Do you love embarking on quick weekend getaways or have to travel often for a short work trip? Is your carry-on suitcase too large and a backpack too small to hold a few clothes and some essentials? If yes, then a reliable duffel bag will surely prove to be one of your best and most ideal travel companions. With a utilitarian design and a rather urban aesthetic, it’s a quintessential bag style that’s a must-have for every seasoned traveller.
Also, check out these fanny packs for hands-free travel when exploring cities and navigating trails.
Marked by their signature oblong shape offering a huge compartment for storage, duffel bags (also called weekender bags) are considered easy to carry owing to their twin top handles and a detachable shoulder strap. Versatile, practical and durable, they’re a balanced blend of roomy interiors and compact construction for a fuss-free carrying experience. So, whether you’re commuting between cities or dashing across the bustling airports and train stations, a duffel won’t weigh or slow you down. Moreover, most travel duffel bags easily fulfil the carry-on size requirements of airlines, making them a convenient pick as additional luggage for even longer vacations.
Apart from their functionality, the fashion prowess of duffels is another factor that’s worth considering since the designs have come a long way. Thanks to luxury fashion houses, their take on the classic silhouette has transformed the style into a must-have travel fashion accessory. With avant-garde designs (think Loewe Puzzle Fold or Balenciaga Le Cagole) there are plenty of stylish picks in a variety of materials, including leather and fabric, to choose from.
If you’re looking for one such dependable conversation starter, shop from this carefully curated list of our favourite duffel bag picks.
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Buy the best duffel bags for men and women
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Duffel Bag
Easily recognisable because of the brand’s iconic Intrecciato weave, this Bottega Veneta duffel bag in a classic black hue will surely make for a fashionable travel partner. With a detachable shoulder strap and sturdy top handles, it can be easily handheld or slung across shoulders. Its tasteful craftsmanship using calfskin leather, bonded suede and sophisticated hardware exudes opulence that’ll be appropriate for both casual and business trips.
While the main zipped compartment has an internal detachable pocket, the bag also features an external side pocket to store smaller essentials.
Image credit: Harrods
- Material Calfskin, bonded suede (lining)
- Measurement 24.6 x 13.4 x 10.4 inches
Brunello Cucinelli Leisure Bag
With its spacious compartment and many external pockets, the Brunello Cucinelli Leisure Bag’s functional design makes it an ideal option for a short work or weekend trip. Crafted in premium and refined grained calfskin leather accented by nickel-free hardware, its understated style promises timelessness that’ll last you years and never go out of fashion.
While the inner fabric lining is water-resistant, the adjustable shoulder strap can also be detached for convenience while carrying. Two external pockets on the front can be used to store essentials that require easy access such as a passport, wallet, boarding pass and ID cards.
Image credit: Farfetch
- Material Grained calfskin
- Measurement 22.44 x 13.78 x 10.24 inches
Prada Re-Nylon & Saffiano Leather Duffle Bag
The Prada duffel bag for men is a versatile piece with an understated blend of timelessness and a contemporary flair, ticking all the travel carry-on checkboxes. Apt for short getaways as well, this spacious bag is made with Re-Nylon and 100 percent leather for an elegant, premium look. The silver fastening and metal hardware further enhance the bag’s luxe appeal.
It features an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap and top leather handles for easy carrying while the internal zipper pocket can store small items like a power bank or a passport.
Image credit: Prada
- Material 100% calf leather, Re-Nylon
- Measurement 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches
Loewe Puzzle Fold Duffle Bag
If classic duffels bore you because you resonate with an eccentric aesthetic, then the Loewe Puzzle Fold should be your go-to bag. Combining a bold and edgy design in a functional make, it suffices as an ideal carry-on for all vacations. Weighing only 0.76 kg with an origami-like structure allowing it to fold flat, you can also carry it in a larger suitcase to use as an additional bag on return, stacked with souvenirs and your duty-free haul.
The detachable webbing strap features monotone branding while the classic hue of the bag allows it to be styled effortlessly with all kinds of outfits.
Image credit: Loewe
- Material Shiny calfskin
- Measurement 23.2 x 10 x 9.8 inches
Balenciaga Le Cagole Leather Holdall
The Le Cagole Leather Holdall makes for an extremely unconventional pick with its grained texture accented by silver stud embellishments. Perfect for people who love experimenting with their vacation style, it is crafted from genuine calf leather and features big side pockets apart from the main, roomy compartment. Additionally, the front zipper pocket can be used to store quick-access essentials like a passport and boarding pass.
Image credit: Farfetch
- Material 100% calf leather
- Measurement 23.6 x 10.2 x 8.2 inches
Balmain Travel Bag
Designed in the classic Balmain jacquard maxi print, this duffel bag is for you if you like making a bold fashion statement wherever you go. With a canvas make accentuated by leather trims, inserts and handles, the piece channels a casually simplistic flair that never goes out of style. The palladium finish metal buckles and zippers add a sophisticated touch to the bag, making it ideal for formal business trips and fun weekend getaways.
Image credit: Balmain
- Material Fabric, calf leather
- Measurement 20 x 9.8 x 8.2 inches
Gucci Savoy Duffle Bag
A part of Gucci Lido, this duffel bag for travel takes inspiration from the summery Italian coast and is a rather preppy take on the classic Ophidia pieces. It is highlighted by bright fluorescent green leather trim, top handles and the new Liftboy ID tag adding that pop of hue to the sophisticated beige and ebony colourway. The classic web stripe and the GG motif on their signature pattern make it a timeless piece.
The adjustable and detachable sling strap can be used to carry it on the shoulders for ease while the key holder and lock further add to the practicality of the bag.
Image credit: Gucci
- Material Canvas, calf leather
- Measurement 17.3 x 11.2 x 9.6 inches
Mulberry Heritage Medium Clipper
The Heritage Medium Clipper, fashioned in the classic Mulberry aesthetic, is ideal for admirers of quiet, understated luxury. With a versatile look, this leather duffel bag is extremely spacious and makes for the perfect pick-me-up for short work trips. It is built to last with the smoothest design texture, complementing hues and brushed gold hardware meant to transcend trends.
The bag comes with a detachable luggage tag and a canvas shoulder strap.
Image credit: Mulberry
- Material Printed BioVeg scotch grain & flat calf
- Measurement 21.6 x 12.5 x 8.2 inches
Bric’s Life Pelle Cargo Duffle Bag
This small-sized duffel from the brand’s Life Pelle collection is a great fit for light packers and qualifies as the perfect one-day trip bag or carry-on. It is made with high-quality vegetable-tanned Tuscan leather to last you years as its look promises to age like fine wine. It features additional internal and external zipper pockets, a detachable shoulder strap, a TSA lock and a slide-over sleeve to attach it to trolley luggage. The design also comes in a 22-inch variant offering bigger space and a capacity of 46 litres.
Image credit: Bric’s
- Material Leather
- Measurement 18 x 12 x 8 inches
Filson Rugged Twill Duffle Bag
Abrasion-resistant, durable and stylish, the Filson Rugged Duffel is designed to withstand years of use and the impact of environmental elements like dust and rain. Its tough and strong construction combines industrial-strength rugged twill, bridle leather and rustproof heavy-gauge brass hardware. Roomy with internal pockets for easy organisation of smaller essentials, it has a capacity of 43 litres making it sufficient for a two to three days trip. Both the detachable shoulder strap and the top handles are strong and sturdy enough to carry heavy loads without causing any damage to the fabric or stitching.
Image credit: Farfetch
- Material 100% cotton rugged twill, bridle leather
- Measurement 20 x 13 x 12 inches
How to choose duffel bags as per your requirements?
Here are some factors to consider before buying a duffel bag for your travel closet.
1. Consider the type of vacation you require a duffel for. A small or medium-sized piece will be ideal for short work trips and weekend getaways whereas, a medium to large-sized duffel will easily suffice as a carry-on or the only luggage for a three to four days’ long trip.
2. Choose the material according to the expected use. If you’re looking for a versatile or professional-looking duffel, a statement-making piece made with genuine leather should be your go-to. If a durable and weather-resistant bag for outdoor adventures is on your checklist, rugged twill, canvas or polyester will be a better choice.
3. If easy organisation and accessibility are a priority, opt for a style that features additional internal and external pockets.
4. Always double-check the carry-on size guidelines of the airlines you fly often before investing in a duffel bag for international travel.
How did we choose the best duffel bags?
Because of the wide variety of duffel bags available in the market, choosing some of the best ones required thorough research, more so because all these recommendations are purely editorial. Apart from style and functionality, multiple other factors were assessed such as size, materials used, durability and additional pockets.
All the designs selected by us include a detachable shoulder strap that can be adjusted to suit every traveller’s needs while also ensuring diversity amidst sizes. From a light packer who prefers a compact design to one who carries as many essentials as possible and requires a large size, our list has covered it all. For people who prefer extra organisational packets, we’ve also picked designs that feature spacious side or front pockets and other internal zipper sleeves.
Additionally, we’ve also tried to create a good mix of bags that are either ideal for outdoor adventures with their sturdy canvas make, have a high fashion quotient with their leather craftsmanship or are a blend of both.
(Feature image credit: Erol Ahmed/Unsplash)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
Prices of the products mentioned are subject to change.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
For a short weekend or work trip, duffel with a capacity ranging from 30 to 50 litres will be sufficient. This size also fits under carry-on guidelines for most airlines.
Materials like canvas, rugged twill and leather are some of the best and most popularly preferred ones for travel duffel bags.
Most duffel bags come with their own set of cleaning instructions based on the materials used. While it is recommended to follow those, you can also clean the interiors using a small vacuum and always store the bag in its dust bag.
Both different styles of carry-ons ideal for short trips. While a backpack usually has adjustable shoulder straps for carrying, a duffel usually has two top handles to hold it along with a detachable strap to sling it on the shoulder. Additionally, a backpack might also have side handles or wheels to carry it like a roll-on. Although their capacities are somewhat similar (usually between 20 and 60 litres), duffels offer a large space with a single roomy compartment while backpacks have divisions and multiple organisational pockets. Some duffel designs may also have external side or front pockets for extra space.
The main compartment of a duffel with dual zippers can be easily locked using a TSA-approved padlock. However, the external pockets usually have a single slider which can’t be locked.
Written By
Divya Arora
With an academic background in Public Relations, Divya has a flair for writing about topics spanning ..Read More
