REI Co-op  Big Haul 40 Duffel

I just packed this bag for a 4 day trip and there was plenty of room for all of my clothes, gear, toiletries, etc. The materials are top quality, the zipper pulls are wrapped so they won’t come undone, there’s loads of pockets to put things. The option to carry via the handle, the sling or backpack straps makes this incredibly versatile. Love everything about this duffel so far!

Starting with a handful of negatives: -The backpack straps are permanently attached to the inside of the lid on one end. I personally won’t be using them much so this is a bit of a waste of space for me. -The shoulder strap connections are plastic. With a weeks worth of clothes I could feel them flex a bit when carrying the bag. They could be a bit tougher. The connection point is not the typical d ring but after using it I found it just fine. -I wouldn’t mind like one more inside pocket. -The price is just ok, cheaper than the bigger brand alternatives but not by a ton. Now the positives: -Burly all around. No wear at all after dragging it around California for a week. Just enough structure to be easy to pack. -Solid compression straps. They work well and moosh things down enough to easily tuck into an overhead bin. -The mesh pocket in the underside of the lid is pretty great, wouldn’t mind a bit more stretchiness to use it for laundry but it works well. -Pairs very well with packing cubes. Tons of room for a week of travel. -I did not expect to be able to get it back into the storage bag but it was surprisingly easy. Makes it much more compact between trips. I was hopeful that this may be a viable one bag option (I travel with a 35-42L backpack often), it may be for some but not for me. Just not quite enough small pockets and it would be tough to smash small enough to go under a plane seat. That said I like it more than a roller bag and it paired great with a smaller 16L backpack for the week. 4 stars as is, I can see it bumping to 5 if you catch it on sale for <$100.

This is a well made and durable medium sized duffle bag that’s great for weekend trips. It is very compact when folded up which is nice for storing it at home. The stitching feels solid and I would feel comfortable checking this bag for a flight. The material is thick and tear resistant. The optional back pack straps are great for navigating crowded areas and freeing up your hands. I was able to fit 5 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of pants, 7 days worth of undergarments/socks, 4 collared shirts, 2 tank tops, 8 t shirts, AND a pair of flip flops in this thing. Large enough to haul what you need, small enough to not be cumbersome. The additional side cinch straps/buckles are great for compressing the bag when it’s not completely full to prevent having a floppy bag. Also came with a detachable padded shoulder strap which came in handy while traveling with this duffle while also having a back pack. I foresee this pack lasting a very long time and look forward to lugging my stuff in it for many years to come.

I normally use a backpack when camping, but this duffel is a great alternative. It’s easier to pack, and the wide opening allows you to find and grab what you need without digging around. The bonus it can also can be carried like a backpack. The interior packet is study and helps keeps smaller items organized without taking space away from the main compartment. The small exterior pocket is nice for keeping essentials like keys and wallet accessible. My only minor criticism is I wish the water resistant side faced away from your body when carrying as a backpack. That said, it doesn’t take away from the functionality.  Overall, this is a fantastic bag with excellent versatility. It’s well designed, practical, and suitable for travel, camping or day-to-day use.

I love that this bag converts from a duffel to a backpack with the addition of a few straps! Makes it a definite one bag, easy packing for all of our family adventures