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Travel /
By Ana Pelayo Connery, CNN Underscored
Updated 1:35 PM EST, Tue November 7, 2023
Whether you use it as a carry-on or you’re packing it in your suitcase to bring back souvenirs, a quality duffel bag is a must when jet-setting. It’s the perfect weekender, overnight bag or fill-in-the-blank catchall for just about any traveler.
“The first thing I look at when choosing a duffel is the material, since airline workers may throw the bag around if I have to check it at the gate,” says Tom Wahlin, self-proclaimed “Pack Hacker” and founder of the blog Your Guide to Smarter Travel. “Durable fabrics like nylon and polyester are ideal because they’re abrasion-resistant, and a durable water-repellent coating, like TPE, is great if you plan on camping or taking your bag outside.”
Another thing to consider when choosing a travel duffel bag is the strap and carry handles. “The larger the bag, the better the strap needs to be,” Wahlin says. “That means plenty of padding for comfort since all the weight is centralized on a single shoulder or in your hand.”
While some duffel bags come with backpack straps, Wahlin says they aren’t always the most comfortable, so he doesn’t consider it a strong selling point but rather a perk.
As for organization, Wahlin recommends looking for a bag with a few extra pockets to store small items like headphones, your passport or even your phone. After all, nobody likes digging around in a black hole.
With all of this in mind, here are 11 duffel bags that can replace your carry-on luggage.
The 11 best travel duffel bags
“The Topo Designs Classic Duffel has a classic round shape that stands out without going over the top,” says Wahlin. “The organization is streamlined, which is great if you prefer to keep it simple and use your own pouches and cubes.”
It’s roomy enough for storing small gear in addition to clothes. The heavy-duty belt-style handles add to the durability of this duffel.
Ideal for travel that requires formal wear or anything you’d rather not fold, the Brouk & Co Capri 2-in-1 Garment and Duffel Bag converts from a garment bag to a duffel bag and vice versa. Inner and outer pockets allow for quick access to your keys, wallet or smartphone. Carry it in your hand or over your shoulder with the detachable, adjustable shoulder strap. Leather detailing in your choice of six colors gives this bag a classy touch.
If you’re a traveler who can’t leave home without at least a few pairs of shoes, the Calpak Stevyn Duffel is for you. It's roomy and stylish, but what sets this travel duffel bag apart is the large compartment at the bottom of the duffel bag designed especially for shoes.
There’s also a luggage trolley sleeve that allows you to attach it to the handle of your suitcase, lightening your load and making it easy to keep track of it. Interior pockets, a lightweight design and the ability to upgrade to the rolling version of this duffel bag round out the reasons why this one’s a winner.
If sustainable materials are what you’re after, the Catalina is for you, as it comes in both recycled polyester and eco-friendly canvas. Roomy enough for at least two outfits and plenty of accessories, the Catalina has a smart bottom pocket perfect for separating dirty clothes from clean ones, and a removable padded tray that adds sturdiness and structure, so your bag always stands upright. A back panel sleeve makes it easy to slip it over your luggage handle, and a detachable messenger strap option with a memory foam pad provides plenty of comfort when your load is heavy.
The Just Right Wheeled Duffel has the benefits of wheeled luggage and the convenience of a traditional duffel bag in one. With roomy compartments for tech items — including multiple padded compartments for tablets and laptops and a zippered pocket with a USB and wireless charging — it’s the perfect bag for business travel.
Plus, a removable, adjustable strap made of neoprene offers a hands-free carry option when you don’t feel like wheeling, and a patented SmartSleeve lets you slip the bag over most upright luggage handles for hassle-free travel.
Durable, weather-resistant and made with 100% recycled fabric, lining and webbing, this duffel is for travelers who work hard, play hard and travel hard, too. It’s incredibly roomy with plenty of zippered and mesh pockets to keep small items tucked away. The bag's large wheels make maneuvering the Black Hole easy, even through crowded spaces and different types of terrain.
The distressed look and feel of this duffel give it an Indiana Jones vibe that screams “tough.” Made of 100% real hunter buffalo leather, it’s one of the best-reviewed duffel bags on Amazon. Two outside buckled pockets and two large zipper pockets on each side give you plenty of places to store smaller items, while the main packing area can hold several days’ worth of clothing.
This Tumi is lightweight and folds flat into a small pouch, so it’s super easy to pack to carry home laundry, souvenirs or even small gear. It’s perfect for shorter trips or as a carry-on when lots of air travel is on the horizon and you can’t bear the thought of lugging a heavy load.
This resilient, water-resistant duffel bag comes with a storm flap to keep your gear dry even when you’re traveling in inclement weather. Another unique feature is a separate storage pouch that doubles as a pocket for shoes or dirty laundry that you may want to keep separate. As one of hundreds of reviewers said, “It fits so much stuff, it’s waterproof, and you can fold it for storage!” Now that’s what we call ‘bang for your buck!’
This duffel converts to a backpack for easy, hands-free travel, a boon when you’re rushing to catch a flight or traveling with kids. An exterior water bottle pocket makes it easy to stay hydrated while sightseeing, and water-repellant fabric and plenty of zippered and padded pockets keep everything safe, dry and accessible.
We love this duffel bag for many reasons. First, it doubles as a backpack, but takes the conversion one step further with side handles that cause it to settle at the perfect distance from your body so it doesn’t swing when you walk.
Plus, an adjustable divider in the main compartment lets you separate gear from clothes, but it can be removed if you prefer. An external padded pocket is made for laptops, and an internal zippered one secures smaller items. Eight color combos make it a stylish piece to add to your luggage collection.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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