Simplicity and ruggedness make duffel bags a great choice for travel, and things get even more exciting when you add wheels.
A rolling duffel bag is in a league of its own. It’s not quite a suitcase and it’s not quite a duffel bag—it’s somewhere in between, which means you get the best of both worlds. When you need to carry a hefty amount of gear, a rolling duffel bag might just be your best bet.
It’s a bit of a niche product. Most luggage brands don’t make rolling duffels, and most backpack brands don’t, either. There are a few companies out there who are leading the charge, like Eagle Creek, Osprey and Db.
If you just want our top pick for the single best rolling duffel bag on the market, check out the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT. It’s tough and functional, and it comes in a range of sizes. We also were impressed by the Db Hugger, which features an innovative “rib cage” design that adds structure and protection for your gear.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. I’ll guide you through our top 15 duffel bag picks and help you decide which fits your needs.
Why Trust TravelFreak?
Every member of the TravelFreak team is an avid traveler and adventurer. We all love the massive carrying capacity and easy packability of duffel bags, and we’ve stuffed various duffels with clothes for a month abroad, equipment for long-distance treks, and climbing gear for days at the crag.
We’ve tested dozens of duffel bags, and most of the bags in our collection have seen more than their share of abuse. We dragged them over miles of cobblestone and tossed them off bus roofs.
We are serious about finding and recommending the absolute best gear on the market. Because of that, we weren’t satisfied with the surface-level, seat-of-the-pants style of reviewing you see so often on the internet.
So we got our team of gear junkies and former product engineers together to develop the most in-depth and comprehensive test methodology for rating luggage and bags. We now evaluate every product over 29 specific metrics across eight categories to get an objective picture of how the bag performs.
We dug into the nitty gritty details of these duffel bags so you don’t have to. Every bag on this list earned our full vote of confidence for its intended use case.
1. Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT: Best Rolling Duffel Bag Overall
Eagle Creek is one of my favorite brands for rugged, adventure-ready travel gear. Unlike travel brands that sacrifice build quality and functionality for style, Eagle Creek puts durability and usability first. Their products are utilitarian and ready for whatever you throw at them.
The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT easily earned our top pick for the best rolling duffle bag overall. It’s rugged, simple, and well-designed.
The build quality alone makes this rolling duffle bag stand out from the crowd. It’s made with a combination of 800D nylon and 1680D ballistic polyester fabric.
The smooth-rolling wheels are huge and have grippy rubberized tires that make them quiet and very durable. Compared to most luggage wheels, these burly oversized wheels seem ready for all sorts of off-road adventures.
It also is backed by Eagle Creek’s awesome No Matter What Warranty. If it ever breaks, Eagle Creek will fix it. It’s as simple as that.
Most rolling duffle bags are just that. The only logical way to move them is by wheeling them around. They have grab handles, but those are more for hefting them in and out of vehicles. The Cargo Hauler XT adds something I rarely see in wheeled duffel bags: backpack shoulder straps.
While the backpack mode isn’t as comfortable as a full-on hiking backpack, it offers an alternative way to carry the bag. This is great if you’re moving up and down stairs or over rougher terrain where wheels won’t cut it.
Of course, even our top pick isn’t perfect. If you like multiple compartments for organization, this bag is okay, but not the best. The interior is mainly one huge cavernous space, and it’s easy for stuff to get lost down in the bottom. I highly recommend using packing cubes to stay organized.
If you’re on the hunt for a wheeled duffel bag that combines rugged durability with smart features, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler is worth a look.
2. AmazonBasics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel: Best Budget Rolling Duffel Bag
I’m like most people out there—when I’m on a tight budget, Amazon is the first place I shop. While you can find a lot of cheap, poorly-made products on Amazon, there are also a handful of cheap, decent products that are still well-made. Surprisingly, Amazon’s in-house brand, AmazonBasics, is a pretty solid choice.
The AmazonBasics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel is less than half the price of most duffel bags on this list, and it will work great for 90% of people.
Surprisingly, for a budget pick, this bag is loaded with features. There are multiple exterior pockets to keep things handy. External and internal compression straps help keep everything secure. There are even separate compartments for shoes and dirty laundry.
Most importantly, this bag just works. The roller wheels are smooth and surprisingly sturdy. The spacious main compartment has tons of room for everything you want to throw in there.
While it may not be the best pick for frequent travelers, I think this AmazonBasics rolling duffle bag is perfect for more occasional travel or long-haul road trips.
Of course, the build quality is not going to be on par with brands like Eagle Creek and Osprey. If you want a rolling duffle bag that will last the rest of your life, it’s worth investing in something higher quality. But if you just need a cheap, capable, durable enough bag, this AmazonBasics duffel is more than adequate.
3. North Face Rolling Thunder 22”: Best Rolling Carry-On Duffel Bag
I’m a big fan of traveling with nothing but a carry-on bag. Checking luggage can be expensive, and it adds extra stress to my trip. A carry-on, on the other hand, lets me keep everything I need easily accessible.
The North Face is best known for selling gear and clothing for hiking, mountaineering, and other outdoor adventures, but they also make a range of capable travel gear, including some of the most durable rolling duffle bags on the market.
Wheeled duffel bags are a fantastic choice for carry-on luggage, and the North Face Rolling Thunder is the best carry-on wheeled duffel we tested.
Unlike many rolling duffel bags, the North Face Rolling Thunder has a rigid hard shell that wraps around the lower half of the bag. This makes it hold its shape for easy packing and makes the bag easier to slide into the overhead compartment on a flight.
Combined with the sturdy aluminum handle and overbuilt rubberized wheels, the half-hard-shell construction makes this bag very structured and protective—a far cry from the flimsy floppiness of many duffle bags.
Of course, not everyone will like this more structured design. It feels more like a hybrid between a duffle bag and a hard shell suitcase, so if that isn’t what you’re after, you’ll be happier with a more traditional rolling duffle bag design.
4. Db Hugger 90L: Best Rolling Duffel Bag for Checked Luggage
The Db Hugger 90L is unlike any other duffel bag we tested. The unique design and construction make it a fantastic choice for check-in wheeled luggage.
It all starts with Db’s innovative rib cage technology. Most duffel bags are unstructured and flexible, and they don’t offer much protection for the contents. Hard shell suitcases offer much better protection, but they come with their own host of issues. Using a unique rib cage design, Db created a rolling duffle bag that is stronger and more protective.
Essentially, the Hugger is a normal fabric bag with semi-rigid molded ABS “ribs” sewn in and plenty of foam padding in the spaces between the ribs. This design has several advantages over a standard fabric duffle bag.
First, it provides much better protection. With the skeleton-like construction and the ample padding, I don’t worry about my gear getting smashed or dented during travel—that’s especially welcome when I’m traveling with expensive sports gear. And yes, those airport baggage handlers seem to have a mission to break anything fragile in my suitcase.
Second, the additional structure means this bag doesn’t collapse into itself when empty. That makes it much easier to pack and unpack.
Third, the bag holds its shape even when it isn’t fully packed. No more ugly saggy bag drooping along behind you.
The Db Hugger is very minimal in design. There’s a wraparound zipper that opens the entire front panel to expose a huge main compartment. There are a few mesh pockets along the inside for small items. And that’s it. No compression straps. No complicated organization systems. It’s just a big, empty volume to pack your stuff.
Honestly, that’s pretty refreshing when so many rolling duffels these days are loaded with unnecessary features. However, it would be nice to have one zippered pocket on the outside to keep small items handy.
This bag is awesome, but it isn’t for everyone. It’s one of the most expensive rolling duffel bags we tested, and many people will do just fine with less expensive wheeled duffels. It’s designed for serious travelers who want the best durability and protection available.
5. Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 130L: Best Large Rolling Duffel Bag
Whether you’re packing for a family, making an international move, or just packing for gear-intensive camping trips, sometimes you just need the largest packing space possible.
The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 130L is an enormous rolling duffle bag that pairs its outrageous volume with strength and durability to match. Osprey is best known for their hiking and backpacking packs, and they carry that expertise into this rugged travel bag.
Many rolling duffels feel a bit flimsy, and with this size duffel bag, a ripped seam would be catastrophic. Osprey went above and beyond to make this rolling duffle as tough and adventure-ready as possible. It uses durable materials, a heavy-duty frame, and oversized 110 mm wheels.
The Sojourn Shuttle wheeled duffel has just the right amount of features. The compression straps help manage the load, and the multiple compartments keep you organized without being overwhelming. You don’t have to worry about forgetting which zippered pocket you left your passport in.
No, this bag is not the ideal pick for a quick weekend getaway. It’s designed to be a heavy-duty load hauler for packing everything but the kitchen sink.
6. Thule Chasm: Best Small Rolling Duffel Bag
On the other end of the spectrum, the Thule Chasm is a compact carry-on-sized wheeled duffel that is designed more for light packers. If you like the easy packing of a duffel bag but don’t need tons of space, this is a great option.
Most rolling duffel bags are intended for checked luggage, but this little duffel fits carry-on size restrictions for virtually any flight in the world. If you’re a light packer, this is one of the best wheeled duffel bags out there.
The Thule Chasm keeps it simple with a big C-shaped opening, one internal pocket, and no exterior pockets. The compression straps do a great job at shrinking down the volume if you’re traveling really light.
One thing to be aware of is that it has a rigid plastic shell around the bottom half. That makes it much more protective and durable, but if you want something that packs down small for storage, you’ll want a more foldable rolling duffel bag.
7. Osprey Transporter: Best Waterproof Rolling Duffel Bag
A waterproof bag can be a lifesaver if you ever get caught out in a storm. If you travel frequently to rainy destinations like Southeast Asia or the PNW, that’s a matter of when, not if.
The Osprey Transporter combines polyurethane-coated fabrics with sealed zippers for a highly water-resistant wheeled duffel that will keep your stuff dry in even the worst deluge.
It’s important to note that this duffel is not rated for submersion, so pick something else if you’re planning a whitewater rafting trip. There are no fully submersible wheeled duffel bags on the market today, so if you need the ultimate waterproof protection, the Osprey Transporter Waterproof is a great choice without wheels.
The wheeled version is still more than capable of keeping everything dry if it’s strapped to your car during a rainstorm. It’s also incredibly durable and comes with Osprey’s unbeatable warranty.
8. Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT International Carry-On: Best Rolling Duffel Bag for International Travel
International carry-on size restrictions are a bit different than those for domestic flights. If you plan on traveling internationally, it’s important to get a bag with the right dimensions to fit in the overhead bin on any flight.
The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT International Carry-On is one of the few rolling duffel bags designed specifically to work as an international carry-on. The dimensions are 21.5 x 13.75 x 7.75 in, which means this bag will pass as a carry-on for virtually any flight in the world.
It also weighs in at just over 5.5 lbs, which makes it easier to stay under weight limits (and easier to heave into the overhead bin).
Of course, you also get Eagle Creek’s impressive durability and warranty. This is a bag you’ll have for the rest of your life.
9. Db Hugger 60L: Best 30-Inch Rolling Duffel Bag
Just like the 90L version, the Db Hugger 60L is a totally unique take on a travel duffel bag.
If you specifically need a 30-inch-long wheeled duffel bag, this is the one to get. It’s a perfect size for most trips, and the structured design and huge top opening make it incredibly easy to pack.
The biggest downside of this Db rolling duffle bag is the cost, which is quite a bit more than other options. If you don’t travel that often, I recommend buying something less expensive. However, for frequent travelers, this is a durable and well-built wheeled duffel bag that’s designed to take some abuse.
10. Eagle Creek Rolling No Matter What Duffel Bag: Best 36-Inch Rolling Duffel Bag
Sizing up a bit, the Eagle Creek Rolling No Matter What Duffel Bag is a great choice if you need a bigger 36-inch size.
The No Matter What Duffel is different from anything else on this list because it doesn’t use a rigid frame or telescoping handle. This means it can collapse down into a much smaller package for storage.
Unlike many Eagle Creek bags, this one manages to hit a much more affordable price point.
It’s also one of the lightest bags on this list at 4.5 lbs.
11. Osprey Daylite: Best Rolling Duffel Bag for Air Travel
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that this is the third Osprey rolling duffel bag on this list, and there’s a reason for that. Osprey builds some of the best quality gear out there, and their warranty is second to none.
We feel confident recommending Osprey gear because we feel confident using Osprey gear on our own travels.
The Osprey Daylite Rolling Duffel is no exception. It’s not the most rugged or feature-packed product from Osprey, but the simple, no-frills design makes it perfect for air travelers who need a reliable bag to carry everything.
Overall, this is a straightforward wheeled duffel bag that just gets the job done, but it also comes with a pair of hidden shoulder straps that let you carry it like a backpack. This is a great bonus for times when you need to keep your hands free.
I also appreciate that the bag is made entirely from Bluesign-approved recycled polyester. For anyone who’s trying to reduce their impact on the planet, this is a big win.
12. Travelpro Bold: Best Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel Bag
Most wheeled duffel bags just have one big opening at the top, but drop bottom duffel bags have a zipper that wraps around the perimeter, dividing the bag into two big sections.
Drop-bottom duffel bags are ideal when you’re packing a lot of gear because they let you divide it up and get to stuff at the bottom without having to dig too deep.
The Travelpro Bold Drop Bottom Duffel is a massive bag that makes the most of this design by adding compression straps, organization pockets, and a zip-away divider that lets you turn it into one cavernous space. It also has an expansion zipper that gives you a few extra inches of depth when you need it.
This rolling duffle bag is a fantastic choice if you’re packing heavy, whether that means taking a family vacation or moving overseas.
13. Briggs & Riley Medium Upright Duffel: Best Quality Rolling Duffel Bag
Briggs & Riley is one of the most respected luggage brands in the world. Pilots, flight crews, and frequent fliers trust their bags and suitcases day-in and day-out.
That’s partly because of their uncompromising quality and partly because of their almost-unbelievable warranty. They want their bags to last a lifetime, so they will repair any damage for any reason.
If you’re looking for the best quality rolling duffle bag on the market, it makes sense to turn to Briggs & Riley. Their Medium Upright Duffel will last the rest of your life and be ready to hand down to your kids. No joke.
This bag is expensive. Honestly, for the price, you’d expect it to be flashier. Sure, it’s stylish, functional, and well-designed, but there are no fancy features or luxurious details that stand out.
So what are you paying for? Well, it’s that legendary Briggs & Riley durability and warranty. What this bag lacks in innovative design, it makes up for in sheer build quality. The materials, zippers, wheels, and other components are all top-notch quality. This bag isn’t going to break anytime soon.
Besides, if anything does go wrong, they’ll fix it for you. That’s the kind of peace of mind I’d be willing to spend some extra cash on.
14. Bric’s X-Bag 21″ Carry-On Rolling Duffle Bag: Best Lightweight Rolling Duffel Bag
If you’re traveling light, you want a bag to match. At 5.5 lbs, the Bric’s X-Bag 21″ Carry-On Rolling Duffle Bag is the lightest full-featured rolling duffel bag I’ve encountered. That means less worrying about weight limits or struggling to lift it into the overhead bin.
The X-Bag 21″ Carry-On is a hybrid between a duffel bag and a more standard soft-sided suitcase. Despite its low weight, it uses a durable nylon canvas material that stands up well to wear and tear.
This bag is perfect for adventurous travelers who don’t need much more than the essentials. The design has just enough features, the construction is minimal and durable, and the styling is a lovely blend of rugged and refined.
There are also some nice finishing touches like the genuine full-leather trim detailing.
15. Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel: Best Heavy-Duty Rolling Duffel Bag
If you’re packing a duffel full of crampons and ice axes, tossing it on top of a bus, and setting up base camp for an epic adventure, you need a bag that is tough enough for the job.
The Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel was purpose-built for adventurous travelers. If you’re looking for sleek, urban styling, this bag isn’t for you. If you want next-level organization and storage for more electronics than are good for you, this bag isn’t for you.
On the other hand, if you want something you can accidentally drop off the roof of your car or drag over rough cobblestone streets without worry, you may have just found your ideal duffel bag.
Patagonia’s Black Hole series is known for durability, and this bag lives up to the name, with heavy-duty materials and components.
Plus, it comes in three sizes, so you can get exactly what you need.
What We Considered
There’s a lot that goes into choosing a good rolling duffel bag. What material does it use? Is it carry-on compliant? Can the wheels handle the abuse of frequent travel?
We break our testing and rating for rolling duffel bags and luggage into eight categories: build quality, ease of use, functionality, water resistance, brand impact, buying experience, warranty, and price-to-performance ratio.
Within each category there are several specific factors we look at to choose the best bags.
These considerations can also help you know what to look for while shopping for a new bag.
Build Quality
A rolling duffel bag is an investment that should last for many years of travel. That’s why build quality is our top consideration for choosing the best rolling duffel bags. A bag may be stylish and feature-packed, but if it falls apart after a few trips, it isn’t worth spending your hard-earned money on it.
We’ve spent enough time traveling and testing duffel bags to know where they fail and what makes the difference for the ones that can handle abuse.
- Zippers are almost always the first thing to break in a duffel bag. We like big, chunky zippers that can take some abuse, and we’ve found YKK-brand zippers to be the best.
- The bag’s main material plays an important role in durability. Heavy-duty Cordura nylon or laminated fabrics like X-Pac are some of our favorites for backpacks.
- Components like buckles and adjusters are also easy to break. We look for big, heavy-duty buckles.
- A durable duffel bag should have reinforcements in high-wear areas like the bottom.
- Stitch quality can make the difference between two bags that use the same materials. We look for backpacks with tight, even stitches and cleanly finished seams that won’t come apart.
Ease of Use
A rolling duffel bag should be simple, streamlined, and easy to use. Here are some key features we look at when rating a bag for ease of use.
- Packing and organization should be straightforward in a duffel bag. We like pockets and features, but too many can be overwhelming.
- The telescoping handle should be sturdy, intuitive, and adjustable. The more adjustment positions the better.
- Good maneuverability makes a bag easier to handle in airports or through city streets. We want bags with smooth-rolling wheels
- Grab handles are essential for lifting and carrying a duffel bag. In our experience, it’s hard to have too many.
Functionality
Ultimately, any duffel bag’s job is to carry stuff. That isn’t complicated, but some bags do a better job than others. Plus, different bags may have different intended uses, which changes their features and function.
For example, a duffel bag for urban carry-on travel should have more compartments for keeping devices and accessories organized, while a duffel for adventure travel needs to be simple and ultra-durable for hauling outdoor gear.
We evaluate how well a duffel bag fulfills its intended purpose. Does it carry everything we need it to? Does it keep the contents safe and protected?
Water Resistance
We’ve all been caught out in the rain on our travels, and having a water-resistant bag gives us confidence that we won’t end up with a pile of soaked clothes.
Here are the three aspects we look at to judge a bag’s water resistance.
- Water-resistant fabric ranges from thin DWR coatings that wear out quickly to laminated fabrics with completely waterproof layers.
- Water-resistant zippers stop water from penetrating through zippered openings.
- Duffel bags with taped or sealed seams are the most waterproof on the market.
Brand Impact
It is important to us to support and recommend brands that have a positive impact on the world. We want to support brands that are working to incorporate environmentally friendly policies, sustainable design, diversity and inclusion, and good factory working conditions. To avoid greenwashing, we look for rigorous and widely respected industry certifications.
Here are some specific factors we look at to find brands that are working toward a positive impact on the world:
- Sustainable Materials
- Emission Reduction Programs
- Carbon Neutral Certification
- B-Corp Certification
- Regular Impact Reporting
- Fair Trade Certified Manufacturing
Buying Experience
Shopping for and buying a new duffel bag should be a rewarding experience. We value companies that implement specific policies to reduce the stress and risk of buying a product.
A good buying experience includes free shipping and hassle-free return policies. You can be a lot more confident in buying the right bag if you can test it first.
Warranty
It gives us a lot of confidence when brands stand behind their products. We look for companies that offer reliable lifetime warranties that cover incidental damage.
Price-to-Performance
We believe in investing in high-quality gear that will last. It’s better to buy a higher-quality (but possibly more expensive) product the first time rather than buy a cheaper one and end up replacing it later. That said, you don’t have to empty your bank account to get a good rolling duffel bag.
The sweet spot is a well-built bag that fits your needs without a luxury price tag.
Rolling Duffel Bag FAQs
Are wheeled duffel bags worth it?
For air travel and road trips, a wheeled duffel bag is a great option that gets weight off your shoulders.
What is the best rolling duffel bag 100L?
The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle is one of the best 100L rolling duffel bags on the market.
Are rolling duffle bags allowed on planes?
Yes, a rolling duffle bag is allowed on planes, just like luggage, as long as it fits the size restrictions.
Which company’s duffle bag is best?
Eagle Creek builds some of the most durable and functional rolling duffle bag models on the market.
What are the disadvantages of a duffle bag?
The disadvantages of a duffle bag include lack of organization and floppy construction.
Jakob Thygerson
Jakob Thygerson is an outdoor adventure seeker who collects sunburns, National Park maps, and trail miles. He loves anything that gets him outdoors, whether it’s on foot, on skis, on a bike, or on the open road. A native of the Mountain West, he’s most at home in mountains and deserts with clear air and bright stars.
He has a background as a product design engineer and knows the ins and outs of materials, design, and manufacturing processes. He loves using this knowledge to analyze outdoor equipment and is an unrepentant gearhead.
