0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. Because there isnt much in the way of internal organization, we usually use this duffel for quick trips when we dont have a bunch of little things and electronics to pack. That said, there are plenty of high-quality affordable duffels on the market if you dont need all the fancy bells and whistles. We love using refillable GoToobs for our shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries. This duffel comes in a ton of sizes ranging from 31 L all the way up to 150 L, so youre sure to find one that suits your needs. Best waterproof duffel bag: YETI Panga 75 & Matador Freefly, Most water-resistant duffel bags: Patagonia Black Hole 55 & Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60, BEST DUFFEL BAG OVERALL FOR DURABILITY, VERSATILITY & WATER RESISTANCE, PROS: Excellent value, highly water-resistant, durable, lightweight, padded backpack straps, great color options, folds into its own pocket, multiple ways to carry, CONS: Difficult to get in & out of storage pocket. If you want something extra large or waterproof, youll likely pay a premium price. The two most basic types of duffel bags are the traditional and wheeled duffle bag. CAPACITY - The right size duffel bag varies from person to person depending on what youll be using it for and how heavy you pack. 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. BOTTOM LINE: Were big fans of Ospreys 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 its 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. What you need to know: This is an incredibly durable duffle bag with high-quality waterproof levels. The Transporter has well-padded straps that make it comfortable to carry by hand using any of the four handles, over the shoulder, or as a backpack. YETI Panga Airtight Waterproof and Submersible Bags. The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60 is highly water resistant. What youll love: The bag is made with sonically welded seams to increase durability and ensure a completely airtight seal. Want to shop the best products at the best prices? What you need to know: This duffel bag is durable, spacious and created from a trust athletic brand. The Patagonia Black Hole 55 is the perfect size for everyday use and it comes in stylish color schemes. Wheeled duffel bags usually have a handle to help roll the bag around on the floor. Best ultralight duffel bags: Matador Freefly, REI Roadtripper 40& Shacke Express Weekender, Best lightweight duffel bags: Patagonia Black Hole 55,Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60 & Osprey Transporter 65, Best heavy-duty duffel bags:YETI Panga 75, Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100 & The North Face Base Camp, Lightweight duffel bags, like the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60 (left) and Osprey Transporter 65 (right), are more comfortable to wear as a backpack. What youll love: The bag is foldable for easier storage and comes with a shoulder pad for added comfort. Most durable duffel bags: Patagonia Black Hole 55, Osprey Transporter 65, YETI Panga 75, The North Face Base Camp & Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100, The thick material on the North Face Base Camp duffel bag is designed for rugged adventuring. What you should consider: The seams are not strong enough to handle heavy, strenuous use. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us: Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience. A duffel bag is a versatile storage bag that can work for any situation. 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. For most regular use, a water-resistant duffel that can shed a bit of rain is usually sufficient. PROS: Excellent value, highly water-resistant, folds into its own pocket, multiple ways to carry, lightweight, CONS: Bottom isnt as durable as some others, floppy material makes it less convenient to pack than some. The rigid material makes it easy to pack without the sidewalls collapsing in, and the large U-shaped opening allows you to easily access items without having to dig. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Adding a few air fresheners to the inside of a duffel bag can keep the bag smelling fresh for longer. What you need to know: This is an incredibly durable duffel bag built to handle the most extreme conditions. Also be sure your toiletries and liquids meet the standard of 3-1-1 (3.4 oz. BOTTOM LINE: Eagle Creek is an authority when it comes to travel bags, and their Cargo Hauler 60 is our favorite bag weve ever used from them. We researched and tested dozens of duffel bags to help you find the best one for your needs. PROS: Excellent value, very comfortable to carry, compression straps, water-resistant, lightweight, multiple ways to carry, CONS: Buckles can be a little cumbersome when zipping the main compartment. Tom Price writes for BestReviews. BOTTOM LINE: The Patagonia Black Hole 55 has been our go-to duffel bag for a long time because its durable, comfortable to carry, and amazingly versatile. Carry-on size will vary slightly between airlines, but for these recommendations we used the standard 22 x 14 x 9 in. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dicks Sporting Goods. Heres when. The duffel bag also has a detachable, padded shoulder strap for added versatility and comfort. What you should consider: The shoulder straps lack any padding, which can create discomfort after extended wear. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. BOTTOM LINE: 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? That said, the rigid material of the roller does well to keep your belongings safe during transport. The bag also has braided rope handles that can also convert the bag into a backpack. The Black Hole can be hand-carried using the padded handles, or you can attach the included backpack straps to carry it on your back. Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. For camping in the woods, traveling across the country or carrying athletic equipment, a duffel bag is the perfect choice of baggage. liquids in 1 bag sized at 1 quart max) for carry-on. If you have more questions or a suggestion, wed love to hear from you! Best duffel bag overall: Patagonia Black Hole 55, Best value duffel bag: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60, Most comfortable to carry: Osprey Transporter 65, Best ultralight packable duffel: Matador Freefly, Best large capacity duffel bag: Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100, Great value duffel with excellent organization: The North Face Base Camp, Highly packable & affordable duffel bag: REI Roadtripper 40, Best waterproof duffel bag: YETI Panga 75, Best wheeled duffel bag: The North Face Rolling Thunder, Very affordable & simple duffel bag for quick trips: Shacke Express Weekender, Duffel bags are great for travel when you have a lot of bulky items to pack. PROS: Large capacity, folds into storage bag, comfortable straps, good organization, compression straps, durable, CONS: Expensive, too large for casual use, size makes it a little impractical to carry as a backpack, heavier than some. The ICON also features a reinforced carry haul handle, multiple compression straps and a detachable padded shoulder strap for additional comfort. You can use small luggage locks to lock the zippers on your duffel bag. PROS: Wheels, water-resistant, good value compared to other rolling duffels, CONS: Expensive compared to non-wheeled duffels, few organizational features, not as durable as some. If youll be using your bag for bulky items, a duffel with a 70-100 L capacity will likely be a better fit for you. A more durable duffel bag will be better for active outdoor users. SAFETY - If youre using your duffel bag for travel, the most important safety tip we can give is to just be aware of your surroundings. BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. 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. That said, its a little heavier and bulkier than we typically like for casual use. Casey Handley is an avid outdoor adventurer and self-described gear nerd. What youll love: The hydrolock zipper allows for the duffel bag to be fully submerged in water without compromising any items inside. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. GETTING ORGANIZED - Keeping things organized is key to a stress-free travel experience. If youll be using your duffel for lots of air travel or rugged adventuring, consider one of our most durable picks. BOTTOM LINE: If you need a big duffel that can haul it all, the Mountain Hardwear Expedition 100 is an amazing choice with a good array of organizational details. But the unpadded straps and thinner materials mean it wont be able to handle heavy loads comfortably, so its not the best standalone bag for anything more than a weekend trip. Many have reinforced shoulder straps to make travel more comfortable for the user. We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations. What youll love: The duffel bag is able to remain fully submerged in water without any damage to items inside. What you should consider: The zipper construction keeps the bag from being fully submersible in water. This bag is highly packable and very lightweight so its easy to stuff into your main luggage if you know youll need some extra space on the way back home. Were lifelong learners and were always open to constructive criticism. Her favorite things include the crinkle of a new Dyneema tent, the smell of Doug fir trees, and shaving an ounce off her pack weight. 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. What you should consider: The bottom of the duffel bag lacks durability and can tear if dragged on the floor. The bag has removable chest, shoulder and waist straps to make it more comfortable when holding it. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. These are meant for carrying clothes or gym equipment. We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends. Larger bags are built to handle large hiking or other heavy-duty equipment and work well as a replacement for a traditional piece of luggage. We wouldnt recommend the Weekender for flying since the materials are so lightweight, but its perfect for things like quick road trips and days at the beach. And its affordable price makes it a good option for use as an overnight bag or for everyday use around town. Some people also like to bring small luggage locks to lock zippers and RFID technology wallets and card sleeves to protect sensitive information.