Duffel Bags

Storage Volume

A bag's storage volume is easily the most personal and most subjective variable among different types of travelers. Climbers, skiers, divers, or other adventures with extensive equipment needs will often require more storage space than general travelers headed on a family vacation or a holiday trip back home, or business travelers, daily gym-goers, or weekend warriors.The largest volume available for most of the duffels in our lineup is in the 125 to 150-liter range. Ideal for hauling climbing or skiing equipment, scuba diving gear, odd-shaped tools, or merely a bunch of clothes and shoes, these bags are enormous and can be cumbersome to lug around and will often surpass the 50-pound airline baggage limit when fully loaded.

Carrying Options

This category focuses explicitly on duffel bags without wheels. Wheeled options certainly have their place and are more convenient for rolling through an airport or across paved surfaces, but they also often double or triple a bag's weight and aren't very practical for use across uneven terrain. Traditional duffel bags are usually more versatile, can be carried across more rugged terrain, can be contorted to fit in tight spaces, and can be tied down to sleds, snowmobiles, pack animals, or other non-traditional modes of transportation.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Protecting your precious gear from the elements is essential, whether you're hauling climbing gear into remote alpine environments or a new outfit to the annual family reunion. Thicker and more rugged materials are more resistant to punctures or abrasion and provide a better barrier to protect against moisture, and reinforced seams, extra body panels, and robust zippers and hardware help complete the package.Across the entire market, duffels are constructed from all kinds of different materials ranging from nylon to polyester to canvas to leather, but most models in our review lineup are made from nylon or polyurethane laminates.