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Duffel bags may have once been used strictly for utilitarian purposes, but today they bridge the gap between luggage types. When a standard backpack won’t cut it and a suitcase is too large, a duffel excels. Typically featuring one large compartment and a soft-sided construction, they can be stuffed full of clothing, shoes and accessories. Some duffels even have luggage pass-through sleeves that allow them to sit on top of a rolling suitcase. Others can be carried by their handles or slung over your shoulders. We enlisted the help of frequent travelers to find the most useful duffels for all types of adventures.
An expert favorite
Black Hole Duffel 55L
Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel Bag has been consistently recommended by experts and Buy Side writers alike. George Hammerton, the U.K.-based owner of the Hammerton Barbados travel company, owns this bag in multiple sizes. The 55-liter version hits the sweet spot, allowing him to pack a week’s worth of clothing and still carry it comfortably.
The Black Hole features top handles, like a typical duffel, as well as grab handles on either end and removable shoulder straps. Hammerton prefers using the latter. Because he’s often traveling with his two kids, he rarely has extra hands for holding a bag. “A duffel on your back when you're navigating train stations, airports” and hotels is the “pro move,” he says. Another plus he notes is that the bag folds down when not in use, nesting inside one of its internal pockets. The Black Hole Duffel is made with weather- and abrasion-resistant recycled polyester ripstop with a recycled TPU coating. It’s also available in 40-, 70- and 100-liter sizes.
For work and vacations
Terra Laptop Duffel Backpack 26L
Carly Verble, a Los-Angles based travel blogger, purchased Calpak’s Terra Duffel Backpack ahead of a trip to Peru. “While everyone else dragged their roller suitcase across the cobblestones and uneven surfaces, I hoisted the duffel on my back without any problems,” she says, noting that the shoulder straps remained comfortable even when the bag was packed full.
While she prefers the now-unavailable 50-liter version, this 26-liter bag holds enough for weekend trips. It can work as your carry-on or personal item—it includes a luggage pass-through on the back—or as checked luggage for longer vacations. The recycled polyester ripstop material uses a TPU coating for water resistance. When you’re not on vacation, you can pack your computer into its 17-inch laptop pocket for commuting to work. Its shape is not overly bulky on your back, despite offering adequate packing space.
Shoe storage
Luka Duffel
Verble also recommends Calpak’s Luka Duffel. Depending on the trip, she’s used it as her personal item or her only luggage. Like some other Calpak bags, the Luka has numerous internal and external pockets to help keep you organized. It also includes a dedicated shoe compartment to ensure dirty soles stay away from your clothing. The polyester fabric has a scratch-resistant finish to stand up to the wear and tear of travel. This 25-liter size tucks under most airplane seats, but Calpak also sells mini and large versions.
Duffel on wheels
Ecodiver Large Wheeled Duffel
Ecodiver Carry-On Wheeled Duffel
Can’t decide between a duffel and wheeled luggage? You don’t have to with Samsonite’s Ecodiver. Amy Siegal, a New York City-based luxury travel advisor with VWT By Chase Travel, calls herself a “die-hard fan” of the Ecodiver. She owns two and has gifted two others to her daughters. “I can’t imagine traveling with any other bag,” she says, noting that the soft sides allow her to pack it fuller than hard-sided luggage. Even when packed full, the bag remains lightweight, making it “an easy companion” on trips. The real selling point, though, is the multitude of handles—there’s one on every side. “I can grab it easily out of a car trunk or off a luggage belt with both hands,” she says. The large Ecodiver must be checked, though Samsonite also offers a carry-on friendly version.
Modern aesthetic
Active Duffle 40L
We recommend several Away suitcases, making particular note of their style and performance. The brand’s Active Duffle also excels in both categories, according to Justin Crabbe, a commercial pilot and founder and CEO of BlackJet, a private jet chartering service. It fits roughly three to four days worth of clothing and gear. Crabbe notes that the water-repellent, 100% recycled polyester fabric dries quickly if you get caught in the rain or spill a drink on it, keeping your belongings safe and dry inside.
For all types of adventures
Base Camp Duffel 95L
Base Camp Voyager Duffel 32L
Several of the experts we consulted for both past and present versions of this guide recommend various Base Camp bags from The North Face. Oliver Browne, founder and CEO of adventure travel brand True Summit, uses the line’s standard duffel. This bag has “been around for 40 years and is still the best,” he notes. The 1,000-denier (the thickness of the individual threads that make up a fabric) recycled polyester fabric is built for rugged expeditions—the brand calls it “nearly indestructible.” The bottom of the bag is made from recycled ballistic nylon to resist tears from frequent travel. The Base Camp Duffel is also available in six sizes from 31 liters to 150 liters.
Crabbe likes the 32-liter Voyager Duffel, a Base Camp bag made for more modern travel, according to the brand. It can hold as much gear as some suitcases, with a removable divider in the main compartment for organization. The Voyager also features a 15-inch external laptop sleeve, a quick-access pocket for small items, such as your passport and keys, and a dedicated water bottle pocket. It’s lighter than the regular Base Camp and while it’s made from less rugged material, it’s not lacking in durability. The 300-denier waterproof recycled polyester makes it ideal for “less predictable destinations,” Crabbe notes, and it features the same recycled ballistic nylon bottom as the standard duffel. The Voyager is also the most colorful option on this list, with 12 shades available, ranging from neutral brown and black to purple and Opal Frost, a bright mint green.
Useful accessibility
Transporter Duffel
Osprey’s Transporter Duffel has useful storage features that make it easy to access necessities, says Crabbe. It comes packed in a mesh storage bag that can be attached inside the unrolled duffel for organization. A zippered pocket on the exterior holds personal items, such as a phone or wallet. The Transporter is durable and water-resistant, made with 100% recycled nylon with a carbonate coating. The materials are approved by Bluesign, a company that sets safety and sustainability standards for textile production, which means they adhere to environmental production criteria.
Classic workwear style
Classic Duffel 55L
Though Carhartt’s 55-Liter Classic Duffel is designed to haul tools to and from work sites, its usefulness goes beyond its workwear utility. It’s the go-to travel bag for Alex Weihmann, a Washington, D.C.-based frequent traveler and founder of Milesmate, an airline miles calculator. What he likes most is “how much it holds relative to its size, especially when paired with packing cubes,” he says. Another benefit: it packs flat when empty. “For longer trips I'll often travel outbound with just a carry-on roller and keep the duffel packed inside,” he says. “If I buy souvenirs or need extra space on the return, this duffel is ready to go.” Like Carhartt’s other gear, this bag is ultradurable. It’s made from heavy-duty 1,200-denier polyester with a water-repellent coating that causes rain or spills to roll right off. Both the bag and the coating have held up over several years, Weihmann notes. It’s also available in 35- and 120-liter sizes.
Luxe weekender
Le Pliage Energy Travel Bag
If you want the packing space of a duffel in a sleeker shape, consider Longchamp’s Le Pliage Energy Bag. “The style is classic, versatile and all about classic luxury,” says Andrea Duvall, the Louisville, Ky.-based founder of an eponymous luxury travel company. It’s also durable, made from easy-to-clean recycled polyamide canvas. The Energy Bag has a 30-liter capacity in its single compartment, with two slip pockets to hold small items. Duvall likes pairing it with the coordinating Le Pliage Original Bag, also a Buy Side favorite. Because the tote folds into a tiny square when empty, “it’s easy to toss [it] into the duffel when you need an extra bag along the way for shopping purchases.” Though not completely waterproof, Le Pliage bags are known for being water resistant against light rain and spills.
