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To find the best duffle bags for men and the best duffle bags for women, otherwise known as duffel bags, you’ll need to determine the features that are right for your personal needs. We recommend that you favor duffle bags that are made with durable and long-lasting materials that offer plenty of water-resistance, just in case you get caught in a storm during your travels. Make sure to also consider how much room is available in the duffle bag you are thinking of purchasing, so you can be sure all of your daily essentials, such as clothing and gadgets, will fit inside. When buying a duffle bag, always look for a durable build, a light form factor, and plenty of room for all of your most-used items. This is one of the best bags for weekend getaways.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Patagonia Black Hole is the best duffle bag on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about the best bags on the market.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best weekender bag around, thanks to a generous 55-liter maximum capacity, TSA compatibility for use in the overhead storage bin, and a pair of ergonomically designed carry handles for easy transport.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag is the best duffle bag for gyms, thanks to a large 55-liter maximum capacity that can easily accommodate all of your most-used exercise clothing and equipment. We appreciated the ergonomically designed carry handles, which make for an easy carry even while stuffed to the brim. We also admired that this duffle bag is TSA-compliant for use as a carry-on in the overhead storage compartment of an airplane, making this the best travel duffel bag carry-on.
Though this is a unisex bag and the design is rather striking, it is only available in one color, black, which may not suit all consumers. Additionally, there is no built-in luggage carrier attachment for the purpose of affixing to pre-existing luggage. Compare this with the best bag that makes for an excellent gym or sports bag because it’s machine-washable.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great choice for those who tend to overpack, as this duffel boasts a 71L maximum capacity, in addition to offering a durable water-resistant design and a wide array of pockets and compartments.
This high-grade duffle bag by The North Face is perfect for those who want to maximize space as they go about packing for a trip or a simple trip to the gym, as this duffel boasts a generous 71-liter maximum capacity. We admired the durable design here, which offers a fair measure of water-resistance, and the multiple pockets running throughout, which include a pair of side pockets for water bottles, smartphones, and other necessities.
Though this bag does indeed carry a whole lot of items, it is on the heavier side itself, coming in at just over three pounds. Also, it is available in just a single color, black, which may not suit the aesthetic preferences of all consumers. Most if not all of the best designer handbags will suit more consumers due to their varied features and choice of designs.
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality duffle with a robust feature set that includes an extremely durable design, made from 1000D nylon and Tarpaulin laminate, with multiple lash points running throughout for attaching to vehicles or pack animals.
The Sea to Summit Duffle Bag is of extraordinary quality, with a number of varied features, such as multiple lash points running throughout for the purpose of attaching to vehicles or even pack animals. We appreciated the durable build here, as this duffel is made from 1000D nylon and Tarpaulin laminate. We also liked that the carry handles unclip and re-clip in seconds, allowing for a wide variety of carrying options.
This is a fairly expensive duffle bag, however, likely due to the advanced materials used during construction. Additionally, this duffle is available in multiple sizes, but the larger sizes tend to be heavy. Consider a much lighter option when shopping for the best commuter bag, so as not to get weighed down as you commute to and from work, school, etc.
Award: BEST WEATHER-RESISTANCE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Built for extreme weather-resistance, with a fully waterproof exterior that is also fully submersible, making this a great choice for use around large bodies of water and during powerful rainstorms.
The Yeti Panga Duffle Bag is one of the most durable duffel bags around, thanks to a thick-skin nylon exterior that is water-resistant, waterproof, and fully submersible, so your gear will remain dry if this bag becomes submerged in a large body of water. We appreciated the extra-thick nylon and TPU laminate exterior of this bag, as it is puncture-resistant and abrasion-resistant. We also liked the multiple handles located throughout, allowing a wide array of carrying options.
This is an extremely expensive duffel, however, likely due to the advanced feature set and the high-grade materials used during the manufacturing process. Also, this is a heavier-than-average bag, clocking in at over six pounds. You will need a much lighter bag for carrying your personal belongings to the beach like the best beach bag. But if you need a bag that is specifically designed for keeping your items dry while kayaking or sailing, go for the best dry bag.
Award: BEST CARRY OPTIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Offers a wide array of carrying options, thanks to a number of D-rings that can integrate with shoulder straps and tie-downs, with availability in multiple bright and aesthetically pleasing colors.
The SealLine Wide Mouth Duffle Bag boasts an array of carrying options, thanks to integrated D-rings that can easily attach to third-party shoulder straps, tie-downs, or many other carry methods. We appreciated the ultra-durable vinyl sides and bottom and the roll-down dry seal closure, the latter offering superior water-resistance that approaches fully waterproof. We also liked that this duffle is available in multiple colors, to suit consumers of varied tastes.
The high-grade and durable materials here do come at a literal cost, as this duffle is on the expensive side. Additionally, the vinyl construction here is exceptionally sturdy, but won’t be soft to the touch, which may not suit all consumers. You may prefer any of the best travel backpacks that have a smooth and soft exterior, often made from a high-grade blended fabric. But If you want to carry your wallet, phone, and essentials in a hands-free and lightweight bag, check out the best fanny pack.
Award: BEST STURDY BUILD
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely sturdy and durable build, thanks to a water-resistant TPU-coated body, a 900D polyester ripstop, diamond weave running throughout, and a tear-resistant 630D nylon exterior.
The Gregory Mountain Products Alpaca Duffle Bag is a great choice for consumers who place a high priority on durability, as this sturdily built duffle features a water-resistant TPU-coated body, a tear-resistant 630D nylon exterior, a 900D polyester ripstop, and diamond weave running throughout. We appreciated the lockable zippers here, for personal security, and the massive 90-liter maximum capacity.
This is a fairly heavy duffle bag, however, weighing nearly four pounds, which may be off-putting to a certain segment of the customer base. Also, this duffle does include a handle and back carry straps, but there is no option for a shoulder sling. A better option would be the best sling bag that presents itself as a fantastic option for carrying your personal belongings around town or while traveling.
Award: BEST COLOR OPTIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Available in over 10 color and design options, suiting even the most finicky consumers, with a shoulder strap for a messenger style carry and a durable TPU-coated exterior.
This Osprey Transporter 65 Travel Duffle Bag is a great choice for those who want their bags to visually pop, as this duffle is available in a wide array of color and style options. We appreciated the durable TPU-coated exterior, which is tear-resistant and relatively water-resistant, and the zippered side pockets that come with overlapping rain flaps for even more protection from the elements. We also liked that this bag ships with a shoulder strap, offering the option for a messenger style carry.
This is a fairly hefty duffle bag, clocking in at well over three pounds, which may not suit consumers who are looking for extreme portability. Despite the relatively high weight here, this bag still maxes out at 65 liters. And speaking of storage capacity, office goers will love the best backpacks for work with enough space to ensure all of the daily essentials, such as tablets and laptops, will fit inside.
Award: BEST FOR TRAVEL
WHY WE LIKE IT: Intended for travel, with an adjustable handle with integrated wheels, plastic bumpers to resist abrasions, a die-cut window for ID placement, and sherpa straps for affixing to pre-existing luggage setups.
The North Face Rolling Thunder Duffle Bag is the perfect choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who use major airlines, as this TSA-compliant bag features a number of travel-friendly features, including wheels on the bottom, an adjustable handle for pulling, and sherpa straps for affixing to pre-existing luggage setups. We also appreciated the die-cut ID window, which makes it easy to always have your identification papers at the ready. We also loved the plastic bumpers on each corner, which help resist abrasions during travel.
This is an extremely expensive duffle, however, so consumers should take that into consideration before making a purchase. Also, the maximum capacity here is just 40 liters, which is on the lower side. Storage capacity is also an important feature to consider when buying the best day hiking backpack, so you can be sure all of your hiking essentials, such as compasses and water bottles, will fit inside
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Value-friendly duffle with a robust feature set that includes a design that compresses when not in use, for storage, and features a water-resistant and abrasion-resistant exterior.
This Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffle Bag comes in at a value-conscious price while offering features in line with more expensive competitors, such as an easy-to-pack U-shaped opening and a design that compresses down to an extremely small size when not in use, making for easy storage. We appreciated the proprietary Bi-Tech Armor abrasion-resistant materials that comprise the exterior of this duffle, which has the added benefit of being water-repellant and water-resistant.
Though the design is striking and aesthetically pleasing, this duffel bag is available in just three colors, which may not suit all consumers. Additionally, there is a fairly large mesh divider in the center of the interior that could get in the way as you pack. Compare this with the best weekender bag for men that has a total of 6 compartments, and is designed for road trips and urban adventures.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-conscious duffel that offers a wide array of highly useful features, such as an integrated rain flap, for protection against the elements, and a double bottom for increased durability.
The Marmot Long Hauler Duffle Bag is available at a budget-friendly price, while still offering an impressive feature set that includes an integrated rain flap, allowing for a fair amount of water-resistance during spots of bad weather. We appreciated the double bottom, offering increased durability, and the large D-shaped zipper opening for easy access. We also liked that this duffle is available in multiple colors and sizes, the wide variety suiting most consumers.
Though we loved the sheer number of sizes available here, the larger ones are not TSA-compliant and likely will not pass as a carry-on. Also, this duffle bag does not ship with a shoulder strap, though it can integrate with third-party options. Compare this with the best college backpack that features a sternum strap and padded back panel for comfort.
To help narrow down to the above list, we took great care to research a wide array of duffle bags, ensuring that they were a great choice for travel, trips to the gym, and any other number of use case scenarios. To that end, we liked duffle bags that offered a good amount of water-resistance, with some offering full waterproofing and the ability to be submerged without damaging the packed items.
In addition to water-resistance, we liked bags made from ultra-durable materials, such as nylon and polyester. We awarded bonus points to bags with secure and sturdy weaving running throughout and to those that offered tear-resistance and abrasion-resistance, via multi-layered exteriors and a variety of similar methods.
As for maximum capacity, we made sure that each duffle we chose featured plenty of room for clothing, gadgets, shoes, and anything else you may want to transport. We liked bags with a wide array of pockets, compartments, and dividers. Finally, we admired aesthetically pleasing bags that were available in a wide variety of color and style options.
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