Does anyone out there use a duffel bag as their primary suitcase? If so, how has it worked for you and what type do you use. It is time for me to replace my 22" and I have thought about buying a duffelpack (a duffel I can carry as a backpack). It would be gret if I could find on that has wheels too. Across between this bag and this one.

We use one. We use the older model of the Victorinox Standard Traveler 22". We've always used a duffel/softsided bag so this was a big improvement for us. We really like the lightness of the bag (6lb 6oz) and the smooth rolling. We haven't used the ability to 'pack' it because it is so easy to roll.

Downsides to soft duffels are your clothes will get pretty wrinkled and swished. I've also found the 22" pretty small for packing large shoes. You lose a bit of room to the wheels and the handle.

Pros, it expands quite a bit so a light packer (like us) is able to get a good amount of clothes in it. On ours the main compartment expands with a zippered expansion flap.

Our model is a bit old. The newer 3.0 version which has a detactable day pack, we didn't like. You seemed to lose more room with these features and it was a bit more heavier. We went for lightness.

We liked it enough, we've bought a second one. We also usually take a day pack since we are active travelers and do hiking, etc. We use the day pack also for our electronic carryon gear.

Another one that a lot of people like is the one Rick Steves sells.

I have a very light-weight Lexon duffel bag with wheels.
I like it very much.
But you must know already that packing for a duffel need some "structuring", since its interior is not structured at all. I put a neat pile of folded clothes in the middle, then heavier things (shoes, books) on the earthbound end, and lighter things (underwear) on the other end.
If you don't "structure" the interior yourself, your effects tend to tumble all over the place, which they do not do so much in a classic suitcase.
Another thing about the use of a wheeled duffel: since it is a squat body, any ground instability will tip it sideways off the two-wheeled balance. Nbd, you just need to know.

Thanks for the quick replies and packing tips. The main interest for me is having something relatively large that will hold five or so days worth of clothes that I can carry on my back, over a shoulder or roll along. With a couple of kids usually in tow, it would be nice to have free hands with out swinging around a bag in airport crowds.

It's also quite helpful to use packing cubes for your clothes, and then put the cubes in the duffel. And shoe covers for your shoes, since they sometimes end up tumbling all around in the duffel.

I use a 36" rolling duffel as my main suitcase. It's expandable, and has hideaway backpack straps....useable if it's not too heavy! I really like the separate drop-bottom compartment, it's perfect for books and shoes.
High Sierra 36" Rolling Duffel

They do also have smaller ones.

Does that thing have any kind of internal frame or anything? I can't imagine doing much walking with a something that size on my back that didn't have decent backpack suspension, but maybe your back is a lot stronger than mine!

I also like the Victorinox Standard Traveler only I have the 26". It doesn't even seem that large. It's sort of a cross between a suitcase and a backpack with wheels. I spent hours looking at all types of brands (including the Eagle Creeks and REI brands) but I found these to be the lightest.

I recently purchased this bag which is a cross between a duffle and backpack (great for overnight/weekend getaways): Here

quote:

Does that thing have any kind of internal frame or anything? I can't imagine doing much walking with a something that size on my back that didn't have decent backpack suspension, but maybe your back is a lot stronger than mine!

The backpack feature works as long as the bag isn't too loaded, though I do have a smaller one for trips with a lot of walking to train stations, etc. But as most of our last few trips have involved getting to the rental car and tossing in the bags, using it as a rolling bag works very well. Besides, I need the extra, expandable space for bringing back wine, olive oil, etc.

trekcapri:

Would the small bag pictured above hold as much as a traditional 21" or 22" roller bag?

Thanks again for the replies.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DanM:
Would the small bag pictured above hold as much as a traditional 21" or 22" roller bag?
QUOTE]

Short answer, Yes!

Long Answer: The main difference from a traditional 22" in my opinion is the weight and slightly softer sides. IAnd as Marta mentioned it has the ability to exapnd and has an outer zipper compartment in addition to the main compartment. I've posted a size comparison photo below:

Left - REI Cargo Weekender (No wheels, Duffle/Backpack straps)

Middle - Victorinox Standard Traveler 22" (Wheels/backpack straps)

Right-Victorinox Standard Traveler 26" (wheels/backpack straps)

The luggage on the right is the one that is featured in my post above. Even though it is 26" it fits nicely in the overhead luggage rack on a train that I took in the Czech Republic last year.

The luggage on the left is the one featured in the link I posted above the photo. It is a cross between a duffle/backpack and one that I have used on quick getaways. I wouldn't consider this main luggage material, but I think it would make a decent secondary extra bag.

I'll be in Italy this year and wanted to take home some wine. I'm considering stuffing the Cargo Weekender bag in my Victorinox to make room for my return trip (Swiss Air allows two checked luggage).

Anyway, I hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Awesome reply. thanks for taking the time to take and post the photo. Very kind.

Dan, last two trips we have been using a large, rolling duffle with handle and wheels (purchased at Dillard's, in Austin). It has a rigid lower frame for support and shoulder straps so it can be packed in (we got it because it holds so much and we can pack it up the cobble steps in Casperia, where wheels aren't very practical). It holds about as much as we can safely carry on our back for any distance. Only problem is when checked it tends to get squashed a bit. The only problems we've ever had in that regard were when we were bringing 5 liter tins of olive oil back. So we wrap in bubble wrap and hope for the best. It's a good choice, I think.

Thanks, Chris. A fellow lawyer 90 minutes away. A small world.

Not really. There are lawyers everywhere.
Next time you're in Austin, give me a shout & I'll buy you a drink.