
Imported.
Item 804286
| Specification |
| ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best use |
| ||||||||||||||
| Bag style | |||||||||||||||
| Gear capacity (L) | |||||||||||||||
| Gear capacity (cu. in.) | |||||||||||||||
| Number of exterior pockets | |||||||||||||||
| Laptop compartment | |||||||||||||||
| Carry-on size | |||||||||||||||
| Checkpoint-friendly | |||||||||||||||
| Material(s) | |||||||||||||||
| Wheeled | |||||||||||||||
| Dimensions | |||||||||||||||
| Weight | |||||||||||||||
| Gender | |||||||||||||||
| Average weight |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 11 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
I reviewed the large sized big brother to this bag and you can see my lengthy praise there. This one is just as tough but in a small easier to carry and even carry on capable bag.
I recently added the medium sized TNF Base Camp Duffel as a carry on option for luggage. I usually used the large as a checked bag but was getting tired of paying $25/each way for it. I had seen that the medium could be carried on-just do not stuff it too full.
The measurements work out to about 10" too much if you use the full bag. I packed a little lighter and then cinched down on the compression straps. Viola-carry on!
Now the revenue police...er I mean gate agents will likely want to make you "test" your bag in the luggage frame but both times it went in with just a slight push and they let me on.
Again, dont over stuff and do cinch it down.
I'll do this as my carry on from now on. Saves me $50 a flight -so it will pay for the bag in just 5 flight segments. It also saves me at least an hour per trip waiting for check bags to arrive from the plane. Finally since I have extra room I can fill it up and check it on the flight home if I picked up some extra gear or gifts on the trip.
All the TNF duffel toughness in a carry on. Love it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
This is a piece of gear that sadly, I will most likely never use to its fullest extent. It's a no-frills, large capacity, go anywhere, bomber duffel. As long as it's not packed to the gills, the size M is perfect if you're looking for a carry-on piece of luggage; it will fit end to end in an overhead compartment which makes it easy to store and retrieve. the coated interior of the bag lends itself to be used as a water/mud resistant gear transporter after some soggy days on the trail. For max capacity, load the thing up and don't worry about the zippers holding; the YKK's are about the width of your thumb. As for carrying, duffels aren't always the easiest maneuver when heavy, but the padded shoulder straps give you the option to throw the bag on your back and be on your way. Get the duffel, it's a lifetime piece of equipment.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
This is a great bag to have in your quiver of gear. I crammed it relatively full and easily got it on board flights across the country. It fits perfectly in the overhead luggage compartments, and the backpack straps were slick while traipsing though busy airport terminals. The only qualms I had was a lack of sternum strap, which I remedied after my first excursion with it, and a lack of an exterior pocket somewhere.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
I'm a novice review writer; I don't do a lot of free advertising for specific products, but this duffel is worth a mention.
I've owned it for just a month, but for two weeks it was thoroughly tested on a trip through Ireland and the UK. It traveled by plane (works as a carry-on), train, and automobile, and was also walked around a lot in backpack mode (which was actually more comfortable than expected)... it shrugged off a good amount of rain on the trip as well; everything stayed dry.
I can't speak to the longevity of the product, but after living with it thus far, I can't see how it would let me down.
I CAN vouch for the perfection in design though: the bag has the features you need and want, where you want them, and nothing superfluous. Compression straps were a God-send, the daisy chains were handy, the handles were appropriately placed and comfortable, and the backpack straps aren't uncomfortable... it's obviously not a hiking backpack, but my companions' rain-soaked rolly luggage tipped over constantly on cobblestone streets while I just walked along.
The two-tone green looks sharp too.
If I had to include one con: there's only one interior mesh pocket on the lid (handy), where there's space for two additional smaller ones on the top and bottom ends (lengthwise). I'd buy another if you added those, North Face...
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
I had wanted this bag for about a year. I had no idea just how versatile it would be until I actually had it & used it. (I bought the Medium size Yellow color bag). My wife & I load it up when heading out on the boat for the day, going to the beach, camping, climbing/bouldering, and use it for weekend & overnight trips frequently. My wife will occassionally load it on Sunday with her gym clothes, indoor lead climbing gear, iPad, extra clothes, food/groceries, extra SIGG bottles, and who knows what else - and she'll carry this all week without any fuss whatsoever. It doesn't seem to retain odors, so it can be used for a camp trip one weekend & a business trip the next. I bought the yellow color since I wanted it to be immediately identifiable, but they all seem to have this feature. Which is great when you're checking bags at the airport.
I have owned several other duffels from some of the larger/more prominent outdoor gear & travel manufacturers, but this is the best overall bag I have ever owned. Can't imagine I would have used anything BUT this when backpacking around Europe 8 years ago. I can now confidently repeat the line I have heard so many times regarding this bag: "If you spend time in the outdoors, you should own this bag". I am so glad I followed that advice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
I initially bought this bag to withstand rain during soccer matches, but also use it on camping trips. The material and construction is tough. Gear stays dry even in torrential rains. The shoulder straps make carrying a breeze. Organizer pouches make it easier to find small items. I recommend this for anyone looking for a duffle bag to take some abuse.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
I'm not super outdoorsy, but I do travel a lot and this duffel has been a great bag to use for a variety of trips. The duffel is really durable and has held up to being checked luggage several times with barely a scratch.
The backpack straps are pretty comfortable and I had no problem carrying it as a backpack while traveling by train, walking to a hostel, and walking around the airport. Using it as a backpack leaves my hands free for my purse and other stuff.
When I checked it for a flight, it was stuffed full of mostly clothes and weighed about 25-30lbs when I put it on the scale at the airport, so well within the 50lb limit you usually have when flying. It easily accommodated 12 days of clothes and a few gifts for friends. On the way back, it accommodated the same clothes plus some souvenirs I picked up. I never tried to take it on as a carry on because I always had it stuffed too full, though I think it would be fine if you weren't stuffing it to the brim like I was.
I have not (yet) subjected it to a downpour, but it did fine with some drizzle. After walking in drizzle for about 15 minutes from Metro to hostel, there was no evidence of any water leakage in to the bag.
The zippers seem very durable, opened and closed easily, and have held up well to my over-stuffing tendencies. I don't think that they'll have problems any time soon.
The only downside is the lack of internal organization. There is one mesh pocket on the zipper flap, which is ok for holding a few things, but I agree with a couple of other posters that a couple of other pockets would be a nice addition. However, I've used packing cubes and some of my own little bags to separate things as needed.
Overall, this is a versatile and durable bag that's super handy to have. I only wish I would have gotten it sooner!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
This bag is wonderful. I recently planned for an extended trip and was able to pack several months worth of clothing and gear into this duffel. I was so surprised by how much it could hold. I prefer to travel with as few bags/packs as possible so this was perfect!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
This has replaced my old Flight Kit Bag and that was no easy task. TNF medium duffel is BEST for 3-5 days of gear. This thing is crazy durable... watch the video to get a taste.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Medium:
After getting rain soaked while out on an adventure there isn't much better than having a change of dry clothes along.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
How are we doing? Give us feedback on this page.
FREE U.S. STANDARD SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more.
Shop THE REI ANNIVERSARY SALE May 18–28. Plus, members SAVE 20% on one full-price item with coupon code REIANNV. Details