We began our research by poring through brand websites, reading bag blogs, and surveying a multitude of review sites. We divided the field into several broad categories: duffels for everyday use plus weekend trips and longer travel, backpack duffels, packable duffels, and duffels meant to haul adventure gear. Working from an initial list of 88 possible contenders, we considered each duffel’s design, accessibility, size, features, organization, materials, price, and warranty. Using those criteria, we narrowed the list down to 33 bags that we called in for hands-on evaluation.
To test the duffels, I packed and unpacked each one and used them as much as possible in my day-to-day life. With every bag I tested, I asked myself, “Would I live with this bag? Could it replace something I already have?” Specifically, I looked at the following:
Ease of use and accessibility: How easy is the bag to pack, unpack, and otherwise use in everyday situations? Does it have enough pockets? Are they well organized and well placed? I also kept a close eye on the zippers and how they acted, tugging them from different angles. It was especially important to me that the zippers on our picks were easy to open on the go, even when the bag was hanging from a shoulder.
Carrying comfort: A great bag is pretty useless if it isn’t comfortable to heft and cart around. After I loaded up each bag with as much gear, clothes, sneakers, books, and the usual ephemera of life as I could, I carried it around. I spend a lot of my time on the move, so each of our potential picks became — at least for a short while — something of an everyday-carry companion in my life until I understood the bag’s character.
Quality of the materials: Most bags are made from one of a handful of fabrics (nylon, waxed canvas, polyester). I paid special attention to the material’s weight, heft, and weave, as well as any special tech like TPU coatings.
Weight: Duffels should be light enough to carry easily but not so light that they feel flimsy or about to tear. Most of our picks weigh less than 3.5 pounds.
Cost: We eliminated any duffels that we determined were overpriced for what they were. You do get what you pay for in this category, though, and better quality and materials are often worth spending just a little more.
Guarantee or warranty: Not all company policies are equal. We favored bags that came with a warranty of two years or more.
