Duffel bags are the perfect sweet spot between travel backpacks and suitcases. Whether you heading to the in-laws for the weekend, traveling to Europe, or road tripping the US, duffel bags are the best way to get your gear from point A to point B. They are lightweight, durable, and easy to load. However, with so many duffel bags on the market it can be difficult figuring out which one to get. To make your life easier we have listed the best duffel bags for you below.
Our Top Choice: After extensive research, we have concluded that the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag is the best travel duffel bag. It’s super durable, water-resistant, and comes in four different sizes. Whether you are going on a short weekend trip or abroad for an extended period of time, you can’t go wrong with the Patagonia Black Hole.
Best Duffel Bags for Travel
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag
For those looking for a durable and water-resistant duffel with versatile straps, consider purchasing the Patagonia Black Hole. This is our top pick for many reasons. Not only is the bag made of durable, water-resistant materials that can hold up in the toughest terrain, but it’s also lined with small padding to help protect contents from reckless luggage handlers. Perhaps one of the best features is the strap design. In previous models, users would have to unweave the backpack straps to remove them. This time around, Patagonia added buckles so users can remove the straps in seconds. Inside, there are two mesh pockets for storage and a main compartment accessed by a D-shaped zipper, making it easier to access items.
Available sizes: 40 liters, 55 liters, 70 liters, 100 liters
View on Patagonia View on Amazon
Matador Freefly Packable Duffel Bag
If you’re looking for a duffel bag that can go from the gym to weekend vacations and camping, the Matador Freefly might be the bag for you. This stylish, weatherproof bag is extremely lightweight and features water-sealed zippers and sealed seams to ensure your clothes stay dry no matter what the day throws at you. The Matador Freefly also boasts adjustable straps for backpack mode, compression straps to secure it to roof racks, and top handles for traditional carrying. When not using the bag, simply scrunch it up into the inverted front pocket and store it in its mesh compression bag for easy storage.
Available sizes: 30 liters
View on Matador
RTIC Road Trip Duffel Bag
The RTIC Road Trip is the perfect duffel for those who want a reliable bag at a reasonable cost without all the bells and whistles. Offered in three different colors, including a stylish trailblazer khaki, this semi-structured duffel offers durability and ease of use. Its water-resistant and abrasive-resistant nylon fabric helps keep contents dry from light rains and splashes, while the front pocket offers a convenient spot to store travel documents or snacks. The bag comes in two sizes, large or medium, with the latter designed to fit in airplane overhead compartments. Users can comfortably carry the bag over their shoulder using the padded, removable shoulder strap or by grabbing the padded top handles.
Available sizes: Medium, Large
View on RTIC
YETI Panga Waterproof Duffel Bag
If you need a durable travel duffel that can withstand rain and storms, the YETI Panga is a great choice. YETI is known for its outstanding travel mugs and coolers, and its duffel bags have the same tough technology that makes it a reliable brand for outdoorsmen and women. The Panga duffel is a fully submersible waterproof bag built with Hydrolock zippers and high-density nylon to guarantee your gear stays dry, even if it goes overboard for 20 minutes! Sturdy DryHaul straps are comfortable to use to carry the bag by hand or in backpack mode, and six handles allow the bag to be easily grabbed out of a carry-on compartment, a trunk, or off a luggage carousel.
Available sizes: 50 liters, 75 liters, 100 liters
View on YETI View on Amazon
REI Co-op Big Haul Duffel Bag
REI has crafted this fantastic bag with plenty of storage options for organized travelers. With dual-functioning air-mesh shoulder straps, this water-repellent bag effortlessly switches from duffel bag to backpack mode without fuss. You can easily organize your clothes and gear using the inner mesh pockets, and the two-way zipper allows travelers to lock their bags when in transit. There’s also an outer pocket to store travel documents for easy access, along with daisy-chain lash points to attach extra gear on the outside.
Available sizes: 28 liters, 60 liters, 90 liters, 120 liters
View on REI
The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag
Are you looking for a bag that can handle any environment, no matter how tough? Then look no further than the North Face Base Camp duffel. This rugged outdoor bag is constructed with waterproof 1000D recycled polyester and is tear-proof, so rough luggage handlers couldn’t damage it if they tried. The bag comes in a variety of colors and sizes ranging from 31 liters to 150 liters, making it perfect for all types of adventures. Other features include a D-shaped zipper and mesh compartment for easy storage and access, adjustable and removable shoulder straps for backpack-style carrying, and a convenient side pocket for flip-flops, snacks, drinks, or travel documents.
Available sizes: XS (31 liters), S (50 liters), M (71 liters), L (95 liters), XL (132 liters), XXL (150 liters)
View on REI View on Amazon
Osprey Transporter Duffel Bag
Osprey has crafted the ultimate duffel bag worthy of any outdoor adventure with the Transporter duffel. Featuring water-resistant material and a D-shaped zipper main compartment protected by overlapping rain flaps, users can rest easy knowing their gear and clothes are not only dry and easy to access but can also be locked using the double-zipper feature. The Transporter boasts deployable backpack straps with a sternum strap for extra support, as well as four webbing grab handles to easily remove it from luggage carousels or car trunks.
Available sizes: 40 liters, 65 liters, 96 liters, 120 liters
View on Osprey View on Amazon
Peak Design Travel Duffel Bag
If you’re a traveler who is consumer-conscious and likes to stay organized by utilizing several pockets, then this bag is for you. The Peak Design Travel Duffel is Fair Trade Certified and features four external pockets that can easily store water bottles, documents, tablets, phones, and much more. It’s built with durable recycled 600D nylon that’s weatherproof, and the padded shoulder strap can be used to carry the bag sling-style, over the shoulder, or it can be removed in favor of the backpack straps. Inside, the bag has two internal mesh pockets, and the 35-liter and 65-liter bags are designed to perfectly fit the Peak Design Packing/Camera Cubes.
Available sizes: 35 liters, 50 liters, 65 liters, 80 liters
View on REI View on Amazon
Cotopaxi Allpa Duffel Bag
If you’re on the hunt for a colorful duffel bag that’s tough as nails, then check out the Cotopaxi Allpa. This travel duffel comes in a variety of stylish colors and is made of durable TPU-coated 1000D recycled polyester guaranteed to last the test of time, which is why it comes with a lifetime warranty. Inside, there is a separate compartment on the bottom that can be used to separate dirty or wet clothes from clean, along with a mesh pocket for organization. The Allpa duffels also come with two exterior pockets, adjustable and removable backpack straps, and a stuff sack so that the bag uses minimal storage space when not in use.
Available sizes: 50 liters, 70 liters
View on Amazon
Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel Bag
The Mountain Hardwear Expedition duffel offers comfort and storage unmatched by many other bags on the market. This water-resistant duffel boasts comfortable, foam-padded adjustable shoulder straps to carry backpack-style, with a sternum clip for extra support. There are two external pockets for storage, including a see-through pocket perfect for storing trail permits. Inside the bag, two compression straps can be used to maximize space and keep more frequently used items at the top for easy access. Other features include an extra-long center zipper for unobstructed packing and unpacking, two internal mesh pockets, an outer pocket that can be used for shoe storage, and several lash points for attaching additional gear.
Available sizes: 50 liters, 75 liters, 100 liters, 140 liters
View on REI View on Amazon
What to Look for in a Good Duffel Bag
These are the things you need to consider before getting a new travel duffel bag:
1. Capacity / Size
This may be the most important thing you need to consider. Duffels can be anywhere from around 25 – 150 liters. Your travel style will determine the capacity you should look for. For shorter trips, typically a 25 – 40-liter bag is alright. 50 – 75-liter duffels are generally used as checked bags, and anything above 75 liters is usually used for longer trips or when people need to bring along a lot of gear and equipment.
Also consider the measurements if you’ll be flying a lot. Depending on whether you’ll be using it as a carry-on or checked bag, keep in mind that the dimensions are different for different airlines.
2. Durability
Duffel bags are made out of a lot of different materials. Cotton, nylon, and polyester tend to be the most popular. When looking for a bag, be sure to pay attention to the material it’s made out of, the stitching of the seams, and the quality of the zippers. The higher the denier rating, the tougher the fabric will be.
3. Ease of Carrying
Does it only have handles, or does it have a strap or wheels? These will determine how easy it is to carry when it’s full.
Wheels tend to make duffels the easiest to transport, but they also make the bag heavier. Depending on where you’re traveling, wheels may be more of a con than a pro. If you’re, for example, backpacking through Europe, then you’ll probably encounter a few cobblestone streets that may damage the wheels, and many bags don’t offer replaceable wheels. However, if you’re only rolling your bag through the airport, putting it in a taxi, then heading to your hotel, then wheels may be a good idea for you.
Cushioned shoulder straps are also a popular option and tend to be removable, but it’s all based on your personal preference. Straps are perfect for carrying your bag short distances, assuming it’s not too heavy.
4. Ease of Packing and Unpacking
The way you access the main compartment will determine how easy or difficult it is to get to your stuff. Some bags have a single zipper that zips across the top, but U-shaped and D-shaped openings make for the easiest packing and unpacking.
5. Lockable Zippers
For some people this isn’t a big issue, but for others, lockable zippers give people more peace of mind knowing that others can’t just open their bag whenever they feel like it.
6. Pockets
Pockets help with organization, but too many pockets can be unnecessary and difficult to access. Many duffels have interior and exterior pockets and may even offer an additional pocket for your shoes or a padded pocket for your electronics. Consider how much gear you’ll be bringing with you then you can figure out an approximate number that will work best for you. For example, if you always bring your DSLR camera and equipment with you then you may need more pockets than you would if you just take short weekend trips and use your phone as your camera.
7. Weather Resistance
If you’ll be taking your duffel with you through your outdoor adventures or it may end up sitting on the airport tarmac longer than you want, then you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get easily damaged in the rain or snow. Even if it’s water-resistant, water will soak through in the event of a downpour, so it may be best to put your prized possessions in a dry bag if it’ll be exposed to the elements often.
8. Weight
If you’re flying, typically the weight limit is 50 pounds. On some airlines it’s even less. Rolling duffels are generally heavier than ones without wheels, but easier to get through airports, train stations, etc. Also consider how much you’ll be carrying it. Once you fill up a 50 or 60-liter duffel bag, it’s going to be pretty heavy to carry on your shoulder.
And there you have it – the best duffel bags for travel. No matter which one you choose from our list, you can rest easy knowing you have picked one of the best.
