Best Duffel Bags
A good bag is comfortable, durable, and most of all, fits within airline carry-on size limits
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Air travel has a fair number of stressors to accompany its long list of benefits, and chief among them is the nightmare of the checked bag.
My worst nightmare? Dragging myself from my tiny economy seat upon landing, only to discover that the airline has somehow lost my roller bag and now I need to buy a week’s worth of underwear and socks after putting my money through the EU exchange rate ringer.
Our Criteria
We evaluated these duffel bags from a variety of angles.
Does it fit within airline carry-on size limits? Though a duffel bag may often be deployed on weekend trips powered by cars or trains, a good one should play double duty as a carry-on, which means it needs to fit within particular sizing metrics. Though maximum carry-on dimensions vary from airline to airline, generally speaking, most airlines require that carry-on bags be no larger than 22x14x9 inches (HxWxD). They’re soft-sided, so assuming they’re not completely full, they can be squished to fit airline dimensions. To play it safe, our top picks stay within this range, and if one doesn’t, we make a point of calling that out.
Does it seem well-made and durable? Luggage gets a lot of wear and tear. A good duffel bag should have quality construction, with heavy-duty hardware and straight and flawless stitching. It should be made from a fabric that’s resistant to tearing, and it should be able to withstand some moisture, in case you get caught in the rain or have a spill inside the bag. “At the high end, leather is the best choice,” says Ellen Lynch, a professor of accessories design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. “It is soft, supple, and conforms well to the items on the inside. Canvas and ripstop nylon are both really good materials, both durable and easy to handle.” Cotton is less supportive and won’t wear well, she says.
“The zipper is critical, too, and is often the thing that breaks first,” says Susan Sokolowski, a professor of product design at the University of Oregon in Portland.
Plastic zippers are durable and flexible, so they can stretch and rebound with an overstuffed bag. When a plastic zipper tooth breaks, however, the zipper usually needs to be completely replaced. Metal zippers are less flexible but also easier to fix in a pinch by threading through the broken tooth to shorten the zipper.
Is it comfortable to hold and carry? In addition to having handles, duffel bags should also be designed to hang from the shoulder or across the chest. That way, you can move quickly and comfortably across a sprawling airport terminal or sling it over your shoulder for shorter distances, like running to your car or a taxi.
Straps shouldn’t dig uncomfortably into shoulders, and carrying the bag shouldn’t cause back pain (unless you plan to be carrying bricks or potatoes, in which case I advise you to invest in some adjustable dumbbells in advance). Your bag shouldn’t press uncomfortably into your back or hips, and you should be able to lift it into an overhead bin or a high shelf without it flopping all over the place, which can happen with longer duffels with soft bottoms.
Does it have good organizational features? Packing cubes are great, but ideally, a good duffel bag should make packing and organizing your stuff easy without them. When it comes to pockets, “nothing is superfluous,” Lynch says. Look for “places to put your phone and other things that you need right away on the outside of the bag, and an inside pocket for either your laptop or other items, and enough room to store your clothing and toiletries without fear of any spillage.” Our favorite duffel bags have several clever, useful pockets for stashing items such as shoes, a smartphone, a water bottle, and dirty laundry.
Does it come with a good warranty, return policy, and repair policy? When you’re spending $150-plus on a bag, it should last for years—and if it doesn’t, the company that made it should do something about that. A high-quality bag should come with some kind of promise that if it falls apart on you after six months, the company will either replace or repair it.
How We Evaluated Duffel Bags
I carefully inspected each bag to make sure it had no manufacturing flaws, like crooked stitches, sticky zippers, or flimsy hardware. Most importantly, I packed each bag with a long weekend’s worth of stuff (check out my packing list below) and carried it fully packed around my Brooklyn block to make sure it was comfortable during slightly longer treks.
I lifted each bag up onto a high shelf to see whether it kept its shape and was thus easier to heft into an overhead bin or onto a hotel closet shelf. I also had my husband, who’s almost a foot taller than I am, carry each bag in case it was more or less comfortable for a short person (me) than a tall one (him).
My packing list consisted of what I would typically take on a long weekend trip in the spring or summer. It tends to be on the lighter side.
Behold, my packing list:
- 1 pair of sandals
- 4 pairs of socks
- 5 pairs of underwear
- 2 sets of pajamas
- 2 pairs of shorts/leggings
- 3 T-shirts
- 1 swimsuit
- 2 toiletry bags (one for makeup, one for skincare)
- 1 light jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 water bottle
- 1 book
- a Kindle e-book reader (if I can fit it)
- A passport
Best Duffel Bags
All of our recommended duffel bags have their own highlights and disadvantages. When choosing the right bag, it’s important to look at each bag’s pros and cons and decide accordingly.
I’m very small (that’s me in the photo at the top of the article), so the most important feature of any bag is a very adjustable crossbody strap that I can shorten, allowing me to carry it without it banging against me when I walk. If you’re of a more average size, you might be focused on whether the bag has a pass-through so that it can sit securely on the telescoping handle of another piece of luggage. And look for one that’s very durable so it can be thrown around for years (or decades) without too much wear and tear.
Because duffels usually lack wheels, they can be stored easily when they’re empty, while wheeled luggage—even soft-sided luggage—cannot. Duffel bags have a more casual, transitional look than wheeled luggage or travel backpacks, so many of them (especially the smaller “overnight” styles) look as at home on a commute to work as they do on the shoulder of someone waiting at a TSA checkpoint. They can also be carried via handles or across the body, and sometimes over a shoulder or as a backpack.
We’ve categorized our favorites according to their strengths, with one that pretty much has it all.
Editor’s Pick: MZ Wallace Travel Jim
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $295
Where to buy: MZ Wallace, Neiman Marcus
Size: 19x12x8 inches*
Primary material: Recycled nylon
There’s nothing fancy about the MZ Wallace Travel Jim. It has no unusual or surprising features (such as a shoe compartment or an expandable size); it doesn’t come in trendy, vivid colors; and it doesn’t have a designer legacy. But it’s a great duffel bag.
Perfectly sized for a long weekend yet still lightweight, the Travel Jim has exceedingly comfortable, padded handles; a highly adjustable, removable crossbody strap (prompting much gratitude from yours truly, a shorty who often finds that bag straps are far too long) with leather trim secured to sturdy metal hardware; and a big, smooth plastic zipper that didn’t catch. When I packed this bag, there was a small amount of room to spare—maybe enough for me to add a couple of T-shirts or a book bought at the airport. Its interior and exterior pockets are thoughtfully designed, with a detachable interior nylon pouch (perfect for sneakers or sandals); a large padded back pocket for a book, Kindle, or tablet; a zippered pass-through that can double as a pocket when not in use; and a taller external pocket that’s ideal for a water bottle. It also has one of my personal favorite features—one that, in my opinion, every bag should have: a key leash. (How distressing is it to get home after an exhausting flight or drive, only to spend 5 minutes digging around in your bag for your keys?)
The bag is made from water-resistant, stain-resistant recycled nylon, and in case of a spill, the company provides detailed cleaning instructions. The Travel Jim is somewhat compressible: It folds down well horizontally with no wrinkling, but its structured bottom isn’t bendable. It comes with a dust bag for storage, which is recommended when the duffel isn’t in use to preserve its color and keep it, well, dust-free. With some stipulations, MZ Wallace will repair items. It has a 21-day return policy.
There are two drawbacks, if you can call them that: It’s pricey, and its satiny, quilted exterior might not appeal to all tastes.
Best Duffel Bag for Travelers: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $129
Where to buy: Patagonia, REI
Size: 19x9x10 inches*
Primary material: Recycled polyester ripstop
If you plan to spend a lot of your vacation on your feet, traipsing through the rain in an actual jungle or an urban one with your belongings on your back, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is the bag for you. (The Mini version is our No. 1 pick in our travel backpack evaluations.) Constructed from water- and abrasion-resistant recycled polyester that looks hard-core enough to stop any sharp edges short of a tiger’s claws, this duffel is light, packable, and comfortable.
Unlike other bags we evaluated, the Patagonia Black Hole converts into a backpack rather than a crossbody, with adjustable, padded backpack straps that make the bag comfortable and easier to carry, especially over long distances. When packed, I had some room left over for anything I might pick up while on my trip. But it has only a couple of pockets: a mesh sleeve in the opening flap and a compartment—suitable for dirty laundry or perhaps a wallet, passport, and phone—that is accessible from inside and outside the bag. This same pocket can be used to (very) tightly compress the bag for storage.
You also need to pack this bag mindfully. If you plan to wear it as a backpack, the contents will shift down, so keep this in mind if you’re carrying anything that wrinkles easily. And in its backpack form, the zipper faces out, which makes it easier for pickpockets to unzip it and remove the contents while you’re wearing it.
On the off chance that you’re attacked by an animal that tears through the hardy bag’s material, Patagonia’s items are backed by an ironclad Guarantee, meaning that the company will repair, replace, or refund it at any time. If you prefer to fix the bag yourself, Patagonia can send you a patch kit.
Most Clever Design: Béis The Weekender
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $98
Where to buy: Béis, Revolve
Size: 19x9x15 inches*
Primary material: Cotton canvas or polyester
Béis’s The Weekender bag, from the brand co-founded by the actress and businesswoman Shay Mitchell, is a thoughtfully designed, cost-conscious pick that, while not 100 percent flawless, has a lot going for it. The gray colorway we purchased is made from a thick, sturdy cotton canvas, with a large shoe compartment at the bottom constructed of smooth faux leather that comfortably fits four pairs of my size 6 shoes.
It doesn’t have the most pockets of all the bags we tried, but the ones it does have are thoughtful and practical. Inside, a large padded sleeve makes a safe spot for a laptop. Opposite the laptop sleeve, there’s a large zipped pocket where I fit my two toiletry bags, and two smaller pockets, perfect for a small tablet like an iPad mini. Its most clever design feature is the structured frame opening, which stays wide open without assistance while you pack. When I finished packing, I had a bit of space left—room for a couple of T-shirts, maybe, and another pair of shoes in the shoe compartment.
The rolled, faux-leather handles are long and can fit over the shoulders, if desired. It has a lightweight, highly adjustable, removable crossbody strap that I was able to shorten to my desired length. Because the shoe compartment is wide, structured, and firm, it makes the bag rather unwieldy if you’re going to be sprinting across an airport terminal.
The bag features a zippered pass-through, which allows you to slide it onto a rolling suitcase handle or zip it closed and use it as a pocket.
While it’s well-designed, there are a few noteworthy issues that keep The Weekender from being our No. 1 pick. Probably because of the structured shoe compartment, the bag is a little heavy. When it’s totally full, it has a slightly schlubby look, with the top of the bag sinking into and spilling out like a muffin top over the shoe compartment. This is a small price to pay for the shoe compartment, in my opinion, but it’s worth noting if you want your packed-to-the-brim bag to have a sleeker look and are willing to forgo the big space for your shoes.
Béis doesn’t have a warranty for its The Weekender bags, but it does have a 45-day return policy.
Best Basic Duffel Bag: The L.L.Bean Waxed Canvas Duffle
Photo: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photo: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $159
Where to buy: L.L.Bean
Size: 21x10x10 inches*
Primary material: Waxed cotton canvas
My husband liked the L.L.Bean Waxed Canvas Duffle bag the best. “That’s nice,” he said when I put it on for the first time. Indeed, this duffel bag is in the true L.L.Bean tradition: It has minimal features but hardy materials and a rugged look, perfect for throwing in the back of a Jeep en route to a camping trip. It’s the largest duffel bag we tried (with the exception of the Longchamp, which is expandable), so it’s a good option for slightly longer trips or cooler-weather travel. When I packed for my long weekend, my warm-weather clothes fit with plenty of room to spare.
The L.L.Bean bag has only a handful of pockets: one on each exterior side for a phone, a tablet, or a paperback (a water bottle would fit, though because the pocket is short and spans the width of the bag, half the water bottle would be exposed and might tilt awkwardly in one direction), and an interior zipped pocket for a wallet or passport. Its handles are long enough to be worn on the shoulder, should that be your preference, and its crossbody strap is thick, heavy-duty, and removable. The bag itself was a bit long for me to carry comfortably—the bag bent in the middle because of the lack of space between my shoulder and waist. My husband, who’s almost a foot taller than I am, found it comfy slung across his chest, with the bag stretched across his lower back in a more normal fashion.
In the process of evaluating and photographing this bag, I threw it around some, kicking it out of the way when I had to take photos of another bag and, at one point, tossing it to the floor to make room on the bed for my dog. The resulting scuffs and scratches on the waxed canvas look like they belong there. L.L.Bean doesn’t give much information on how to clean this bag, so I asked Richard Handel, who oversees laundry testing at Consumer Reports, about the best way to keep this bag from becoming disgusting or tired-looking. “The wax treatment should reduce the occurrence of staining but also adds to the character of the fabric,” he said. Dirt can be brushed away with a soft-bristled brush, and if that doesn’t work, spot-clean with cold water. If necessary, step it up with a mild soap.
L.L.Bean has a very generous warranty and return policy. It will accept returns for a refund for almost any reason within a year. After a year, it will accept returns for items that are defective due to materials or craftsmanship.
Weather Wonder: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $230
Where to buy: Dagne Dover, Nordstrom
Size: 18x12x10 inches*
Primary material: Neoprene
The roomy Dagne Dover Landon Carryall is made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in making wetsuits. (We evaluated the XL version.) This means that it’s an excellent pick if, for whatever reason, you’re running around with your luggage in the rain. I spilled a glass of water on it while writing this article, and I can say with authority that this bag is, indeed, water-resistant. Most of the water slid right off the bag and directly onto the floor, while a small amount darkened the fabric for about 15 minutes before fading. It didn’t soak through.
Inside, the duffel has six large mesh pockets, a smaller zippered pocket, and two removable sleeves—a nylon pocket that I used for my sandals and a mesh pocket for my Kindle. One of these mesh pockets, zippered, is a good spot for dirty laundry, while the others, which have hook-and-loop closures, would fit a tablet. Books would also work here. The opening is expandable: When you’re packing the bag, you can unsnap the zipper from where it connects near the bottom and pin it back down when you’re in transit. After I packed, the interior compartment left me plenty of space for a few extra items, such as a sweatshirt or baseball cap. It was comfortable to carry crossbody, and the handles have a rubber snap to hold them together.
Neoprene creases and pills, though, so this bag requires special care to keep it in tip-top shape. I had piled it on a shelf, and when I retrieved it after a week, it had wrinkled. The company says that a fabric steamer will easily remove the creases, though after a few days, the wrinkles on my bag disappeared. According to Dagne Dover, a fabric shaver will take care of the pills.
Dagne Dover has a limited two-year warranty and accepts returns within 30 days of shipment.
Best Duffel Bag for Teens and Tweens: Herschel Novel Duffle
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $89.99
Where to buy: Herschel
Size: 19.5x10.5x11 inches*
Primary material: Polyester
If you’re traveling with older kids and teens, the Herschel Novel Duffle Mid Volume is the bag for them. It comes in lots of fun colors that kids will love, including neon yellow, a bright peachy pink, and tie-dye (!). It’s also light and budget-friendly, and its look overall is youthful. It features faux-leather handles and a padded crossbody strap, and both my husband and I found it comfortable to carry crossbody.
It isn’t quite as high-quality as the other duffel bags we tried, though. While most of those bags came with metal clasps that connect the crossbody strap to the body of the bag, the Herschel has lightweight plastic connectors that feel flimsy. The zipper is thin and requires some effort to open and close. It has a sleeve for shoes that opens from the outside of the bag and protrudes in, which is a helpful feature provided that you remember to pack your shoes before everything else. (I forgot and had to unpack the bag, place my sandals in the sleeve, and return my clothes to the main compartment.)
The polyester fabric is thin but water-resistant, so it’s great for someone who has the habit of not screwing a water bottle top on tightly enough when traveling. This is a good option for a child who loves fun colors and has few concerns about the longevity and durability of their stuff. Herschel has a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects, which may alleviate some worries about quality. There’s a 30-day return policy, too.
Half-Baked Luxury: Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag Expandable
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $255
Where to buy: Bloomingdale’s, Longchamp
Size: 20x13x9 inches*
Primary material: Recycled polyamide canvas
I had long been curious about the famous Le Pliage, Longchamp’s iconic bag that can be seen on the arms of fashionable people the world over. The collection comes in many sizes, from a coin purse to a wheeled suitcase. And though I can’t speak about the many other sizes of this style, a duffel bag might not be the ideal iteration. Its large size and lack of organizing compartments make it somewhat like a travel-sized grocery bag.
The Le Pliage Travel Bag is expandable. To make it bigger, you unzip the zipper that runs around the width and unfold the fabric that’s bunched inside. Its smaller, zipped-up size conforms to most airline carry-on dimensions, and it’s still fairly roomy, fitting my long weekend’s worth of clothes with room to spare. Its zipper is of average quality, not as slow and laborious to handle as the Herschel’s, but nevertheless a bit of a drag to use. It uses a nice-looking, shiny Longchamp logo for the pull, which adds a touch of glamor to an otherwise typical closure. It’s made from thick, recycled polyamide canvas, which is water-, stain-, and wrinkle-resistant.
The top handle is made from thick, sturdy-looking rolled leather, but the handle is short and won’t fit easily over most adult shoulders. The woven crossbody strap is adjustable but long. I wasn’t able to shorten it adequately, and carrying it so low gave me temporary shoulder and back pain. Unlike other bags, whose straps can be adjusted by a cobbler, Longchamp’s woven strap isn’t something you’d be able to fix easily. The company sells additional straps.
If you take this bag on a short weekend trip and end up going on a shopping spree, its expandability will afford some space for your new additions. (But its expandable form is larger than most airline carry-on dimensions.) When folded and zipped into its smaller format, the bag buckles inward, creating large, awkward folds of fabric on each corner of the bag. This makes packing it neatly more difficult. There are only two tiny pockets, each sewn into the top seam; when anything semi-substantial (i.e., heavier than a credit card) is placed in them, the walls of the bag crumple inward and have to be held up while packing. Clothes and other items may end up in a confused jumble because of this bag’s almost complete lack of organizational features. Longchamp will repair damaged bags, and it accepts returns for 30 days.
The Longchamp has a luxurious look, it’s expandable and foldable, and it’s made from durable materials. But its lazy approach to internal structure makes us unable to recommend it for serious weekend travelers.
Best Budget Duffel Bag: Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $85
Where to buy: Everlane
Size: 20x11x9 inches*
Primary material: Recycled polyester
We had a heck of a time getting Everlane’s The ReNew Transit Weekender. First, we had to place two orders because the company inexplicably canceled the first. When we checked in on the second bag after a lengthy delay, customer service said that warehouse restocking problems held up our delivery. Overall, it took almost two months for us to receive this bag. No other product that we ordered had such significant delivery issues.
The bag itself is basic and budget-friendly. It’s made from rough, water-resistant recycled polyester and has an adjustable padded crossbody strap and handles that are long enough to be worn over most shoulders. It has two external pockets: a zippered back pocket large enough for a tablet or paperback and a similarly sized unzipped front pocket. Inside, it has a thinly padded laptop sleeve, a zippered pocket, and two water bottle pockets. Interior water bottle pockets are somewhat odd; these pockets are usually external, which makes sense because water bottles can occasionally be damp or spill, but internal ones are better than nothing.
The Everlane bag is a decent option for those looking for a basic, less expensive duffel bag. Though it offers few features, it packs up easily and is great for thirsty folks who drink a lot of beverages. It’s around the same price as the Béis, and though it has fewer clever details than the Béis, it’s also easier to carry if you expect to be moving fast. It has a shorter return window than the Béis—30 days compared with 45. Be sure to plan when purchasing, though, because who knows when you’ll actually end up getting it.
*Measured by Consumer Reports.
