OutdoorGearLab

While the Gregory Alpaca stands out for its great value among the sturdy, high-end bags in our lineup, the REI Roadtripper offers excellent storage and utility at nearly half the price, making it an exceptional value for a duffel bag on a budget. The Roadtripper stands out from the crowd by being so affordable and straightforward. With its reliable lightweight construction, removable shoulder sling, single external zippered pocket, and basic daisy chain system, the Roadtripper has tremendous value.  
The Roadtripper's lightweight design is mainly due to simple construction and thinner material. It also lacks some of the "fancy" features found on higher-end models, like backpack straps, compression straps, internal pockets, or extensive daisy chains. While the fabric and zipper are sturdy enough for most general use, it won't stand up to the abuse that other more robust duffels will endure. But for general use, the Roadtripper is a versatile, lightweight, affordable option.   
Read more: REI Roadtripper review

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expert-review

REI Winter Clearance: The Gear That's Too Good to Miss

Consumer Reports

What we like: It’s lightweight and comes in fun colors.

What we don't like: It has plastic hardware and a stiff zipper.

Sending a kid to college or have any athletes in the family who travel for games? Get them this reasonably priced weekender that comes in fun, youthful colors and patterns (tie-dye! florals!). It’s water-resistant, light and easy to carry, and simple—no confusing bells and whistles here. A separate compartment for shoes keeps your clothes clean, but other than that, this is a straightforward bag to get you from point A to point B.Why it’s a good deal: This is already a great low price for the quality, and the 30 percent discount makes it a great budget buy.

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Wirecutter

Made to withstand a lifetime of abuse, this was the toughest bag we tested. Its many compartments let you keep clean clothing separate from sweaty towels and sneakers. It’s expensive but it comes with a 25-year warranty.

The Best Gym Bag

Switchback Travel

For frequent travelers, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of a wheeled duffel, especially one that can be used as a carry-on. At 40 liters and with dimensions that meet size restrictions for most airlines, the TNF Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great option for air travelers who don’t pack the kitchen sink. The wheels are large yet smooth and functional over a variety of surfaces, and equally at home on the dirt roads of a far-flung village as in the airport. What’s more, the rigid internal frame and strong plastic handles (one telescoping) are durable enough to take a beating, whether you’re lifting the duffel, rolling it over cobblestones, or tossing it into the back of a truck. And with a PFC-free DWR finish, the Base Camp Voyager will keep your gear dry in the process.

What the Base Camp Voyager Roller is not, however, is a fully featured piece of luggage for business travelers. It lacks the sleek look and organizational compartments of more typical roller bags, with only one internal mesh pocket, a laptop sleeve, and a small external zip pocket. And at $240, you’ll pay a premium for the durable construction and wheeled design. For $50 less, the Osprey Daylite Carry-On 40 offers better organization, but its sophisticated appearance might not appeal to those looking for a true duffel design. In the end, the Base Camp Voyager Roller is a great combination of durability, functionality, and outdoor style. For those who want more space, TNF also makes a 29-inch version that can accommodate more than 90 liter’s worth of gear.See The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21"

A mainstay on remote expeditions around the world for decades and near the top of our lineup for several years, The North Face Base Camp is our favorite choice for a simple and rugged expedition bag. Its simple and classic design has remained mostly unchanged through the years, and its robust 1000D material is among the toughest we've tested. Both an external and internal zippered pocket help sweeten the deal. These bags have withstood the test of time for decades on expeditions to all corners of the world. On our test team alone, we own several Base Camp duffels that have years of adventurous travel behind them. 
The primary drawback of the Base Camp is its strap arrangement. The grab handles and traditional briefcase-style straps are permanently affixed and are straightforward to use, but you must thread the shoulder straps through a doubled-back buckle to remove or replace them. Many airlines require you to remove duffel bag straps, and so this adds a somewhat tedious task each time you hand off or collect your luggage. Also, the thick material shows scuffs more than other models and has a more practical look than some more elegant options. But for a simple, dependable bag that can take you to all seven continents with ease, the Base Camp is our top choice.
Read more: The North Face Base Camp review

Duffel Bag Comparison