Best Carry on Duffel Bags

For longer-term trips, you’ll want a duffel that can hold a lot of gear. Look for models that can accommodate large loads with comfortable carrying options and durable materials.

Our top picks successfully balance capacity, convenient carrying options, and durable materials at a reasonable price. Most models are also carry-on compatible to avoid a potential trip delay.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

One of Reviewed’s favorite accessories brands, Dagne Dover designs thoughtfully executed, roomy bags and organizers that elevate packing as an art form. This particular weekender bag—the brand’s flagship product and the winner of our Editor’s Choice award—has it all. Made with neoprene (the same material used in scuba wetsuits) and a waterproof REPREVE liner, it’s stylish, sleek and durable.

Designed with busy parents in mind, the Landon durable luggage Carryall unsnaps at the sides and includes a shoe duster, air mesh pocket for socks or sunscreen and both a crossbody strap and shorter shoulder handles for toting around town or across the airport. The interior has a padded laptop sleeve, a laundry/shoe compartment and even a water bottle pocket to prevent spills during travel.

I love that the interior of this duffel includes several zipper pouches for toiletries, which protect my delicate skincare and makeup while also separating them from other items in my luggage. It’s the little details like these that make Dagne Dover stand out from other bags. The company also designs backpacks and smaller totes for everyday use and even accessories, such as crossbody bags and organizer pouches.

Lo & Sons O.G. 2 Bag

When the search for a stylish travel bag proved elusive to Helen Lo, an avid traveler in her mid-60s, she and her two sons decided to create their own. The company now includes weekender bags, backpacks and crossbody purses with a focus on human-centered design. The initial product ideas are tested with friends and family, and the team even sits at airports to observe how travelers move with their luggage.

This carry on travel bag is designed with this in mind, from the padded laptop compartment that passes security screenings to the side pocket for shoes or a wet umbrella. It’s also filled with pockets for everything from pens and passports to cords and keys. The thoughtful layout makes it easy to find your things and means you won’t ever have to rummage around for them.

The brand is also known for its use of sustainable materials, such as plant fibers for a vegan leather alternative and recycled and organic cottons. Plus, every purchase of a Lo & Sons product saves 31 plastic bottles from going to landfills.

L.L.Bean Rolling Duffel

Whether you’re looking for something to carry a couple of towels and lunch to the beach or an extra bag to bring on a short business trip, you should consider a rolling duffel. It’s roomy enough to hold everything you need while still being easy to roll through airport security and onto the plane.

The best wheeled duffels are designed to be durable and rugged, with tough fabrics like ripstop nylon or ballistic polyester. They also feature features that make them easier to carry, like a handle wrap or padded shoulder straps. Some, like the Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag Del Dia, are made of repurposed ripstop nylon and cost less than the Herschel bag but have similar durability and organizational features, including zippered and padded laptop and tablet sleeves.

This Samsonite large two-wheel rolling duffel offers a mix of organization and storage that business travelers should appreciate, including a dedicated rucksack manufacturers zippered tech pocket and a padded laptop sleeve. It’s also a bit lighter than the other large wheeled duffels we reviewed and has a retractable handle that makes it easier to roll.

Herschel Carryall

If someone asked you to picture a basic duffle bag, chances are you’d think of this one. It has the look and feel of a traditional barrel duffle, but it is much slimmer than most other options we reviewed. It’s perfect if you want to take your Herschel bag with you on quick trips or to the gym, as it fits in the airline carry-on size requirements and will fit easily into most luggage compartments. It features one main compartment, a small internal sleeve, and a shoe pocket to keep footwear separate from the rest of your gear.

With a capacity of 33 liters, the Herschel Novel duffle is a good option for casual weekend adventures or regular training at the gym. Its main compartment is seamed and has a large zippered opening, making it easy to pack your clothes and other gear for two or three days. A separate shoe pocket keeps your footwear isolated, and a zip-down storage sleeve lets you easily store boarding passes and travel documents. This bag is backed by Herschel’s limited lifetime warranty.

Gregory Alpaca

The Gregory Alpaca is big enough to fit everything you need for a long trip and is made from tough, recycled materials that are durable and weather resistant. This duffel has a wide zippered opening on top, unlike the LL Bean bag, which makes it easier to pack and to find gear inside. This is a small but important detail that can make all the difference on a long camping trip or in a car with limited space for extra gear.

The main zipper has a large, D-shaped opening and the heavy-duty zippers are smooth and glide easily without getting snagged. There is also a zippered end pocket that expands into the interior for dirty gear. The padded backpack straps and carry handles can be removed to convert this into a backpack, making it easy to haul on a long hike or a road trip.

It also has a daisy chain of 7 loops along each side, which can be used to clip accessories and gear to the duffel or alternatively use it to lash the duffel to vehicles, llamas, or other pack animals for transport or hiking.