I remember looking for backpacks and suitcases when traveling a couple of years ago. However, if I rewind to the more recent vacations, my preferences have switched to best travel duffels. The reason being their stylish look, versatility, lightweight design, and spacious interiors. I would also consider changing lifestyles and growing inclination for adventure and outdoor activities as factors influencing this shift.
According to the purpose of travel, there are different types of duffel bags available in the market. Through this article, we shall talk about the best duffel bags for traveling comfortably.
1. Professional and Stylish Duffels for Business Travelers
If you are traveling for business purposes, your focus should be functionality, style, and professionalism. A duffel bag with laptop sleeve and multiple organizational compartments would be most suitable for such conference trips. Make sure the duffel bag is not too bulky but spacious enough to accommodate all the travel essentials.
It should abide by all the airline carry-on size requirements. Mostly, carry-on bags measuring around 22x14x9 inches are permissible across all airlines. This is big enough to adjust clothes, documents, and personal accessories for four to five days. It will also eliminate the need to check in your bag and save time at the airport.
During a business trip, your duffel bag is likely to get exposed to different types of environments. Therefore, you must go for leather duffel bags that exude sophistication and professionalism. As leather is durable and resistant to wear, these bags get better with repeated use as they develop a rich patina over time. Select bags prepared with water-resistant materials like treated canvas or ballistic nylon, equipped with water-resistant zippers and linings for the best protection. They will keep your bags protected from unexpected weather changes or spills.
Your business duffel bag should have reinforced stitching, robust zippers, and tough handles. These features will increase the bag’s shelf life and make sure that it endures repetitive journeys. Many businessmen prefer to carry an extra pair of shoes. They should invest in a duffel bag with a special shoe compartment to keep the shoes separate from the clothing. It will keep your belongings clean and well-organized.
Some duffel bags have RFID-blocking pockets to protect your important documents from electronic pickpocketing. In addition, go for a duffel bag with a wide top opening so that you can easily access your belongings without digging through it. An added bonus is external pockets to keep your phone, passport, boarding pass, and water bottle.
Of course business trips don’t imply all work and no play. So, go for a bag you can even use for casual outings. Select neutral colors that would look good in a professional as well as social setting.
Given the environmental impact of producing such items, you must go for bags prepared with eco-friendly or recycled materials. Look for brands employing ethical production practices like fair wages and responsible production methods.
Best Travel Duffels For Business Purposes
1. Joyway Travel Duffel Bag
Best travel duffels, Joyway Travel Duffel Bag, has 7 different pockets for your laptop, clothes, food items, and miscellaneous stuff. You can use the front zippered pocket of this bag to place important items you need quick access to. It also has side exterior pockets to store water bottles or umbrellas. The dual carry handles and adjustable, removable shoulder straps and comfortable padding make it an ideal travel bag for business and personal trips. Joyway has the best duffel bags for men who have to travel to business trips every now and then
2. Knack Convertible Duffel Laptop Backpack
Knack Convertible Duffel Laptop Backpack is a 3-in-1 over-the-shoulder duffel, backpack with removable straps, and side handle briefcase. Whether you want to use it for office, gym, or travel, the choice is yours. It has a separate padded side compartment suitable for 15.6” laptops, protective fleece-lined tablet pocket, internal mesh zip organization pockets, and elastic loops for cords and pens. The highlight of this bag is their patent-pending, hidden expansion compartment that makes it ideal for a One Bag Life. Just unzip and expand the main compartment and get over 67% more carrying capacity. While the unexpanded bag offers 24 litres, the expanded bag offers 40 liters of space.
2. Durable and Functional Duffels for Adventure Trips
When going for adventure trips, you should prioritize sturdiness, spaciousness, and water resistance. Your duffel bag should be lightweight and easy-to-carry. It should be designed to endure extreme weather conditions and keep your belongings dry and protected from the external environment. You can go for a duffel bag with wheels for convenient movement while traveling. Go for travel duffel bags featuring several compartments for easy organization of the different outdoor gear. You get duffel bags in varying capacities ranging from 30L to 130L. So, you can select the size according to the number of days and type of activities you have planned on the trip.
A duffel bag is most preferred for such adventure trips because of its lightweight, yet durable design. Bulky suitcases get bulkier with the trip. Duffel bags, on the other hand, let you pack in a better way as they start light. You need not fret about hitting the weight limit. Moreover, lightweight bags are easier on your arms and shoulders, thereby reducing travel fatigue. They give you different options like slinging over the shoulder, carrying it by hand, or wearing it as a backpack, unlike traditional luggage bags. Flexibility and versatility are the salient features of duffels for adventure trips.
Best Travel Duffels for Adventure Trips
1. Osprey Transporter Squffel 44
Osprey Transporter Squffel 44 is a square split duffel bag offering the best organization of outdoor gear as well as clothing. It comes with features like:
- 50/50 Split case packing or top loading duffel style with dual roll away dividers
- Ventilated top section to separate your used/stinky
- Fully lined bottom section to protect the belongings from messing up
- Zippered end pocket to access important things quickly
- Four burly webbing grab handles
- 8 webbing lash points to secure the duffels
- Large lockable U-zip access to main compartment
- Weather-protected main compartment zip path with overlapping rain flap
- Internal zippered mesh pocket
All these features, along with its durable manufacturing from bluesign® approved 100% recycled 630D high-tenacity nylon with ripstop, with bluesign® approved NanoTough, DWR treatment made without PFAS make it an ideal duffel bag for your adventure trip.
2. Nemo Equipment Double Haul™ 70L Convertible Duffel & Tote
Engineered with urethane-coated, bluesign® approved 420D nylon shell, Nemo Equipment Double Haul™ 70L convertible duffel and tote is one of the finest duffel bags for adventure trips. It is durable, water-repellent, and easy to wipe down. It has features like:
- Stiffened trusses to keep the bag wide open while packing
- Carrying handles as well as unobtrusive padded backpack straps
- Internal and external zippered mesh pockets for better accessibility
- Expandable to 105L capacity in ‘tote mode’ to fit in the bulkiest cargo
- Designed for easy reparability to extend the product’s longevity
- Protected by the NEMO Lifetime Warranty
3. Family Travelers: Spacious and Easy-to-Carry Duffels
If you are traveling with your spouse and kids, wheeled duffels are the best alternative. They are spacious, lightweight, easy-to-carry, versatile, and durable. The best part of duffel bags is that they come with two hand straps and a longer crossbody strap. It helps to keep the bag secure against our body when fully packed while making it comfortable even with just a few items in there. Traveling with family means carrying a plethora of family essentials to cater to everyone’s individual needs.
For example: You can pack the heavier items at the bottom so that they keep your bag in position. These items will work as an anchor for the remaining items. Next, pack apparels like shirts and pants rolled up as a cylinder to curb wrinkling. Use the dedicated compartments to store socks, accessories, or other small items. Alternatively, you can take the help of compression packing cubes to use the space to its best potential.
Top recommendations for best family travel duffels
1. Eagle Creek No Matter What Duffel 90L
No Matter What Duffel 90L is synonymous with sustainability, functionality, and versatility. It utilizes “Chasing Zero” design philosophy that makes it suitable for storage under a bed or in a car’s trunk. You can also carry it for thrilling adventures. With the rugged, 100 percent recycled ripstop fabric, it is not only stylish but also durable. Featuring multiple carry options and simple design, it is best for road trips and international travels.
The salient features of this bag are:
- Adjustable top compression straps to shrink bulky contents
- Front zippered pocket to access small items
- Adjustable and removable padded shoulder strap
- Handle wrap with snap closure
- Storm flap on main compartment
- Lockable zippers on main compartment with easy grab zipper pulls
- Packs into its side pocket for storage in a drawer or a car’s back seat
2. Nemo Equipment Double Haul™ 100L Convertible Duffel & Tote
Featuring a huge opening designed to stay wide open during the packing process, Nemo Equipment Double Haul™ 100L Convertible Duffel & Tote is perfect for long journeys and air travel. This bag can be used for a family day at the beach or campsite adventure. The features of this duffel bag are:
- Internal and external zippered mesh pockets for better organization of your belongings
- Stiffened trusses to keep the bag wide open while packing
- Expandable to 140L for the entire family
- Protected by the NEMO Lifetime warranty
- Comfortable carrying handles and unobtrusive padded backpack straps
4. Weekend Getaway Travelers: Compact and Lightweight Duffels
If you are looking for a travel companion for your overnight trip during the weekend, go for weekender duffel bags spacious enough to accommodate all the important things. Be it your clothes, toiletries, an extra pair of shoes, or documents, these compact duffels are just the right option for you. It would be a bonus if there’s an additional compartment for dirty clothes or shoes. At Summit Hut, you will find a range of convenient duffel bags apt for short trips.
Top recommendations for best weekend getaway duffels
1. Sherpani Sola Weekender Bag
Whether you want to fly ‘carry-on only’ or go for a weekend adventure trip, Sherpani Sola Weekender Bag would align to all your requirements. Its lightweight design with ample room for travel essentials make it a popular choice for weekenders. It has a luggage pass through along with an external bag compartment to store toiletries. With attractive designs, Sherpani has the best duffel bags for women.
Its features are:
- 1 main zippered compartment
- 2 interior zippered pockets
- 1 exterior zippered pocket
- 1 zippered bottom pocket for toiletries
- RFID protection and water resistant
2. KUHL Eskape 50 Duffel
KUHL Eskape 50 Duffel has multiple pockets for better organization of your belongings. With shoulder straps stowing in their own internal pockets, it is a sleek duffel appropriate for weekend trips. Its attractive features are:
- Two dirty item pouches to pack shoes or laundry-ready items separately
- Side pockets converting to water bottle pocket
- High visibility interior
- Padded back panel for better comfort
- Water-resistant zippers
- Fleece lines pocket to protect sunglasses and other valuables
- Hidden pocket for device tracker
5. Luxury Travelers: High-End Duffels for Comfort and Style
Besides the affordable range of duffels, you also get high-end duffel bags for luxury travelers. They are created with leather and other premium materials. If you are looking for a sophisticated travel bag for your next business trip, these luxurious duffel bags would bowl you over. They are stylish and comfortable. As they are manufactured with natural materials, they are durable and exude elegance.
Top recommendations for luxury travel duffels
1. Osprey Packs Sojourn Shuttle Wheeled Duffel
Manufactured from heavy-duty bluesign® approved, 100% recycled high tenacity nylon main body and bottom fabrics, Osprey Packs Sojourn Shuttle Wheeled Duffel helps in keeping your belongings securely packed. It exhibits a stylish exterior and spacious interiors to accommodate everything you would need in an outdoor excursion. Its attractive features include:
- Hidden add-a-bag strap to carry extra bags
- Interior mesh and liner pockets for organization
- Extra space with rear pocket and ID window
- Retractable ErgoGrip handle
- Floating, exterior-access boot bin to separate dirty, smelly stuff
- Injection-molded high-clearance ABS® base with integrated footbar
2. Eagle Creek ORV 2-Wheel 36″ Trunk
Modern adventurers need a duffel bag like Eagle Creek ORV-2 Wheel 36″ Trunk equipped with a rugged construction and multiple compartments to store the gear, clothing, and all personal essentials. It has a Porter Key™ bottle opener for post-hike refreshments and an expandable wet/dry compartment to handle any mess. It is the best duffel bag with wheels.
Its features are:
- Expandable seam-taped wet/dry compartment
- Cargo net for internal compression or external gear attachment
- External lash points to secure gear and rigging to vehicle
- Multi-point grab handles for versatility
- Puncture-resistant #10 lockable zippers with central lock point
- Reflective finger loop zipper pulls for easy access while wearing gloves
6. Solo Travelers: Versatile and Streamlined Duffels
Solo traveling would require a compact, multi-functional duffel that offers enough room to carry all your belongings. Go for a duffel bag that offers a laptop compartment if you need to carry your laptop too. It is of paramount importance to keep things light. Invest in a wheeled duffel bag to make traveling easier and less tiring. While traveling alone, strategize the items you have to carry. Avoid overpacking and leave all heavy items at home. Compactness, easy maneuverability, and multi-functionality are the three things to look for in a travel bag for solo travelers.
Top recommendations for best solo travel duffels
1. Sojourn Porter 30L Travel Pack
Best Travel Duffels, Sojourn Porter 30L Travel Pack, is comfortable to carry even if it is fully packed. It amalgamates the comfort of a backpack and the simplicity and storage capacity of a duffel — all in one. The padded sidewalls protect your belongings irrespective of the mode of transport. The Updated Straight Jacket straps compress the items to a smaller size. An AirScape™ backpanel keeps you cool and dry throughout the day. It also has an add-a-bag strap that connects this pack to your wheeled luggage.
Its features are:
- Engineered with heavy-duty bluesign approved, recycled high tenacity and ballistic materials
- TSID luggage registration with every piece
- Tuckaway harness and hipbelt
- Extra padding and load control
2. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is made with weather- and abrasion resistant 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a matte, postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate. The padded, removable shoulder straps allow you to carry the Black Hole® Duffel like a backpack. It can be detached when not in use. Moreover, the reinforced haul handles endure over-enthusiastic baggage handlers, making it a perfect pick for solo travelers.
Its salient features are:
- A zippered side pocket that can be accessed from the outside or inside of the bag
- Padded base to protect the essentials from rough terrain and hard knocks
- Sturdy, reinforced exterior daisy chains offering several lashing options for extra gear
- The sleek matte finish for unmatched look and feel
Conclusion
While penning this down, I came across an interesting statistic about duffel bags. The global travel duffel bags market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.2% through 2029. It wasn’t so surprising, given their comfort and sophistication. If you are looking for a travel bag that can squish in anywhere, the car trunk, cupboard, or random corners, buy a duffel bag right away. Whether you are a messy traveler with zero patience to pack or a perfectionist at packing, you can never go wrong with a duffel.
FAQs
What are the best carry-on duffel bags for frequent travelers?
Osprey Packs DayliteTM Carry-on Wheeled Duffel 40 is the best carry-on duffel bag for frequent travelers. It features a large compartment for quick packing and two exterior pockets for easy accessibility. It fits most airline carry-on requirements. This bag features a two-wheel system with protective rails and fabric kickplate for easy portability.
What is the best bag for international travel?
Eagle Creek No Matter What Duffel 90L is the best duffel bag for international travel. It is a versatile bag that’s stylish, durable, and functional. This bag is best for carrying heavy luggage you would need in traveling longer distances.
What are good duffel bag brands?
Osprey Packs, Nemo Equipment, Eagle Creek, Kuhl, and Patagonia are the most popular duffel bag brands.