The Best Duffel Bags for Commuters and Chronic Overpackers

I've been eyeing Baboon to the Moon duffel bags for more than five years, and I finally got my hands on two to try—the 32-liter Mini and the 40-liter Small. These bags are slick, bright, and spacious, with a TPU shell that repels water and resists damage. I liked the 40-liter size which has room for five days' worth of clothes (or less if you're also bringing shoes and other items). The lid has a mesh pocket, and there are two small pockets on either side inside the main compartment, plus compression straps. Outside, there's a dedicated padded laptop sleeve with room for a laptop up to 14 inches, plus a smaller zippered pocket that's perfect for items like keys or your passport. I appreciate the special tracker pocket and the ID pocket for luggage tags, not that it'll be necessary if you pick an eye-wateringly bright color like I did. Baboon to the Moon has always been known for its loud color schemes, and while it no longer sells the internal prints and color combinations it was once known for, there are still limited-edition drops in addition to its core collection. This bag is comfortable both in traditional duffel mode and in backpack mode. My only complaint is that it's a little rigid when not being used, so it can be finicky to store.

This is not a true duffel bag so much as “the world’s first true wide-mouth packing system,” as Rux calls it, but it is nevertheless an impressive piece of equipment from a company known for its modular gear-toting systems. Not unlike a foldable version of the brand's popular 70L storage container, the Duffel box starts completely flat, but the sides pop up, and the patent-pending top rolls down to form a box that stays open on its own. There are no zippers involved in its construction, but there are multiple straps, panels, and pockets, and you will most likely need to watch an instructional YouTube video to make full use of all the features. However, the beauty of this bag is that it can be just about anything you want it to be. Long-term storage, luggage, a gear box—even a backpack. All is possible with the included straps and dividers in the right places.

Over the past four months, my family has used it as a traditional duffel bag, a storage box, and, currently, a portable equipment organizer for my son’s club soccer team. It’s been stepped on, rained on, and thrown in wagons and vehicle trunks, with nary a scratch on the 105D nylon gridstop fabric. (Though it did get stuck in a downpour once, and I will say I’m not sure I’d quantify the fabric as fully waterproof—closer to water resistant.) Lash points along the inside walls allow it to integrate with Rux’s line of accessories and packing bags (sold separately), in which we’re currently keeping pinnies and goalkeeper gear.

The Duffel Box is available in two sizes, 55L and 75L; pictured is the 55L. Note that a “Plus” version includes a removable universal shoulder strap, which connects to lash points on the outside, for an extra $25. —Kat Merck

This bag is technically a weekender, but I consider it to be a hybrid of sorts. I genuinely can't believe how affordable it is. I first tested it for our gym bag buying guide. As someone who travels basically every weekend, I'm constantly packing and repacking this bag, and it still looks brand-new, even though I'm hard on my stuff. The zippers perform well, it has a ventilated shoe pocket, and there's a waterproof inner pocket where you can stash dirty clothes or hair products that you don't want to store with your other clothes. There's a USB-A port so you can charge your phone from your power bank through the bag. There's a luggage slot to pop it on top of a rolling suitcase. It even comes with a little toiletry bag. One little nit is that this bag is not structured at all—the fabric is quite floppy—so it's up to you to ensure that it isn't overstuffed. The water-resistant nylon exterior has yet to stain or discolor, and there are grab handles as well as a shoulder strap. It's marked as “Frequently Returned" on Amazon due to the style of the bag itself, but if it looks good to you, this price is very hard to beat.

The Knack Expandable Metro Duffel is a substitute for a tote bag, and the kind of smaller duffel bag I'd tote around if I were still commuting to an office. It has a 26-liter capacity, with an optional expansion that increases it to 36 liters. There's a dedicated laptop compartment, plus a few different internal pockets for tablets or water bottles. I also like the smaller mesh pockets, where you could organize your laptop peripherals or charging cords. (There's a key leash here, too.) It could also double as a weekender with its built-in luggage sleeve and hidden external pocket where you can stash your phone or passport. It's got a structured design that couldn't be mistaken for a purse, plus water-resistant fabric, lockable and durable zippers, and can be toted around via grab handles or the shoulder strap. I also think it's a good option for business trips.

This quilted duffel is just so darn attractive. At 24 liters, it's on the small side, which I see as a benefit. Sometimes you don't need a gigantic bag. There are multiple internal pockets and exterior pockets, purse-like handles, and a shoulder strap. I like the way the puffy, quilted recycled polyester fabric feels, and the zippers work without fail every time. It also comes with a dust bag, to help keep it clean when it's sitting in the closet in between trips. It has a detachable zipper pouch, a dedicated laptop sleeve that'll fit most 16-inch laptops, and a luggage handle sleeve that turns into a zippered pocket. The side pockets can fit most water bottles. Finally, the protective leather feet on the base keep the bag ever-so-slightly elevated when it's resting on the ground.