Andes Ramada 120L Extra Large Hiking Camping Backpack/Rucksack Luggage Bag

Product Information

Many duffels on this list are made by big outdoor brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Osprey, and Black Diamond. But for a premium roller duffel from a brand known for its high-quality, durable offerings, look no further than the Sojourn Shuttle. 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. You could also choose a duffle-type carry bag that is flexible, durable and transportable on all means of transport. The Alpaca is a direct competitor to the Black Hole, and there’s certainly a lot to like about the design.

In our opinion this is more of a stylistic feature than anything (climbers will love the vibe), but it might come in handy while staging duffels for transport—and we do love the large external zip pocket at the top for staying organized. The Kitbag 120L is a hardwearing, heavy duty kitbag, designed to keep your gear safe and withstand the rigors of an expedition. The Berghaus Atlas III 120 L Modular Military Backpack has a versatility that could prove very useful for short excursions off the main track as there are two Berghaus MMPS side pockets which are detachable from the main unit and can be zipped together to make a self-sufficient daypack. 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.Some travelers may not care about the weight of their duffel, but for others it’s a factor, and particularly with heavier rolling models. For those who anticipate coming home with more than they started—or vice versa—being able to stow an empty duffel in another bag is a great way to consolidate your load. Most duffels here are highly water-resistant, meaning they're able to keep out light to moderate rain and snow. At the same time, it’s not waterproof (or even highly water-resistant) and definitely not a fully featured bag for travel. They’re easy to grab and throw on your back, and you don’t have to worry about the surface (if you’ve ever tried taking a roller duffel down a cobblestone street, you know what we’re talking about).

While you do get tuckaway backpack straps and one external pocket, it lacks the bells and whistles we see in much of the competition, including a U-shaped top zip and dirty-laundry compartment.For climbers embarking on long journeys into the greater ranges, it doesn’t get much better than the Mountain Hardwear Expedition. Added up, the Transporter is one of our favorite duffels for trips that start at the airport and take you to seriously adventurous locales. For example, The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller weighs 9 pounds 7 ounces empty for the 94-liter version, which already accounts for almost 20% of the standard 50-pound limit for checked bags. If you’re in the market for basic storage and protection for your gear, the REI Co-op Roadtripper is one of the best values on this list.