Climbing Duffel Bags

I'm currently shopping for a big duffel to use for transporting gear (especially on flights), and I'm mostly looking at the North Face Base Camp series, and the Osprey Transporter series. The TNF Base Camp looks (at least from photos and reviews) to be more waterproof and more burly, while the Osprey is definitely cheaper ($80 on sale for the Transporter 95, which is roughly equivalent in size to the TNF large). Any opinions on these two models (as well as others from Patagonia, REI, Mountain Hardwear, First Ascent, etc.) would be welcome.

I think this may be a little small but I love my BD Demon Duffel. Fits in the overhead bin (big plus if it is filled with heavy gear, no extra fees!). I have multiple I like them so much.

I like the first ascent large duffel. I found that the NF duffels are great but the material is so stiff I find my self with dead space unless I stuff all the corners with clothes. The first ascent material is a little more flexible and has held up well. As for water proofness they are both very similar. I have probably 10 expeditions total with both and if I was purchasing now I would go FA. Just a note on the FA bag due to the fact that the bag is very flexible it does suck to carry. I usually am not carrying my bags very far.

I don't think you can go wrong with the North Face or First Ascent options. I just returned from Vietnam and with my NF and loved how well it worked. It is rather stiff but seemed to become more pliable with age and some miles. That being said, I'm planning on picking up a FA duffel after this summer as a close friend swears by his. Just my .02

I have the BD Huey in 60 and 100 and there pretty good. Great material soft and durable. A little cheaper than TNF bags.

I have the Gregory Alpaca Duffel Bag, they are more money but I really like the way the straps are set up, easy to go from duffel to backpack. This thing has been abused and has held up well.

spadout.com/p/gregory-alpac…

Check out Fish Products. A bit more expensive, but will last a life time and you have the option to put a harness on it.

Not quite sure what you're looking for, but I've used my haulbag to transport my gear. You obviously can't carry it on, but I have no worries about it or my gear getting damaged by the airlines, it's got plenty of space, and it's pretty easy to carry. The biggest problem with it is keeping it below the 50lb weight limit (cause it has so much space)

I have a North Face "Rolling Thunder" and an REI wheeled duffle.

Both work well, and I would recommend either of them.

rei.com/product/747916/rei-…

rei.com/product/809568/the-…

Just a quick vote AGAINST the First Ascent duffle. I ordered one and returned it almost immediately. It seemed like a fine bag and good quality, but certainly NOT "expedition" quality. The material is approximately 1/2 the weight, maybe less, of the TNF duffels. TNF gives you a heavy hypalon-type material, the FA bag is just a coated nylon, similar to your average backpack. Only the bottom of the bag is heavy duty.

The other manufacturer of very heavy duty bags is Mad Rock. I have two of their 50L duffels. Great if you're on a budget. Their major downside is that they only have a single zipper running straight across the top of the bag, unlike the "C" shape of the TNF bags. This makes it more annoying to access the depths of the bag, particularly when it's stuffed full of gear.

Go with TNF. If you pack smartly and they'll last a long time. I went several expeditions with my TNF and they are still bomber. Make sure you pad the bottom and sides and sharp stuff in the middle.

I have a TNF duffel and no complaints about mine. Holds up fine with all the abuse I put it through.

just a side note, Brooks range mountaineering makes duffels that are the same as TNF, but they are available for a bit cheaper, especially when they have them on sale on the clymb. i've picked up three duffels, a sm, md, and XL for less than the price of one TNF large duffel.

if you need an invite code, here's mine. they don't have any for sale right now, but they'll email you with their new sales when they come out, and they've put up the brooks range stuff about once a month or so. they do have some bags up their right now, but nothing i would deem expedition worthy, but still some nice stuff.

theclymb.com/invite-from/te…