stands the test of time.

Filson Small Tin Cloth Duffel Bag

Made to have for life, Filson's duffel is of supreme quality materials.

Gregory Alpaca Duffel 40

Gregory products are made for mountains and the outdoors, and the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 40 is one of the more outdoorsy duffels in this list. It’s made from recycled polyester, so it’s water-resistant (hikes can get rainy!) and even comes with its own packing cube for organization.

One highlight I have to mention is the “dirty gear compartment,” which helps keep soiled clothes and shoes separate from clean items in the rest of the duffel. Smart!

The 40L Gregory Alpaca Duffel is meant to be an outdoorsy travel companion, with several hike-friendly features.

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We created this blog to share some of the knowledge and experience that we have around travel , remote work , photography and beyond!

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The 11 Best Duffel Bags for Your Next Adventure

Making packing for your next trip a breeze with one of these top-rated options.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

The Best Duffel Bags

Best Overall

Gonex canvas duffel bag.

Our Budget Pick

Amazon basics large duffel.

Herschel Novel Duffel Bag

Our Premium Pick

Patagonia black hole duffel.

Best Wheeled Duffel

Olympia 8-pocket rolling duffel bag.

Best Weekend Bag

Away the everywhere bag.

Best Lightweight

Carhartt trade series 2-in-1 duffel bag.

Best Sustainably Made

Paravel grand tour duffel.

Best All-Leather

Kenneth cole reaction leather duffel.

Best for Camping

Yeti panga 50, what to consider.

You’ll first want to decide how large a duffel you'll need, so think about whether you’ll want a weekender that can double as a gym bag or something larger to use primarily for longer trips. Anyone who’d rather skip hauling the duffel in hand or on their shoulder should opt for a wheeled duffel, which can offer substantial capacity and still work as a carry-on if it meets your airline’s requirements. Duffels are generally made of polyester or nylon, with more durable options laminated with water- and scratch-resistant coating—something you’ll want if you’re tough on your bag or plan to take it camping. Of course, weight is another important factor to consider. Beyond that, it’s all about features, like organizational pockets, padded shoulder straps, comfort grips, and bags that covert to backpacks.

How We Selected

Every duffel we cover below has an average user rating of 4.5 stars or higher. We combed through customer reviews, weighed value-added features against cost, and factored in quality of materials when compiling our list. We cover a range of styles, sizes, and options across price points, from a $20 no-frills budget duffel that offers solid quality to ultra-tough bags on the higher end that can withstand the elements.

For more great travel essentials, check out our picks for the best rolling suitcases , travel pillows , and carry-on luggage .

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches
• Capacity: 50 liters
• Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Main Material: Canvas

Your next trip won’t be complete without this canvas duffel bag. It’s available in three sizes, a variety of colors, and is listed for just under $60—which is a total steal for a bag as versatile as this one. The large bag has two side zippers that can extend its size, as well as a large main compartment with a zipper pocket that can hold a 15-inch laptop, two front zipper pockets, and a back zipper pocket. Its padded handles make it easy to carry around, but if you need some relief, the adjustable, removable shoulder strap is another option.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 32.5 x 17 x 11.5 inches
• Capacity : 98 liters
• Weight : 1.7 pounds
• Main Material : Nylon

If you want a basic, no-frills travel duffel that costs way less than filling your car’s gas tank, this $20 option is a solid choice. It gets high marks from more than 13,000 customers, too, with an average user rating of 4.7 stars.

The bag is said to have a whopping 98-liter capacity and is made of lightweight nylon. It can hold up to 50 pounds of your stuff and features zippered pockets inside and out, plus an adjustable, removable carrying strap. The bag comes in navy blue and red in addition to the black shown here.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 20.5 x 11.75 x 11 inches
• Capacity : 42.5 liters
• Weight : 2.2 pounds
• Main Material : Polyester

The Herschel Novel duffel is another customer favorite, with an average 4.8-star user rating from more than 3,700 reviewers. It offers a ton of space—more than it may appear to at first glance—with a 42.5-liter capacity, and features a two-way waterproof zipper, a separate shoe compartment, plus a storage sleeve inside.

The the top handles have reinforced stitching, attached to metal D-rings for comfortable carrying, and there's also a removable shoulder strap with padded webbing underneath to cushion your shoulder. In addition to the camo shown, it's available in several colors and hues, all of which feature the brand's eye-catching striped liner.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 26.7 x 15.7 x 11.8 inches
• Capacity : 55 liters
• Weight : 2.6 pounds
• Main Material : Ripstop polyester

Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel is an exceptionally rugged bag that’s as roomy as its name suggests, with a 55-liter capacity. It's also fairly lightweight and stuffs into its own zippered pocket for compact storage.

The duffel is made of 900-denier post-consumer ripstop polyester, laminated to be water-repellent and scratch-resistant. It features a mesh pocket under the lid and an outer pocket that can be accessed from the inside, along with two padded removable straps to haul it as a backpack. There’s also a padded base so you don’t have to worry if it hits the ground too hard. The duffel also comes in five classic colors.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 22 x 12 x 12 inches
• Capacity : 52.5 liters
• Weight : 5.1 pounds

This eye-catching wheeled duffel bag has an excellent lineup of features and is a steal, priced at around $50 at the time of this writing. Among its highlights are a large 52.5-liter main compartment, recessed inline skate wheels, and a long telescoping handle, plus a convenient U-shaped top, an impressive eight pockets, and allegedly snag-free zippers that won’t come off their track.

While it may appear slightly bulky, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a heavyweight: It comes in at a reasonable 5.1 pounds. The duffel is also available in a dozen colors and four sizes.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches
• Capacity : 20 liters
• Weight : 2.75 pounds (with shoulder strap)
• Main Material : Nylon, leather

Away’s attractive Everywhere duffel has all the thoughtful extras you’d expect from a bag made by the brand. It’s made of nylon with leather details on the handles and straps and it features two large outer pockets.

Inside, it’s just as well-organized, with a 15-inch laptop sleeve and a host of zippered and slip pockets to hold everything from a paperback to your mobile phone. The duffel also comes with a removable shoulder strap and is available in a range of attractive neutral colors.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 21.5 x 11 x 11 inches
• Capacity : 42.6 liters
• Weight : 1.56 pounds

This rugged Carhartt duffel, made of water-resistant polyester, is surprisingly lightweight at about a pound and a half and comes with a nifty drawstring pouch that you use for everything from laundry to toiletries.

The bag features a zippered outer pocket and a generously-sized main compartment, with YKK zippers and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap that has a wide shoulder pad. The handles are also comfortable to carry, thanks to their stitched grips. If the basic black model shown here isn't your style, the bag also comes in both gray and brown.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 20 x 10 x 11 inches
• Capacity : 36 liters
• Weight : 3.7 pounds
• Main Material : Canvas

Founded in 2016, Pavavel is a sustainable and socially responsible travel brand that turns out on-trend luggage and accessories using recycled materials like water bottles. The lightweight Grand Tour’s canvas is made by mixing recycled bottles with natural cotton fiber and a silicone coating is added for durability and stain-resistance.

The bag features either black or tan leather trim, protective feet on the bottom, and two exterior pockets, plus another two pockets inside the spacious main compartment. It also comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap.

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 20 x 12 x 10 inches
• Interior Dimensions : 18 x 9.5 x 11.5 inches
• Weight : 4.35 pounds
• Main Material : Leather

This all-leather bag is crafted from full-grain Colombian cowhide. It features an outer side pocket for shoes that’s separate from the lined main compartment, which has a U-shaped zippered top. There’s a buttoned leather comfort grip on the handles, metal feet to protect the bottom, and inside, you’ll find two open pockets for things like chargers and backup batteries.

The duffel comes with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap that can extend up to 5 feet in length, which is handy if you want to carry the bag as a crossbody. In addition to the black shown here, it's available in cognac and dark brown.

• Dimensions (L x W x H) : 23.5 x 14 x 10 inches
• Capacity : 50 liters
• Weight : 5.2 pounds

If you've got a camping trip on the horizon and want a duffel as tough as they come, look no further than the YETI Panga.

Your clothes won’t get wet, even if it pours while you’re hiking to camp or if the duffel accidentally slips into the lake, as the bag is waterproof and airtight, made of high-density nylon laminated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Two adjustable shoulder straps give you the option to carry it as a backpack—and inside there’s a sleeve and mesh pocket to organize small items you don’t want falling to the bottom of the bag.

The Panga comes in 75- and 100-liter sizes in addition to the 50-liter model shown here.

Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag

• Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) : 29 x 13 x 17 inches
• Capacity: 90 liters
• Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Main Material: Tarpaulin fabric

If you’re packing for a camping trip or another type of outdoor adventure, then this durable bag is your best option. It’s made of a rugged, weather-resistant material and is available in four sizes; this one can fit 90 liters in its oversized main opening and internal mesh pockets. The bag has handles for carrying it around, but if you want to transport it with greater ease, it can also be turned into a backpack.

Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for brands such as Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. Kylee graduated from Penn State in May 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. During her undergraduate career, she spent a majority of her time writing for, and eventually editing, VALLEY Magazine: Penn State’s only student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine. She has produced content ranging from beauty and health, to lifestyle and self-improvement. After spending four years in the happiest of valleys (State College, PA), she moved back home to South Jersey—otherwise known as the famous “outside of Philly” area. Kylee can be found working out of her local Starbucks with her best friend, an iced chai in hand, and endless hours of music playlists to get her through the day. When she’s not working, she is more than likely on her daily walk in her neighborhood, at Orangetheory, binging Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, checking out local coffee shops, or trying new bars and restaurants in the city with friends and family. 

Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics , where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend. 

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The Best Weekender and Duffel Bags for Every Kind of Trip

By Michella Oré and Gerald Ortiz

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A good duffel bag needs to do only one thing: hold stuff. The best duffel bags for men, however, need to check off a few more boxes. A great duffel bag should still carry your clothes, kicks, chargers, toiletries, and everything else in the most space-efficient, easy-to-find way possible. A great duffel should outlast your passport—or better yet, you —despite years of being stuffed in an overhead bin and thrown in the trunk of your car. A great duffel should make everyone else in the TSA line jealous.

The Best Duffel Bags Shopping Guide

• The Overall Pick: Lotuff No. 12 Weekender , $1,200
• The Status Symbol Pick: Goyard “Bowling 55” Bag
• The Value Pick: Banana Republic "Archer" Nubuck Leather Weekender , $600
• The Adventure-Ready Pick: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag , $169
• The Designer Pick: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Duffel Bag , $5,400
• The Heavy-Duty Pick: Filson medium Twill Duffel Bag , $595
• The Gym-Ready Pick: Lululemon 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack 45L , $198
• The Retro Pick: Porter-Yoshida and Co. Tanker 2Way Nylon Duffle Bag , $795

For proof, look no further than the above. We’ve slung hundreds over our shoulders over the years, and none hauled our stuff as well as these. Here are 15 duffels and weekender bags for every budget and every type of weekend trip.

Not sure where to start? Here's what to look for in a superlative duffel.

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The Best Duffel Bag, Period

No. 12 Weekender

Squared-edge duffels can be clunky to carry and eye-pleasing cylindrical shapes are tricky to pack, but Lotuff's No. 12 model has the just-right compromise: rectangular on the bottom, tapering up into a rounded top. That nameless-shape ensures the bag is as comfortable to carry against on your back (with the detachable strap) as it is to haul by hand but still sits stable atop a rolling suitcase. It's made in the USA from vegetable-tanned leather with each piece of the carryall cut from the section that best serves that area (thicker for the body, thinner for interior pockets). Then there are the considered details: the zipper closure is engineered to run from from end-wall to end-wall, not simply across the top. That allows for a wider opening, which makes packing easy. The zippers and hardware are fabricated from solid brass, including the lock-and-key closure—nothing's breaking here. There’s an interior zip pocket for the all the cords and tie bars you need to keep separate. The bottom of the bag is reinforced with a second leather layer, plus the carry handles are both riveted and stitched to support the weight of whatever you’re hauling around.

The Best Status Symbol Duffel Bag

Bowling 55 Bag

Like the upscale restaurants notable for their menus sans pricing, when you go for Goyard, the actual cost isn't a factor because the experience (of owning a skillfully crafted, fine leather good from a brand with 170 years behind them) is priceless. And if you're going to be jet-setting, or at least want to feel like it, the package is just as important as the contents. Goyard's Bowling 55 bag is crafted from a durable canvas and supple cowhide that keep your precious cargo well-cared for and will very likely last you a lifetime (and that of your grandkids.) To keep things extra secure, this swervy weekender also features lockable zips and adjustable handles that can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body. So you're getting added versatility with your luxury, big spender.

The Best Adventure-Ready Duffel Bag

Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

This insanely durable Patagonia duffel has passed every test (planes, trains, automobiles—you name it) for summer vacations and holiday travel. Plus it looks approximately 1,000 percent cooler than everyone else's carry-on. Like the best base camp duffels, added shoulder-strap attachments mean you can actually hoof it up a mountain with this on your back.

The Best Designer Duffel Bag

Bottega Veneta

Intrecciato Duffel Bag

Bottega Veneta's signature"Intrecciato" woven leather design was first introduced in the 1970s as a way to break away from the box-shaped, rigid bags of the era. Using glove leather that was lighter and more pliable than cow skins traditionally used at the time, the brand's craftspeople wove strips together to create a criss-cross pattern that achieved a lighter weight, more supple bag—that also stood out from the smooth-skin crowd. The artisanal infrastructure also means this bag holds its shape, whether it's stuffed with gear in the overhead bin or barely packed for a quick overnight trip. And if you really want to stand out from every other passenger in the airport, opt for this guy in an uncommon color like this brick red.

The Best Heavy-Duty Duffel Bag

Medium Twill Duffel Bag

Backcountry

Filson's rugged twill bags have been the gold standard for guys who want to get their shit from point A to B, from the office to out-of-office getaways. The bag feels satisfyingly sturdy, thanks to a mix of rain-resistant twill and thick bridle leather handle, both of which get better/softer/doper over time. The storm-flap closure that sits over the top zip is a smart feature if you're traveling in inclement weather and the wraparound leather straps mean this thing can carry a heavy load with ease.

The Best Gym-Ready Duffel Bag

2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack 45L

Fellas, it’s time to stop cramming your dirty sneakers and sweaty workout gear into an already-stuffed tote; invest in a real-deal gym bag instead. Lululemon's water-resistant convertible duffel bag comes with a wide interior decked out with specialized pockets to stash your clothes, gizmos, and toiletries—and also features hidden straps that transform it into a backpack in a matter of seconds. Sure, its sleek matte black design and function-first ethos make it a no-brainer for the gym, but it'll serve you equally well as carry-on luggage when your destination requires boarding a flight.

The Best No-Frills Duffel Bag

Porter-Yoshida and Co

Tanker 2Way Nylon Duffle Bag

In therapy, baggage is a bad thing. In the hands of the Japanese repro masters at Porter-Yoshida, though, baggage isn't just good—it's impeccably made and shot through with a jolt of retro cool. The brand's signature nylon duffel doubles as a mega tote with spacious interiors and generously-sized external pockets that work as shoe compartments, too. Oh, and the that telltale hi-vis orange lining? That's inspired by the old-school MA-1 jackets pilots in the US army used to wear, and it'll keep you goods fly and dry through the worst of it—and remind nosy onlookers of your excellent taste every time you unzip it.

By Megan Gustashaw

By Gerald Ortiz

By The Editors of GQ

The Best Value Duffel Bag

Banana Republic

"Archer" Nubuck Leather Weekender

Under usual circumstances, leather duffel bags don’t come cheap. So we're thrilled to report that the year of our lord 2024 is very much not the “usual circumstances”. Because, folks, 2024 is the year Banana Republic found its groove again , digging into its archives to revive jet-setting gems like its nubuck leather weekender, a high-quality riff that looks way more expensive than it is. It's made from supple mocha-brown leather and features an incredibly spacious interior that can house a weekend’s worth of clothing, shoes, toiletries, and whatever entertainment you bring for the getaway (books, tablet, crochet hooks). And if you somehow still find yourself running low on cargo space, there’s an exterior pocket with card slots to stash an ID alongside the rest of your belongings.

Plus 7 More Duffels Worthy of Your Shoulders

Acne Studios

Ripstop Duffle Bag

Perce More Holdall

End.Clothing

The North Face

Base Camp Duffel Bag

Allpa Duo 50L Duffle Bag

Gio Brushed-suede Holdall

Waxed Canvas Duffel Bag

Waxed Canvas Duffel

What to look for in a superlative duffel.

In most cases, the best duffel bags for men are made from full-grain leather. (Cowhide keeps your gear protected and develops a singular patina over time that's all yours.) That luxe hide, however, is going to cost you. Which is why we're glad to confirm that these days there are also plenty of non-leather options on the market that are smartly engineered to hold all your stuff and stand up to being stuffed in an overheard bin again and again. And, yes, those options are also actually stylish.

You seem skeptical. Maybe you're still working through lingering trauma from your undergrad days, when you eurotripped across half the continent with nothing but a flimsy mesh duffel and cracked iPhone to keep you company on your journey. Or maybe it's been a while since you've had the opportunity to buy luggage of any kind (join the club) and you can't quite wrap your ahead around the notion of springing for anything other than the top-shelf leather stuff. If that sounds like you, don't X out of this tab in a panic.

Relax: the duffels we're talking about are far cry from the JanSport you used to haul around in middle school. Even when they're not made of leather—some are cut from waxed canvas, or nylon ripstop, or a specially-treated fabric designed keep your gear dry in the dreariest conditions—each and every option included above is the top-shelf stuff. (And if you're still not convinced, there's plenty of handsome leather duffels to choose from too.)

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The 16 Best Duffle Bags for Men, Tested and Reviewed by Gear Editors

From a weekend trip to a gym session, these options will be your go-tos for the long haul.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

Smartest duffel bag

Halfday travel the garment duffel.

Best duffel bag for gym

Mack weldon atlas duffle.

Best Waterproof Duffle Bag

Yeti panga waterproof duffel.

Best duffel bag for traveling

Tumi double expansion travel satchel.

Best heavy-duty duffel bag

Patagonia black hole duffel 70l.

Best athletic duffel bag

Lululemon wunderlust weekender bag 48l.

Best duffel bag for packing light

Bellroy lite duffel.

Most versatile duffel bag

Troubadour embark duffle.

Most stylish duffel bag

Rains hilo weekend bag.

Best weekender duffel bag

Everlane the renew transit weekender.

Spacious but not oversized, the best duffel bags for men are functional for packing but also capable of staying organized on the inside. The best duffel bags for men should be able to fit shoes, clothes, travel gadgets , etc. More importantly, the best duffel bags for men will be versatile for all kinds of carrying needs—overnight trips, daily gym session, vacation, or just for stowing a bunch of stuff and calling it a day.

Ahead, our editors have done our testing as well as spoken to real-life buyers and users of duffel bags to find the the 20 best duffel bags for men. For long-distance traveling, Tumi’s Double Expansion Travel Satchel and Patagonia’s Black Hole are perennial favorites. For everyday carry, Everlane’s ReNew Transit Weekender and Bellroy’s Lite Duffel are the most versatile we’ve tested.

Read more: How Men's Health Thoroughly Tests and Reviews Products

This duffel-bag-and-garment-bag hybrid is the most ingenious of the bunch, especially for those who like to carry a suit and a pair of dress shoes when they travel. It's to be laid out flat first like a garment bag for packing the fine business stuff (blazers, button-downs, and dress pants) then folded and zipped into the default duffel shape for the rest of your apparel.

Our tester found that even though it is a garment duffel bag for packing a suit, you actually don't have to worry about folding a suit. Secondly, we love that It packs way more than we thought it would—for a short trip, it definitely will give you space for some shoes.

The quality of the duffel’s 420-Denier poly shell also wowed us: our tester tossed it onto the conveyor belt in the airport, and when he got it back, not a scratch was detected, and no hardware was damaged. All in all, we love that it looks simple and inoffensive—the amazing design went into the functionality, not the form.

What Do Buyers Say? " Durable and convenient, it’s a must have for short trips. Keeps clothes organized and the pouches help in storing odds and ends ," says one bespokepost.com customer.

This gym bag duffel is really the c rème de la crème . It has a separate shoe compartment, so you can easily store your beaten training shoes. It also has two special treatment compartments—one insulated and one ventilated—for storing your pre/post-workout snacks, as well as keeping your fresh fits squeaky clean for a sleek post-workout flex.

If you get overwhelmed by the thought of a bottomless pit of a bag before you hit the racks, go for Mack Weldon's duffel, which is the best option for hitting the gym. It's roomy and has smart compartments that'll keep everything neat on the go—like shoes, gym clothes, and some pre/post-workout snacks. While it is not the most spacious and comes in only one color, the Atlas duffel does the job perfectly. It’s even got a rubber bottom (like a shoe’s outsole) that prevents slipping, and our testers found it super comfy to carry too.

What Do Buyers Say? " Nice all-around bag. The zippers work smoothly and easily, and it has useful compartments for all the various things I need to bring to the gym ," says one mackweldon.com customer.

Yeti didn’t cut any corners when designing its fully-submersible duffel bag. For starters, the hydrolok zipper keeps water out and ensures your gear stays bone-dry, while forming an airtight seal. And get this: once the zipper is closed, everything inside is protected against water immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of one meter.

In terms of construction, it was produced with the brand’s ThickSkin outer shell, which is made of high-density nylon lamination with a puncture- and abrasion-resistant material. Another great design detail is the EVA molded bottom that provides a durable and waterproof landing pad. In other words, this bag is tough . Not to mention, the inside is super spacious with easy-to-access mesh pockets to keep your valuables tucked away.

During our testing, we carried the Panga during a rainy commute and our belongings didn’t get wet. In fact, the shell dried in seconds. Plus, the comfortable dry haul straps on the back can be worn as a backpack, and were easy on our shoulders. Another bonus: the duffel comes in three different sizes: 50, 70, and 100. For most guys, the 70 will probably be spacious enough to hold all of your daily essentials.

What Do Buyers Say? " Every detail screams toughness, quality and durably. I got this Panga 50 for weekend and 4-5 night trips, mostly to use in the winter and on snowboarding trips. It being waterproof and a Yeti duffel, I didn't want to have to worry about rain, mud, snow, cuts or rips, " says one yeti.com customer.

Tumi bags are always a no-brainer for optimal traveling, and this is about as organized a duffel bag as you could find. There are slots, zips, and patches inside for keeping all of your small goods in place.

We especially love the 13-inch expanded depth of this duffel that helps us maximize packing volume for four days' worth of clothes and some more. The main compartment is huge, and there are several pockets for different uses, such as for your tablet or laptop, keys, snacks, books or magazines. There are plenty of smartly-placed compartments outside as well, such as a front pocket and a zip pocket for quick access.

Overall, we love taking this duffel bag on our trip that involves a flight. It even has an add-a-bag sleeve so you can easily pop it on top of your suitcase. Made from durable FXT ballistic nylon, it'll be sure to serve you well for years and years to come.

What Do Buyers Say? " Love my new bag! Perfect size for the gym, but great ability to expand to travel with this. Well made, great features ," says one tumi.com customer.

If you've been in an airport or train station at any point over the past five years or so, odds are pretty high that you have seen one of Patagonia's hardy duffel bags aptly named the "Black Hole”—because it absolutely pulls through on that promise. With a capacity that runs up to 100 liters, you can fit an entire week's worth of goods into here and still have room for more.

Recognizable by the shine of its ripstop nylon, the Black Hole duffel has been lauded for its weather resistance and sturdiness as well as its subtle flair. The bags are versatile for a weekend getaway, a month-long excursion, or even just one night of visiting family.

One of its best features is that it can be sported as a duffel slung over the shoulder or as a backpack, which is really convenient for hurrying through crowded airports. It also packs down and folds in on itself for easy storage when you know you'll need extra luggage on the way back from a trip.

What Do Buyers Say? " The Black Hole duffle is the best travel bag I have ever used. We use them for every trip, whether it's diving, hiking, leisure travel, you name it: it holds everything, keeps it neat, organized and DRY. Excellent piece of gear ," says one patagonia.com customer.

Lululemon knows you're probably using this bag for CrossFit, Boot Camps, studio fitnesses, and any sort of high-intensity workouts. Its spacious duffel bag came prepared to do just that, with a 40L capacity that can hold your boxing gloves, wraps, and some changes of clothes, footwear, and all kinds of gear. It's made for the gymgoer who's always got something to do and somewhere to be, and its job is thus to help them pack ready for all activities. So how does it do that job? With large open access, a big storage space, and so many pockets in or out.

Our testers love that Lululemon’s Wunderlust bag is big enough for us to basically haul our office essentials and workout clothes to the gym as soon as we get off work. Made with a water-repellent fabric, we were also able to trek through the rain and snow with this gym bag. With a shoe compartment, side pockets, and laptop sleeves, our tester sometimes just carries this gym bag to the office on its own after putting all his stuff in it.

What Do Buyers Say? " It’s perfect for the yoga studio. Enough room for a towel and clothing, and accessories. And the side pockets are great for separating wet clothes and shoes from your clean clothes. It’s a great size for a weekend get away bag as well," says one lululemon.com customer.

Don't let a duffel carry you! Bellroy's duffel option is lightweight and compact, but roomy enough for carrying around all of your bits and bobs deftly. Whether it's gear, clothes, or gadgets, the Lite duffel can handle them while letting you move free like a bird.

In our testing, we found that while the fabric is incredibly light, it’s super durable as well—ripstop, by the way—which makes the whole thing easy to fold, roll, or pack into our other bigger bags for travel. When carrying it, the only thing that feels hefty about it is the stuff inside, not the duffel bag itself. More importantly, we love the smart compartments inside that make our organization easier.

At its size and capacity and designed to have expandable storage, we found that the Lite Duffel is perfect for packing light, whether it’s for an office-to-gym day or for your overnight stay.

What Do Buyers Say? " This bag is perfect for the gym or a quick weekend trip. Very light, maternal feels high quality, right amount of pockets, and looks better in person, " says one amazon.com customer.

Troubadour's bags are all about versatility, and this mid-size duffel is no different. There's a spacious main compartment for all the essentials and extra pockets all over for stashing last-minute stuff. Yet it's compact enough to fit in the overhead cabin as a carry-on when you fly. It's designed to be used on trips that can last a few days.

The Embark Duffle is for people who need to pack clothes, towels, snacks, grooming products, bottles, shoes, gadgets, and other daily essentials all in a stylish, premium carryall that lasts. We love that it has a separate shoe compartment made with waterproof, breathable, and antimicrobial lining to keep the rest of the stuff in the bag fresh. Our tester also found that it could easily fit into a locker or over your luggage handles even when full, and is super easy and comfy to carry anytime, anywhere (especially with the non-slip strap that really gives our hands a break).

In addition, we love that the shell of this duffel is waterproof, and that it has many outer compartments to let us access our gear easily.

What Do Buyers Say? " This is a great bag for an overnight or weekend trip. I love the sleek design and overall simplicity, " says one troubadourgoods.com customer.

Traveling and commuting would be a little bit easier if all bags were waterproof. Rains is on the way to doing just that, starting with this simple, efficient, totally waterproof duffel. Never worry about your stuff even once. Better yet, it offers an alternative way of carrying it: A strap that lets you carry it like a crossbody.

It's only got one compartment—plus a front zip pocket and a side mesh pocket—for you to just stash stuff in and go. Our testers found that we had to be a bit creative and intentional when organizing our stuff with this duffel bag. The top handles and a detachable shoulder strap also make it very easy to carry.

What Do Buyers Say? " It is a bag and everything feels sturdy from the zippers to the attached straps to the shoulder strap with sturdy clasps which is included in the bag ," says one customer.

It's nice to have a duffel that you can just throw a bunch of stuff in without thinking twice about keeping it neat. Everlane’s ReNew Transit Weekender duffel bag is good-looking enough to divert from any mess inside, and versatile enough to accompany you through long-distance excursions or daily commutes to another building.

Made as a travel duffel bag that you’ll carry as part of your overnight trip or long weekend journey, our tester also found that it is very everyday-friendly, especially for gym or for just carrying your stuff from point A to point B. It has a padded laptop sleeve, two water bottle holders, and exterior zip pockets. We also love that you can carry it crossbody, slung over your shoulder, or just in your hands. The outer material is also easy to clean and durable against wear and tear.

As for the volume, our tester was able to pack three to four days of clothes into this thing and put it under the seat or in the overhead bin with ease.

What Do Buyers Say? " More pocket space than the pictures dictate. Can fit a lot more inside as well. Just an all-around great bag that looks very nice ," says one everlane.com customer.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel M

Would you expect anything less than expert for The North Face's duffel bags? Yeah, us too. Of course, the brand delivered. This bag is made with heavy-duty recycled body and boot materials and a water-repellent finish. And for a bag made for overnight outdoors-ing, it looks stylish as hell.

The North Face Base Camp also works great as a convertible backpack. The straps on the Base Camp might have some of the best paddings you can get, making it that much more comfortable in terms of all-day carry. As far as the material used, the strong 1000D recycled PVC and water-resistant zippers help repel any and everything.

The only downside to this bag somewhat is how the interior storage is configured. It doesn't have any special laptop compartments or unique pocket designs: it's a duffel at the end of the day. Still, we love that this rugged duffel has only the most practical bells and whistles: interior zip pockets and the option to wear as a backpack or slung over the shoulder.

What Do Buyers Say? " The bag is very durable and has lots of space for a week's worth of clothing if you are vacationing. The backpack straps are very comfortable when carrying everything ," says one thenorthface.com customer.

More Duffel Bags We Tested and Love

CALPAK Luka Duffle Bag

The Calpak Luka Duffle Bag is a sleek option with a bunch of pockets to help you stay organized. Plus, it’s lined with a water-resistant finish, which will keep your gear dry during rainy commutes. Our fitness editor, Talene Appleton has been carrying the matte-black version for the past year. She loves that it has the capacity to store everything including a work laptop, water bottle, gym clothes, a pair of sneakers, and so much more.

We appreciate that there's a compartment in the bottom to keep your smelly training shoes separate from clean clothes. It also makes for a great travel bag, especially for a quick weekend getaway. However, we don’t recommend packing to the brim because the zipper may give way.

What Do Buyers Say? " I needed a good weekend bag as I didn’t want to travel with a suitcase everywhere. This is honestly perfect! I’m a classic over-packer and I was shocked at how much it could fit and how flexible the material was, " says one nordstrom.com customer.

Quince Nappa Leather Duffle Bag

This leather number might give off retro vibes, but it comes fully equipped with handy exterior pockets, sturdy handles, and a spacious main compartment for all of your modern-day travel needs. We found that the strap on the bag is so nice and the lining is also high quality.

Our tester says that the leather is soft, thick, and squishy. We love how durable the subtle hardware and the pebbled leather are. It is heavy when empty, but that is expected for this type of bag. The padded shoulder strap also feels comfortable to carry.

What Do Buyers Say? " This is a great piece of luggage. It's sturdy and attractive. When compared with other leather luggage, it's also affordable ," says one quince.com customer.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

Dagne Dover's Landon is, hands-down, the best duffel bag for everyday carry. The neoprene fabric is soft, stretchy, and easily washable. It takes a long time to get it smelling bad, but once it does, just hand-wash it in the sink and let it dry.

What Do Buyers Say? " This bag exceeded expectations in terms of functionality and capacity! It holds everything and more - perfect for work days, weekend trips...it's just always with me ," says one dagnedover.com customer.

UA Undeniable 5.0 Small Duffle Bag

At this price, it’s a solid duffel bag you can carry to the gym or to travel in. The name says small, but the 40L-capacity is in no way small. Our tester also found that it’s incredibly lightweight despite the large capacity—at only 1 pound!

Made with the brand’s signature UA Storm technology, this duffel holds out well against the elements too with its water-resistance finish. We love that it is tough and its bottom is PU-coated and foam-lined to never tear or wear. Inside, it has a large vented pocket for dirty sweaty clothes and dirty shoes, as well as many slip pockets for smart organization.

What Do Buyers Say? "I t is lightweight and durable. It is for everyday training. I do not like to carry much so I take this bag on those days with just essentials. It does have a water repellent finish, it has vents to keep odor out and a nice pocket inside to keep my things organized ," says one customer.

Carhartt Legacy 25-Inch Utility Duffel

Not just for dads or hubbies who carry too many screwdrivers and pliers in their pockets, Carhartt's Legacy duffel is for anyone who appreciates neat organization. Aside from several large compartments, it's got too many pockets in the front, back, and inside to count. Talk about organization.

What Do Buyers Say? " Just what I was looking for. Perfect for a weekend trip. I like the pockets which are great for meds and toiletries ," says one amazon.com customer.

Tecovas Weekender

In a waxed canvas patina that'll get better with age, this duffel can withstand the ebb and flow of trends and still stand out a few decades later as the rugged one. Overall, we love that it has stood up to the rigors of our daily abuse for several months now. It is spacious too, but could be a bit heavy to carry when full.

To give it a full look, don a denim jacket and a pair of chinos with it.

What Do Buyers Say? "I t is my go-to for all weekend to 5 day travels. It’s super roomy, looks great, and is very durable ," says one buyer from Reddit.

Filson 48 Hour Tin Cloth Duffle Bag

Filson makes the waxed canvas even more durable with a heavy-duty waxed canvas that can handle harsh winter conditions. At 14 oz. per square yard, the Tin Cloth is twice the weight of imitators but not overly thick, thanks to its dense, tightly woven construction.

Filson's Tin Cloth duffle is one of the toughest bags across the board, being able to shed both rain and snow to keep the hidden gem inside intact. Made with waxed canvas, this piece is only going to look better with age—and lots of rough and tough wear. In a workwear-y, many-pockets design with quite a few hidden compartments, it’ll prove its value when it’s stuffed full.

What Do Buyers Say? " This one will take your gear anywhere! It’s the perfect size and has numerous options for storing larger and smaller items separately. I use nothing but this bag now for a wide variety of applications. Can’t say enough about its utility and of course quality is bar none ," says one filson.com customer.

.css-1c42clk{font-family:Knockout,Knockout-roboto,Knockout-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1c42clk{font-size:3rem;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0.06rem;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1c42clk{font-size:3.125rem;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0.06rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1c42clk{font-size:3.75rem;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0.075rem;}}.css-1c42clk b,.css-1c42clk strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1c42clk em,.css-1c42clk i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-1c42clk a{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#FFF200;text-decoration-thickness:0.19rem;}.css-1c42clk a:hover{color:#D2232E;} What We’re Looking for in a Duffel Bag

Size and capacity: It depends on where you'll bring your duffel bags and what you’ll use them for. Packing light with clothes to change into and out of along with some other small bits and bobs? Then 30 liters or below in capacity will do you just fine. If you're packing heavy with shoes, days' worth of clothes, as well as work stuff then a roomy duffel over 30 liters is what the doctor ordered. If you’re looking for duffel bags to carry on your long trips, then we suggest 40 liters and up.

It's also worth considering the dimensions of the duffel bag to ensure it meets airline size restrictions if you plan to use it as a carry-on.

Durability: Your duffel bag should be made with durable outer shell fabric that can handle the heaviest load or water-resistant/waterproof fabric for unpredictable weather. Look for duffel bags made from robust materials like nylon, enhanced polyester, waxed canvas, or leather. Reinforced stitching and sturdy zippers are essential for longevity in duffel bags as well. Either way, the fabric should be tough enough to protect all the gear within.

Compartments: Consider your organizational needs. In general, you’ll want to avoid duffel bags with only one single large compartment—while throwing everything in it and calling it a day sounds convenient, it is not smart for organizing your stuff in the bag. Duffel bags with multiple compartments and pockets (both inside and out) will help you keep things tidy and easily accessible. For instance, if you’re traveling long distances, your duffel bags should come with a shoe compartment, and duffel bags for everyday carry should come with external pockets for easy access,

Weight: The best duffel bags for men should be lightweight—especially if you're planning on carrying it for extended periods. Ideally, we consider anything at or below two pounds as lightweight when empty, but duffel bags made with leather and waxed canvas are inherently heavy. Also, the bigger your duffel bag is, the heavier it might be.

Versatility: The Best duffel bags for men should meet all kinds of carrying needs at a moment’s notice, whether it’s for the gym, weekend trips, daily commuting, or a long journey abroad. But the versatility of duffel bags shouldn’t stop there: the ability to convert into a backpack or crossbody bag is also something to consider.

.css-1fpt53b{height:1.25rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1fpt53b{overflow:unset;line-height:1.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1fpt53b{line-height:1.25rem;}}.css-1fpt53b:before{background-color:#D2232E;color:#fff;margin-right:0.625rem;width:1.25rem;height:1.25rem;content:'';display:block;} Men's Wardrobe Essentials

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Protect Your Trip »

10 top-rated duffel bags in every style: rolling, backpack & more.

Find the best duffel bag for your travel style.

The 10 Best Travel Duffel Bags

Getty Images

Duffel bags can be used for a wide variety of activities and trips, making them an ideal piece of luggage for travelers.

While duffel bags are convenient for quick travels such as overnight business trips and weekend getaways with your partner , many are big enough for a week or two away. Of course, duffel bags are also convenient for everyday use at the gym, kids' sporting events and the like.

U.S. News compiled this list of the best travel duffel bags based on consumer recommendations. Read on to find the best duffel bag for your travel needs as well as answers to common questions about this type of suitcase.

• Best Overall Travel Duffel Bag:  Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L
• Best Duffel Bag for Men:  Thule Chasm

Best Women's Duffel Bag: Vera Bradley Large Travel Duffel Bag

• Best Rolling Duffel Bag:  The North Face Rolling Thunder – 22" Roller
• Best Carry-on Duffel Bag:   Away The Everywhere Bag
• Best Waterproof Duffel Bag:  YETI Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel
• Best Duffel Bag Backpack:  REI Co-op Big Haul 40 Recycled Duffel

Best Small Duffel Bag: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

Best large duffel bag: l.l. bean adventure duffle, extra-large.

• Best Packable Duffel Bag: Gonex Packable Travel Duffle Bag  

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to supply chain issues.)

Best Overall Travel Duffel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

Courtesy of Patagonia

Highly rated by travelers, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L weighs less than 3 pounds, has a 55-liter capacity and is made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop fabric. The weather-resistant bag has a convenient open main compartment with a top zipper and padded base; it features a zippered side pocket accessible from the inside or outside. This product also has padded, detachable shoulder straps that allow it to convert into a backpack .

Reviewers comment that the bag's size is perfect for weekend or weeklong trips, with many calling it the best travel bag on the market. Because it's so popular, this travel duffel bag tends to sell out, but Patagonia and other retailers typically restock it and allow interested buyers to sign up for waitlists. The Black Hole line also includes a smaller 40-liter size and two larger bags – with a capacity of 70 liters and 100 liters – for extended vacations or camping trips .

Price: $169 or less. Shop now: Patagonia | REI | Backcountry

Best Duffel Bag for Men: Thule Chasm

Courtesy of Thule

The Thule Chasm is rugged enough for the woods, yet sleek enough for the office. Available in four trendy colors (think olive green and burnt orange), the weather-resistant bag can be used as a duffel or carried as a backpack and features plenty of interior organization.

The Thule Chasm duffel is available in four sizes – 40, 70, 90 and 130 liters – to suit your travel needs and, regardless of size, can expand with the use of its external compression straps. Recent buyers say this travel duffel bag is good for everything from road trips to the overhead bin; they also appreciate how easy it is to store the bag (in an accompanying case) when not in use.

Price for 130L: $179.95 or less. Shop now: Thule

Courtesy of Vera Bradley

With thousands of five-star reviews, Vera Bradley's Large Travel Duffel Bag remains a tried-and-true duffel bag for women. The soft, 50-liter bag is available in black or navy microfiber (for those who aren't keen on the traditional paisley patterns ) and even more solid colors in recycled cotton . This women's duffel bag comes with a detachable padded shoulder strap, one zippered and three open side pockets, and a zippered closure. Inside, three mesh pockets keep small items like cosmetics and jewelry organized and easily accessible.

The bag is also machine-washable in cold water using a gentle cycle, and it conveniently folds flat for storage. What's more, you can personalize your duffel with a monogram or whimsical design.

Price: $140 or less. Shop now: Vera Bradley | Amazon

Read: The Top Weekender Bags for Women

Best Rolling Duffel Bag: The North Face Rolling Thunder – 22" Roller

Courtesy of The North Face

This 40-liter-capacity bag weighs less than 8 pounds and is the perfect rolling duffel bag for travelers who don't feel like lugging anything over their shoulder. Its design features larger wheels and wheel wells for better traction, as well as a strengthened handle and back panel. Reviews of this rolling duffel bag say it's sturdier than a traditional duffel and mention that the bag rolls smoothly.

The North Face's durable Base Camp material combined with nylon makes this product suitable for rougher wear and tear; plastic bumpers on the wear points also help protect the fabric. There's an interior mesh pocket, two zippered pockets outside, and an additional external compartment for wet or dirty items or clothes. It's available in black and military olive/black, as well as larger (30- or 36-liter) sizes .

Price: $270 or less. Shop now: The North Face

Read: The Top Rolling Duffel Bags

Best Carry-on Duffel Bag: Away The Everywhere Bag

Courtesy of Away

There couldn't be a more fitting name for this bag that is, indeed, perfect for going everywhere. With a 20-liter capacity and weighing less than 3 pounds, The Everywhere Bag by Away is ideal to use as a carry-on duffel bag or personal item (it fits under the seat) for air travel. This product is also convenient for overnight visits and weekend getaways – or longer, depending how you pack. Its sleek design makes it a nice bag to tote to the office, too.

This carry-on duffel bag can store all of your necessary in-flight items with a 15-inch laptop pocket, zippered and slip pockets inside, and an open interior that will accommodate a comfy wrap or travel pillow . It's designed with a trolley sleeve to fit over the handle of another carry-on bag or checked luggage, and it also has an adjustable and removable shoulder strap. The water-resistant nylon travel bag is available in several colors with leather trim. Fans of the bag remark that it's sleek, timeless and very spacious. If you're looking for more room, however, upgrade to The Medium Everywhere Bag or The Large Everywhere Bag .

Price: $195 or less. Shop now: Away

Read: The Top Carry-on Backpacks

Best Waterproof Duffel Bag: YETI Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel

Courtesy of YETI

This fully submersible duffel will be your go-to bag whether you're planning a big offshore fishing trip, heading to Antarctica or camping in a rainforest during your next adventure. No matter how wet you get – on the boat or on land – buyers say your gear will stay 100% dry thanks to the bag's waterproof molded landing pad, laminated high-density nylon and HydroLok Zipper. The 50-liter YETI bag, weighing in at about 5 pounds, also features lash points for carrying options. It's available in storm gray and tan, as well as larger sizes: 75-liter or 100-liter .

Price: $300 or less. Shop now: Amazon | YETI | DICK'S Sporting Goods

Best Duffel Bag Backpack: REI Co-op Big Haul 40 Recycled Duffel

Courtesy of REI

This versatile bag is made of durable recycled ripstop nylon and features an even more rugged recycled ballistic nylon base. It's large enough to accommodate belongings for a trip of several days. Recent buyers mention that they like the classic design and use the REI Co-op Big Haul duffel as both a gym bag and a work tote. Carry this bag as a duffel or use the stowable back straps to convert it to a backpack. The lightweight travel duffel bag weighs approximately 2 pounds and comes in four colors.

Price: $109 or less. Shop now: REI

Courtesy of Dagne Dover

While this small duffel bag comes in a variety of sizes, the medium, large or extra-large sizes of the Landon Carryall Bag by Dagne Dover are most ideal for overnights and weekend escapes . The compact design makes it easy to store this 100% vegan bag in the overhead bin or even under the seat on the plane. The bag also features a neoprene trolley sleeve so you can easily plop it on top of other luggage.

Other features include a laptop sleeve (sizes vary by bag), interior and exterior pockets for essentials such as your passport holder and phone, a dust bag for shoes , and a leash for keys. Buyers appreciate all the features of this bag, especially its versatility for travel and everyday use.

Price for XL: $245 or less. Shop now: Dagne Dover

If you're looking for a big bag to hold a few weeks' worth of clothing (and then some), the L.L. Bean Adventure Duffle might be your newest travel companion. The extra-large size measures 17 x 34 x 15 inches and has a 139-liter capacity – versus the small, 19-liter version, which is 9 x 18 x 9 – and features comfortable hand and shoulder straps plus an exterior zippered pocket. It's also waterproof.

Reviewers say this travel duffel bag is so big that they've been able to pack their entire family's belongings in it and have also used it for monthlong trips; some even note that the bag has lasted decades. This duffel bag comes in a variety of colors, and monogramming is available for an additional fee. If you're looking for a large duffel bag with wheels, check out the Extra-Large Adventure Rolling Duffle Bag by L.L. Bean .

Price: $89.95 or less. Shop now: L.L. Bean

Best Packable Duffel Bag: Gonex Packable Travel Duffle Bag

If you're looking for a foldable duffel bag that you can put in your checked luggage and fill with souvenirs you acquire on your trip (or even just dirty laundry), check out the Gonex Packable Travel Duffle Bag. The duffel bag can be neatly folded and packed into an included pouch for easy storage on the go and at home. This thin yet tough bag features external zippered pockets, a detachable shoulder strap and a compartment for shoes, making it a good everyday duffel bag as well.

Reviewers agree you can't beat the value of this Gonex bag, which is available in 40-, 60- and 80-liter sizes.

Price for 80L: $44.99 or less. Shop now: Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

The duffel bag is a piece of oblong luggage typically carried over the shoulder and used for short trips. It's often used as a catchall for sports gear as well – think dance class, tennis practice, etc. Invented in the town of Duffel in Flanders, Belgium , in the 17th century and made of a woven cloth later known as canvas, duffel luggage has since evolved to incorporate a variety of materials and features including wheels and backpack straps. Duffel bags also come in many shapes and sizes, including small, stylish options known as weekender bags .

Yes, you can carry your duffel bag on to the plane provided it meets airline carry-on size restrictions and can fit in the overhead bin.

Yes, you can check a duffel bag as long as it meets weight restrictions for checked baggage . Check your airline's rules ahead of your trip.

Unless your duffel bag can meet airline size restrictions for personal items and fit under the seat, it will count toward your carry-on allowance and you'll need to store it in the overhead bin or check it (for free) at the gate. If you're looking for a duffel bag that fits under the seat, The Everywhere Bag by Away and Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag are both good options.

You can buy duffel bags through sporting outfitters (online or in store), luggage retailers and, of course, Amazon.

When choosing the best duffel bag for your needs, travel experts recommend taking these features into consideration:

• Ease of transport:  Some duffel bags can be clunky and heavy. That's why Andrew Zimmern, the host of Magnolia Network series "Family Dinner" and goodwill ambassador to the United Nations' World Food Programme, prefers a duffel bag with wheels . "I'm an adventure traveler and am often in several environments and ecosystems on just one trip," he says. "I like a rolling duffel bag to easily navigate airports, sidewalks and curbs."
• Organization:  Zimmern says it's also nice to have adjustable interior panels that keep gear organized. "I appreciate that once it's organized, it's secure, and it stays consolidated within the customized 'bins' inside my bag." And external compartments are just as important. "I also prefer a bag that has external pockets so I can easily access aspirin or headphones if I've packed just the one bag," he adds.
• Size:  Samantha Brown, host and creator of PBS series "Samantha Brown's Places to Love," has a list of features she looks for in the perfect duffel bag. "I prefer a duffel to be personal item-size so I can always pair it with my carry-on bag. I especially am looking for a trolley sleeve on the back to connect it to my luggage, which is a rare feature to find."
• Style:  "For me, a duffel needs to have handles as well as an adjustable luggage strap. It also needs to have some structure to it. My pet peeve is an amorphous bag that collapses as you are  trying to pack , unpack or find things," Brown says.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Soft-sided Luggage
• The Top Airline-Approved Pet Carriers
• The Top Camping Tents
• The Top Sleeping Bags
• The Top Packable Jackets

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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12 best weekend bags that are stylish yet practical

Prepare for your next overnight or weekend stay with these dependable luggage options, article bookmarked.

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Whether you’re escaping your everyday for some rest and relaxation in the countryside, or throwing yourself into a new city, you should never leave home without the best weekend bag for the job.

But where packing is concerned, it can be difficult to know which bag to choose. One too big and you’re at the risk of overpacking, one too small and you’ll find yourself without the space for all your essentials.

Running the gamut of size, space and design, weekend – or weekender – bags are the perfect choice for any trip. And thankfully the options really are plentiful, with high street and designer brands offering a whole host of different options.

When it comes to picking the ideal one though, we recommend choosing something that’s capacious enough to hold two nights away worth of clothing, as well as has space for skincare and your favourite hair tool.

To help you on your quest for the best one for you, we’ve of course done the hard work for you, curating a round-up of weekender bags worth your money.

Related stories

How we tested the best weekend bags.

When it came to testing, we roadtested these on a number of different trips, from one night breaks to three-night trips away. When curating the list, we assessed the design, durability, convenience, space and size. From duffle bags to suitcases with wheels, it’s time to book a long weekend away.

The best weekender bags for 2024 are: 

• Best weekender bag overall – Away the carry-on: £220, Awaytravel.com
• Best budget weekend bag – Asos Design scuba holdall: £28, Asos.com
• Best waterproof bag – Rains weekend bag: £79, Rains.com
• Best duffle bag – Fjällräven vardag duffel 30: £80, Fjallraven.com
• Best rucksack – Osprey transporter carry-on: £130, Ospreyeurope.com

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Away the carry-on flex

• Best : Weekend bag overall
• Dimensions : H55.1cm x W34.8cm x D22.9cm
• Durable shell

There’s no denying that Away has nailed the formula for stylish yet functional luggage, so much so the brand has undeniably reached cult status. Offering the ideal choice if you’re looking to step up your travel bag game.

The hype around this carry-on has been real and shows no sign of waning. And we can see why. Of course, it is a high-end suitcase, but when we say it’s premium, you better believe us. It’s capacious enough to hold about things for about four nights away, making it the largest in this round-up. But, it’s very light, which is something we’ve found to be particularly important when it comes to luggage. Inside there are two separate compartments – one of which can be zipped shut, the other is a removable laptop sleeve. The hard shell makes it particularly durable.

Asos Design scuba holdall

• Best : Budget weekend bag
• Size : H: 24cm/9.4" W: 27cm/10.6" D: 17cm/6.6"
• Sturdy scuba material
• Compact but holds a lot

This unisex bag from Asos Design is an affordable option for a weekend bag and holds a good amount for its size. The twin handles are useful for toting around on your shoulder or there is a detachable strap but we personally preferred without.

The scuba material is durable and gives a unique texture that is malleable so you don’t have to worry about creases or scratches.

Rains hilo weekend bag

• Best : Waterproof bag
• Size : H27cm x W52cm x D26cm

Rains is known for its practical wet-weather outerwear, so this weekend bag is one to know if you’re looking for a waterproof design (it is the UK, after all). With functionality always at the forefront of this brand, it’s hardly a surprise that we found it to be one of the most durable.

To aid carrying from A to B, it features two different strap lengths, the longer of the two is of course detachable. Our only gripe is that there are no internal pockets at all with this one, so to make your life a little easier, we’d recommend investing in some packing cubes got all your future holidaying. Should you be looking for a different colour to black, there are a number of others to choose from, including navy, green and cream.

Bellroy lite duffel

• Best : Light duffle bag
• Size : H33cm x W40cm x D23 cm
• Weather resistant
• Plenty of internal pockets

A bestseller from Bellroy is the ‘lite’ version of the traditional duffle bag, which is made to be lightweight and completely flexible so it can be rolled and folded up for storage or travel. We found this bag to be perfect for short trips, gym visits and even brought along to the office. The colour ‘moss’ is a nice offbeat shade that stands out from other duffle bags, but there are other more neutral colours including black, white and a checkered grey.

There are generously sized internal slip pockets, including ones at either end that can hold a bottle. The external pocket is big enough for all essentials that need to be within easy reach and there are also two smaller pockets for organisation. The external pocket has a clip to keep keys safe, too. The detachable shoulder strap is soft and comfortable and the material is weather resistant.

The bag is completely leather-free and made with recycled plastic from bottles.

Fjällräven vardag duffel 30

• Best : Duffle bag
• Size : H24cm x W50cm x D24cm
• Great colours

Outdoor brand Fjällräven certainly knows a thing or two about bags – its kånken backpack reached cult status a number of years ago, which arguably accelerated the Scandi brand to the main stage.

Our attention here though is on this duffle bag, which has been very well designed – the handles on the top make it easy to move around, while the longer straps are beneficial if you’re walking for a longer distance. The outer fabric is a durable material, so we suspect it could withstand light rain. While on the inside you’ll find one zippable, mesh compartment for keeping your purse and keys safe – eliminating the need for a small bag.

The purple colour is super fun, but if you’re looking for something a little more low-key, it’s also available in black, dark green and navy – so there really is something for everyone.

Antler Chelsea weekend bag

• Best : For work trips
• Size : H53cm x W32cm x D23cm
• Dedicated pocket for shoes
• Leather details

British brand Antler is one to know when it comes to sourcing new luggage, it’s been around since 1914 so certainly knows what it’s doing. It has a whole host of different designs, from hard cases to bags, all of which will certainly stand the test of time.

As for this weekend bag, it’s been specially designed for all your holiday needs, including a nifty built-in pocket for your shoes, as well as a sleeve on the back to slot over your suitcase handle, should you be going on long-haul trips. It’s also got a zippable pocket that can hold a 13in laptop , making it a great pick if you’re going away for a work trip. In terms of the exterior, it’s finished in leather, giving it a stylish look.

Osprey transporter carry-on 44

• Best : Rucksack
• Size : H56cm x W36cm x D31cm
• Opens out like a suitcase for easy access

When it comes to travel essentials, Osprey is certainly one to know, so much so, that its products have featured in everything from our review of the best travel bags to the best backpacks with wheels .

Owing to its reliability, we chose to give its carry-on bag a run for its money during a two-night break. And naturally, it did not disappoint. We were pleasantly surprised at how much we could squeeze into it, and we liked how, unlike other rucksacks, it opens out so you don’t need to rummage around trying to find exactly what you’re after. The main section is also split into different compartments to allow for extra organisation.

Another nifty feature we appreciated was the fact the straps can be zipped away should you wish to slot the bag onto your suitcase. And it also has a zippable, padded laptop sleeve that’ll keep your tech safe. While not the most sexy of designs, it’ll certainly stand the test of time. So, if you’re looking for a hands-free packing solution for your next weekend away, this is it.

Loake Cornwall weekend bag

• Best : Leather weekend bag
• Size : H52cm x H31cm x D29cm
• Beautiful brown leather

Made from a gorgeous brown leather with contrasting handles and a luggage tag, this holdall from Loake is a luxurious piece that will be pride of place during your travels.

The interior, with its silky lining, is capacious and fit everything we needed for a weekend away. The handy outside pockets are perfect for your phone and keys to access easily, plus there’s an inner pocket to keep valuables safe and secure. The bag also comes with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap for ease.

July daybreak weekender duffle bag

• Best : Canvas duffle bag
• Size : H22cm x W53cm x D24cm
• Contrast leather details

This canvas duffle bag from July comes in a choice of four different colourways, and is made up of a coloured canvas material with contrast leather handles and details such as zip tabs and a long strap that makes it easy to throw over your shoulder.

The bag fits a substantial amount inside, making it perfect for a weekend away. Inside you’ll find two interior zips that are great for keeping things like your keys, lip balm, phone and wallet within easy reach.

Away outdoor duffle

• Best : Compact weekender
• Size : H31.5cm x W55cm x D25cm
• Can carry on shoulder
• Doubles as a great gym bag

This is a duffle/tote hybrid from Away with a longer strap that can be carried on the shoulder, which is a bonus when you need free hands to check maps on your phone or get out your train ticket. The 40-litre outdoor duffle (the smallest of three sizes) doubles as both a gym and weekend getaway bag. Another feature that makes this a great travel option is the sleeve which is designed for sliding over the handle of a larger suitcase.

The 40 litre option is still roomy and fits a change of clothes and necessities for light travel. There are two colours to choose from, including black and army green, and the material is both weather resistant and durable.

Longchamp le pliage XL

• Best : Stylish tote weekender
• Size : H40 x W55 x D23cm
• Lightweight
• Leather handle

Did you know the classic Longchamp le pliage is also available in an extra large size for travel? The bag is made from an ultra light nylon material with leather handle and closure. The design is inspired by origami meaning you can fold it up very neatly for storage.

The interior of the bag is very large, and we even took this abroad for a four-night city stay. There is a small interior flap for passport, wallets or keys. This stylish bag is one you’ll be proud to tote around on your travels.

Monos metro duffel

• Best : Vegan leather weekender
• Size : H41cm × W28cm × D18cm (without metro kit)
• Sleek and modern style
• Vegan leather
• Work trip friendly

This duffel bag from Monos is available in a choice of sturdy nylon or vegan leather. Our tester has been toting around the vegan leather version of the weekender, including for an overnight stay, and found it to be compact and great for storing during travel.

A unique feature of Monos bags is the detachable ‘metro kit’ pouches that can work as a washbag, where you can store valuables while traveling, or use as somewhere to put things you need quick access to, like your passports and keys.

The verdict: Weekend bags

For something professional that will be perfect for business travel, the Monos metro duffel is a great vegan leather option. For a stylish weekend away, try the Longchamp le pliage XL which folds up super small for easy storage.

But for something that’s convenient and premium, it’s got to be Away’s carry-on . It’s been well thought out, with a separate mesh compartment for your laptop, as well as a chic hard shell, plus there are plenty of colours to choose from. It’s clear to us why this brand has reached such cult status, and while an investment, this piece of luggage is a reliable choice for frequent travellers.

Looking for more packing recommendations? Read our review of the best suitcases

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Travel and packing just got easier thanks to this heavy-duty Cotopaxi 70-liter duffle bag, currently $48 off just in time for summer vacation. Plenty spacious and loaded with tons of pockets for keeping organized, the Allpa Duo 70L is also lightweight and easy to carry; it has dual handles that come together with a snap-button plus removable straps for wearing as a backpack — which one user raves are “surprisingly comfortable!” Reviewers also love this duffle for hiking , trips overseas, and packing tons of gear. One user even says it’s great for backpacking.

The Allpa features a TPU-coated, water-resistant exterior, a dedicated interior pocket for stowing dirty laundry, and a tough-as-nails 1,000-denier polyester shell that gives it superior abrasion resistance. That ruggedness means easy cleaning when it’s back home and away from dirty airport floors, and it’s designed to hold up to baggage handlers free-throwing it into the cargo hold.

Some reviewers say they’ve managed to bring it aboard as a personal carry-on, while several say it’s large enough for at least one week of travel. One particular reviewer says if you’re a light packer, they can “easily see this being big enough for” two to three weeks away.

The Allpa Duo 70L comes in colors like black, oak, pacific, and wine, each with colorful zippers for a little extra pop. Whether you’ve got an overseas backpacking trip coming up or you’re planning a week-long family getaway, grab this duffel now and grip it into your next adventure.

Check out more promising reviews about what makes this can-handle-anything duffle bag the perfect travel companion:

“I was looking for a bag that was big enough to for my upcoming European travels but would leave my hands free to tend to my kids - this bag hit all my requirements and I can’t wait to use it.” — Rebecca M. “I bought this bag to replace an old Nike duffel bag I’ve had for awhile and I did not disappoint, very thick material with lots of space and pockets.” — Bailey F. “The bag is perfect for all travels. Spacious enough but the benefit of carrying it like a backpack. I had done a 14 day trek with a regular backpacking bag and it was miserable to have to go through the top and constantly pull everything out to get to one thing but with this you get to open the whole compartment and find what you may need without making the bag a complete mess. It’s a must!! PS this pack is used for so many of the options to choice from, don’t limit yourself and use it for everything!” — Michelle C. “I bought the 70 and the 50 ml and they’re both wonderful. Surprisingly, the 50 L fits all of our gear and ropes etc but the 70 L fits all of that and our Bernese mountain dog puppy (unzipped). Good material and it’s durable.” — Alex A. “Bought this to bring my ski gear to the mountain, tons of extra space, fits all my gear and my boots” — Luke N.

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In this article

• Best overall
• Best duffel-backpack
• Best for business travel
• Best for lumbar support
• Best for long trips
• Best for short trips
• Best for rugged trips

Even though much of my job as a travel writer involves testing suitcases , I usually prefer to fly with a carry-on backpack when I have the choice. You just can’t beat the sense of freedom that comes with strapping your possessions to your shoulders and heading to the airport — to me, a suitcase says “business trip” whereas a backpack says “adventure.” Not to mention the fact that backpack wearers are almost never singled out at the gate to check their luggage.

As backpack reviewer Geoff Grisdale of One Bag Travels explains, a carry-on backpack means “you can move around a lot quicker — it’s a lot easier to travel around cities with one.” Suitcases become cumbersome as soon as you’re confronted with cobblestone streets or multiple flights of stairs, adds freelance backpack designer Jeff Mullins. “And you have to have room to store them when you get home, whereas a backpack can be compressed.” Below, you’ll find the best carry-on backpacks for different sorts of trips, as tested by myself and other globetrotting experts. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best travel pillows and the best toiletry bottles .

What we’re looking for

For trips longer than a weekend, you’ll require a carry-on backpack with a capacity of at least 28 liters, says Grisdale. From there, the size you choose will depend on your packing style, how long the trip is, and whether you need room for warm layers or extra shoes. Most of the experts I spoke with agreed that the sweet spot is somewhere between 28 and 35 liters.

Some carry-on backpacks can be as large as 45 liters, which is actually five liters more volume than an Away carry-on suitcase . While this size of backpack can be useful for long-haul trips, just note that it will be “really big and heavy — and you lose a lot of the mobility you’d get when carrying a smaller backpack,” says Grisdale. Mullins agrees: “If you’re a smaller woman, for example, I don’t think you should go over 35 liters.” Even though I’ll happily hike with an ultralight 55 liter backpack, I’m not a fan of wearing carry-on bags larger than 40 liters — they’re significantly bulkier, and the back pain afterwards just isn’t worth it.

Packing style

The best carry-on backpacks are designed for ease of packing. Rather than unzipping at the top, they’ll either open up like a clamshell (with separate zippered compartments on either side), or like a duffel bag (with one big compartment that’s accessible from the front of the bag). If you’re an intentional packer who likes to keep organized on the road, the former option is likely best. But Grisdale notes that duffel-style bags are usually quicker and easier to pack because “you can just stuff your gear in there and off you go.”

Your backpack will be crammed into overhead bins or underneath aircraft seats, so look for one that’s fairly rectangular in shape, with straps and a hip belt that can be removed or tucked away. “Anything that dangles has to be gone,” says Mullins. He also notes that there should be a handle on pretty much every side of the bag, so you can grab it from whichever space it’s wedged.

Organizational features

A nice thing about living out of a backpack as opposed to a suitcase is that exterior pockets provide easy access to small items like wallets and passports. I also love that backpacks typically have loops or straps on the outside to which you can attach carabiners and clips. A good backpack will enable you to “get to all your small stuff without fully opening it,” says Mullins. “Whether that’s your phone, earbuds, book, glasses, or food.” You still don’t want a backpack with too many pockets, as these will steal real estate from the main compartment inside. “I like enough exterior pockets to be able to hold gear but not so many pockets that they take up a lot of room in the bag,” says Grisdale.

Best carry-on backpack overall

Capacity: 35 liters | Packing style: Clamshell, tuckaway straps, removable waist belt | Organizational features: External laptop sleeve, top pocket, carabiner loops

The Cotopaxi Allpa is truly a backpack for suitcase people. Its clamshell design unzips fully to reveal a large mesh compartment on the right-hand side and three smaller ones on the left, mimicking the layout of rolling luggage. It also has a hidden laptop sleeve in the back that’s generously padded (I once checked my Allpa with a MacBook inside and the laptop survived unscathed), as well as an easy-access storage compartment on top that can fit snacks, a book, and your passport. The bag is comfortable to carry, with a sternum strap and removable waist belt for extra support. It comes in three different sizes, but this 35-liter version will be the best for most people — it’s big enough for a week’s worth of clothes but small enough that you can use it as an airline personal item or large daypack. (Strategist contributing writer Margaret Eby took one on a flight to Italy in addition to a rolling suitcase, and says the tuckaway straps helped her squish it under the seat in front of her.) One gripe: There’s no external water-bottle holder on the Allpa 35, although you could easily attach a carabiner to any of its handles or lash loops.

The best carry-on duffel backpack

Capacity: 30 liters | Packing style: Duffel, tuckaway straps, tuckaway waist belt, convertible shoulder strap, trolley sleeve | Organizational features: External laptop compartment, top pocket, water bottle holder

Patagonia’s Mini MLC is constantly sold out, and for good reason. This is an unusually roomy and rugged bag that can be used as your main piece of carry-on luggage (it’s available in a 45-liter version as well, if you prefer to overpack) or as a personal item that sits atop your wheeled carry-on. (Former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw refers to his as a “ secret second suitcase ,” because it lets him pack heavy without checking a bag.) Unlike the Allpa, the Mini MLC opens duffel-style, revealing a deep interior compartment that can fit several outfits and a pair of extra shoes. There’s also a laptop compartment, small stash pocket on top of the bag that’s big enough for a passport or wallet, and stretchy water-bottle holder.

The best (less-expensive) carry-on backpack

Capacity: 40 liters | Packing style: Duffel opening, compression straps | Organizational features: External laptop compartment, water bottle holder, quick-access front pocket

At less than half the price of the Allpa or Mini MLC, TomToc’s Navigator is a thoughtfully designed carry-on backpack with a large capacity and helpful organizational features. It zips open at the front to reveal a generous duffel compartment that can be filled with several outfits, whether or not you’re using packing cubes . There’s also a front pocket that’s big enough for a book, as well as a laptop sleeve in the back that can be fully unzipped, revealing extra storage space for documents, cables, and stationery. It’s an excellent affordable option, according to Grisdale.

The best carry-on backpack for business travel

Capacity: 30 liters | Packing style: Clamshell, removable waist belt | Organizational features: External laptop compartment, top pocket, front pocket, water bottle holders

Tortuga’s backpack designs are highly respected among gear reviewers across the internet. I’ve been testing out its very professional-looking Travel Backpack Pro, which opens clamshell-style to reveal two suitcase-style compartments and also features a nicely padded laptop sleeve with a false bottom for extra protection. The sternum straps are extremely comfortable and can be tucked away when not in use, the bag’s rectangular shape means it slots easily into overhead lockers (as well as airline baggage sizers — mine recently passed the Spirit Airlines personal item test with flying colors), and I like that the exterior fabric is highly waterproof and easy to wipe down. It’s also much more anonymous-looking than Cotopaxi’s colorful Allpa or Patagonia’s gorp-y Mini MLC, which makes it ideal for business travelers and digital nomads.

The best carry-on backpack with lumbar support

Capacity: 40 liters | Packing style: Duffel, adjustable tuckaway hip belt and harness | Organizational features: External laptop sleeve, external toiletries pocket

When spending her year abroad as the inaugural New York Times 52 Places traveler, journalist Jada Yuan learned the hard way that rolling luggage is terrible for long-haul travel. “I don’t know how I got through 16 stops of my trip before buying the Osprey Fairview,” she recalls. “My back and shoulders hurt all the time. I needed something with strong lumbar support, a waist belt, and a chest strap so that I could make it through the trip without getting crippled.” The Fairview’s packing style she says, is perfectly bare-bones: “Just one giant cavity, plus a zippered section for your laptop and a bunch of straps on the outside for carrying, say, a bulky jacket.” It’s definitely the most comfortable backpack on this list, says Grisdale: “Osprey’s packs are good because they have a lot of padding, they’re really thick, and they’re also adjustable. So if it doesn’t fit you right out of the box, you can move things around.”

Best carry-on duffel backpack for long trips

Capacity: 45 liter | Packing style: Duffel, compression straps, removable shoulder straps, trolley sleeve | Organizational features: External laptop compartment, hidden top pocket for valuables

Away is best known for its hard luggage, but the DTC brand’s outdoor gear shouldn’t be overlooked. Brand marketing consultant Jennifer Olson came across this big duffel-backpack while gearing up for an eight-month road trip through South America with her partner. “We’d be living in a converted Land Cruiser and needed baggage soft and malleable enough to be thrown around the back of a truck and wedged into small spaces,” she explains. “Though we’d be hiking here and there, we weren’t doing any hardcore treks, so we didn’t need a traditional trekking backpack — but rather something in between.” True to Away’s suitcase-y roots, the bag’s internal storage compartment features compression straps that are designed to secure a set of packing cubes , which Olson says really helped keep things organized on her big trip. And the convertible straps have come in handy now that she’s returned home: “I usually use it as a duffle when I’m on weekend trips or using it as a carry on, and when the bag is a little more loaded with my things, I use it in backpack mode to disperse the weight.”

The best carry-on backpack for short trips

Capacity: 30 liters | Packing style: Duffel, compression straps | Organizational features: Internal laptop sleeve, stretchy side and front pockets, front bungee elastic

I first heard about the ULA Ultra Dragonfly when lurking on the 729,000-member-strong sub-Reddit r/OneBag , which has popularized the idea of bringing no more than one smallish bag on trips and vacations. And while many One Baggers own Allpas and MLCs, this is the bag they covet most. It unzips duffel-style, with a Goldilocks-size 30-liter capacity that means it can hold a decent amount of stuff but still slide underneath a plane seat if needed. There’s no hip belt, but uniquely shaped shoulder straps are designed to be worn for hours at a time without discomfort. There’s a laptop sleeve for digital nomads, and the Ultra fabric is slightly stretchy (allowing for a bit of overpacking), unusually durable (similar to ripstop nylon), and highly waterproof (which makes it appropriate for treks and other more rugged adventures). There’s just one catch: Due to stock issues, you can only purchase the Dragonfly Ultra once a week on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. ET. Within a couple of hours, the bag sells out and its buy button disappears for another seven days.

The best carry-on backpack for rugged trips

Capacity: 45 liters | Packing style: Duffel, tuckaway shoulder straps, compression straps | Organizational features: External shoe compartments, external laptop sleeve, passport pocket

More duffel-shaped than some of the very suitcase-y backpacks on this list, Timbuk2’s unique carry-on has zip-up shoe pockets at each end, allowing you to separate dirty footwear from the rest of your stuff — an especially nice feature for anyone packing a pair of hiking shoes . I also like how waterproof this bag is. All of the fabric is easy to wipe down, and the bottom of the bag has an extra protective “boot” which means you can plonk it down anywhere without worrying about it getting muddy. “The very considered design is ideal for someone who is most at home hopping on and off planes and trains,” says Andrew Barker, the former chief content officer of the travelers club, PRIOR . He appreciates the TSA-friendly slip pockets, which give easy access to your laptop and passport.

Our experts

• Andrew Barker, former chief content officer of the travelers club PRIOR • Louis Cheslaw , former Strategist associate editor • Margaret Eby , Strategist contributing writer • Geoff Grisdale, backpack reviewer at One Bag Travels • Jeff Mullins , freelance backpack and soft-goods designer • Jennifer Olson , brand marketing consultant • Jada Yuan , Washington Post reporter and inaugural New York Times 52 Places traveler

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Today’s Top Clicked

Moms: 12 Clever Travel Bags For Easy Packing & Organizing

P acking efficiently and staying organized is one of the biggest challenges to traveling with kids. The best travel bags for moms and kids are durable, well-designed and washable. They make it easy to pack and stay organized during your trip.

No one needs all the suitcases, carry-on luggage, totes and organizers I have here. But you’ll probably want at least one.

I chose luggage and bags that my readers love, that are a good value and that are designed to both be practical and look good. If none of these bags suit you, their best features can help you know what to look for in your own choices.

Try these  other travel essentials :

The Best Tech for Travel: 18 Gadgets That Go Wherever You Do

6 Essential Packing Lists for Families

The Best Vacation Planning Check List

The Best Duffle Bag for Families:

I really like this  Bago weekender duffle and it’s been very popular with my readers since I posted it here. It’s roomy, waterproof and folds up flat for storage. 

It comes in a dozen colors. And it has a side zipper compartment that’s meant for shoes. But it can also keep dirty baby and toddler clothes separate from your clean ones if you are at that stage of parenting. 

Two zippered pockets keep small items handy.

You can choose from 40, 60 or 80-liter sizes. The smallest one is a great mini-weekender when you’re going away without the kids. 

The 60-liter works for a family weekend getaway. The largest one is ideal for longer getaways and ski trips where you’re packing for yourself and one or more kids in a single bag.

The Best Big Suitcase:

One of my resourceful readers turned me onto the very clever  Thule Subterra dual duffle Bag that’s 2 bags in one. 

The bottom is a large structured duffle on wheels with a telescoping handle. Then you add an unstructured duffle on top and secure it with compression straps to minimize the space it takes up. 

You can use either one on its own; both are water-resistant. And it comes with a strap that you can use to attach a backpack, laptop bag or diaper bag to as you’re schlepping through the airport.

Use the top bag for shoes and gear or to separate your kids stuff from yours, or for your dirty laundry. There are so many ways to organize better with this.

Best Weekend or Carry-On Bag: 

I usually run the other way when I see luggage sets for sale. But a few of my readers are choosing these weekenders and I can totally see the appeal of this  Ibfun matching three-piece set .

The deep and wide tote has a separate shoe compartment on the bottom and a small outside pocket. There are faux-leather handles and a shoulder strap.

But the really fun part is that it comes with a matching purse that is the exact size of cross-body bag that I like when I’m traveling. And having my suitcase and purse match makes me feel very cosmopolitan. 

There’s a second smaller bag that can serve as an evening wristlet or a make-up bag. Choose between nine solid colors and patterns.

Pair Every Travel Bag With Packing Cubes

Packing cubes  are handy no matter how long your trip is. Regardless of the size bag you’re packing, they allow you to fit more and keep you organized. So you aren’t always searching the bottom of the bag for the thing you want. 

They also keep your shoes away from your clothes if you don’t have an outside shoe pocket.

I gave my daughter a set of packing cubes to use when she did a summer-abroad trip. I thought for sure they would come back empty, with the clothes in a heap on top of them. But no! They kept her organized throughout the trip. And she had the smallest suitcase in the group!

The Best Travel Organizer for Families That Fly

I love anything that keeps me organized without taking up a lot of space or being complicated to use. Like this  Valante Premium Family Travel Document Wallet , that a few of my readers have recommended.

It has space for your several passports, plane tickets, reservations and receipts. And it lets you keep some cash, a credit card, pens and your phone in one place. It seems like it would be while you’re going through the airport. 

The Best Airplane Organizer for Moms & Dads

I hate putting things in the seat-back pocket on airplanes because I worry I’m going to leave something behind when I deplane. But I often wind up doing it anyway because I can’t hold everything I (or my kid) might need during the flight in my lap. 

So I feel like this  SoMine Commuter Essentials Organizer  was made for me.

It has a stiff back that tucks into the seat-back pocket on an airplane (or car or train), providing an organized dashboard for all those small items you might want.

It has seven pockets for a book or eReader, glasses, phone, charger, snack, ear buds, maybe stickers, colored pencils and small activity books for young kids. Plus, it has two loops where you can keep cords organized and even hang headphones.

When you get where you’re going the whole kit is slim enough to pop into a tote bag or carry-on suitcase.

The Best Laptop+ bag for Moms:

Readers have also been buying this  Borealis Laptop Tote from Northface  to use as a carry-on because it’s as practical and made well as you would expect from the North Face. 

It also folds flat when it’s empty and becomes a backpack in a cinch.

It’s water-repellent, zips closed on top, stays upright, and has a padded pouch for your laptop. 

An external zippered pocket keeps phone and money easy to reach. There’s a deep water-bottle pocket and has plenty of room inside for “mom” stuff like sunhats, snacks, a small diaper-changing kit, sunscreen, extra jackets and a small toy or two. 

There are rip cords for attaching a windbreaker or hat that you want to keep handy, or for items that are too bulky, sandy or wet to put inside.

Use it for the beach, picnics or even a roomy shoulder bag around town. 

Best Large Crossbody Bag:

I generally don’t like large crossbod

y bags; it’s too easy to throw too much stuff in and weigh myself down with them. But I can appreciate why my readers like them, especially when traveling.

This  Travelon Anti-theft messenger-style bag  is my favorite of the ones they’re buying these days. 

In addition to a deep main pocket, it has a magnetic fold-over front pocket and a discreet zippered pocket on the back. Plus snug side pockets for a slim water bottle and sunglasses.

Better still, it’s designed with anti-theft RFID blockers for extra security away from home.

Best Small Crossbody Bag:

I feel like I’m constantly searching for that bag that’s compact but still holds all the basic items I need to get through my day. My closet is filled with my failed attempts.

This  Bostanton faux-leather purse could be a winner though. The broad, patterned adjustable strap is unique and makes the purse stand out a bit.

It has two external zippered pockets for easy access to phone and keys, an inside zippered pocket to keep my sunglasses from getting scratched and a small pocket that keeps lipstick handy. 

The deep main pocket hold a wallet and the other small random things I seem to carry around (doesn’t everyone carry a reusable straw these days?). 

It comes in 17 colors, including some nice two-tones. And the price is great for the quality.

Best Toiletry Bag for Adults:

My readers seem to love toiletry organizer bags that they can hang. This  bag from Venture 4th  is only one of several they’ve been snatching up lately. 

It’s large, which makes it ideal for women who like to carry toiletries and make-up in one bag but don’t necessarily want them jumbled together.

You’ll find room for sunscreen, medication and vitamins, too.

All nine pockets are mesh or clear, which means you can see everything you packed. There’s no fumbling for those small items that always fall to the bottom. 

The hook swivels, allowing you to hang it whoever you want, which is a nice touch. It comes in fun patterns as well as the practical solid colors. 

Best Toiletry Bag for Kids:

When your kids start packing for themselves — which they can do around age 7 or so with some guidance — don’t forget to give them their own wash bag.

This  hanging toiletry organizer  is deep and has plenty of pockets for sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus the retainer case and face-wash they might need as middle school rolls around. 

There’s room for any other small items they might travel with, too, like vitamins or medication, a flashlight or even small pieces of jewelry.

It comes in dinosaurs, fairies and unicorns, too, but I think most kids will get the most mileage out of the sea creatures. It’s the least little-kiddish and I think it will take them longer to outgrow it.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

33 Best Travel Essentials You Should Always Pack

What our editors always travel with, and you should, too.

For some of us, an affordable carry-on is our travel essential. For others, it's nothing less than a Rimowa suitcase . Some of us never travel without a cashmere sweater . Personally, I swear by this Halfday Garment Duffel , but others swear by a classic weekender . We're exploring all options here.

Best Sweater for Travelling

Naadam cashmere sweater.

Travel Packing Hack

Halfday the garment duffel.

Best Packable Tote Bag

Tumi just in case tote.

Best Passport Cover

Smythson passport cover in panama.

Best Dopp Kit Upgrade

Lucchese dopp kit.

Best Suit to Fly In

J.crew kenmare unstructured suit jacket.

Best Travel Pants

Lululemon abc classic-fit pant.

Best Shoes for Travel

Sabah baba leather slip on.

Best Travel Wallet

Husbands paris black metal corners wallet.

Best Hanging Toiletry Bag

Away the hanging toiletry bag.

From post-flight, or in-flight, grooming must haves to luxury wallets that make you feel more put together walking through TSA, you can trust our expertise here. And here's a light warning. We will, only once, recommend that you still wear a suit while you travel. It's part of our DNA, sorry. Other than that, these are the 33 travel essentials that we swear by.

It sounds annoying to say a cashmere sweater is the perfect travel accessory, but it's so warm, soft, and lightweight, there's nothing that beats it. Plus, our favorite sweater from Naadam only cost $100.

I've already written about how great this bag is . A garment duffel isn't a new concept, but for $100, this version of it is life changing. Pack two suits or a few dresses, roll up the bag, then add everything else like normal. Nice clothes stay wrinkle free and everything packs more easily.

We all know the deal. It's a return flight, you have new clothes and souvenirs, or you just are packing a lot less diligently. That's where this Just In Case Tote comes in. It packs down to the size of a book and expands to be a sizable personal item.

A passport cover is tough to call an essential, but once you hit a certain level of frequent flyer, it absolutely is. This one in luxe leather from Smythson is the best you can buy.

One thing we really believe in is upgrading your dopp kit. That polyester one from Amazon won't make you happy, and it'll disintegrate in a few years. Lucchese makes some of the best travel bags on the market , and this pebble leather dopp kit is the best value on the website.

Yes, the men's magazine is still telling you to wear a suit on a flight. A relaxed-fit unstructured suit is a man's matching set. It's just as comfortable as your ugly PJ pants, getting dressed takes two seconds, and you look great no matter how jet lagged you are.

If you insist on doing stretchy pants, make sure you do the best stretchy pants on Earth .

The airport shoe situation is a funny one. There's a lot of ways to tackle the issue. Most people prefer sneakers. Loafers are a great shout. Cowboy boots —they're slip ons!—are my chaotic choice. The only rule is no exposed toes.

Truthfully, though, these Sabah slip ons are the only answer to "What's the best travel shoe?" Slip on, slip off. Wear them to the beach, or use them as a bring your own hotel slipper.

When you're an American exploring parts of the world you're unfamiliar with, be smart. A front pocket wallet will keep you from being on the losing end of tourist pickpocket schemes. This one from Husbands is my absolute favorite.

If you have an especially long self-care routine, you'll need something a bit more tailor-made. This hanging toiletry bag from Away is a great shout.

Cadence Flex System

As far as routines go, this Cadence system is a functional masterpiece. You can customize a set of containers for grooming products, bath products, and supplements. All the little hexagons click together for easy packing. It's some of the best travel design we've ever gotten our hands on.

Byredo Mojave Ghost Roll-On

Creating your own olfactory bubble is a life-changing travel hack, but spray-on cologne is a bit intense for the plane ride. Byredo makes nice roll-on fragrances to solve that problem.

F. Miller Eye Oil

That stale plane air is a nightmare for your skin. This eye oil firms and nourishes skin while still feeling natural. Keep it on hand to take care of any problem areas—around your eyes, lips, and cuticles. It's our best hack for looking good even after a long flight.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

We're big proponents of noise-cancelling headphones for pretty much all things that require either a deep inner focus or a hard distance from the world outside. Bose's QuietComfort headphones silence the world (crying babies, crunching plane neighbors) around you.

Bombas Everyday Compression Socks

These socks will reduce any swelling or numbness after a long flight, or a short one for that matter. Compression socks are your new favorite travel companion. These have a daily-use approved 15-20mmHg pressure.

Patagonia Nano Puff Fitz Roy Trout Hoody

A packable Patagonia jacket is one of travel's biggest upgrades. It's super warm, and makes for an excellent extra layer—especially when you're not sure what you'll need. It packs into a little cube, which can double as a travel pillow.

Davek The Mini

Tiny and adorable, this will save you from some unexpected weather. The micro design tucks away perfectly into your suitcase.

Drake's Brown Birds of Paradise Print Wool Scarf

But even more versatile than a sweater is a lightweight scarf. Any scarf from Drake's is a good buy, but this printed one is especially fun. In the terminal, it's an accessory. In the lounge, it's a blanket. On the flight, it's a shawl, eye mask, emergency pillow, or a fucking tablecloth. If you buy one thing for travel, buy a good lightweight scarf.

Adidas Originals Stan Smith

Stan Smith's are another classic choice. Wear them with jeans, sweatpants, or a suit, and look fine in all instances.

NEW BALANCE 990v4 Sneakers

Sometimes you just need to get there, and these sneakers will do the trick. And when you do get there, go stretch your weary plane legs on a long walk without having to change shoes.

@media(max-width: 73.75rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.4375rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.5625rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}} What We're Buying

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Nike Academy Team

Football duffel bag (large, 95l).

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The Nike Academy Team Duffel Bag is a durable design built to keep you organised. Designated compartments provide space for your ball, boots and clothes—while multiple straps let you comfortably carry your gear when you're on the go.

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Reviews (32)

Write a Review

Nice large kit bag

MikeH15458565 - 03 Mar 2024

Nice large bag that can take my Yoga mat and other equipment seems really good value.

A Top Tier Duffel

Nike Duffel Review - 19 Nov 2023

The Nike Team Duffel bag is a stellar choice for individuals seeking a reliable and stylish companion for their athletic endeavors. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this bag seamlessly blends form and function to cater to the needs of both casual gym-goers and serious athletes. One of the standout features of the Nike Team Duffel bag is its impressive durability. Constructed from high-quality materials, the bag withstands the rigors of daily use and maintains its structural integrity over time. Whether you're lugging around sports gear, gym essentials, or travel items, the robust build of the bag ensures that it can handle the demands of your active lifestyle. The design of the Nike Team Duffel bag is both sleek and practical. The spacious main compartment offers ample room for clothing, shoes, and other necessities, while multiple pockets and compartments provide convenient storage for smaller items like keys, phone, and wallet. The organization is key, and this bag excels in keeping your belongings neatly arranged and easily accessible. Comfort is not overlooked in the design of the Nike Team Duffel bag. The adjustable, padded shoulder strap and dual handles allow for versatile carrying options, ensuring that you can transport your gear with ease, whether you're slinging it over your shoulder or carrying it by hand. The thoughtful design extends to the ventilation features that prevent your gear from becoming stale or odorous after a tough workout. Nike's attention to detail is evident in the aesthetics of the bag as well. The iconic Nike swoosh adds a touch of style without being overly flashy, making it a versatile accessory that complements various outfits and settings. The range of color options allows you to express your personal style while staying true to the classic Nike look. In terms of functionality, the Nike Team Duffel bag goes above and beyond. The zippers are robust and glide smoothly, ensuring quick and easy access to your belongings. The reinforced bottom adds an extra layer of protection, safeguarding your gear against rough surfaces. This attention to detail showcases Nike's commitment to creating products that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In conclusion, the Nike Team Duffel bag is a top-tier choice for anyone in need of a reliable, durable, and stylish athletic bag. With its blend of quality materials, smart design, and iconic branding, this bag stands out in a crowded market, making it a valuable investment for those who demand the best from their gear. Whether you're heading to the gym, the field, or a weekend getaway, the Nike Team Duffel bag is ready to accompany you on your journey. ...

What a bag!!

MarkR - 07 Nov 2023

When I got this bag, I thought it was rather too big and worried I wouldn't fill it. How wrong was I? It is amazingly durable and comfortable to carry. The size is most definitely too big to put just some gym clothes in, but it's awesome if you want to fill it with equipment for football, cricket, basketball or something you need a lot of kit and equipment for. It feels strong when you have it over your shoulder with the materials it uses. With the weather turning, I have been using it for homeward storage and even then the 95 litres capacity comes in handy. A friend recommended it to me after taking a similar sized bag with him to do the Yorkshire 4 peaks and was amazed at the quality of the bag. So much so he is getting one for his next trip to the peaks. The base compartment was a little surprising to have and I personally haven't used it, but comes in handy if you have any dirty laundry you want to keep away from your equipment. This bag was certainly designed for athletes and you can see why. ...

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Product Information

Complete the look.

VERSATILE STORAGE TO AND FROM THE PITCH.

• Large main compartment is spacious enough for your ball and more.
• Zipped wet/dry compartment at the bottom helps keep things clean and organised.
• Hand and shoulder straps let you carry your gear comfortably.
• Small interior pocket and zip exterior pockets hold small valuables.

Product Details

• 71cm L x 36cm W x 36cm H approx.
• 100% polyester
• Country/Region of Origin: Vietnam

• Elektrostal
• Tourist destinations near me
• Moscow Oblast

Hotels in Elektrostal

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 10 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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