At its core, a duffel bag is simply that—a bag. But don’t let its simple appearance fool you into thinking every duffel bag is a cookie-cutter version of the one that came before it. With various shapes, sizes, materials and styles to choose from, today’s duffel bags are more than mere carriers; they are essential companions for any adventure—be it a weekend getaway or an expedition in a foreign country. Recognizing the diversity and importance of these travel companions, we took the time to rigorously test a range of models before identifying the best duffel bags on the market today. Because sometimes, it’s not just about a bag; it’s about the right bag for the right journey.
A truly reliable duffel bag will have to meet specific criteria. It will need to be strong enough to protect and carry a lot of technical equipment, while still being soft enough for practical use. Furthermore, it deserves to be well thought out. Complete organizational features, making sure packing and unpacking is easy.
With numerous brands producing these versatile workhorses, pinpointing the best bag can pose quite a challenge. Worry not, as we’ve taken on the task of sorting through the options, doing the heavy lifting to help you find the ideal duffel bag for your needs. Check out our top picks below, and be sure to browse our buyer’s guide for help in choosing the perfect duffel.
Patagonia
Weight: 2. 06 lbs | Volume options: 40, 55, 70, one hundred liters | Outer fabric: 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop, post-industrial recycled TPU film | Extras: Removable shoulder straps, zippered side pocket, inner mesh pocket on lid, duffel bag in a separate bag
The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is a staple in the duffel bag game, and for good reason. From the back of pick-up trucks to airports to mountainside helipads, you’ll spot this classic duffel alongside adventurers around the globe. It’s simple, spacious and readyy for action. And recently, Patagonia released a new version of this duffel made with a 100% recycled TPU shell, which makes it both durable and weather resistant, and a little easier on the planet, too. The design features a removable set of backpack straps, hand-carry options and it provides a large main compartment that swallows practically anything you can think of packing. Suffice it to say, the Black Hole will do the job for any trip or adventure you have planned.
Weight: 2.50 pounds | Volume Options: 40, 60, 105 liters | Face Fabric: 300D 100% polyester PVC | Extras: Padded base, removable backpack straps, 1 external zippered pocket, 1 internal waterproof pocket, 2 zippered lid pockets
Backcountry’s homegrown All Around duffel happens to be the cheapest hauler on this list, but the price tag isn’t what makes it such a good value. Instead, it’s the experience we’ve had with the brand’s duffel line for the better part of 5 years, during which time our first-generation All Around duffel has outlasted trips across countries and continents. It’s a bit light on features, sporting only one external pocket and a few internal ones, but what it lacks in unique design, it makes up for in durability. And when you combine that toughness with a price tag that won’t leave a hole in your duffel, you’ve got yourself a pretty great value for trips short and long.
Rhode Island
Weight: 2. 50 lbs | Volume options: 40, 65, 95, 120 liters | Outer fabric: Bluesign-approved 900D recycled polyester, PFC-free DWR, TPU | Extras: Retractable backpack harness, zippered end pocket, attachment points, interior zippered mesh pocket
After testing a number of duffel bags, the Osprey Transporter 40L stands out as the must-have shipping vehicle for a long weekend. It features an external zipper-finished pocket for small parts like keys or headphones, and a large, easy-access main frame with a lockable U-zipper for wearing everything from shirts and shorts to tech gear. 4 handles on the sides, making it easy to remove the suitcase from the airport baggage carousel. And the deployable backpack straps provide an ideal way to handle heavy loads, whether you’re exercising your way to your final destination or rushing through the airport to catch your flight. Best of all, the 40-litre capacity meets carry-on baggage requirements, so you’ll never have to worry about gate agents coming out to pick up your bag in the hold.
Kühl
Weight: N/A | Volume options: 25, 50 liters | Outer fabric: TPU laminated nylon | Extras: Water-resistant zippers, fleece-lined pocket, wallet with compressible ends, hidden pocket for tracking device
Every duffell looks the same upon first glance—each one is nothing more than a large, durable bag, a glorified Ikea carryall that looks a bit nicer. But in a way, that’s what sets the Kuhl Eskape 50L duffel apart. The Salt Lake City-based company set out to create a duffel that’s difference from the rest by combining a main compartment (something you would expect) with plenty of pockets and pouches (something you wouldn’t).
Sometimes, a duffel’s biggest downfall is its lack of organization, but that isn’t the case with the Eskape. It has side pockets, one of which converts to a water bottle pocket, and there’s a pocket for shoes or dirty clothes, a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses or goggles and even a secret pocket for an AirTag tracker. In addition to organization options, multiple carrying methods make it easier to haul gear from A to B. If you need a duffel that maintains order, this one will keep your gear in line.
KUIU
Weight: 2.15 pounds | Volume Options: 31 liters | Face Fabric: 500D nylon cordura | Extras: Internal storage pocket, two additional storage pockets, removable shoulder strap
KUIU uses the same material in their expedition hunting backpacks that they use in this duffel, so you can rest assured it will stand up to any and all abuse. The 31-liter duffel pairs high-quality 500D Nylon cordura fabric about the sides with a coated leather base panel to protect your clothing and gear. Featuring internal and external pockets for organization, it weighs only a shade over two pounds, which keeps loads relatively light. And a shoulder strap makes it easier to manage the weight should you stuff it full. It’s worth noting that KUIU doesn’t actually list the bag’s volume online—they only describe it as a 20-inch bag, which is odd, but its dimensions add up to about 31 liters of storage.
Aigle Creek
Weight: 2.63 pounds | Volume Options: 90 liters | Face Fabric: 800D nylon dobby, 1680D ballistic polyester, recycled 200D polyester | Extras: End compartments, interior zipped pocket, internal divider, padded base, zip-away shoulder straps, duffel stuffs into self-contained sack
Every once in a while, we find ourselves in a rush to prepare for a vacation, so instead of organizing our gear, we just throw it in a travel bag thinking we’ll fix it later. It is an inevitable situation. opportunity, but when that day comes, you’ll have to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler. This giant duffel bag offers two separately finished wallets for easy access to your gear, while a giant main compartment includes a detachable internal divider. It features foldable backpack straps and reinforced handles for easy carrying, and the backpack straps come with a clip that secures either strap into a single side carry option. For easy storage, the entire bag fits into a dedicated pocket, saving space in a closet or under a bed. And the bag is now made with recycled fabrics that are just as durable and water-resistant as before, but are a little less difficult to use on Mother Earth.
Mystery Ranch
Weight: 3. 10 lbs | Volume options: 40, 55, liters | Outer fabric: Cordura 1000D | Extras: Detachable shoulder strap, foldable backpack straps, external pockets, 4 interior zippered pockets
Mystery Ranch’s tagline is, “Built For The Mission.” The company makes gear for the military and transfers what it learns from its armed forces experience into this Mission Duffel. Available in 40-, 55- and 90-liter sizes, the 40L is ideal for a plane. It’s designed to strategically separate gear, improving organization, and it looks more like a backpack than a duffel. Mystery Ranch calls it a ”smart duffel,” and it makes you look like a packing genius. The main pocket has a horseshoe-shaped zipper for easy access, while multiple other pockets, including an exterior access boot compartment and a side pocket, give you a dedicated place to store just about everything. Rugged fabrics provide ample water resistance and the multiple carrying configurations make this bag (and its larger siblings) your preferred travel companion. Last but not least, the 1000D cordura fabric ensures the bag stays tough, even if it’s crammed in the overhead bin.
arc’teryx
Weight: 2.03 pounds | Volume Options: 75 liters | Face Fabric: N690d N66 nylon ripstop fabric | Extras: Water resistant, reflective white interior, seam sealed, removable shoulder strap
There’s an argument to be made that any duffel is fit for the outdoors, but some are decidedly better at surviving the elements than others. Canadian brand Arc’teryx, for exmaple, is well known for its outdoor clothing, but the company also makes duffel bags that are ideal for the outdoors. The Carrier 75 is one such duffel that’s made specifically for gear-intensive trips. From a long climbing expedition to a campout in the desert, it offers reliable durability and weather protection to keep its contents safe. A TPU laminate and polyurethane coating combine with sealed seams to keep your gear dry in the event of rain or snow. Meanwhile, a wide U-shaped main body access point makes it easy to store gear and remove it with ease, and a white interior helps you see every last item. Simple, solid and reliable, this duffel is made for hiking, trekking and adventure travel.
Fishing eagle
Weight: 2. 03 lbs | Volume options: 65 liters | Outer fabric: 100% Bluesign approved 200D recycled polyester, PFAS-free DWR treatment | Extras: Retractable harness and lap belt, TSID checked baggage, inner mesh and lining pockets, boot compartment with external access
The Osprey Sojourn Porter 65L is the best duffel bag for a longer adventure. Despite its undeniable appearance, this is rarely an everyday bag that’s also trying to be a backpack – it has more storage capacity and practical organization features than you might expect. The Array features come with an AirScape back panel to keep you cool and dry when you’re heavy in use. Osprey’s Straitjacket straps compress the interior to maximize area and ergonomics. It comes with a garage harness and hip belt for use as a backpack, and it’s made from tough, bluesign-approved recycled polyester that’s virtually indestructible.
Comparing a duffel bag is rarely very tricky – the best way to try one is to use it, so that’s exactly what we did. But first, we start by putting together a list of the best duffel bags on the market to compare them side-by-side, taking into account their weight, sizes, fabrics, and available features. From there, we eliminate heavy, fragile, and lightweight bags. And after narrowing the list down to a digestible number of bags, we went through them using them on trips around town and across the country. When packing them with gadgets and clothing, we noticed bags that can withstand shocks without tearing at seams or zippers. We also look at how much they may simply engage in relative to their stated volume. And we looked at how comfortable they were to wear, whether it was the shoulder straps or the handles.
The list found here represents the best bags that fulfill specific needs, whether you’re shopping for a dedicated crag pack or an oversized duffel for extended trips And because duffel bags are always evolving, we test new ones as they become available and update this guide accordingly. It was last updated January 2024.
Yes, Patagonia duffel bags are worth it for their durability, quality materials, and eco-friendly production practices. Black Hole bags are known for being well-made, versatile, and suitable for a variety of activities. Although they may be more expensive than other duffel bags on the market, many users find the investment justified by the long-lasting functionality and the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
The choice between a duffel bag and a suitcase depends on your personal tastes and the type of vacation you plan to take. Duffel bags are loved for their flexibility, light weight, and easy storage, making them a wonderful choice for longer or off-the-beaten-path vacations. Suitcases, on the other hand, offer more organization and coverage for fragile items, but they may not be as flexible if you intend to, for example, hike the Himalayas or take a cruise on the Amazon River. Ultimately, the most productive option depends on your desires and the nature of your vacation.