The North Face  Base Camp Duffel - X Large

This is one tough bag....as I was traveling to Tok Alaska at about 80 in the rain...I heard the dreaded thump-snap from the roof carrier, looked in my rear view to see my bright red "Fully loaded" bag doing endos down the highway and then into a ravine! After some reconnaissance we found it! Buckles and zipper in tack, some scuff marks for sure but the integrity of the bag just fine. It then traveled 200 miles down the Yukon river and then flew back home to Minnesota...cleaned up great....sporting her battle scars. thumbs up north face...the shoulder straps are great for hauling around the airport...my 16 year old daughter even managed a loaded bag!

When you look at the other reviews for this bag you notice a certain pride of ownership, a desire to share miraculous tales of survival. These are the sorts of things you want to hear when choosing a piece of gear. This bag is so good that people are driven to brag about it. In my opinion, the quality of TNF products has declined in recent years as they changed focus to become more of a fashion-forward brand. Fortunately, this duffle survived the trendiness. I own 5 Base Camp duffels of varying sizes (3 of the XL's) and have taken them all over the world. My original 1999 bag still survives despite abuse by countless yaks, mules, horses, bus-top roof racks and airport handlers. They hold up. Period. Note, they are not waterproof. While they'll shed a light rain, a prolonged deluge will soak into the contents. Pack accordingly.

I have had the XXL version of this bag for years. I have drug it over half the world using it to carry SCUBA gear and clothing. Prior to heading to Afghanistan I needed a second bag to carry equipment. I ordered this XL version North Face bag from REI. It is only slightly smaller than my XXL bag and has alot of room. The cinch straps can be used to take up the extra slack when its not full. This is a heavy duty bag and has held up better than any bag I have ever had. If you load it so heavy you cant carry it, it will hold up to being drug accross the airport floor. I like it alot!

This item is great when you don't know what weather you will be experiencing, but the materials leave something to be desired. The first time it was used in airline travel the material ripped and rubbed off in a few spots. I have now had to send it in for service. Also the XL bag, when carried as a backpack, is difficult because the straps tend to twist around themselves making carrying uncomfortable and difficult. I'm glad I purchased this product, but I'll see how I feel after I get it back from repair.

I've taken 2 of my duffles around the world into the Amazon of Peru and high altitudes of Nepal. I've had to unpack and repack daily while trekking in Nepal. These duffles were beaten, battered, strapped to yaks, endured extreme colds, snow, heat and rain. Never had problems with my gear getting damaged, soiled or wet. Matter of fact I'm ordering a smaller size duffle for local trips. Loved the backpack style straps and easy to adjust.

I've only had this bag for 2 days and I'm very impressed. The quality is definitely top notch. Obviously I cant speak to the durability, but based on all the reviews I've read, this thing should last forever. The XL is HUGE, but perfect for what I need it for. I'm already planning to order a second one in medium. I bought it for its utility, but it looks cool too!

It is a bit stiff now, but expect it to break in nicely, Got the med size as well they are great so far. Back pack straps should not be used for a long time, but good enough for short term use. The med size is OK for my son who is nine, he can wear it using the backpack straps as long as it is not to heavy. the handles on the ends work very well.

This bag is the best. Very durable have traveled with it in snow, ice, tropic, wet and some of the worst conditions and it is still like new. The only draw backs is that the actual bag itself is a little heavy by itself and with strict digital airline scales you might have to pay extra to travel with it.

This is the most durable duffel on the market. Mine was thrown off a 100-ft cliff by a yak in Bhutan, and besides a few small scratch marks, it held up perfectly. I would say that the only down-side is that the XL bag is huge. Unless you have a lot to pack, a smaller size would probably be better.

If you are familiar with most dry bags, you know the hassle of retrieving that item inevitably located at the bottom; the one requiring you to remove everything else before its retrieval. This is why I was drawn to this duffel: my need for a durable item that allowed for easy access while having a water resistant quality. Amazed by its good reviews and specs, I have been nothing but disappointed upon purchase and use. After a weekend trip involving ocean boating and beach camping in Southcentral Alaska, where rain was fluctuating between a constant drizzle and downpour, my gear was anything but dry. I understand the difficulty of sealing zippers to prevent wetness and perhaps it was my own fault for hoping, but this my friends, was much more than a slow leak or slight dampness that incurred. My gear was soaked through and accompanied by standing water within the bag. My bottom line: unless you're trekking through the Sahara, expect your gear to get wet. From now on, I'll continue to tote my other dry bags and will be returning this sub-par North Face duffel.