Travel bag or duffel bag: what is it, and should you take it with you on a trip or while backpacking?

What is a travel bag or duffel bag?

• A travel bag or duffel bag is a sturdy, often malleable bag intended for transporting clothing and other luggage while traveling or during sports holidays and events.
• Some are quite versatile and feature, among others, the following, or some of the following functionalities:
  • handles.
  • a shoulder strap.
  • wheels.
  • compression straps.
  • extra compartments.
  • water-repellent material.
• When you arrive somewhere where you cannot roll, you carry the bag using the shoulder strap or handles.
• Duffel bags are often made of sturdy material so that they can withstand bumps, sand, moisture, and luggage belts. A good duffel usually has compression straps that make it more compact when not fully filled.
• Some models strongly resemble a backpack, while others lean more towards a sports bag or rolling suitcase.

What types of travel bags and duffel bags are there?

• Sizes range from small weekend bags to enormous expedition models that can fit almost an entire house move. Examples include:
• classic sporty travel bags.
• duffel bags with shoulder straps.
• travel bags with wheels.
• waterproof expedition duffels for climbers and mountaineers, for instance.
• compact weekend bags.
• lightweight duffels for backpackers.
• hybrid models that are part backpack and part duffel.

What can you use a travel bag or duffel bag for when traveling and backpacking?

• As main luggage during short vacations.
• As a sports bag for diving, climbing, or surfing gear.
• As a flexible bag for road trips or bus travel.
• As an extra bag during longer trips, for example, to bring back souvenirs.
• As a storage bag for camping or outdoor equipment.
• As a weekend bag during excursions from a fixed location.
• As a sturdy luggage bag for rougher transport in vans, boats, or pickup trucks.

When should you take a travel bag or duffel bag with you on a trip or while backpacking?

• For a short vacation, a travel bag or duffel is often very suitable, especially when going to warm destinations.
• When you travel frequently by car, taxi, or via organized transfers.
• When your luggage mainly goes from accommodation to accommodation.
• When you are taking sports or outdoor equipment with you.
• When you prefer not to use a hard suitcase.
• When you want a flexible bag that is easy to stow.
• For a long world trip or intensive backpacking, a backpack or sometimes a rolling suitcase is often more practical, especially when you have to walk a lot, climb stairs, or travel over bad roads. After all, a large duffel bag without wheels or a good carrying system becomes quite heavy if you have to walk longer distances.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a travel bag or duffel bag when traveling?

Pros of a travel bag

• flexible and easily stackable.
• often lighter than a hard suitcase.
• sturdy and resistant to rough handling.
• handy in small vehicles or boats.
• often easier to store in hostels or lockers.
• compression straps make the bag more compact.

Cons of a duffel bag

• less comfortable to carry for long periods.
• less organized than a suitcase.
• more vulnerable to theft than lockable hard suitcases.
• soft models protect fragile items less well.
• large models become heavy quickly.

Where can you buy a travel bag or duffel bag locally when traveling?

• Travel bags and duffel bags are widely available worldwide in:
  • outdoor stores.
  • sports shops.
  • luggage stores.
  • large department stores.
  • tourist cities.
  • airports.
• Simple models can be found almost everywhere. When you are looking for a sturdy duffel suitable for long-term travel, rough conditions, or outdoor use, it is often smarter to purchase it in advance.