Life on the road brings a whole lot of challenges. Be that changing flight times, moving weather conditions or just an alarm snoozed too many times, travelling can feel a bit frantic at times. However, having the right way to keep all of your kit contained in a travel bag that is secure, safe and easy to manage can make the whole process a little more streamlined.
A decent travel bag can make the world of difference. By ensuring that you’ve got all of your most important items close to hand, you’re lessening the chance of leaving something behind. Passports, travel documents and mustn’t forget cables can all be stored somewhere safe.
But when you’re on the move, you’re not going to want to be lugging something along behind you. It’s why a number of the travel bags we’re checking out today can be used as backpacks – though many are shoulder-strap versions too – so that you can feel a little more agile even while bringing along everything you need. We’ve got plenty to check out today, so there’s no time like the present.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel – from £155
Patagonia has a wide variety of travel bags, but one of its most versatile is the Black Hole Duffel. Clocking in at 55 (though larger versions are available) litres it’s got a decent amount of outright storage capacity, but its square size means it doesn’t feel blocky. You’ve got backpack straps, too, or use the traditional handles and carry it like a normal bag.
Crafted from 100 per cent recycled body fabric, lining and webbing, the Black Hole is also coated in recycled TPU laminate to help fend off the worst of the weather. The material feels nice and robust, too.
Yeti Crossroads Duffel – from £200
Yeti has applied its usual heavy-duty approach that we’ve come to expect from its range of coolers and drinkware into the Crossroads duffel. Available in both 40-litre and 60-litre sizes, it’s got a reinforced exterior made from Yeti’s TuffSkin Nylon which is both water and abrasion-resistant. But as well as this hard-wearing nature, this rugged outside means that the bag stands up even when empty so you can load it easily without it flopping over.
Inside, you’ve got two divider panels which split the bag so you can differentiate between items. There are also some handy compression straps to lash down your gear. However, we found that when fully loaded, the top pocket of the Crossroads – which runs across the top of the bag – can be a little tricky to access, which is a pain if you’re trying to grab your passport or headphones in a hurry. It’s a very appealing bag design-wise, mind you, while the reinforced base means you’re not worried about slinging it down at a moment’s notice.
Osprey Transporter – £120
Osprey is one of the most sought-after brands in the trekking backpack world but how does it apply that same feeling into a more everyday affair? Well, it does it with the Transporter. A more compact travel bag, the Transporter is centred around one main pocket, while stowaway straps can be folded out to turn this into a very comfortable backpack. The straps really show Osprey’s credentials in this area, in truth, as they’re well padded and feature a narrow chest strap for a little extra help when the bag is fully loaded.
The un-reinforced main pocket top does flop over a bit when open and, when left out, the straps can make accessing that main section tricky at times. However, with its recycled polyester material – which feature dual-sided TPU coating – this bag feels like your best option if you’re heading to a wetter country. An overlapping zipper only helps to take these moisture-preventing measures one step further.
Db Roamer Split Duffel – from £229
Db has quietly become a big name in the go-anywhere luggage game. Its range of sports luggage – particularly its ski and surfboard bags – have put Db on the map, while its expansive range of backpacks has really hit home with photographers who value the ability to keep lenses, camera bodies and SD cards all safe and sound. The Roamer Split Duffel, meanwhile, is aimed at those who like to travel – and travel in style.
As the name suggests, the bag ‘splits’ in half, so it’s really easy to access your gear when you’ve stopped. It’s a little trickier to reach in and access it on the fly, mind you. However, once you’re inside you’ll find two large main pockets, while smaller mesh pockets mean it’s easier to store those loose items like your keys, phone or cables. The carry straps are nicely reinforced, too, while a chest strap is great for when the bag is fully loaded – particularly the vast 90-litre version.
Bach Dr Duffel – from £145
Bach’s Dr Duffel has a pretty unusual design for this segment. As the name alludes to, it’s got a ‘doctor’s bag’ opening. But rather than being a leather version like your local GP’s, this one is made from hard-wearing fabric which is available in a variety of eye-catching colours. However, this design is far more than just looks alone as it helps to give a really large opening to the main section of the bag. Plus, because it can stand up on its own, it’s great for when you’re trying to load it up in a hurry as it won’t fall over.
The shoulder straps can be stowed away when not needed, too, returning it to a more traditional hand-carried design. Once you’re inside the bag there’s a really useful central section which is framed by zipped pockets to keep those loose items safe. It’s available in a variety of sizes, too, ranging from the day trip-friendly 20-litre version through to a more capacious 110-litre model. All get that same clever doctor’s bag-style opening, too.
Rab Escape Kit Bag – £100
If you want a bag that has out-and-out storage at its heart, then the Rab Escape Kit Bag could be the one for you. This is an extremely lightweight bag and it can even be packed away into an internal pocket so it can be neatly stored away. You could even keep it in another bag so that you’ve got a secondary luggage option should you need it.
The Hydroshield Dura fabric feels robust and very weather-resistant, though its thinness means that this bag might not be quite as protected against impacts as others. This lightweight nature also means it’s quite floppy when unloaded, but a large internal pocket means this bag’s main area is very easy to access and fill out. There are external compression straps to pull all your items together, too.
What to look for in a travel bag?
Dividers and pockets
When you’re on the road you’re likely to have a variety of different items with you. For these, it’s best to have different pockets of different sizes – after all, you don’t want to have to be mucking about trying to find your passport amid your clothes and shoes when you’re in a hurry. So a bag with a number of different-sized pockets can really help. The Patagonia bag on our list is a case in point; it’s got loads of storage options so that everything can have its own place.
Even one small mesh or zippable pocket can really help and it means that you know exactly where that must-have thing is right when you need it.
Robust materials
Travel bags take a beating, so ensuring that they’re made from something pretty hard-wearing will ensure that they don’t fail when you’re on the road. The Yeti Crossroads, for example, has an impact-resistant base while the Db Roamer Split’s padded design means that not only will your bag take the hits, but your gear will be protected in the process.
The Rab Escape, meanwhile, does trade off against this robustness slightly, but it counters with that excellent lightweight feeling which means it can be packed away easily – something others here can’t do.
Good carry straps
A number of the bags on this list have pull-out carry straps that allow them to switch into backpacks and this feature can really pay dividends when you’re on the go all day. Having a backpack option also leaves your hands free to do what they need to do.
However, even travel bags with a more traditional over-the-shoulder design need straps that are robust. After all, you’re going to be picking it up and dropping it down a lot, so you need to make sure that these straps are up to the job. Look out for reinforced materials and hard-wearing buckles and attachments.
Capacity
What size of bag you need completely depends on what type of travelling you’ve got planned. For example, the smallest Dr Duffel from Bach could be ideal for a day trip, while the 90-litre Db is a fine choice for lengthier trips aboard.
It’s also worth considering if you’d want to check the bag into a plane’s hold. It’s always worth checking with your airline as to what their policy is on hand luggage, but most companies allow for between a 30 and 40-litre bag. Plus, the squashy nature of the bags on this list will mean you’ve got a little more wiggle room.
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