Db has a fearsome reputation in the luggage racket. Bags of all shapes and sizes, laced with Scandi-inspired cool, have shown that Db can turn its hand to all sorts of adventures and activities, designing luggage that fits the bill no matter what you’re doing and the Db Roamer Duffel is one of the latest additions.

But finding a bag that’ll do it all evenly is quite tricky. You could argue that the Roamer Duffel is designed to do just that, providing a handy solution to a last-minute trip away, or a more established base for when you’re venturing further afield and need to take your essentials along with you. Frequent flyers might be looking in this area for a bag that’ll help make travelling more streamlined, too. 

Db doesn’t have this area of the market to itself, either, so the Roamer Duffel does need to tick a whole lot of boxes in order to come out on top. But given Db’s expertise in other areas of luggage and travel equipment, our expectations for this Duffel are high. We’ve been putting it to the test to see just what it’s like and whether you should be checking it out. 

Sphere Score 

For

• Easy to roll up when not in use
• Comfortable straps are easy to adjust
• Plenty of space inside 
•  Zips have a robust construction
• Sleek aesthetic doesn’t attract attention 
• Side handle makes carrying easier

Against

• Primary material feels a little lightweight
• Chest strap clasp isn’t the easiest to use
• Could do with an interior pocket

Tech specs 

• Price: £139
• 40-litre capacity
• 360-degree handles so you can carry the Roamer sideways
• Compatible with some of Db’s other bags with Hook Up system
• Water-resistant lining 

What has the Db Roamer Duffel got to offer?

First impressions of the Db Roamer Duffel reveal its undercover style and pebble-like design. It’s a ‘backcess’ backpack – as Db puts it – which means that the main access point to the Duffel is through the back, or the side where the straps are. Open up the robust zips and you’ve got a useful 40 litres of space. Plus, because of the duffel style design, you can pack that right to the edges.

It’s all contained within a lightweight polyester skin and you’ve got both traditional shoulder straps and a handy chest strap which should help to spread weight a little more evenly – particularly when the bag is loaded up. A water-resistant lining to the whole duffel aims to keep your valuables dry, too. 

As with many other Db products, the Roamer Duffel features a ‘hook-up’ system which allows it to combine with other luggage from the brand to create one overall system. It’ll certainly make things a little easier when you’re rushing through an airport and don’t want to struggle carrying separate bags. 

A semi-hidden pocket at the end of the bag is a prime spot for those most required items like a passport and headphones, while the zip itself is closely integrated into the overall design of the Duffel so that it’s not immediately obvious where it is. While that might sound like a negative, it’s actually quite a good security measure and stops it from being a quick target for would-be thieves. 

Wearing the Db Roamer Duffel – what is it like?

On first impressions, the Db Roamer Duffel is incredibly lightweight. The smooth exterior skin doesn’t feel overly robust, but the zips counter this with a nicely chunky design. One of the best aspects of this bag’s design is how easy it is to pack and you can easily squeeze far more equipment inside than you might think. It’s also perfectly suited to carry-on luggage duties and is easy to sling into an overhead locker. Its squashy nature means you can stow it under the seat in front of you should you need it. 

The straps are supportive, too, and the chest strap is ideal for when the bag is fully loaded and heavy. One thing is that the clasp for the chest strap seems needlessly fiddly and if you’re wearing gloves it’s near-impossible to fix. It’d be good to have a slightly larger clasp to make this aspect easier. That said, the adjustment clasps for the main straps are far more robust in their design and make tailoring the bag’s height simple, even when you’re on the move or in a hurry. 

The singular interior pocket is good for your essentials, but it’d be nice to have one more inside – even a mesh pocket could be useful for helping divide up your equipment. When you’re in a rush, it can be all too frustrating to be left fishing around the main pocket. 

While the main shell of the bag might be relatively thin, the material it is made from has a robust feel to it. Certainly, the Db Roamer Duffel shook off the scrapes and bumps that come with travel. It still cleans up well with the slightly shiny material being easy to wipe down, too. The lack of any real badging is a Db trademark and while we do like the rather anonymous design of our fully blacked-out test bag, we’d be more inclined to go for a brighter option – like the brilliantly head-turning Parhelion Orange version – to make it easier to pick out and far less easy to forget once you’ve put it down. 

To finish

The Db Roamer Duffel feels like a brilliant extension of this brand’s range of backpacks. Lightweight but versatile, it’ll provide a great option for busy travellers looking for a lightweight packing option or day-trippers who are after enough space for their next adventure. 

While it might be nice to have a slightly thicker-grade material for the outer skin, the Db Roamer Duffel’s robust zips and straps make up for this while its easy-to-pack design will ensure that you don’t need to leave any of your essentials back at home.