REI Co-op  Big Haul Rolling Duffel - 30"

Tried to adjust length of compression strap which was stuck in fabric loop, accidentally grabbed the prong of the plastic buckle, which then bent and broke. Literally the only plastic buckle I've ever seen do this. I believe this is because of the use of weak lightweight plastic. I would not buy again. Apparently this may not be covered by warranty because it's not a defect? Should have bought the heavier and slightly more expensive North Face rolling duffel for better durability. Unfortunately both my wife and I each own one, so we'll have to be extra careful not to break another buckle. Stay away from this one or other bags (REI or otherwise) that use the lightweight, flimsy parts.

Love this bag. Worked well for 2 week trip to Central America. Held up well after being checked and thrown around through 5 different flights. Sturdy handle and wheels, including dragging it through a driveway filled with small rocks. Large interior with just the right amount of small pockets to keep your gear organized. 2 internal pockets, 2 exterior pockets. The black color definitely collected a little dust along the way, but thats a badge of honor in my opinion, easily cleaned with a wet cloth. Overall, after my first use I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sturdy wheeled checked bag.

I am a contractor in Afghanistan, and I am gone for a year at a time and travel to Europe on my vacations. I love this bag, it allowed me to pack plenty of clothing and an extra pair of boots and running shoes. I combined it vacuum bags to allow more space. I also used this bag for a three week trip through Europe, where I traveled by plane, train, and buses. The big wheels held up while dragging it through rocks, going up and down stairs, and the handles everywhere made it easy to grab and go when needing to pick it up. As a contractor many people buy the cheap roller bags they sell on military bases, and they last a few months before a wheel breaks or the bag rips. I have had my REI Big Haul for a year now, and it still looks almost new through all my travels.

I've been on all 7 continents -- and been through more than that in rolling duffels. This one by is outstanding!! Sturdy construction, with well thought-out compression straps. Can easily stash big items such as trekking poles, or waders for zodiac landings. Good wheels for uneven surfaces. Really, really good grab handles in logical places. Long enough collapsing handle for even a tall person to pull behind without hitting their heels. And..... best of all! ... will actually stand up by itself when waiting in line some place, whether it's security or a shuttle. Yet, having said that, it still compresses flat enough to fit under a bunk on a boat, where we just spent the last 13 days. Outstanding!!

I bought this for fishing trips in Alaska and Canada. I needed something large, durable and capable of holding a variety of camping gear. The size is great and it fit most of my gear without a lot of wrangling things in. The zippered opening does constrain the loading a bit. My real complaint is about the the durability of the bottom material. On my first trip the bottom was punctured by something in the baggage process. Probably the airline baggage handling and so I called REI customer service to ask if they could repair it and they immediately said "no, they couldn't and no it wasn't their fault. " I went into the REI store today and a very helpful employee told me I should have brought Patagonia, Eagle Creek, or Osprey because they had the best warranty. My friend has always bought Patagonia and is very happy with the warranty service he has received. My advice would be to consider those brands before buying the REI Big Haul. The small amount of money that I saved seems pretty inconsequential now. I did repair it myself and so I will see how it holds up on my next trip.

Full disclosure I received this duffle at no cost through the REI advisors program. This is quite the well built piece of luggage, really nice wheels, solid handle and straps, and the support bars on the bottom are a brilliant addition. Used it for a weeks worth of backpacking/climbing and was easily able to fit everything needed in the bag. Oh, and the front top pocket has a super convenient buckle for hanging a smaller bag (I use it for my laptop bag). And, in black it looks like "normal luggage" which is a plus for multi-use (my Patagonia black hole isn't the best choice for business trips!). My only gripe is the base weight is a bit high at around 8lbs but it's certainly an extremely solid bag. Think I'll get a lot of use out of this!

This is a well built rolling duffel with enough room to carry everything you need for your trip. The large wheels navigate stairs and uneven sidewalks with ease. There are hand holds on every side so picking up the duffel to toss in the car is very easy. The duffel is a bit heavy but is well constructed and feels very solid. There is a ribbon of lash straps on either side to facilitate attaching small bags. There are two compression straps to tighten the load when not completely full. There are two internal pockets for small items and two external pockets, one on the top and the second on the side. There are straps inside for securing things to the bottom of the duffel. My duffel is all Black. A gray, green or blue would be nice to contrast with the solid black bottom.

I love this 30" rolling duffel. It is the perfect size for a week-long trip. It allowed me to pack everything I needed- 3 pairs of shoes, clothes, toiletries, books and more. The solid bottom with the expandable (duffel) sides is great for getting everything to fit. Having two inside straps to secure all my belongings was nice too. Most of all I like the storable of this rolling duffel. The solid bottom, wheels and collapsible sides allows it to store perfectly under my bed and easily retrieve it when I need to travel.

I bought this for a 14 day trip to Israel. It's an excellent travel bag. It is basically one large compartment so if you are looking for many pockets this is not for you. It has two small exterior pockets. It packs well and held an amazing amount of clothes and gear. When filled it stands on its own as pictured and that was very important to me. Very sturdy material and the wheels and handle seem to made of quality materials.

My only regret is not getting the green one! But I love the black one just the same. I tend to over pack for trips because I'm always over prepared. I fit in this duffel. Yes I've put myself in it. If you're looking for a bunch of side pockets and nooks and crannies, then this isn't for you but if you like compartments that are easily accessible, then yes get this one! I loaded this thing on my way back with souvenirs and thankfully weighed exactly 50lbs (No extra baggage fee) and it was so easy to load and unload from the car, grab off the baggage claim carousel. All the straps ensured that my items were snug and not tossed around inside. The handle and wheels were great. No matter the weight, the bag didn't tip. I was the least dramatic getting my bag off the carousel at the airport. Unpacked, it's super lightweight and tucks under my bed.