The Best Rolling Duffel Bags, Tested and Reviewed

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The Best Rolling Duffel Bags, Tested and Reviewed

Any savvy traveler knows that investing in the right travel gear can make or break your travel experience for years to come. Rolling duffel bags are popular alternatives to traditional four-wheel suitcases for their flexibility, lightness, and mobility. While there are hundreds of options out on the market, we’ve already done all the heavy lifting for you. We put 34 products through our ringer of tests (including packing them to the brim to test their capacity; beating them with baseball bats to test durability; and steering them through an obstacle course to test maneuverability) to find you the crème de la crème of durable, functional, and stylish rolling duffel bags.

After exhaustive testing and six months of additional real-world testing, we’ve discovered our, and hopefully your, favorite rolling duffels, including perfect picks for carry-on only travelers, campers, outdoor enthusiasts, and more.

Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag 100L
PHOTO: Backcountry

With a whopping 100-liter capacity, this duffel somehow manages to be extremely spacious while still being quite sleek. It features a large main compartment, a zippered side pocket, and mesh pockets for packing smaller items like loose cables. Even when we tried packing it to the brim, we still had plenty of room to spare, and you could maximize the duffel’s packing capacity further by tightly rolling your clothes or even using packing cubes.

Crafted from durable recycled polyester ripstop with weather-resistant, recycled TPU-film laminate (in other words: it’s waterproof), the duffel emerged from a couple of rounds with a baseball bat virtually unscathed. Its wheels maneuvered pretty smoothly considering its large size, although it could be difficult for smaller individuals to move it around, especially when navigating busy airports. We also noticed after regularly using the bag for months that it sometimes falls over when fully packed because it is front-heavy. If you’re looking for a more manageable size, it’s also available in 40-liter and 70-liter versions.

The Details: Checked | 32.6 x 16 x 13.7 inches | 9.3 pounds | 100-liter capacity | 900D recycled polyester ripstop with DWR finish

Away The Outdoor Rolling Duffel 85L
PHOTO: Away

We were seriously impressed with how rugged and durable Away’s 85-liter rolling duffel is. A polycarbonate backing gives the bag its structure, while the rest of the duffel is crafted from water- and abrasion-resistant recycled polyester fabric, which gives the bag an overall light feel. Aside from a few minor scuffs near the bottom of its two wheels, the duffel emerged virtually unscathed after we hit it a couple of times with a metal bat, which leads us to believe that it’ll be able to withstand the wear and tear of travel.

The duffel’s main compartment is cavernous, and we found that we could pack all of our essentials and gear, including a sleeping bag, with plenty of room to spare. Inside, you’ll find compression straps and two zippered mesh pockets inside of the bag’s lid that are ideal for stowing away smaller items like magazines, cables, or even socks and underwear. The duffel’s exterior features a zippered pocket at the base of its adjustable handle, three additional handles on each of the bag’s remaining sides, and two security straps to further compress your items. The handle worked well, but we didn’t love that the tracks are visible inside the bag because you have to pack around them.

The Details: Checked | 30.5 x 16.1 x 11 inches | 7.96 pounds | 85-liter capacity | Polycarbonate back shell, recycled polyester duffel body | Weather-resistant

Ogio Terminal Travel Bag
PHOTO: Ogio

If you love built-in organization, look no further than the Ogio Terminal Travel Bag. Even the most disorganized of packers will be converted to order thanks to the duffels’ slew of external and internal compartments that can fit up to two weeks’ of clothes. We appreciated the bag’s variety of external handles, which make loading it into a car or onto a luggage rack a piece of cake, and we found that its wheels roll very smoothly. With a 95-liter capacity, the bag is large and spacious without being bulky, and it’s rugged enough to take on an outdoor adventure or road trip.

The Details: Checked | 29 x 16 x 13 inches | 10.6 pounds | 95-liter capacity | 420D doby nylon

Travelers Club Xpedition Multi-Pocket Upright Rolling Duffel Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

We packed this duffel to the max with two weeks’ worth of winter gear and still had plenty of room left to spare. It has a cavernous main compartment, perfect for packing away bulkier clothing items, and is covered in external pockets that made staying organized a breeze. Its handle, while sturdy, is a bit on the thinner side, and its wheels are smaller, which can make rolling this checked bag around busy airports a bit of a struggle. For under $50, though, you’ll have a hard time finding a better rolling duffel, and it comes in a wide range of colors for an option that will stand out at baggage claim, too.

The Details: Checked | 30 x 12 x 13 inches | 8 pounds | 77-liter capacity | Polyester

Tumi Alpha 3 Large Split 2-Wheeled Duffel
PHOTO: Amazon

As is the case with many Tumi bags, this duffel is designed incredibly well, balancing both functionality, quality, and style. It features a spacious main compartment that is great for storing bulkier clothing items, as well as a zippered bottom compartment that you can use to pack away everything from shoes, toiletry bags, and additional packing cubes. It’s crafted from high-quality ballistic nylon that feels durable and luxurious, and we were especially impressed by how easily it was to maneuver over a variety of surfaces, including concrete and carpet. While this duffel doesn’t come cheap, its stylish, durable exterior and slew of organization features make it a worthy investment for anyone who travels often.  

The Details: Checked | 16 x 30.3 x 14 inches | 11 pounds | 98-liter capacity | Ballistic nylon

Eagle Creek 130L Cargo Hauler
PHOTO: Amazon

The word spacious doesn’t even cut it when it comes to describing this large duffel’s storage capacity. It packs an astonishing 130 liters of volume and weighs less than 5 pounds when empty, making it one of our favorite lightweight luggage options. Even with a near-negligible weight, the duffel is built to withstand the wear and tear of travel. It’s crafted from an abrasion-resistant material that not only looks high-quality but is also next-level durable. Best of all: it can convert into a backpack (which can justify the fact that it won’t stand upright) and comes with its own packing cube, which is just the cherry on top. 

The Details: Checked | 34 x 13.75 x 15 inches | 4.4 pounds | 129-liter capacity | 800D nylon dobby, 1680D ballistic polyester, recycled 200D polyester

Vera Bradley Foldable Rolling Duffel Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

Crafted with ReActive, a lightweight, durable, water-repellent material made from recycled water bottles, this sleek carry-on duffel has the added benefit of folding down neatly for storage when not in use — a boon for those with limited storage space. It features an interior curtain that you can zipper to separate the top and bottom compartments for next-level organization and a large mesh slip pocket in the main compartment to store smaller items like loose cables and socks and underwear. Its hefty bottom compartment also has plenty of space to store multiple pairs of shoes. And since this is Vera Bradley we’re talking about, there are several whimsical prints you can choose from to help you shine at baggage claim — even the all-black version we tested has a colorful interior print.

The Details: Carry-on | 21 x 13 x 10 inches | 4.82 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Ripstop polyester | Water repellent

Thule Chasm 32 Inch Wheeled Duffel
PHOTO: Thule

When it comes to bulk, the Thule Chasm Wheeled Duffel is uniquely designed to pack away even the most voluminous of gear. The bag’s main compartment is basically just one giant, deep pocket that’s perfect for large and bulky items. Packing is made easier thanks to an additional pocket on the top with a mesh opening between it and the main compartment, as well as two mesh zipper pockets on the lid to keep smaller items organized and secure. 

Our main gripe is that the bag is quite large and difficult to maneuver, even though its wheels glide smoothly. That being said, we were especially impressed with how durable the bag proved to be during our tests, taking our baseball bat beatings like a champ. Its outer in particular — which is crafted from recycled, water-resistant polyester — seems exceptionally tear-resistant and thick, so it’s great for anyone looking to get the most out of their luggage.

The Details: Checked | 32 x 15.4 x 16.9 inches | 10.2 pounds | 110-liter capacity | Recycled 900D polyester | Water repellent

Gonex Rolling Duffel Bag With Wheels
PHOTO: Amazon

Budget and value aren’t always synonymous, and many bags sacrifice durability, functionality, and style for a lower price point. This rolling duffel from Gonex delivers quality at a very attractive price point and is on par with many of the more expensive products on this list. After testing this bag, we think the wheels glide smoothly, its handle is easy to fold, and its design — half-suitcase, half-duffel with a structured, durable bottom half, a fabric upper flap, and plenty of external and internal pockets — put this duffel ahead of the competition and make it a great value for the price point. We also love that it’s waterproof.

The Details: Checked | 33.5 x 16 x 15 inches | 10.47 pounds | 100-liter capacity | 1200D PVC | Waterproof

Mark & Graham Terminal 1 Checked Rolling Duffle Bag
PHOTO: Mark & Graham

Nothing screams luxury like personalization, especially when it’s coupled with a sleek yet ultraspacious bag. In fact, Travel + Leisure Senior Editor Jasmine Grant said she “couldn’t ask for more room in a duffel bag” as she tested it. This Mark & Graham duffel is large enough to fit several days worth of clothes and accessories in the main compartment and couple pairs of shoes in the separate shoe compartment on top of the bag. While the bag did lack organizational features and pockets beyond the shoe compartment, we felt they wasn’t necessary anyway — the bag is structured so the items inside don’t ball up, and it zips opens wide enough to see everything inside easily.

Thanks to its stylish features like gold hardware, a structured design, and the option to add an embroidered monogram (at an extra cost of $15), we felt sleek and luxurious while we were testing it out. The monogram options are plentiful and attractive (you can choose from 19 styles, 11 colors, and three character lengths), and we noticed they’re high quality — no tearing or fraying expected.

The Details: Checked | 28 x 12.5 x 16 inches | 8.5 pounds | Recycled polyester with polyurethane trim

Samsonite Just Right Weekend Wheeled Duffel
PHOTO: Samsonite

Just as its name implies, this Samsonite duffel is just right. It’s perfect for a weekend away or a quick business trip and has smart features to make business feel like pleasure — think: a front zippered pocket with an integrated USB charging port, a front pocket with a tech organization panel, a padded laptop sleeve, and even a removable wristlet. We especially loved that we could carry it by its handles, shoulder straps, or by rolling it, so you can find what works best for you when on the go. Featuring a retractable push-button handle and sturdy wheels that glide like butter on a variety of surfaces, this weekender is ideal for quick trips. 

The Details: Carry-on | 21.46 x 11.2 x 11.81 inches | 4.81 pounds | Nylon, polyurethane, polyester

Other Rolling Duffels We Liked

Some rolling duffels we tested couldn’t quite earn a spot on our list but had standout features that may meet the needs of some travelers.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Two-wheel Duffel: This luxury rolling duffel definitely delivers on the style front. We especially liked that it had both a large duffel section and a flat packing section, but it is on the more expensive side and only had one exterior pocket.

Travelpro Bold by Travelpro Check-in Drop-bottom Expandable Rolling Duffel: This rolling duffel is made from a rugged, water-repellant and stain-resistant polyester fabric and comes with a reinforced telescoping handle, but it’s incredibly bulky and may be difficult to store.

Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel: This water-resistant bag is great for inclement weather and rough handling conditions, but the exterior handles were awkward to hold, and we wish there was an additional handle to carry the bag horizontally.

Our Testing Process

In our quest to find the best-of-the-best wheeled bags, we combed the marketplace and narrowed our top selections down to 34 rolling duffels that then underwent a vigorous luggage testing process over a six-month period. We weighed them with luggage scales while empty before filling carry-on duffels with a week’s worth of clothes and checked duffels with closer to two week’s worth of clothes. We considered organizational and storage features such as padded sleeves, compression straps, pockets, and external daisy chains. We obsessed over how every single zipper opened and closed, too.

The tests continued as we rolled the duffels back and forth across a range of surfaces to assess their maneuverability, rolling them on everything from smooth lab floors to high-pile carpets. We even set up an obstacle course to make sure these bags can turn on a dime, taking notes on how smooth the wheels and handles felt under pressure. And, perhaps most fun of all, we took a baseball bat to each bag to test them for durability. We also threw the bags off tables to check for wear and tear. Ultimately, we chose our favorites for this list.

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Tips for Buying a Rolling Duffel Bag

Check your airline’s size requirements

Even the perfect rolling duffel won’t be much use to you if it doesn’t meet your airline’s size requirements for carry-on or checked luggage, so be sure to check online before committing to a new bag. This is especially important when it comes to carry-on duffel bags. It’s also worth mentioning that since duffel bags lend themselves to being stuffed to the brim, you may want to consider how much your bag weighs, especially if it’s on the larger side (or invest in a good luggage scale so you don’t go over any airline weight limits).

Consider organizational features

With a roomy duffel bag, you may be tempted to go with a “more is more” mentality when it comes to packing, especially with the higher-volume duffels that have truly enormous main compartments. But it’s worth considering the smaller options, too. Different models of bags come with different varieties of internal and external organizational features such as zippered compartments, padded laptop or tablet sleeves, or even included packing cubes. It all depends on how organized you’d like to be and how much you’ll depend on your bag itself to keep you organized.

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Look for multiple carrying options

A duffel, once packed, can vary widely in terms of bulk and weight, and a good bag will keep up with you in every environment. You’ll want to make sure your bag has a variety of straps so you can carry it in multiple ways, whether that’s by hand via a top handle, by its telescoping handle as you roll it down long airport hallways, or perhaps by convertible backpack or crossbody straps for other alternatives.

Prioritize durable materials

The right duffel bag can last a lifetime, especially if you buy one made from the right materials. This is the kind of bag you’ll probably be checking at airports, stashing under buses, and really putting through the ringer in terms of durability, so look for materials that are up for the challenge. Ripstop fabrics in particular are extremely durable but also lightweight, and products coated with DWR or other weather-resistant materials are an added bonus.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I pick a duffel bag over a suitcase?

    Choosing a duffel bag over a suitcase is, at the end of the day, a purely personal choice. While duffel bags may lack the structural protection of a traditional suitcase, they’re also much more flexible, lightweight, and easy to carry. Like suitcases, duffel bags come in various shapes and sizes that can best suit your needs, whether you’re planning a carry-on-only trip or need something with a little more storage capacity.

  • How do I wash a duffel bag?

    It’s usually best practice to always read the manufacturer’s instructions prior to washing your duffel bag. Most duffel bags can be easily cleaned with a warm, damp rag and some soap. All duffel bags should be left to thoroughly air dry to maintain their shape and quality.

  • How do I pack a rolling duffel bag?

    To effectively pack a rolling duffel bag, you should start by lining the bottom with heavier items, such as shoes, toiletry bags, and boxes. Next, tightly roll and pack your bulkier clothing items like jackets and shoes. You should pack lighter clothing items like T-shirts closer to the top. Rolling your clothes military-style doesn’t only save space but also helps prevent pesky wrinkles from ruining your travel outfits.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Asia London Palomba is an updates writer at T+L, where she writes and updates articles about a variety of topics. She frequently tests out travel gear and accessories on trips home to Italy and around the world. For this article, she compiled a list based on long-term testing insights by her fellow T+L writers and editors.

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