

Last but not least, if you regularly overpack, zoom in on online photos to make sure the zippers look strong and durable before you purchase.

Look for outer materials that are made with tear-proof and water-resistant details like ripstop, reinforced nylon, and watertight zippers. Most buyers probably don’t pay too much attention to materials, but you should if you’re an active traveler. Bags with a rounded, circular shape-the traditional shape for a duffel bag-have more of a vintage look but can be harder to pack or find small items in in a pinch. However, rolling duffel bags with more of a square shape are usually easier to fit in overhead bins and, often, easier to wear as a backpack, for those that come with double straps. Most rolling duffels have a similar shape akin to an average carry-on bag. If you have some spare room left, you may fit a few toiletries in there, too. Then, work your way through the rest of the bag in sections with socks, underwear, shirts, pajamas, and any other gear you need. Roll these up and put them on one side of the bag. Start with the big items first ( snowboard jackets, pants, etc.). To fit the most clothes in your rolling duffle bag, think strategically. But for duffels with more flexible designs and those without telescoping handles, the bag’s maneuverability might change if it’s overpacked.
PLAID ROLLING ADVENTURE DUFFLE FULL
Aside from that, consider how much clothing and gear you usually travel with.įor some duffels with a more fixed shape, how full the bag is doesn’t really matter. The most obvious decision regarding which rolling duffel bag to get is its size, particularly whether or not you want checked luggage or a carry-on bag (which is typically up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches). We’ve tested and vetted all of the best rolling duffle bags on the market to help you find your next travel companion. They also slouch more than your average hardside suitcase, which can make it a bit harder to stack a bag on top but far easier to squeeze into an over-the-head airplane bin. Really, the only downside of a rolling duffel bag is that they almost always have two wheels, rather than the traditional four. Some have pull-up handles like a piece of spinner luggage, while others just have lightweight wheels with no handle for easy foldability and storage. That’s why we love rolling duffels-bags that give you all the portability of a duffel bag with the option of rolling it across smooth surfaces. This is why each run of the Mariveles is distinct-the precise colors vary depending on what’s available.Duffel bags are great for throwing over your shoulder and stuffing into overhead bins on planes, but it doesn’t take long for your shoulder to hurt if you’re lugging a full bag. Like many of the company’s bags (indicated by the Del Día name), the Mariveles duffle is made from discarded material otherwise destined for the cutting-room floor, left over from other companies’ larger production runs. It’s a listed B Corp, and it takes pains to be as sustainable in its bags’ construction as possible, with a particular focus on labor practices. We also continue to be impressed by Cotopaxi’s overall transparency and social mission. In contrast, however, it’s made of repurposed ripstop nylon that’s of a higher quality than the Herschel’s polyester, and it’s available for a lower price (though it lacks the Herschel bag’s included shoulder strap). Like the Herschel bag, the Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag Del Día has the classic shape and feel of a barrel duffle. Why it’s great: This kind of barrel-shaped 30-liter bag is something of a platonic ideal among duffle designs. Patagonia has a highly regarded replacement and repair guarantee that we’ve tested many times without complaint. The Black Hole folds down into its own stuff sack, which turns into a storage pocket when you unfold the duffle. (We originally tested a now-discontinued 120-liter version.) For all practical purposes, the bags are identical except for their increasing size, though the smaller sizes come in a wider range of colors-up to 13-than do the larger sizes. The Black Hole is available in three other sizes, too: 40 liters, 55 liters, and 100 liters. You can carry the Black Hole at your side using the two handles or over your shoulder using the strap, or you can wear it as a backpack with its two padded straps. Over the years, I’ve dragged, thrown, kicked, and carried these Patagonia bags across most of the country, and they’ve never failed. The exterior is made of polyester ripstop that is laminated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to protect against abrasion and has a water-resistant coating. Why it’s great: The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L is a true jack-of-all-trades.
