To help you find your next duffel bag, we carefully analyzed each model head to head in a controlled environment and then took to the field to test each bag in real-world conditions. Our testing team has traveled across the globe with these bags, often living out of a duffel for weeks or even months at a time. We have taken these duffels with us on everything from casual weekend getaways to family camping trips to remote expeditions in unforgiving environments. Finally, we ranked each product across five crucial performance metrics to identify any strengths and weaknesses and to help you find the best bag for your needs.
Storage and Ease of Packing
In addition to our in-lab gear analyses, regular use of these bags through several seasons helps draw out the pros and cons of each storage design. In this metric, we consider the main compartment opening shape and size, the smoothness and resistance of the zippers or other hardware, and the stiffness of the fabric itself. We also consider the availability of internal and external zippered pockets and their usefulness and accessibility. We've packed everything from normal clothing and toiletries to camping gear and cookware, climbing and skiing equipment, and snorkeling and paddling gear. On one adventure to the Maldives, we were able to fit an inflatable paddle board, its pump and paddle, two sets of snorkeling gear, and two weeks' worth of beach clothes into a single duffel and still keep it under the 50-pound baggage weight limit. Since we've been testing some of the same duffel bag models for years, we've also expanded our selections to include different-sized options of the same duffel bags, helping to compare and contrast your available options even further.
Ease of Transport
We closely examined each bag's carrying options. Most models have some combination of traditional briefcase-style handles, backpack straps, a longer shoulder sling, or heavy-duty grab handles. We focused on the comfort of each carrying method while considering features like the length, size, shape, adjustability, and amount of padding of each handle or strap. We considered whether the straps could be easily removed and stowed away or if they are permanently attached. We also considered how comfortable each bag's carrying system was over longer periods of travel. Finally, we identified any external lash points or daisy chains for strapping the duffel to a vehicle or pack animal. Our testing experience includes side-by-side evaluations in our home lab and real-world hauling through airports and train stations, strapping to vehicles or pack animals, and dragging across remote glaciers. For weekend adventurers, we also tested how each bag performed being loaded up, tossed in the back of a car, and lugged into a hotel room.
Protection
Routine use of almost every single bag in our lineup involved regularly exposing our contents to wet or snowy weather conditions. Further, we filled each duffel with towels and clothing and hosed them down at our home lab. While weather resistance is closely correlated to durability, there are certain features — like rain flaps, the number and location of zippers, and the location and quality of seams — that impact weather resistance. We also considered whether bags had any padding or hard points to protect gear on the inside.
Construction Quality
Most of our information on durability is obtained from our team's historical use of many of these products and is deduced from our thorough understanding of materials and construction techniques. Most manufacturers are transparent with their materials information, so we can comfortably make our evaluations by combining this information with our abundant real-world experience. We made sure to examine seams, hardware, and any signs of wear and tear after our testing.
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
We weighed each product on a calibrated hanging scale to get accurate measurements and compare them to manufacturer claims. Because the bags in our lineup are available in a variety of sizes, we calculated the weight-to-volume ratio that each bag has, to keep our comparisons aligned across the different bag sizes and styles.
