REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

I purchased this and the Eagle Creek ORV 30" (hereafter referred to as EC). The REI Tech Beast is better designed and more practical for these reasons:(1) CAPACITY -- I sometimes need to max out the capacity for clothes and photo equipment. At the same time, I have been nailed by rigid airline officials, so I take their rules seriously. The rules state that luggage can't exceed 62" when adding length, depth and width together. The best way to think of that is to use a box or rectangular suitcase that adds up to 62" in order to maximize the available space. With a duffel, you measure the greatest point for depth, which is the bottom. If the middle of the duffel slants in and doesn't have the same depth, you lose the space. If it slants in from the bottom to the top at a sharp angle, you lose a lot of space as measured by an airline. The airline will measure the DEEPEST point on the bottom, not on the top.To maximize the space and depth of the EC, you have to utilize the external pockets as shown in the illustration for that item. Remember, and airline would measure the maximum depth across the bottom like a box. So to maximize that depth, the front pockets on the EC must be filled. But these are so small they are impractical and of little use. The entire middle of the duffel on the outside has no pocket but only a handle -- wasted space that is not utilized. (Again, look at the illustration for that item.) The REI duffel, on the other hand, has two very large external pockets. These can be really maximized and hold far more compared to the EC. Here is a practical example that shows how large the REI pockets are on the front. To avoid damage to items, I sometimes use Rubbermaid containers. If the luggage guys drop something on the duffel, anything in rigid hard containers will be protected. The top REI pocket can hold a 1.1 gallon retangular container, and the bottom a 9.2 cup container.) With those pockets filled, the REI duffel just hits 62". As an airline would measure both duffels across the bottom in depth, they are about the same -- within an inch or two of each other. But the REI design holds considerably more due to the pockets. Look at the illustration and how the REI resembles a rectangular box when filled. REI wins on a better design that maximizes capacity as measured by an airline. When measured in inches, as an airline would do it, the EC is only slightly smaller than the REI. But the REI holds far more. (The REI measurements on this web page are not accurate. It is 62" plus or minus 1/2".)SHOE or LAUNDRY BOX -- Both have an extra "box" that is attached to the lid. You fill it and it occupies the inside space. But I will normally not use it. The REI box folds up and is compact and doesn't take up space. The EC box is much larger, and is bulky even when folded. The EC shoe box is so large as to occupy half the space of the duffel. The EC designer must own size 20 boots. Again,the REI better uses capacity, and the box attached to the bottom pocket is just the right size to stuff dirty laundry in while traveling. Rather than using the bulky shoe box of the EC, just buy the packing containers of Eagle Creek. I'd recommend the Medium Gear Box. It is larger than it appears in the illustration. (The largest gear box is the same size as the bulky shoe box in the EC.)QUALITY -- The REI appears to be very well built, but the EC is slightly better. The zippers are of a higher quality for example on the EC, and the EC is just more solid, and is one pound lighter. (But who cares about one pound when the limit is 50 to 70 lbs?) But the REI zippers appear to be heavy enough, and no one has reported any problems in these user comments.CREATIVE DESIGN -- The web site offers a poor explanation of how the bottom of the REI collapses, and REI has no photos of the interior. (Shame on you, REI). The bottom of the REI folds back -- folds to the back of the duffel internally -- when not in use. When folded down, to be used, it is held in place by velcro and by the weight of your clothes. Therefore, when not in use, this design allows the REI to collapse and be crushed down, for storage under a bed as an example. The EC has a solid plastic bottom and will take up more space when not in use just like a bulky suit case. On the other hand, the EC is more solid because it is one solid plastic piece on the bottom. But when filled the REI bottom works fine and stands up right and doesn't fall over. So the design works very well -- when in use, and when folded up. It is a clever design.The EC also has a piece of mesh across the top. This is just plain dumb. I guess it is intended to keep items inside when open in a vertical position? But who opens a duffel when it is upright? The mesh just gets in the way when packing the duffel.HANDLES -- The EC is better in this regard. The black plastic piece on the bottom that the duffel rests on doubles as a handle to pick it up by top and bottom. This is a better handle than on the REI, but the REI handle is OK and works. The EC also has a handle on both sides. No side handles on either side of the REI.Kudos to the REI design team. The exterior pockets are much larger and maximize capacity as compared with the EC. The shoe box is smaller, more practical, and much more compact when not in use. The EC shoe box takes up half the duffel; is too large; and bulky even when folded and not in use. The REI bottom collapses and will take up significantly less room than the EC when empty for storage. The REI includes interior mesh pockets; the EC has none. Finally, the EC customer service was among the worst I have ever interacted with. I ordered both items on line. [...]Buy the REI to [...] a superior design. Avoid the Eagle Creek product due to the impractical design [...]

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

This bag was purchased to replace an older REI convertible carryon/backback type bag that I bought 20 years ago. (which I still use by the way) I needed a larger bag to take on a business trip to Malaysia last year. This bag had the simple design and large capacity I was looking for. I compared it to a similar more expensive product from Eagle Creek and the Tech Beast just looked like a better value for the money. I couldn't see paying extra for the Eagle Creek bag with essentially the same features. What really sold me was the extra reinforcing panels on the sides of the Tech Beast, the Eagle Creek bag did not have that. I also like the extra material around the stress points like the bottom and the corners. It just looked like a durable beast of a bag that could withstand the rigors of travel. I have put this bag to the test on 4 trips to Asia (twice to Malaysia and twice to India) in the last 10 months and the bag shows hardly any signs of wear, just a few minor scuffs. It holds everything I need for a two week trip and still has extra room for stuff like gifts and souvenirs that I acquire. I also like the unique appearance of the bag, you can easily pick it out at the airport baggage carousel amongst the endless procession of the lookalike black rolling uprights! However I did find a minor flaw. The interior section of the expandable bottom pocket had a seam that was starting to pull apart, forming a 3 inch opening. I noticed it when packing for my last trip. [...] I will remain an REI customer for life!

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

Used on a 14 week trip in Europe. Weighed in at 50# for check in flight. Well balanced when used on escalators with 56# in it. Easy to pull up train steps. Rolled well with additional 20# weight of another bag on top of bag.
Very pleased with handling and sturdiness of bag.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

I live overseas in China and I travel a lot. I bought this about a year ago and since then it has circumnavigated the globe once, and been across the pacific half a dozen times. I watched it getting tossed out of the cargo hold onto the tarmac in Hawaii. It is still in excellent condition with very little wear and tear.The material is very durable. The zippers are bombproof. I regularly use it to carry back from the USA all the supplies I cannot find in China. It is always at the 75Lb limit and completely crammed full. It always emerges on the other side intact and in good order. The wheels roll smoothly and I usually stack my carry on on top of it as I roll through the airport. The wheels are big and the bag is quite stable even on rough Asian roads.The only cons are the carrying straps which tend to dangle and may get hung up in the luggage system and that fact that it is a tad heavy. If you are on a flight with a 20kg limit, then the bag is 20% of your allowance. This bag is great for carrying the maximum allowance on long trips. For shorter trips you will want a smaller lighter bag.I bought this bag to replace another REI bag that I had been using for 3 years. The buckles on the compression straps of the old bag were broken. [...] Overall I have had good luck with the products and the warranty.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

I travel for a living and though I listed myself as "comfort drive," I still try and pack as minimalist as possible. I am usually on the road for literally a month at a time and have learned what is packable and what isn't packable and which suitcase I can use for carrying my clothes and gear with me. This bag has proven itself over and over. It stands perfectly even when full, it's extremely balanced when packed, the pull handle is solid and comfortable to grip and to hold on to while dashing across parking lots and terminals. The wheels allow me to pull it over concrete or gravel and handles going over curbs and

This is a bag for the serious traveler or bringer of many things. It's easy to separate clean and dirty with the bottom zip panel and with the two top compartments it's easy to stuff small things in for quick and easy access. Strong, durable, and light along with the REI 100% Guarantee, this bag is a must have for all you road dogs.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

I took this bag on a two-week trip to Europe. It held everything I needed and weighed in at 50 pounds on the dot at check-in. It's very, very sturdy and easy to roll. I got a lot of compliments on it while traveling--it stands out on the luggage carousel. Buy it if you're taking a long trip and need space.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

Best bag for wear and tear of travel, I travel weely all over the US including HI & AK. No other bag has withstood this kind of abuse and still looks and works great. Easy to find in luggage areas, plenty of room and easy to handle. Zippers are very hardy, bag locks easy with TSA locks. Love this bag I own 2.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

Bought this bag after my Samsonite fell apart on a work trip - literally spewing clothes out onto the luggage carousel at John Wayne airport.

Realised this bag would combine work and personal pursuits and so far it's been excellent. It's already been to the UK, China and Thailand and it still looks unused. Tough, high capacity yet lightweight.

A highly recommended product.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

I purchased to replace a large, non-wheeled duffle on supported, cross-country bike rides, particularly Cycle North Carolina. I chose REI because of their support for cycling and other outdoor activities. I chose this wheeled duffle because it had good capacity and looked like the wheels were sturdy. The duffle has exceeded my expectations. I was able to pack my sleeping bag within the separate end-compartment and small items were kept handy in the side pockets. I carried a weeks worth of cycling and street clothes plus basic camp gear, without a tent (that was furnished by Bubba), a total of just under 40 lbs. Even though everything was in one bag, the wheels made walking from the truck to the campsite easy, even on soft ground. By the way, I measured the bag and it is just within most airline size limits - but check first, those things change.

Comments about REI Tech Beast Rolling Duffel:

Great bag overall; built to withstand a ton of abuse. I would recommend this bag to anyone, but offer a couple of things to consider. The bag is a little heavy for airline use, as it takes up about 20% of your weight limit and the traditional duffel handles don't do much due to the weight distribution. Fortunately REI has grab handles at both ends which makes getting it in and out of the car or hoisting it very easy. Weight limits aside, I'm not afraid to stuff this bag to the seams, as I know it can take it. This bag is built to last and will stay with you for many trips.