The 5 Best Duffel Bags for Travels in 2019

In the past, many viewed travel as a big luxury. However, as people have started to earn higher incomes and flights are becoming, more have been heading to far off places. According to MMGY Global, millennials traveled 35 percent more in 2017. And in that year, there are many millennials who are parents.

So what do people think about or even plan out thoroughly before they go on vacation? Packing.

Depending on the trip, there are lots of ways to go approach packing. While longer vacations mean that you’ll be checking in your luggage, the shorter ones call for something a little less bulky. And there are number of bags you can choose from — backpacks, carry ons or duffel bags. This post will focus on the last item on the list.

When people think of duffel bags, normally going to the gym comes to the mind. While that’s still a great use for them, nowadays many look to the duffel bag when it comes to packing for their next excursion. And while they just looked like large cloth hot dogs in the past. Today’s duffel bags don’t only hold more items but also can keep them organized. They are made of a variety of materials and come in even more sizes. You can carry them around or easily move them with wheels.

After looking through a variety of different brands, styles and purposes, we have gathered the best five duffel bags. And they aren’t ranked just by how useful and amazing they are. But each duffel bag also serves a different purpose. So take a look at the list and see which one is the perfect fit for your next adventure.
Best for the Budget Minded: S-ZONE Travel Canvas Duffel Bag
Amazon

Duffel bags have been known to have a very specific look. They’re usually made of thing materials, usually nylon, and look like you’re a big gym buff. But for many of us, that’s not necessarily the vibe we’re trying to give off at the airport. Luckily for us, there are companies out there that are making duffel bags out of different materials including canvas and leather to make them look less sporty and more stylish.

However, as the fabric changes, that means the price tag tends to go up. But if you’re on a budget, that might not work. S-Zone has come out with a line of solid travel bags that won’t break the bank, especially the S-Zone Travel Canvas duffel bag.

Retailing for $46.99 on Amazon, it’s an affordable bag that can also fit anywhere from a weekend’s worth of clothing or can also carry your things for a few more days after. While it has a nice rugged chic look, the waxed canvas makes it lighter to carry but also can keep your things dry. It is also very roomy inside even though it doesn’t have many compartments inside.
S-ZONE Travel Canvas Duffel Bag Pros

Affordable.
The waxed canvas makes it water repellent.
Leather handles make it easy to hold.

S-ZONE Travel Canvas Duffel Bag Cons

Fabric can get wrinkled, and those are difficult to smooth out.
Not very many compartments.
The zippers aren’t the strongest.

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Best Carry On: Herschel Novel Duffel Bag
Amazon

If you walk through major cities like New York and Los Angeles, you’re likely to spot at least five people walking around with Herschel backpack. The Herschel Supply Co. has been around since 2009. However, Herschel brand started in 1900 and named after the town with the same namesake in Canada. Now based in Vancouver, the company has been a very popular go-to when it comes to backpacks and duffel bags. And with a variety of color combinations and printed fabrics to choose from, you can get the right Herschel bag for you.

But aesthetics aside, there’s a lot of room inside the bag itself. It might look small on the outside. However, once you open it, you’ll see you can fit much more than just a weekend’s worth of clothing. And there’s also a spot just for your shoes, which means you don’t have to worry about your things getting dirty. While it might not have tons of compartments, there is a zippered pocket that you can put your smaller items in. Learn more about the Herschel Novel duffel below.

When it comes to duffel bags, the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag is where it’s at.
Herschel Novel Duffel Bag Pros

Signature shoe compartment
Padded shoulder strap
Internal zippered pocket

Herschel Novel Duffel Bag Cons

The bag isn’t waterproof.
It isn’t the most durable. So don’t bring it out on your big adventure trips.
The plastic parts of the strap can tend to squeak when you’re walking. So if you’re really sensitive to those kinds of sounds, then this may not be the bag for you.

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Best Rolling: Samsonite Andante Wheeled 22″ Duffel

If you’re not a fan of actually carrying your duffel, most people would tell you to just stick to rolling luggage. However, if you want to stick to a duffel bag, there are a number of options on the market. And the best option is the Samsonite Andante Wheeled 22″ Duffel. First of all, Samsonite has had a great reputation for being a strong piece of luggage while being easy to transport from place to place.

And if you’re a fan of the brand but want a duffel instead of the hardtop, then this model is a great one for you. Not only can you pack a fair amount of things in it, you can also still fit it in the overhead compartment. So you don’t need to shell out extra cash to check in your bag. You have the option to carry the bag or roll it around. And sure it might not have the same 360-degree wheels you’re used to on your rolling luggage. At least you won’t have to lug it around. Learn more about the Samsonite Andante Wheeled 22″ Duffel.
Samsonite Andante Wheeled 22″ Duffel Pros

It has lots of space.
It can fit in the overhead compartment on the plane.
It has a U-shaped opening, which makes it easy to pack and unpack.

Samsonite Andante Wheeled 22″ Duffel Cons

The wheels aren’t the easiest to maneuver around.
Wheels wear out on the quicker side.
The plastic base at the bottom of the duffel only covers the size of the wheels. This means that the underside of the duffel isn’t the sturdiest when you’re rolling it around.

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Best Packable: Bago 27-Inch Duffle Bag
Amazon

For some, finding great souvenirs to bring back home is a highlight of the trip. But after buying a few things, many realize that they can no longer close the original luggage that they brought. So it’s ideal to bring an extra bag for emergencies. However as we’ve seen with most duffel bags, they are pretty bulky.

Luckily, bag companies have noticed that problem and developed a foldable version of the bag. While there are tons of versions out there, we found that the Bago 27-Inch duffle bag is the best option or a number of reasons. First of all, it will only cost you $29.99. So it’s great for anyone on a budget. And it folds to the about the size of a sheet of legal paper. The bag is made with RipStop fabric that makes it durable and not prone to rips and tears. There are other foldable duffel bags that may have more features. But if you need a bag to hold any extra tchotchkes, this one is the right one for you.
Bago 27-Inch Duffle Bag Pros

This duffel bag is budget friendly.
It folds up nicely to something that’s 11.8 inches by 12.6 inches.
There is a shoe pocket that is water and odor resistant.

Bago 27-Inch Duffle Bag Cons

It’s not built for longtime use.
It’s not waterproof.
It can’t hold too much weight.

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Best Large Size: Patagonia Black Hole 120 L Duffel Bag
Patagonia

If you’re getting ready for a big adventure trip, then the average duffel bag won’t work for you. You’ll not only need something really sturdy, but you’ll also probably need something a bit bigger in size. For anyone who is going on that kind of trip, you should try out the Patagonia Black Hole 120 L duffel bag.

With a reputation for outdoor travel as Patagonia does, they definitely know what’s what when it comes to making good baggage when you’re out in nature. And not only does the brand’s Black Hole line make durable bags meant for outdoor equipment, but it also protects your equipment from the elements. Learn more about the Patagonia Black Hole 120 L duffel bag.
Patagonia Black Hole 120 L Duffel Bag Pros

It’s water resistant.
Straps are long enough to make into a backpack.
It’s made with rugged polyester RipStop fabric.

Patagonia Black Hole 120 L Duffel Bag Cons

The bag has only big compartment to hold everything.
Because of its size, it may not be the easiest to carry.
Straps don’t work as well if the bag isn’t full.

Travel Duffel Bag Buying Guide

Move over basic black and white athletic duffel bags because today’s options come in different colors, fabrics and overall looks. But with so many choices, how can you pick the right one for you?

Before actually picking one up, you need to ask yourself a bunch of questions. How long will you be on your trip? What kind of trip is it? Will you be outdoors most of the time? How much are you planning to bring with you? Does the bag have a number of compartments to keep your are your belongings from moving around while you’re traveling? How easy is it to access your things from the bag?

How do you want to transport your duffel bag? Do you want to carry it? Or would you rather it be on wheels to move from place to place easily?

After asking yourself these questions and getting the answers to them, it’ll bring you even closer to your perfect duffel bag. Learn more about these different features and details below.
Size

When they’re empty, duffel bags look pretty big. And yes, while they can carry lots of things, there is a pretty large range in sizes. Perhaps the smallest of duffel bags is the weekender. And just like the name suggests, this type of duffel is meant to only carry one or two nights of clothing and small toiletry bag of essentials. But if you need more space, duffel bags come in sizes that can fit as much as a carry-on suitcase as well as all the gear for your next camping trip. So before walking into a shop, you will need to figure out what you’re bringing before investing in a duffel bag.
Ease of Packing and Unpacking
Traditional and simple duffel bags normally have one zipper on the top. However today’s duffels have improved on the bags’ openings. Instead of putting in the zipper in one straight line, there are many that are designed in a U-shape. That would make a bigger opening for you to pack and unpack. And if you only need to remove one thing, the U-shape opening will allow the duffel to sustain its shape.
Internal Compartments

While past duffel bags only had one compartment, modern ones now have many different pockets, netted pouches and other great compartments to help you organize your things as well as put them in their specified places. And that is something that’s very important to consider if you plan to use a duffel bag as your main piece of baggage. Aside from the main packing area that’s normally in the middle, all the other pockets will allow you to stow away other things like your phone charger and travel size hair dryer.
Wheeled vs Unwheeled

If there’s one aspect of the duffel bag that will get anyone thinking for a while, it’s whether or not to get one with wheels or not. And the best way to approach to this decision is to figure out what kind of trip you’re going on. If it’s a weekend getaway, then you probably will only need to carry your bag by the dual handles or the shoulder strap that normally comes with it. There are also a number of wheel-less duffel with straps that can be worn like a backpack.

There a number of reasons to get a duffel bag with wheels. The first is that you just don’t want to carry your duffel bag around. Then there’s also the fact that you may be carry a lot of weight around, and it might be much easier to roll your things around. And while there are many duffels on wheels that you’ll likely need to check in, a small duffel bag with wheels will likely be allowed to be carried onto the plane.
Materials

Duffel bags come in a multitude of fabrics that range from canvas to leather to waterproof materials. Like the other features in this list, the type of material you will want to go with is all based on what type of traveler you are and what type of trip you’re going on. If you want one that’s more stylish and chic, then perhaps the leather or patterned canvas ones are best for you. However, if you are traveling to a place that’s rainy or you’ll be in inclement weather, you might want to invest a duffel bag that is made of a water-resistant or waterproof material.