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REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28''

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The REI Wheely Beast has it all: smart features, plenty of room, ergonomic touches and durability to withstand the roughest travel. Throw in our low price and what's not to love?

Main bag features a panel opening zipper for easy access and a separate top zippered compartment for wet clothes and dirty boots
Rugged wheels roll smoothly and quietly as you dash through the airport terminal and navigate your way to the hotel lobby
Telescoping handle lets you pull the duffel with ease and control
Small exterior side-zip pocket allows quick stashing of last-minute items such as a multi-tool, toothbrush and passport
Top and side compression straps cinch the load tight, helping to stabilize your gear during travel
Features a foam-padded main carry handle for traditional duffel-style carrying; padded grab-handles at each end allow quick 2-person loading from ground to car, train or boat
Rigid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panel supports bag when rolling; bottom bumper allows bag to stand when parked
Zippers on main compartment are lockable for added security (locks sold separately)

Imported.

Item 778756

2009 Outside Gear of the Year Award Winner!

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REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'' Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28''

4.7

(based on 53 reviews)

98%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Large capacity (49)
Easy to transport (48)
Durable (45)
Good zippers (44)
Lightweight (31)

Cons

Heavy (3)

Best Uses

Airline travel (46)
Extended travel (41)
Weekend trips (15)
Short travel (14)
Camping (6)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual adventurer (26), Avid adventurer (18), Casual/ recreational (5)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (31), Survivalist / minimalist (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (39)

Reviewed by 53 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2013

5.0

Best luggage purchase ever!

By HikerBabe

from Philadelphia

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Weekend Trips

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

Bought this to replace an ancient duffel bag that had finally died. I needed something big and wanted the duffel design, because it allows you to just throw in everything and basically cram it in. I did not initially want a wheeled bag, but that was all I could find in this size. I could not be more pleased. This bag is very sturdy, the straps are well placed to hold everything in place (from the outside), the wheel mechanism doesn't add much weight, and the bag has a nice expandable end pocket for dirty clothes or whatever you want to throw in there. Great design. I have used this for a couple of 3-4 day trips (in winter when your packed clothing is bulky), and it held everything I needed. I put my snow boots in a plastic bag and just threw that on top with no problem. One of my trips was on a plane, and the bag (and contents) survived without any problem. Bag design and features are very user-friendly. This is last year's model, but I would assume the current version holds up just as well.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

5.0

Great bag.

By MW DC

from Houston

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Quality Bag Looks Nice

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Backpacking

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

Great bag. Frequent trips to Colorado with 3 kids. Bought another to match which should help to keep weight down. You can get more than 50# in if you try. Many handles and quality build.

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Jan

2013

5.0

Durable and efficient

By JohnnyOh!

from Central Missouri

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Backpacking
Camping
Short Travel
Weekend Trips

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

My job requires a great deal of air travel. It is well-known that baggage handlers provide the ultimate test to any suitcase.

This bag has now made a dozen or so trips, meaning it has been in about 24 cargo holds. After those trips, the bag looks like the day I received it. It appears more durable than anything I've used before. The zippers do not have the metal pulls that seem to constantly get broken. The wheels are large and easy to move. The ability to cinch the bag down to compress the contents seems to help protect those contents. Finally, the separate space for shoes is great. I can put my dress shoes, some sneakers and my Vibram Five Fingers all in that space and still have plenty of room for clothes for a winter's week on the road.

I liked it enough that I bought another as a Christmas gift for my girlfriend.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

4.0

Good travel item

By John J P

from Yonkers, NY

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Needs More Colors
Scuff Marks From Airline

Best Uses

Extended Travel
Short Travel
Weekend Trips

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

The bag was used for airline travel and the orange color received scuff marks from the airline bag handlers.

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

4.0

Good so Far

By Phaolo

from Chiang Mai, Thailand

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

We bought one Wheely Beast 28" when it was on sale. We liked enough to get another (unfortunately, the sale had ended). The luggage is basic, but still has several storage options. It's not too heavy. I like the tie-downs and large handles. We've only used the pieces for one trip, so time will tell if they are durable. But, thus far, I would recommend the Wheely Beast.

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

5.0

The Beast does Switzerland

By rashoop

from Orange County, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Stands Upright

Cons

Heavy
Odd Handle At Top

Best Uses

Two-weeks In Europe

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

My wife and I just got back from two weeks in Switzerland, in which we relied almost completely on Swiss Rail for transportation. I knew that "traveling light" would be important as we'd be lugging everything on and off trains, as well as between them... up and down ramps, stairs and elevators. After that, we'd potentially need to walk fair distances, dragging our luggage behind us, looking for that night's logdging. Well, the Wheely Beast was more than up to the task. Large capacity, large wheels, and incredible build-quality fit the bill. For the final point, the body-material is soft and very durable, the zippers are some of the most durable looking, and smooth operating, I'd ever used. I have no doubt that this bag will be in use for years to come.
For space, there was more than enough to store all the clothes and equipment we needed for two weeks (though we knew we'd have access to a washer and dryer mid-way through the trip, so we really only brought a week's worth of clothing). We also didn't keep delicate gear like cameras and iPads inside... that went into a camera daypack.
Also toward build-quality, the telescoping handle is solid, and rugged feeling.
My only nitpicking would have to do with the big, floppy convenience-handle at the top. Compared with the similar Eagle Creek rolling bag that we also had*, this handle was just too loose, long and floppy, and that made "clean & jerk" style heave-ho lifts of the bag a bit more challenging. Also, the main compartment is just one big compartment. While this worked fine for us, having smaller interior compartments may be preferred by some for more organization.
*The Eagle Creek, also purchased from REI (Outlet) will be going back to REI, and we'll be purchasing another Wheely Beast. After our two week trip (which was its maiden-voyage, just like the Beast), I noticed that the nylon lining had ripped where it stretches over an interior framing detail. Not a good design. And the wheels just didn't roll as nice as the Beast. Overall, the comparably-priced EC rolling duffel just can't compare to the Beast. One area where the EC bag beat out the Beast was weight. Unloaded, it would a good pound+ lighter than the Beast. Give me a better-made, slightly heavier bag any day.

Service and delivery comments:

Delivery was typical "REI-fast". Just a couple days from Seattle to Orange County.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

good with rough terrain

By LoMa

from oakland, ca

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Does Not Tip Over
Durable
Easy to maneuver
Good With Rough Terrain
Good Zippers

Cons

No Side Handles
Wish It Was A Bit Larger

Best Uses

Camping

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

We use these for storing and transporting camping gear from the garage to walk-in campsites. They can go over rough terrain and rough stairs and will not tip over. They are easy enough for me to get into and out of the station wagon even when full with a heavy load - the leverage seems just right even though I do not have a lot of upper body strength. The design si good when pulling the beasts up stairs too - they don;t get caught on the lip of the treads like many bags we tried did.

The zippers seem strong and easy to use - no snagging. The straps and bungee points also allow you to lash on other stuff to the front of the bags. I wish there were side handles to help maneuver the bags onto their sides when loading up the car.

We store our tent and big heavy sleeping pads in one, and the camp kitchen (including dutch ovens) in another wheelie beast. Makes storing and dealing with heavy bulk incredibly easy!

I do wish the 28" model was just a bit bigger - the 35" model is too big.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

5.0

Love it!!!

By spiff

from Twentynine Palms, CA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Short Travel

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

Excellent for short trips, and just the right size for a single traveler on a plane

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

5.0

Perfect travel duffel

By happygirl

from Denver, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Extended Travel

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

I bought this duffel for an REI adventure trip to Belize. I was able to pack all of my gear, clothing, snacks, etc. safely in this bag. The trip was eight days and what I did not pack, I had to do without so it was imperative that I had room for everything from books to snorkel gear! The trip and the duffel were exceptional.

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Jul

2012

4.0

Perfect size.

By Dirty Dave

from Houston, TX

About Me Outdoor Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Transport
Good Zippers
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Airline Travel
Extended Travel

Comments about REI Wheely Beast Wheeled Duffel - 28'':

Perfect for those times a carry-on doesn't accommodate winter gear, clothing for multiple climate changes during extended travel or the wife's rock collection.