- Dimensions: 15 x 25.6 x 15.7 inches
- Weight: 2.16 pounds
- Material: Water-resistant polyester
- Number of colors: Four
- Price at time of publish: $189
The Best Duffel Bags for Easy Packing and Comfortable Travel
![Duffel Bag](/shopping/static/a13027acd41347972552d548126c9bce/8ae18/best-duffel-bag.jpg)
If you have travel planned, whether it be shorter weekend trips or lengthier trips abroad, a duffel bag is a great piece of luggage to have on hand. “Duffel bags are durable, easy to carry, fashionable, and offer travelers a luggage option outside of the traditional hard shell suitcase or backpack,” says Richard Li, Co-Founder of luggage brand July.
To find the best duffel bags, I chatted with Li and other luggage/travel experts and content creators including Coralie Lindvay, U.S. Director of Marketing at DELSEY Paris, V Luigi Auricchio, Vice President of Design at Away, Alesha Bradford and Jarryd Salem of Nomadasaurus, Lauren Yakiwchuk, travel content creator at Justin Plus Lauren, Renee Hahnel of Renee Roaming, Helene Sula of Helene in Between, and Jackie Rezk of Jou Jou Travels about some of their expert recommendations and what shoppers should consider before making their next duffel bag purchase.
This Classic Weekender bag from Bellroy is a solid option if you’re looking for a duffel to take to the gym or sports practice. As someone who frequents the gym several times per week, I can say that a duffel bag helps a great deal when it comes to carrying my water bottle, sweat towel, resistance bands, and lifting gloves. It has a wide mouth so you can fit your belongings and it boasts a minimalist look. Plus, its padded shoulder strap ensures it won’t dig into your skin. Bellroy also makes a variety of work bags.
Although this bag made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles may be difficult for some to wash, it has a wide mouth and padded shoulder strap for easy access and optimal comfort.
As far as small duffel bags go, Rezk recommends the TUMI Just in Case Duffel. At 1.1 pounds, this bag won’t weigh you down whether you carry it on your shoulder via its shoulder straps or in your hands using its handles. Despite its small size, this duffel contains an interior slip pocket and a front zip pocket in addition to two side pockets for storage. Its flexible design lets you fold it down into a small pouch that you can easily place inside larger luggage or backpack if needed. And, it’s available in three colors (Indigo, Black/Gold, and Black/Gunmetal) to match a variety of color preferences.
As long as you don’t mind investing more for your new duffel, this is a good choice if you’re looking for a small and foldable duffel bag with a two-way top-zip closure.
If you’re looking for a duffel bag that won’t break the bank, Gonex’s Canvas Duffel Bag is a great option. Despite its under $50 price, this bag expands and is spacious with a 50L capacity in its main compartment. It also contains two front zipper packers, two side zipper pockets, and one back zipper pocket for extra storage. Plus, it can be carried three ways—hands, shoulder, or cross-body.
The Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag is one of the best duffel bags for those with a smaller budget but who still want a high-quality bag that even has plastic cushions on the bottom to keep items protected.
If a duffel bag with wheels is non-negotiable for you, consider the CALPAK Stevyn Rolling Duffel. This soft-sided rolling duffel bag has two back wheels and can easily be moved by pulling the retractable handle. Even though it’s a smaller duffel bag at 22 inches, it has a hard-sided bottom compartment designed specifically for holding your shoes. Note that this rolling duffel isn’t waterproof, so it may not be the best choice if you’re traveling to a destination with rain. CALPAK also sells makeup bags in a variety of colors that you can mix and match with your duffel.
Though on the heavier side, this rolling duffel bag contains two wheels and a compartment designed specifically for storing shoes.
If you’re looking for a waterproof duffel bag, Bradford and Salem recommend adding this 65L duffelpack from Peak Design to your cart. Not only is its exterior 100% recycled 600D nylon canvas fabric weatherproof, but its zip (which is extra long) is as well. In addition to its padded grab handles, this duffelpack comes with carry straps and a waist harness that can be added and removed as needed. It comes in two colors: Black and Sage.
With a weatherproof exterior and zip, this 65L duffelpack from Peak Design is a solid option for travelers heading to rainy destinations or those who simply want to prevent their belongings from getting wet.
Leatherology is one of the best places to buy leather duffel bags. (Their work bags are beautiful too.) Made with full grain leather, this 8.8-pound duffel offers lots of space to store your belongings with its large interior zipped pocket, two smaller open internal pockets, and one open exterior pocket suitable for items that you don’t need in a zippered compartment. Since it comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, rest assured that you’ll be able to alter it until it comfortably rests on your body. You can even personalize the bag to gift it to a friend or family member or keep it for yourself.
Leatherology’s Kessler Large Duffel Bag is perfect for those who want a personalized leather duffel bag with lots of room across multiple interior spaces.
If a stylish duffel bag is what you’re looking for, Rezk (and I) recommend the Monos Metro Duffel. Designed with a 15-inch sleeve and inner side pockets that can fit a laptop and other essentials such as an umbrella, this duffel bag made with all vegan materials is especially suitable if you need a new bag for your upcoming business trips or commutes. (Monos is also a great place to buy luggage.) It also comes with a small modular kit that can be easily attached and detached using the duffel’s QuickSnap™ feature—perfect for quickly retrieving any items you may need during your travels or serving as a toiletry bag.
This sleek duffel bag made from all vegan materials is fitting for those looking for purse-like luggage that can store a laptop and other essentials.
To compile my list of the best duffel bags, I consulted seasoned travelers and luggage experts about what to consider regarding material, organizational features, and design. To supplement the duffel bag recommendations I received from experts, I conducted online research on duffel bags from popular brands keeping in mind customer reviews and product information.
Material is an important consideration when shopping for duffel bags. “Ideally, you want a strong, durable, and water-resistant (or waterproof) material that can withstand the torture of going through baggage handling at airports, and stand up to any inclement weather when out and about,” says Bradford and Salem. If you want a waterproof duffel bag, take a look at its IPX waterproof rating to learn how resistant it is to elements like water and wind. For example, the YETI Panga Series Airtight Duffel has an IPX7 rating and can withstand being submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.
The purpose of a duffel bag, tote, or any piece of luggage is to store and organize belongings. Considering the organizational features of a duffel is key. Sula recommends bags with various compartments and pockets, especially for those travelers who are tech-savvy and need space for their gadgets. Multiple compartments and pockets also help with accessibility and convenience so one can easily get to their belongings in a timely fashion.
Don’t forget to consider the capacity of your duffel bag. “You want a bag big enough to carry everything you need, but not so big that it's half-full all the time or doesn't maintain its shape,” advises Bradford and Salem. Many duffel bags are available in varying sizes with different capacities, so you can select one that fits your needs.
According to Auricchio, a classic duffel bag is a cylindrical bag made of synthetic material, canvas, or leather. It usually features zipper closure endings on both sides and offers multiple carrying options via handles or a shoulder strap
A duffel backpack hybrid is a bag that can be worn or carried in the style of a classic duffel or a backpack. Hybrid bags often have shoulder straps that are either built into the bag or can be removed and stowed away as needed.
A digital duffel is similar to a traditional or classic duffel, but has some more advanced technological features that make it stand out. “Think built-in charging ports, RFID-blocking pockets, and special compartments for your gadgets,” explains Sula.
There’s no one right answer when it comes to the best brand for duffel bags, as it depends on personal preference. However, several luggage brands are beloved by many customers for their duffel bags which include Monos and TUMI.
The largest duffel bag you can check depends on your preferred airline. Rezk notes that checked duffel bags typically cannot be any larger than 62 linear inches. Linear inches refers to the total number of inches calculated after adding up a bag’s height, length, and width. I recommend checking the bag size guidelines of the airline prior to your flight and keeping your bag under 62 linear inches to be safe.
Duffel bags can be good for international travel depending on the type of trip you plan to take. “If you're going on a hiking trip, you may prefer a dedicated backpack that has superior straps,” says Bradford and Salem. “For road trips, multi-day getaways, urban escapes, or extended travel, duffel bags are excellent.” Yakiwchuk adds that some travel experiences and aircrafts (especially smaller ones) only permit travelers to carry-on soft-sided luggage without wheels that can be easily maneuvered into specific areas of a plane. For that, duffel bags can be a suitable choice.
The size that a duffel bag can be carried on international flights depends on your airline. Many airlines honor bags 22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller.
Although a duffel bag is technically a travel bag, a duffel can usually be easily distinguished thanks to its key features. “A duffel bag is usually round in shape and has a zipper closure at the top that opens wide,” explains Lindvay. A duffel bag is often soft and has a strap, making it easier to carry.
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