Expedition Duffels

So I've been needing to get a duffel for a while now for travel, bonus points if I can throw it on a pulk and its 100L+, and I could use some recommendations. I've been eyeing up the Ski Pulk Paris Duffel Bag ( skipulk.com/product/paris-d…) cause of the low cost, weight, and size but it's obviously not as easy to carry on longer expeditions like a TNF Basecamp or MH Camp 4s. 

Was wondering if y'all thought the Paris Bag was a good idea or if there was something else

For the extra $60 I’d go with the base camp or other similar dimensions. Do not underestimate the value of having something easy to carry. 

I used the BD stone hauler 120 on a recent expedition pulling sleds extensively and it worked really well. However I got it discounted and I believe looking at the skipulk (which I haven’t seen before and looks awesome) I would have probably chosen that instead given the option

For large duffles, I need something with wheels.  

Makes transiting airports much easier.  

The REI Roadtripper duffels strike a really nice balance between weight/price/durabilty and they have the REI warranty. I've used a Hyperlite Duffel for several years but could have bought several REI duffels for the price. I can't say that the Hyperlite's been any better than the REI duffel that gets used for expeditions along side it. 

My partner has been using an Outdoor Products duffel that was like $25 for 3 Alaska trips and it's still going strong. 

Both of these options are much less money than the SkiPulk.

I’ve toured the BWCA pulling pulks many times and the best i’ve found yet has been a hockey gear bag. Pretty cheap on amazon or go to a play-it-again sports. Has lots of great pockets for easy to access items. I do however own 2 TNF XL Basecamp duffels and they are worth every penny. For traveling purposes they are amazing for durability (I’m pretty sure i’ll be handing them down to my kids) and the backpack straps have been used many times in airports. These bags might be $50 more than the pulk bag but you’ll never replace them.

I've had those North Face base camp duffel bags and they are worth the money.  I've used them on burros, mules, sleds, and carried them miles stacked on another bag.  I've used one as my base bag for work, for the better part of the last decade.  They're essentially still in perfect condition. 

I did buy a rolling duffel for trips where I expect more pavement than backcountry.  It's definitely nicer for those trips but I doubt it would stand up to the backcountry. 

I have been using MtnTools duffles for over 25 years - CLIMBER'S LUGGAGE they also have WARRIOR DUFFLE BAGS. My duffles have been all over the world and survived. Including on one trip being offloaded and pee'd on by a mule. I have a folding luggage dolly for them that I have used on occasion.

One thing to note about rolling duffles. Most weigh in at 8-10lbs whereas a plain ole duffle are 3 lbs so there is more usable weight in a plain ole duffle. 

Know your use case. If you go with a standard huge non-rolling duffel, it'll be a bear to get around in non-expedition circumstances. 

I bought a big 32in rolling High Sierra separable duffel about 15 years ago that I love precisely because of its versatility. It splits in two so I can avoid excess baggage fees (a big consideration when you're lugging around tons of heavy climbing gear) while the wheels ensure I don't have to carry it on my back most of the time (it has stowable backpack straps for the times I can't roll it). If I'm going to Europe to climb it's perfect when combined with a carry-on or pack. 

I then have an extra TNF duffel I take on proper expeditions. But I'd hate having to carry that thing on any trip it wasn't required. 

I'm here because I'm looking for a duffle myself. 

I don't have experience lugging my own around, but wouldn't the best of both worlds be to pack a little folding dolly? Then you get the airport and pavement pros but you can ditch it for when you go into the backcountry. I guess you'll need a place to store or stash it, but it certainly feels like an option. 

Allen Sanderson wrote:

I have been using MtnTools duffles for over 25 years - CLIMBER'S LUGGAGE they also have WARRIOR DUFFLE BAGS. My duffles have been all over the world and survived. Including on one trip being offloaded and pee'd on by a mule. I have a folding luggage dolly for them that I have used on occasion.

The Warrior bags look really nice. Thanks for sharing those. I hadn’t seen them before. 

I've got the S, M, L, and XL TNF duffels.  The Large has been around the world a couple times, other than some cosmetic scuffs it's 100%.  I can't say that for any other piece of luggage I've owned.  yah wheels would be nice, but it's the wheeled luggage that has always died first via the airport baggage systems

I have a Gregory Alpaca 90L that i have used for several years and it still looks like new. It has survived downpours, airports, dragged all over the US and still going VERY strong. I should have purchased the 120L when i needed it because the 90 can be a little small sometimes. They also come with detachable backpack straps which is really nice for when you don't need them.

Some thoughts;

- You hit 50lbs/23kg on duffles pretty much on the dot if you stuff a 90L full of dense things like climbing gear and ropes, and the 120L full of clothes, sleeping bags, tents, etc. A 150L is too big to actually fill while staying under the airline overweight limit and then you have floppy duffle bag.

- Most backpack companies sell a big duffle. They're all pretty similar, basically everyone has copied the same design. Add one onto your holiday sale order from whichever company.

- Rolling bags weigh a lot more themselves than simple duffles, and such leave you with less room to actually pack your stuff.

- At just about every airport in the world outside the US the wheeled carts are just out and around the airport. The US seems like the only place where those actually cost money to use. I actually find there's less need for rolling duffles when you're outside the US.

- If you're approaching with animals, they're super hard on gear. Mules just plow through brush, trees, and around rocks, they don't really care about scraping whatever's strapped to them. The burlier the better.

- I've started packing a 70 liter (ish) river barrel on expeditions and putting all the fragile stuff inside. Works just fine as a checked bag, though sometimes people look at you weird, and the hard exterior keeps things safe. There's usually a slot for a lock or ziptie on the closure ring so you can still secure it if you need. You can get a backpack harness for them if needed. Plus when you get to BC you have a ready made table.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6002-216/mec-large-recycled-duffle-bag-unisex?colour=black

I have a couple of these:  

The wheels don't add much weight.

They have been all over the world, carrying scuba gear.  Still holding up well.

https://www.sierra.com/eagle-creek-no-matter-what-128-l-rolling-duffel-bag-extra-large-slate-blue~p~4ggpt/?filterString=s~duffle%2F

Nate Farr wrote:

I've had those North Face base camp duffel bags and they are worth the money.  I've used them on burros, mules, sleds, and carried them miles stacked on another bag.  I've used one as my base bag for work, for the better part of the last decade.  They're essentially still in perfect condition. 

I did buy a rolling duffel for trips where I expect more pavement than backcountry.  It's definitely nicer for those trips but I doubt it would stand up to the backcountry. 

What size TNF duffel did you get? I've heard the zippers have serious issues in real cold weather as well as recent quality complaints, any experience with that or is that just random stuff people say about everything

Mike Larson wrote:

Know your use case. If you go with a standard huge non-rolling duffel, it'll be a bear to get around in non-expedition circumstances. 

I bought a big 32in rolling High Sierra separable duffel about 15 years ago that I love precisely because of its versatility. It splits in two so I can avoid excess baggage fees (and big consideration when you're lugging around tons of heavy climbing gear) while the wheels ensure I don't have to carry it on my back most of the time (it has stowable backpack straps for the times I can't roll it). If I'm going to Europe to climb it's perfect when combined with a carry-on or pack. 

I then have an extra TNF duffel I take on proper expeditions. But I'd hate having to carry that thing on any trip it wasn't required. 

Honestly my use cases are pretty varied so I should probably stop looking for an all in one. I'd be ok with something being problematic to get around considering I would only really be breaking these out for expeditions which is why I was looking at that Ice Pulk bag I had linked, I'm just not sure if it'd be any good on non sled/pulk expeditions. 

What size TNF did you get if you don't mind me asking?

Matt Z wrote:

Some thoughts;

- You hit 50lbs/23kg on duffles pretty much on the dot if you stuff a 90L full of dense things like climbing gear and ropes, and the 120L full of clothes, sleeping bags, tents, etc. A 150L is too big to actually fill while staying under the airline overweight limit and then you have floppy duffle bag.

- Most backpack companies sell a big duffle. They're all pretty similar, basically everyone has copied the same design. Add one onto your holiday sale order from whichever company.

- Rolling bags weigh a lot more themselves than simple duffles, and such leave you with less room to actually pack your stuff.

- At just about every airport in the world outside the US the wheeled carts are just out and around the airport. The US seems like the only place where those actually cost money to use. I actually find there's less need for rolling duffles when you're outside the US.

- If you're approaching with animals, they're super hard on gear. Mules just plow through brush, trees, and around rocks, they don't really care about scraping whatever's strapped to them. The burlier the better.

- I've started packing a 70 liter (ish) river barrel on expeditions and putting all the fragile stuff inside. Works just fine as a checked bag, though sometimes people look at you weird, and the hard exterior keeps things safe. There's usually a slot for a lock or ziptie on the closure ring so you can still secure it if you need. You can get a backpack harness for them if needed. Plus when you get to BC you have a ready made table.

So just to make sure I'm understanding you right, anything 150L sized is pretty much just going to be useful for throwing onto a pulk. For expeditions anywhere else go between 90-120L depending on weight requirements. I'll look into the river barrel idea because that sounds pretty useful from what you're describing. Do you have any comments on the TNF basecamp or the IcePulk duffel that have been previously mentioned?

I keep finding mixed reviews elsewhere but everyone here seems hyped up about the TNF. 

Michael Soland wrote:

So just to make sure I'm understanding you right, anything 150L sized is pretty much just going to be useful for throwing onto a pulk. For expeditions anywhere else go between 90-120L depending on weight requirements. I'll look into the river barrel idea because that sounds pretty useful from what you're describing. Do you have any comments on the TNF basecamp or the IcePulk duffel that have been previously mentioned?

I keep finding mixed reviews elsewhere but everyone here seems hyped up about the TNF. 

Yeah basically. I have a couple of old Dana Designs 150+L duffles that I use for pulks and for when I can stuff it to the gills, but I find they're generally a bit too big for anything with a plane flight. I've then got a couple of 90L-120L bags that I use for just about everything else.

And just so I'm clear, the river barrel is nice for expeditions with a long approach either with porters or animals where you can stick fragile stuff inside and not need to worry about it until basecamp. It does not fit in a sled very easily and you can't just throw it over your shoulder like a duffle bag unless you also have the backpack harness.

No comment on the ski pulk duffle linked earlier other than with a duffle that big it's usually nice to have handles on the ends too so it's easier for two people to carry it. I find it way easier to carry a fully loaded 150L duffle lengthwise between people than with the side handles, maybe that's just me though. Regardless, a 150L duffle fully loaded is a total pain for a single human unless you're Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The TNF duffles are fine, I've used them before. But they're functionally identical to any duffle you can get from Patagonia, Mammut, Mountain Equipment, etc. Hell a lot of them are sewn in the same factories. They're all some variation of vinyl coated nylon tube with a beefy zipper. I'd say buy the one that's on sale and don't think too hard about it.

Michael Soland wrote:

Honestly my use cases are pretty varied so I should probably stop looking for an all in one. I'd be ok with something being problematic to get around considering I would only really be breaking these out for expeditions which is why I was looking at that Ice Pulk bag I had linked, I'm just not sure if it'd be any good on non sled/pulk expeditions. 

What size TNF did you get if you don't mind me asking?

There definitely is not an all in one. I have theTNF in Large. Any bigger and you're likely to go over the 50lbs weight limit.