The North Face  Base Camp Duffel - Medium

I originally bought the Patagonia equivalent but decided that I would try out this North Face bag as well. Although I loved the Patagonia one, the Base Camp Duffel takes the cake. The shape, size, straps, and colours really make me a fan. I love how much I can fit in the medium, it continues to surprise me. It allows me to overpack for short trips and still have space. In addition, it will keep all your gear dry in any weather, and wearing it as a backpack is much comfier than carrying it. I've worn it as a backpack all around urban settings. This is my favourite item for travelling around!

Have owned mine for 15 years and it has been all over the world with me and has taken some serious abuse. Comes from a time when TNF only made expedition equipment and not fashion accessories. Although scuffed and showing a well worn patina that comes from being manhandled all over the developing world, there is not a stitch or tear anywhere on this bag. Only issue is that the backpack straps are a bit of an afterthought and are a bit too uncomfortable for long use. Would I recommend this bag? Oh yes..its simply one of the best pieces of kit i have ever purchased.

Great bag that packs a LOT of space in a small package. Medium size packed my wife and I for 2 week trip in central america. Super durable and very comfortable as a backpack. Zipper has loop for small lock which is very convenient when traveling on planes. Highly recommend it!

This is the perfect bag for any travel involving an airline. Why? Because it fits in the overhead bins. If you're like me, I'm very hesitant to check my luggage. Not to mention, you can put it on your back as a backpack. So, your hands are free, and you don't look like everyone else, with their roller bags....

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!

I recieved this as a christmas gift, after dropping some hints. I have to admit I usually see something I like and then research it a bit and go back and check it out again before I'm convinved. Not so much in this case! The moment I saw this bag at the local REI I knew North Face got it right. The medium is the perfect everyday size. This is my new throw bag, you know the bag that seems to get everything thrown in it all the time, and is durable enough to be thrown in the bed of the truck and take on the elements and the beating. My only beef with this bag was the backpack straps. Before I even used the bag I fixed the buckles North Face chose. Cut them off and replaced them with some side-release buckles. A few dollars went a long way in making the straps not only more useful, but easily detached in seconds when not needed. Other than that, solid bag and I would consider a Large or X-Large in the future.

I use this bag for two fairly disparate purposes: travel and BJJ class. For travel, this bag holds everything I am willing to let TSA agents *try* to steal (cable lock method has proven highly effective), and for BJJ, this holds my gis (2), rashguards, first-aid kit, large container of sanitary wipes, large towel, toiletries, and a change of clothes. Whether getting it to the airport or to the locker room, I really wish it had a shoulder strap. I don't like putting it on my back (which, although it has backpack straps, it truly wasn't designed for), which means I'm left carrying it in one hand, rather than slung across my body, thereby leaving two hands free for other uses. This would be a solid, 5-star bag if it just came with this one additional option. Build quality is solid and it's a sharp looking piece. Hope they update it!

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.

About to use it for the first time on a trip to Australia and New Zealand and, being a bag freak, I am really looking forward to seeing this item perform. I bought it because of its reputation for durability, roominess, compressibility and no-nonsense design, and now that I have the bag in my hands I have no doubt that this was a wise investment. The only suggestion I have (and it's not a deal killer) is that the backpack straps should be made so that they are easily removable so they can be stored inside when not needed.

Two things first, one I was not supposed to buy a bag during my trip to the east coast. But my airline messed up with my bag, when I got it back it was reaped open with some of my clothes sticking out. Second, I've been looking and fantasizing about this bag for a long time now (okay! okay! Fantasizing was too much.). YeahI did like it even before. So now I had the reason to buy. Bought it during my stop in Virginia. To my delight it was on sale. Hurrah!! No more questions. I bought it! It is a very sturdy bag and very versatile. I can take it to my long overseas trip or even just for camping here in California. It has a sling or can be used as a backpack. Moreover, I found it in bright colors. What's good about this? I can easily spot it from 100 yards away. No more ribbons or any ropes on my luggage just to make it pop out of the rest. When I don't use it, it folds perfectly and it does not occupy a lot of space.