The 8 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2021

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Man and woman putting bags in trunk of car — John Dowland/ Getty Images

The Rundown

Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag at Backcountry "One of the brand’s most well-loved pieces of luggage, and for good reason."

Best Lightweight: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffel at Amazon "Has a 120-liter capacity, yet weighs only four pounds."

Best for Long Trips: L.L. Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle at L.L. Bean "Specifically designed to avoid sagging after years of use."

Best Splurge: Tumi Merge Wheeled Duffel Carry On at Shopbop "Elegantly-designed with plenty of polish and detailed features."

Best Print: The North Face Rolling Thunder 22 at Backcountry "Features a sporty silhouette and color options including camo."

Best Leather: David King & Co. Rolling Duffel at Amazon "With the material as supple as it is, this is a bag that’s going to age beautifully."

Best Carry-On: Bric's X-Bag Rolling Duffle at eBags"Will fit within most domestic and international carry-on restrictions."

Best for Outdoors: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel at eBags "Great for sporty or adventurous types who want a bag that can hold gear."

Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag

Patagonia’s Black Hole Wheeled Duffel is one of the brand’s most well-loved pieces of luggage, and for good reason: Made of ripstop polyester, it’s built to last without being too rugged, has wheels that can even glide over cobblestones, and it's coated with a water-repellent finish to keep your valuables dry. Thanks to its durability, the bag is especially great for longer trips if you’re not the type to carry a backpack. Plus, it has interior zip pockets and an internal compression system to keep your clothes and gear in place when traveling. If the bag gets a little dusty, it’s also super-easy to spot clean with a damp cloth. The duffel bag is also backed by the company’s Ironclad Guarantee, which even includes repairs due to wear and tear for a reasonable charge — meaning you’ll have this bag for years, if not decades, to come. Now that’s an investment piece.

Best Lightweight: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffel

With a 120-liter capacity yet weighing only four pounds, this bag is nothing short of a wonder. There are four different ways to carry the pack, including using its spinner wheels or comfortable backpack straps, though you can also affix the bag to the top of your car with the built-in lash points. When it’s not in use, the bag doesn't take up too much space, either: You can just roll it up and store it in the zipper compartment built into the bag (including the wheels). Plus, it’s backed by Eagle Creek’s legendary guarantee, so if something goes wrong, the company has you covered with bag replacements or repairs.

Best for Long Trips: L.L. Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle

L.L. Bean is known for well-made products that are built to last, and their suitcases are no exception. Case in point: The company has sold more than 5.5 million of these duffels, and has plenty of rave reviews to testify. The bag features Smooth-Glide wheels that keep things moving on tough terrain, and the fabric has been tested against a fire hose at full stream. Additionally, the bottom is specifically designed to avoid sagging after years of use. The bag also comes in a wide range of colors, so there’s something for everyone. If this size isn’t quite right for your travel needs, it also comes in an extra-large and a medium size.

Best Splurge: Tumi Merge Wheeled Duffel Carry On Suitcase

If something is made out of “ballistic nylon,” you know it’s going to hold up for many trips to come. So, for those who travel frequently, making an investment in this type of suitcase is worth the splurge, like the Tumi Merge Wheeled Duffel. This bag is cleverly designed with an easy-access top compartment that comes with a removable case for tech accessories, so you can keep your work and personal items separate. Inside, the bag has compression straps to keep everything as compact as possible, and there are zippered compartments to easily access items. Although duffels tend to look a little sporty, this bag is elegantly-designed with plenty of polish and detailed features like leather-wrapped handles.

Best Print: The North Face Rolling Thunder 22 Luggage

If you're not into the look of typical rolling duffel bags, The North Face's Rolling Thunder bag is a stylish, yet reliable option. The carry-on bag, which will fit within most domestic and international sizing restrictions, features a sporty silhouette and color options including camo, electric blue, gold, and more. There are also two external zippered compartments so you can easily keep your passport and devices at hand. It’s made from the company’s Base Camp material and reinforced with nylon, for a strong, durable finish.

Best Leather: David King & Co. 22-inch Rolling Duffel

David King & Co. 22” Rolling Duffel — Amazon

Rugged leather duffels get a modern upgrade with this luxe David King & Co. bag. Made of full grain vacquetta cowhide leather, the value of this bag is exceptional: It's embellished with sleek metal hardware, and with the material as supple as it is, this is a bag that’s going to age beautifully. Design is kept pretty minimal for this model with no interior pockets, but there are plenty of exterior pockets for holding cosmetics cases and devices. At 22 x 11.5 x 11 inches, the bag is ideal for domestic trips. And, you can rest assured that this investment piece is built to withstand years of use.

Best Carry-On: Bric's X-Bag 21-inch Rolling Duffle

Bric's X-bag 21″ Carry-on Rolling Duffle Bag — Amazon

Those who want a timeless rolling duffel should look no further than Bric's model, which delivers a durable bag for less than $200. At 21 x 12.5 x 9.8 inches, the bag will fit within most domestic and international carry-on restrictions, and the strong, polyamide material and waterproofing will keep your clothes protected. Inside, there’s a zip pocket that separates clothes, tie-down straps to keep things from shifting in transit, and there’s a handy zipper on the exterior of the bag for easy access to wallets, passports, and other essentials. While they’re not spinner wheels, inline skate wheels do mean that the duffel glides seamlessly over surfaces. There’s also an elegant range of shades to choose from, including violet to navy, black, and olive green, and accents like cognac leather handles and zipper pulls give the duffel an understated polish.

Best for Outdoors: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel

In addition to carry-on sizes, larger, checked rolling duffels are useful, too. You get all the convenience of your usual checked luggage, along with the durability of a bag that’s meant to withstand wear and tear — plus, the soft sides to give you more flexibility with packing. This Eagle Creek rolling duffel is great for sporty or adventurous types who also want a bag that can hold gear. There’s a bungee on the top for a helmet, jacket, or other equipment, and there’s a second huge compartment in the duffel for gear. The colors are bright and vibrant, with options like arctic blue. And, Eagle Creek’s products come backed by the company’s comprehensive, lifetime No Matter What guarantee.

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