What we don’t: No backpack straps or internal storage. What we like: A simple duffel at a great price. See The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21"īest Budget Duffel Bag 3. For those who want more space, TNF also makes a 29-inch version that can accommodate more than 90 liter’s worth of gear. In the end, the Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great combination of durability, functionality, and outdoor style. For $50 less, the Osprey Daylite Carry-On 40 offers better organization, but its sophisticated appearance might not appeal to those looking for a true duffel design.
And at $240, you’ll pay a premium for the durable construction and wheeled design.
It lacks the sleek look and organizational compartments of more typical roller bags, with only one internal mesh pocket, a laptop sleeve, and a small external zip pocket. What the Base Camp Voyager Roller is not, however, is a fully featured piece of luggage for business travelers. And with a PFC-free DWR finish, the Base Camp Voyager will keep your gear dry in the process. What’s more, the rigid internal frame and strong plastic handles (one telescoping) are durable enough to take a beating, whether you’re lifting the duffel, rolling it over cobblestones, or tossing it into the back of a truck. The wheels are large yet smooth and functional over a variety of surfaces, and equally at home on the dirt roads of a far-flung village as in the airport. At 40 liters and with dimensions that meet size restrictions for most airlines, the TNF Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great option for air travelers who don’t pack the kitchen sink. What we don’t: Somewhat lacking in internal organization.įor frequent travelers, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of a wheeled duffel, especially one that can be used as a carry-on. What we like: A tough carry-on duffel with wheels. The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21” ($240) See the Patagonia Black Hole 55 See the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled 70īest Carry-On Duffel Bag 2. Patagonia’s Black Hole line also includes a variety of versions including smaller travel packs and duffels with wheels, and the 40-liter roller version is carry-on compatible. In addition, it’s one of the more expensive non-roller duffels on this list, but we think the quality is worth the extra cost. Keep in mind that this duffel does not have a particularly rigid structure (only the base is lightly padded), so it doesn’t offer a ton in the way of protection for your fragile items. The removable backpack straps are more comfortable and functional than most, and the bag comes with reinforced haul handles and webbing loops for carrying by hand. In terms of features and carrying comfort, you get a multitude of ways to grab and carry the Black Hole Duffel. This duffel is not waterproof like the YETI and SealLine models below, but it should keep your gear dry in light to moderate moisture just fine. And the Black Hole is tough: the fabric is burly 900-denier ripstop nylon with a DWR finish to fend off moisture. This bag is beautifully constructed from end to end, and you get multiple color options from simple black to blaze orange. In 2022, all Black Holes are made with 100-percent-recycled materials, along with the premium build quality and trendy colorways that Patagonia is known for. Patagonia’s Black Hole line helped made duffels cool, and we think the 55-liter version is the best all-around bag on the market. What we like: Durable, comfortable as a backpack, and looks great.
Best Weekender Duffel Bag: Thule Aion Duffel Bag.Best Budget Duffel Bag: REI Co-op Roadtripper 100L.Best Carry-On Duffel Bag: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21”.Best Overall Duffel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole 55.For more background information, see our duffel bag comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Below we break down the best duffels of 2022, including top travel, outdoor, and waterproof bags of both the standard and rolling varieties. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers for good reason: they’re easy to load and carry, and many are built to take a beating. Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next.