When our 120L model is fully loaded, however, we definitely wish for wider shoulder straps with more foam. You don’t want to be carrying it for too long. Massive padded haul handles on each side of the bag are some of the largest we’ve seen, and a few sturdy lash points allow you to strap it down with confidence. We wish there was a longer daisy chain for a more even tie-down, but we made do just fine. The shoulder carry is basically the same thing as the sling carry, but you’re just popping the strap onto one shoulder instead of over your body. You’ll probably want to tighten the strap a bit more than you would in sling mode, so the bag carries higher on your body. Magnets in the straps snap together and hold them in the hand grip position, though we wish they were a bit stronger, as they come apart easily.

From a branding perspective, there are several Peak Design and “PD” logos found on the duffel, and we think they’re all quite tasteful—nothing too loud. Peak Design Travel Duffel Logos So, what’s the rub? With 50- and 70-denier fabric, this also registers as our least durable model, and the low weight means no padding and thin webbing on the straps. This won’t hold up to the same torture as the mighty StoneHauler above, or carry as comfortably, but at this weight and size, it is hard to quibble about its flimsy nature.

Materials & Aesthetic

As you might suspect, some work better than others. Starting with the hand carry, this simply involves putting the two straps together and attaching them with a magnet. The magnets aren’t the strongest ever, but your hand will be holding the straps together most of the time so it’s not a huge deal. This is a pretty functional way to carry the bag, and the magnets do make the process of lashing those straps together a bit easier. Peak Design Travel Duffel Hand Carry Outdoor-oriented specs like reinforced lash points, impenetrable 1,000-denier nylon with waterproof tarpaulin laminate, compression straps, and a multitude of carry options make this a battle-ready model for the toughest of trips. Additionally, while previous Camp 4s had nice horizontal daisy chains running the entire length of the bag, this update eliminates lash loops entirely, leaving only the haul handles and shoulder straps as tie-down options for transport. Internal compression straps are a huge bonus though, and help keep everything cinched up tight. We also like that the shoulder strap offers a nice amount of padding and that the padding goes pretty far across the strap. This is a clear improvement over what we’ve seen in some other shoulder straps in the past. Peak Design Travel Duffel Side Folded We didn’t expect our lightest duffel to also be one of our most waterproof, but aside from YETI’s Panga, this thwarted moisture more than most. Fully taped seams, sealed YKK zippers, and PU-coated 70-denier ripstop nylon combine forces to form an essentially waterproof vessel (though it’s not intended for submersion).

While we like several elements of this update, we wish they had retained some key features of previous models — namely the lid and daisy chain setup. The large U-shaped opening of old has been replaced with a single center zipper. This shaves some weight and simplifies the opening, but we just can’t get over the ease of accessing tons of gear at once that the old lid offered. Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on August 28, 2023, sprucing up our buyer’s guide section with additional information regarding value and pricing. We also added some photos and shuffled others around. The Best Duffel Bags of 2023 For most of your travel needs, a bomb-proof, fully submersible, waterproof travel duffel isn’t on the shortlist. But some adventures — like snowy winter expeditions, multi-day rafting trips, or tours through wet climates — may require such a burly bag. Vinyl or laminate finishes are common on outdoor duffels and will keep the bag’s contents dry in light to moderate rain, but water will eventually leak through zippers and seams that aren’t taped. Fully waterproof models obviously don’t have this weakness.

While there are some great budget options out there, you do get what you pay for with duffel bags. In the midst of an adventure, duffel bags serve as the barrier between your valuable cargo and the unforgiving elements. Make sure you can travel with confidence. Sometimes adventure takes us into truly adverse weather conditions, and for those times, water resistance isn't enough. If you're looking for a fully waterproof dry bag and duffel bag hybrid, the Yeti Panga 50 fits the bill. Its durable laminated high-density nylon is completely waterproof, and the opening seals shut with a HydroLok zipper. With RF welded seams, this duffel keeps the water out and the air in, even when fully submerged. For this reason, it is our go-to bag for protecting sensitive electronic equipment in wet conditions. This Yeti has a healthy amount of webbing and attachment points, plus shoulder straps, so you can just as easily carry it through the airport as lash it to an inflatable raft. However, if you’ll be keeping to controlled environments with a lot of pavement and nice walkways, these can alleviate a lot of stress on your body. Many brands also offer rolling duffels that hover around 40 L, making them suitable as carry-ons.