We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel Products Luggage + Bags Suitcases + Duffel Bags The 8 Best Duffel Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed These bags will save you space, time, and headaches from overly complicated backpacks and suitcases. By Joe Niehaus Joe Niehaus Joe Niehaus has been working in commerce and reviewing products for several years. He's reviewed products for sites like The Quality Edit and The Adult Man and worked with brands like Nike and Canada Goose. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 23, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOur Testing Process Others We Liked Tips For Buying FAQ Other Duffels We've Written About Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim We’ve all been there: gearing up for a long weekend trip with friends or a significant other. Or maybe a quick work trip for that special client. Either way, it’s not a long enough duration to justify a carry-on suitcase or checked bag, but you still need to make sure you have enough room for a few changes of clothes and accessories. We gathered up 56 of the best duffel bags available and are putting them to the test in the Travel + Leisure lab. We judged them based on capacity, organization, design, portability, durability, and value, and will continue to test them for an additional six months to make sure they stand up to real traveling. These are the best duffel bags for any trip you may be taking, whether skiing or jetting off to a sunny destination. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bellroy Classic Weekender 45L at Amazon ($189) Jump to Review Best Style: Monos Metro Carry-All Duffel at Monos.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Commuters: July Carry All Weekender at July.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Convertible: Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffel Bag at Dagnedover.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best With Shoe Compartment: Calpak Luka Duffel Bag at Nordstrom ($128) Jump to Review Best for Camping: Yeti Crossroads Duffel Bag at Amazon ($250) Jump to Review Best Budget: Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag at Gonexsport.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Long Trips: Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag at Amazon ($127) Jump to Review Best Overall Bellroy Classic Weekender 45L PHOTO: Amazon $189 At Amazon $189 At Nordstrom View On Bellroy.com Why We Love It This weekender is lightweight and easy to pack. What to Consider We wish the clips that attach the crossbody strap to the bag were made of metal rather than plastic. We think the Bellroy Classic Weekender 45 is the overall best duffel bag you can buy. It’s more affordable than many of its counterparts and earned a perfect score during testing. While measuring its storage capacity, we found that it easily had space for four days of clothing and shoes, and we made special note of the accessibility of the wide mouth. Other bags on our list may have more pockets, but the storage of the Bellroy Classic Weekender is extremely useful, including a huge outer pocket that has a key leash and internal organization for small items like passports, wallets, or a phone. The three inner pockets are modest but are ideal for keeping all of your knick knacks close by. Snacks, chargers, sunglasses, or anything else you may need to find are all available with just a quick glance. Another other area that the bag accels in is portability. It comes with two hand straps and a longer crossbody strap, the latter of which kept it secure against our body when fully packed but also made it comfortable to carry with just a few items in it. When compared to another bag we tested that was the same exact size and packed with the same exact items, this Bellroy duffel felt so much lighter and easier to carry. Some large duffels get bulky and cumbersome on the shoulder, but this was not the case for the Bellroy — it stayed magically lightweight, and we can picture carrying this long distances through airports and train stations. The Details: 14.96 x 25.59 x 15.75 inches | 2.16 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Polyester | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Best Style Monos Metro Carry-All Duffel PHOTO: Monos View On Monos.com Why We Love It This vegan leather bag looks sleek and expensive, but it won’t break the bank. What to Consider It would function better as a supplement travel companion than a do-it-all bag. If you’re on the hunt for a duffel bag that won’t make you look like you’re just leaving the YMCA, pick up the Monos Carry All Duffel, our pick for the most stylish of the bunch. It comes in four colors, each of which looks exceptionally fashion-forward and is made from vegan leather that will only get better with time. (Without completely draining your wallet like real leather would.) We were big fans of the roomy interior and the thoughtful organization, which we think kept the large main compartment from becoming too much of a mess, even when fully packed for a four-day trip. If this four-day trip involves a lot of walking, we aren't worried. We loved the comfort of the two hand straps and were impressed by the versatility and comfort of the shoulder strap — the shoulder pad was plush and didn’t fall up and down the strap. The Details: 20 x 12 x 10.4 inches | 4.14 pounds | 27.3-liter capacity | Vegan leather Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Best for Commuters July Carry All Weekender PHOTO: July View On July.com Why We Love It This versatile bag shines in crowded places where space is at a premium. What to Consider It may not be able to hold enough for a full weekend away. Ideal for the commuter that travels by plane, train, or automobile, the compact, super portable Carry All Weekender from July is a great pick for short trips, either to work, the gym, as a personal item on a plane, or on a quick two-day vacation. The bag has an internal laptop sleeve and pockets to keep small items in their rightful place, while the easy-to-pack main compartment holds onto the clothes you’re toting along with you. We do wish it had a bit more storage, though, just to be safe. The bag comes with a pass-through band so you can easily add it to your rolling luggage when trips go beyond a few days, while the brand’s signature QuickPass pocket uses a powerful magnet as its closing mechanism, meaning you won’t have to fuss with a zipper each time you reach for your passport or wallet. It also features a removable padded shoulder strap and external D rings to use as attachment points. The Details: 10.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches | 2.2 pounds | 28-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best Convertible Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffel Bag PHOTO: Dagne Dover View On Dagnedover.com Why We Love It It’s one of the most versatile bags we tested, with the ability to convert it from a duffel into a backpack. What to Consider It’s much pricier than other bags on this list. If you prefer a duffel bag that you can wear in any which way, the Lagos Convertible Duffel is an excellent choice. It’s got hard-wearing hand straps, just like your average duffel, but you can also transform it into a crossbody or a backpack depending on where you’re going, what you’re doing and if you might need to use your hands. While its cavernous, pocket-laden interior is easily able to fit all of your gear, we loved that it still could be made small enough to count as a personal item on an airplane, leaving your carry-on slot for something bigger. The bag weighs just over two pounds when empty, so it’s easy to fold up and stow in that carry-on if you think you might be bringing home more than you left with. We also found that it was exceptionally durable and water-resistant. The Details: 16 x 11 x 11 inches | 2.15 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Polyester Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Best With Shoe Compartment Calpak Luka Duffel Bag PHOTO: Calpak $128 At Nordstrom View On Calpaktravel.com $128 At The Container Store Why We Love It The shoe compartment makes this an essential bag for sneakerheads. What to Consider This might not be big enough for longer weekend trips, but it does come in a larger size. We found that the Calpak Luka was perfect for two-day trips, but could easily be used on longer trips as a supplemental bag or personal item. The multiple interior pockets are ideal for socks and underwear, while the shoe compartment holds either two pairs of regular shoes or one pair of boots — a must have feature for a shoe aficionado. The thick polyester material is nice to the touch, but we suspect that it won't be as long-lasting as some of the other bags on this list. However, at just over $100, this bag is chic enough to turn heads and spacious enough to keep all your gear in one place, including that ever important extra pair of kicks. It also comes in an impressive color range no matter what your taste. The Details: 12 x 16 x 7 inches | 2.1 pounds | 22-liter capacity | Polyester | Water-resistant Best for Camping Yeti Crossroads Duffel Bag PHOTO: Yeti $250 At Amazon $250 At Dick's View On Yeti.com Why We Love It This durable bag is built to last, with abrasion-resistant material that will stand up to rugged camping trips. What to Consider This is too large to be a carry-on, and the shoulder strap could be more comfortable. Like all Yeti products, this duffel looks and feels like it was built to last, making it the ideal option for camping trips and rugged adventures. It's made of a proprietary TuffSkin nylon that helps the bag keep its shape and resist damage and dirt. The bottom of the bag is made of a harder shell for extra protection (though this means it can't pack down teeny tiny for storage). The Crossroads's interior organization features really stood out during testing with two dividers that create three sections for separating different types of items and several smaller pockets for belongings like phones, wallets, and chargers. Two exterior pockets on the top provide yet more slots for your stuff (though these two pockets are pretty small). The bag has three handles for carrying — one on each end and another on top — as well as a detachable shoulder strap. The strap has a firm, flat section meant to mold to your shoulder area, but it could be a little more comfortable. Overall, it's a sturdy, durable piece with good organization, and it's a great choice for longer trips or outdoor camping adventures. Plus, the three-year warranty will give you some peace of mind as you take it on its first few forays into the wilderness. The Details: 24 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches | 4.3 pounds | 60-liter capacity | Nylon Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Tripsavvy / Nick Kova The 11 Best Weekender Bags With Separate Shoe Compartments, Tested and Reviewed Best Budget Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon View On Gonexsport.com Why We Love It It's comfortable to carry and has generous side pockets. What to Consider Because you can pack so much in it, this bag becomes heavy quickly and can be difficult to carry. Our favorite things about the Gonex Canvas are the price, flexibility, pockets, and durability. We love the sheer number of pockets and zippered compartments that it has. Aside from the main compartment, there are five additional zippered compartments on the outside, and the inside has an additional zippered pouch and two pockets for holding your wallet, keys, phone, and other small items. Plus, it's one of the best lightweight luggage options on the market. The strap handles for this bag can be secured together under a flap, and the shoulder strap is nicely padded; carrying it was comfortable. The exterior canvas won't attract dirt, and the bag protected all cargo and showed no damage or scuffs during our durability testing. We also love that there are several color options and patterns to choose from. The Details: 17 x 11 x 10 inches | 2.8 pounds | 50-liter capacity | Cotton canvas Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Best for Long Trips Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $127 At Amazon $133 At REI $130 At backcountry.com Why We Love It It comes with a packing cube, and it's made of strong materials. What to Consider It doesn't have any external pockets. Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well. We were all impressed with the durable, waterproof tarpaulin exterior and the spacious, pocketed interior — though an exterior pocket or two would have been nice. It even comes with a packing cube that can be used for clothing, toiletries, or a smaller pair of shoes. Coming in four sizes, we also loved that the bag can be held either by the handles or by the very comfortable backpack straps. It's a bit strange that there's no shoulder strap option, but we did not find ourselves missing it. The Chasm nailed our durability tests and is a great option for longer trips or even weekends in the outdoors. The Details: 29 x 17 x 13 inches | 4.4 pounds | 90-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant The Spruce / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Our Testing Process We've tested duffel bags on multiple occasions in our New York City lab, trying out 56 bags overall. First, we weighed each duffel bag with a luggage scale and noted whether the weight was the same as the weight listed by the manufacturer. Then we measured the length, width, and depth (height) of each bag and made the same comparison. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Next, we got packing. We ordered dozens of identical outfits and packed three pairs of pants (a mix of jeans and sweats), two coats (one fleece, one jacket), five shirts, two pairs of shoes, a full toiletry bag, and a coffee mug into each bag. We answered questions that included: how well does everything fit? Is there enough space to keep the clothes tidy, or do you really have to jam them in there? Can you zip it up easily? We also took careful notes of the organizational and structural features of each bag as we packed, looking for useful pockets, compartments, sleeves, and other features. Then we walked around carrying each bag after it was packed, spending several minutes trying out each possible carrying method and noting comfort and ease levels. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Finally, with the bags fully packed and zipped closed, we pushed them off of a ladder or table several times each, trying to make them land on different parts of the bag each time. We examined them for scratches, marks, scuffs, etc., and we opened the interior to be sure everything held up. We then carried the bags around again to check for any changes or problems. After our lab testing process, we sorted through our team's feedback and analyzed the information to recommend the highest quality products. We continued to test each of the winners over the course of six months to make sure they held up in our real travels. We also will continue to update this article as we test even more duffel bags worth buying. Every Duffel and Weekender Bag We've Tested Other Duffel Bags We Liked Some of the duffel bags we tested did not make our list of recommendations. They all had positive attributes, but a few things held them back. The North Face Base Camp Medium Duffel Bag: This bag performed so-so on most of our tests, but a finicky zipper that kept getting stuck kept it off our winners list. Tumi Double Expansion Travel Satchel: The bag looks good but it's a little too expensive for the very limited capacity. Baboon to the Moon Go-bag Big: While spacious, we found it awkward to carry for longer than a minute or two. Carhartt Trade Series 2-in-1 Packable Duffel with Utility Pouch: It was fine overall, but the near-complete lack of organizational features meant it was not a standout. Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Briggs & Riley Weekender Duffel: This straightforward bag has everything you need for a weekend trip. It’s not packed with features or fashion, but if you’re looking for a standard, no-fuss option, this duffel may be for you. Herschel Bennett Duffel: With a special shoe compartment and a suite of pockets, this bag from Herschel is one of the most spacious duffels we tried. While we wish it had a dedicated laptop sleeve, we think it’s great for someone who’s looking for a large duffel bag. Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Tips for Buying a Duffel Bag Comfort is key If your duffel bag doesn't roll, then you will be carrying it, so you want to make sure it's comfortable to do so. Look for duffels that are lightweight and have padded straps, as well as different carrying options. Many duffels come with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap so you can ensure your bag is the perfect length for you. Consider a convertible duffel with backpack straps if carrying by hand or perhaps a rolling duffel with wheels. A good goal may also be to find a bag under three pounds so it starts out lightweight and won't minimize the amount of items you can pack. Know your organization needs Some duffels are simply single compartments, some have dividers, some have lots of pockets. For business travel, look for bags with laptop sleeves and pouches for things like chargers, keys, and wallets. If you're more of the spur-of-the-moment roadtripping type, a simple one-compartment bag lets you throw all your belongings in with ease and without too much thinking. If you want to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones or your shoes away from your shirts, look for a bag with interior dividers. It's a matter of personal choice; just be sure to pay attention to details about pockets, pouches, shoe bags, and other special features before making your purchase. Look for durable materials Whether your travels include packing for an Irish vacation or a hike to your local campground, you need a bag that will survive the journey. Bags made of materials like nylon, polyester, and most vinyls are likely to be waterproof, protecting your bag from the elements. Meanwhile canvas and leather bags may not be water-resistant, but the thick and durable materials should prevent against rips and tears. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Frequently Asked Questions Is a duffel bag considered a carry-on or a personal item? It all depends on the size. There’s no hard-and-fast rule because duffel bag sizes widely vary. But as a general rule, if your duffel bag can fit beneath the seat in front of you, it’ll be considered a personal item. If it’s too big to fit underneath an airplane seat, you will then need to place it in the overhead bin, and it will be counted as a carry-on. If the bag exceeds your airline's carry-on size restrictions, you will need to check it. Can you check a duffel bag? Yes, in almost all cases you can check a duffel bag. Just be sure to secure the straps and handles so they don’t get caught during processing. If you have a high-end duffel bag, just be careful as checked baggage is susceptible to rough handling during transit. And keep in mind that if the duffel bag does not have a lot of protective padding, your items inside may break, so be sure to keep any fragile or valuable items in your carry-on. How do you pack a duffel bag? It’s best to pack your heavier items first so that they act as an anchor and keep your bag in position. Apparel such as shirts and pants should be rolled up in the shape of a cylinder to prevent wrinkling. Then you can store smaller items such as socks or accessories in the extra free space or in dedicated pockets. You can also use compression packing cubes to help make the most of your space. How do you clean a duffel bag? How you clean a duffel bag will depend on the material and the manufacturer's recommendations. Sometimes bags are machine washable, but we'd suggest spot cleaning to play it safe. You can usually use mild dish soap and a damp cloth or paper towel to get out dirt or stains. Water-resistant materials may help protect your bag more than materials like cotton or canvas. Other Duffels We've Written About If none of the duffel bags above are catching your eye, here are some other standout duffels that may suit your needs. Patagonia Wheeled Duffel Bag: Having a wheeled option means you can easily roll your duffel around the airport instead of carrying on your shoulder, and this Patagonia option is our favorite out of all the wheeled duffel bags we've tested. It comes in three sizes, and we tested the massive 100-liter version, which is impressively spacious. Travel + Leisure/Jhett Thompson Yeti Panga Dry Duffel: If you need something that will stand up to rainy destinations, this large Yeti bag is our favorite waterproof duffel. In fact, you can fully submerge it in water three feet deep for up to 30 minutes, and nothing inside will get wet thanks to the locking, leakproof zipper. Aer Travel Weekender: If you're looking for something smaller in size that you won't have to pay to check, this 35-liter weekender topped our list of our favorite carry-on duffel bags. It's easy to carry with the adjustable shoulder strap, and it has a padded laptop pocket. Royce New York Leather Duffel Bag: This pebbled leather duffel is our top pick for leather duffel bags, serving as a stylish carry-all for weekends away. There's an option to monogram the bag for a special touch. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this story, writer Joe Niehaus went through T+L testing feedback and data, read through customer reviews, and consulted the manufacturer’s product descriptions. Joe is also an experienced traveler and recognizes common pain points when searching for travel baggage like duffel bags. The 11 Best Luggage Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit