So with these thoughts in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best laptop backpacks under $125…

The North Face Vault Backpack (US$59.95)

Functional organization at a budget-friendly price? The North Face Vault Backpack is a smart pick. The main compartment features a suspended and padded 15″ laptop sleeve, while the front organization compartment keeps quick-access items at the ready. The pack also provides side water bottle pockets, a bike loop and reflective detailing.

Everlane Nylon Commuter Backpack (US$68)

Simple, stylish and great value for money, the Everlane Nylon Commuter Backpack demonstrates you don’t need to spend big for a practical, timeless piece. The low-key aesthetics suit a variety of work environments (plus downtime ones too), with a variety of pockets on hand to organize your essentials. The 19L pack has a padded sleeve for a 15″ laptop and a water-resistant build for protection from the elements.

Topo Designs Y-Pack (US$79)

Outdoor heritage vibes meet urban versatility with Topo Designs’ Y-Pack. An adaptable 17L backpack that glides from the commute to a day hike or weekend away, it fits a 15″ laptop in its padded interior sleeve. The padded base provides added protection against bumps and shocks, while the zippered flap pocket and side bottle pockets keep small essentials conveniently within reach.

Harvest Label Freight Pack (US$79.95)

Looking for a pack that embraces the office and beyond? The Harvest Label Freight Pack steps up with its handsome aesthetic and straightforward organization. A front pocket and dedicated rear 13″ laptop pocket keep essentials close at hand, with a further interior pocket high up in the main compartment. The pack also provides a side handle and side button straps that convert into a top handle if desired.

Thule Lithos Backpack 20L (US$79.95)

Thule’s Lithos Backpack combines clean styling with considered organization for work, campus or day-to-day needs. The main compartment includes a suspended, padded 15″ laptop pocket as well as a tablet pocket and mesh pocket. For smaller items the quick-access front organization panel has you covered. Side pockets let you store water bottles or similar items at the ready. And a bike light loop helps keep you visible on the go.

RAWROW Square 2Way Original Bag 114 (~US$88)

With its smart-casual styling, functional design and carry flexibility, the RAWROW Square 2Way Original Bag 114 is a solid addition to work, travel and play carry setups. Top and side grab handles let you carry the pack as a tote or briefcase, while front quick-access pockets provide convenient storage for frequently used items. Inside you’ll find a sleeve for a 15″ laptop, with space for day-to-day essentials.

Haglöfs Corker Large (US$88.90)

Want great access with environmentally-conscious construction? The Haglöfs Corker Large provides both. Side access and multiple pockets ensure gear is easily accessible on the go. The bag is also made with bluesign® approved recycled materials and features a design that holds its shape even when the pack is not full. Inside you’ll find dedicated storage for a 15″ laptop, while elastic cord provides options for carrying bulky items externally.

Alite Designs Arcata Pack (US$90)

If you want an outdoor-ready pack that can accommodate your tech, check out the Arcata Pack. The water-resistant pack provides front and side pockets, along with an interior mesh pocket for smaller items. The sternum strap is removable if desired and the pack is also hydration bladder compatible. For added peace of mind, it’s backed by a lifetime guarantee too.

The North Face Rovara 27L Backpack (US$93.71)

If a little added protection from the elements is required, scope out the Rovara 27L Backpack. The bag’s roll-top opening and water-resistant exterior helps protect gear in downpours. Tech stays safe and secure in the main compartment within a padded and fleece-lined 15″ laptop sleeve. Additionally, two front pockets take care of quick-access items. And you’ll also enjoy a lifetime guarantee and a comfy FlexVent suspension system.

Bellroy Campus Backpack (US$95)

A clean and compact 16L pack that carries your essentials in classic, timeless style? Meet the Bellroy Campus Backpack. The padded laptop sleeve fits up to 15″ devices, with an interior zipped pocket and external front pocket for smaller items. And with its quality look and feel in a choice of colorways, this pack moves easily from work to play and back again.

Mystery Ranch Super Booty Bag (US$99)

The Super Booty flexes to your carry needs by doubling as a backpack and tote. The top opening can be secured in roll-top or fold-over configuration to suit your preferences. A front zippered pocket stashes quick-access essentials, with a rear externally accessed sleeve to store up to a 15″ laptop. And with Mystery Ranch’s burly build you’re good to go wherever the day leads.

pinqponq Okay Maxi Backpack (US$99.95)

Love having all your gear easily visible? The pinqponq Okay Maxi Backpack makes that happen with its wide-opening main compartment for rummage-free access. The interior 13″ padded laptop pocket protects your tech, with interior and exterior zipped pockets for those little essentials. Added bonus? The pack is made from 100% PET recycled fabrics too.

Incase ICON Lite Pack (US$99.95)

A sleek 12L pack that looks good on the city streets, in the office or on your travels? The Incase ICON Lite Pack is up to the task, with sufficient organization for essentials without sacrificing the minimalist feel. You’ll find a faux-fur padded sleeve for up to a 15″ laptop, along with interior pockets and quick-access external pockets to accommodate small EDC or travel gear.

Osprey Arcane Large Day Pack (US$110)

With its chic design and clever features the Osprey Arcane Large Day Pack has your back at work, about town or on the weekend. The left shoulder strap can be secured around a stationary object to help avoid theft, while a good range of interior and exterior pockets organize your gear, including a sleeve for a 15″ laptop. For added practicality, the waxed fabric exterior helps shed unexpected showers.

Topo Designs Span Daypack (US$119.25)

A versatile pack for the trail or urban environments, the Topo Designs Span Daypack features a wide-opening main compartment to quickly reach gear. A variety of pockets and lash tabs let you tailor the pack to suit different setups, with space for up to a 17″ laptop. The USA-made construction also includes a cinch collar around the main zipper for added weather protection.

Heimplanet Monolith Minimal 18L Backpack (US$120)

A super-sleek design that doesn’t forget functionality makes this pack a savvy choice for the minimalist. The bag provides three exterior front pockets, an interior 15″ laptop compartment and interior MOLLE webbing to secure pouches or accessories. The durable, water-resistant build takes daily use and the elements in its stride, delivering an elegant all-rounder for the commute and downtime fun.

Filson Small Day Pack (US$120)

With its rugged, water-resistant build Filson’s Small Day Pack is ready to roam in urban and outdoor environments alike. And its understated heritage vibe slips easily into a variety of settings too. The pack has a cinch-down drawcord closure and a reinforced Rugged Twill base. And for keeping small essentials close, the pack also comes with a removable internal zippered wool pouch.

Alchemy Equipment AEL017 20L Roll Top Daypack (~US$121)

Alchemy Equipment does a great job of blending technical construction with considered urban styling and their AEL017 20L Roll Top Daypack is a fine example. The weather-resistant bag has a magnetic roll-top opening that adjusts to a variety of loads, with a front pocket and stretch side pockets for quick-access items. The interior sleeve fits up to a 15″ laptop, while the eye-catching aesthetics will draw admiring glances whether you’re commuting or meandering to your local park or cafe.

Greenroom136 Rainmaker (~US$122)

If you love lots of options for organizing your gear, the Greenroom136 Rainmaker should be on your carry radar. The pack’s three compartments, wide choice of pockets and interior webbing let you store a range of EDC, work or travel items tidily on the move. The bag fits up to a 15″ laptop within an easy-access clamshell-style compartment. Add in the 1000D Cordura nylon exterior and you’ve got a tough and adaptable companion to tackle a diverse array of carry needs.

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21L (US$125)

Built to conquer changing urban and outdoor carry needs, the Urban Assault 21L delivers a honed mix of durability, adaptability, comfort and access. With its 3-ZIP opening the contents remain within easy reach even at the base of the bag. A lid pocket and two interior pockets prevent smaller items doing a disappearing act, while the suspended laptop sleeve fits up to a 15″ device. Plus there’s also suspended storage for a large tablet too.

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Haglöfs Torsång (~US$126)

Okay, so it’s not entirely all-black. But the stylish leather detailing certainly isn’t a hard compromise to accept. The Haglöfs Torsång’s sweet heritage vibe looks a treat in work settings and outdoor environments alike. The bluesign® approved main fabric is 500D ATY Oxford Polyamide, while the leather is sourced from Leather Working Group audited tanneries for a reduced environmental impact. The interior tech sleeve fits a 15″ laptop, with an interior zippered pocket and two exterior zippered pockets for further organization. If you’re after a pack that flows from city streets to forests and fields, this is a fine pick.

Farer Design Dayfarer Backpack (~US$168)

The Dayfarer Backpack delivers a knock-out punch to the work/gym carry challenge. The clean silhouette looks sleek in the office, while the tough and water-repellent 1680D ballistic nylon exterior handles everyday bumps and scrapes with ease. And you’ve got plenty of organization on hand too. A separate padded laptop compartment, ventilated shoe compartment, and multiple pockets including an expandable water bottle pocket keep gear neat and accessible. The wide-opening main compartment enables easy packing and access throughout the bag. Plus the Dayfarer Backpack also serves as a travel bag for minimalist loads, with a luggage passthrough sleeve and useful top and side grab handles for maneuverability.

WANDRD PRVKE 21L (US$184)

You need a bag you can carry on the daily. But some travel flexibility would be great too. Oh, and if it holds your camera gear, it’ll be close to perfect for your needs. Well, the folks at WANDRD created just such a bag. The PRVKE 21L Backpack has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, designed to adapt to a variety of carry loads and environments. Its weather-resistant build features water-resistant tarpaulin, 1680D ballistic nylon, and water-resistant zippers to shake off wet commutes with ease. Plus it comes with a rain cover too. Handy travel features include a lay-flat checkpoint-friendly laptop sleeve and secure passport pocket. Gear can be accessed through the roll-top opening or through the front-panel opening. There’s also the option to expand the pack from 21L to 25L through the roll-top closure. The bag can be paired with an optional camera cube to protect photo equipment and provides quick side access to your camera so you don’t miss that epic shot. And the expandable water bottle pocket can also double as a tripod pocket if required.

Triple Aught Design Axiom 24 (US$325)

TAD are experts at sleek efficiency and versatility, with plenty of both on offer in the Axiom 24. Lightweight yet durable, the weatherproof pack is made in the USA with a VX-21 ripstop shell. The pack does well at blending a clean aesthetic with thoughtful organization to accommodate both EDC and short travel trips. The fully padded laptop compartment fits up to a 15″ laptop. And there’s a useful range of quick-access pockets including a front admin pocket, a top zippered pocket and side pockets for water bottles or outer layers that bellow into the main compartment to maintain the sleek form. Additionally a separate pocket for dirty laundry or shoes protects the rest of your gear on the go. Inside the main compartment you’ll find PALS webbing and Helix attachment points for securing smaller items and modular accessories. For ease of access the pack features a clamshell opening to quickly reach gear throughout the main compartment. And with the wide shoulder straps you can enjoy all-day carry comfort.

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This is the “downtown” lunch option, according to our hosts, who work in the now chalet-white, warm interior of the former Electrolux factory warehouse around the corner. They are Henrik Björkman, Elin Hellemar and ‘Big Boss’ Viktor Wramdemark, the award-winning hardware team at Scandinavian brand Haglöfs, and they assure me the fish is good.

If you’re not Scandinavian, you may not have come across the Haglöfs name. For non-Nordics, it’s pronounced ‘hog-lerffs,’ and it’s perhaps the most respected outdoor brand in Sweden. Its backpacks and outdoor wear are a force in the market, its popularity stemming from the fact that it’s one of the most seasoned veterans in the field; so too, because it began, and sustained, as a family brand that never gave up its commitment to genuine, quality production.

I order the fish, and join the crew out on the rear deck. Henrik relaxes like a hip wharfie in beanie and sockless brogues; Viktor, a tall unit with a red mop of surfer’s hair; Elin, chirpy and upbeat, who tells me she rode into work today, hence her recreational attire (Haglöfs from head to toe). Dappled noon sun flits on our foreheads, and the air is the cleanest on earth.

“Soon, there will be no sun for six months,” says Henrik, who speaks in measures with a laid-back croak (no doubt from mild jet lag after flying back from Vietnam just hours earlier). “I actually went out in the jungle this time,” he says, “to the Mekong, in this gondola boat, with anacondas and stuff everywhere.”

“Its backpacks and outdoor wear are a force in the market, its popularity stemming from the fact that it’s one of the most seasoned veterans in the field; so too, because it began, and sustained, as a family brand that never gave up its commitment to genuine, quality production.”

He and Elin travel to the Haglöfs factory in Ho Chi Minh four times a year to research samples. “They’re so fast and skilled,” Henrik says. “One time we went out there, and sometimes it’s hard to explain things in words, or in pictures, and a colleague of ours was like ‘can I just borrow a sewing machine and show you?’ And he sat in the machine and just touched the foot pedal…and it was like: BHHRRRRMMM! They were ten times faster than our machines.”

While production takes place offshore, Elin and Henrik call the shots for all of Haglöfs’s hardware design, backpacks and bags included. “We do almost everything, from the first idea, to presenting that to the sales guys – that marketing side of it,” Elin says.

“It’s a big benefit,” adds Viktor, who oversees the company’s hardware and footwear sectors: “the designers need to look in the market; they need to follow the product all the way. Being the best ones to know the product, they know how to sell it.” “You give the love to these products,” adds Elin. “They’re our babies.”

With over 100 years of research, development and production to its name, Haglöfs is far from a newborn. In 1914, the story goes, founder Wiktor Haglöfs began sewing backpacks on his family’s farm outside Borlänge, a rural municipality four hours north of Stockholm. They were an instant hit with local workers and school children; Haglöfs grew into a thriving enterprise: new employees, a larger factory, and with the advent of the Second World War, they became key suppliers to the Swedish military.

Over the decades, Wiktor refined his packs with ingenuity, never yielding to anything but superior quality and the finest, most durable construction. In the ‘70s, his sons Rolf and Hans took the reigns, sold the company off, and set up a new hardware factory in Borlänge called SACCI. After a series of ownership changes and a fresh technical direction, the company landed in 2010 in the hands of Japanese multi-national, ASICS.

Encouragingly, Wiktor Haglöfs’s 100-year-old ethic still thrives beneath the ASICS umbrella: that unerring quality, and free creative license. Essentially, ASICS bought Haglöfs because they love the brand.

“Wiktor Haglöfs’s 100-year-old ethic still thrives beneath the ASICS umbrella: that unerring quality, and free creative license.”

“When it comes to product, and aesthetics, we’re free to do what we want,” says Henrik. “We pretty much know what we’re doing in the backpack area,” adds Elin, “I would say they come to us to ask us about backpacks.”

Rare it is these days for a company in any industry to survive 100 years. In 2014, Haglöfs did, and celebrated in style. To commemorate the moment, Elin and Henrik guided the creation of RYGGSÄCK N:O 1, a limited edition pack that arched back to the company’s roots.

As well as being constructed from 100% Swedish materials (except for the thread, I’m told, which came from Germany, the one thing Sweden doesn’t produce), the ‘Number 1’ handed the company an awesome ‘full-circle’ story: inspired by Wiktor Haglöfs’s early century designs, the limited run of 1000 units were produced by his sons in their SACCI factory, a short stroll from the very same wooden shack where their father founded the family’s legacy a century earlier. It was a fitting capstone to a century in the game.

“For me, it was the most fun product we’d ever done,” says Henrik, “It was really tough: the first time we did something like this; the first project we all really shared.”

With two and a half years’ lead-up, it was also the longest. “At first, we had a whole room full of ‘this is what it shouldn’t look like,” he laughs.

The project was proof, too, of the founding family’s lasting influence on the brand’s modern incarnation. “When we contacted them (the Haglöfs brothers), Hans, of course, just lit up; he went into deep, deep hiding places to pick out old moulds and stuff from the ‘30s and ‘40s. They’ve kept everything.”

One of the greatest values of Haglöfs is its history. “In the more present past, we haven’t been that clear about that. The 100 years ticking past was a reminder that we ought to be communicating more about it,” adds Viktor.

“One of the greatest values of Haglöfs is its history.”

The Number 1 accompanied a suite of fresh designs launched to coincide with the Haglöfs centenary. Fall/winter 2014 also saw the release of 19FOURTEEN – a collection of packs, bags, clothing and shoes, driven by a demanding, and versatile, fresh urban look.

“For Haglöfs, it has almost been a little bit ‘forbidden’ before, to make a casual collection: ‘we’re outdoor…we should be outdoor,’” says Viktor.

The new inspiration? Themselves. “It was something new, and something we all wanted to have, because we use these products every day,” adds Elin. “Today, people want to buy one piece of gear and use it for all different activities,” says Henrik. “The whole outdoor business is turning in that direction. People want to be able to use the same backpack for back and forth to work, and be able to bike commute, or go on a mountain bike trip after work.”

The new line marked an evolution in the company’s aesthetic, so too, a sign of things to come. “What we did has peeled off to the rest of the collection. It’s broadened, and opened our eyes.” The 2017 winter range, already on the team’s radar, will presumably pick up from where 19FOURTEEN left off.

Viktor leaves us after lunch – there’s a big sales conference in the showroom back at HQ – while Elin and Henrik chaperone us a short stroll away to nearby Lake Mälaren, the shimmering waters of which Haglöfs employees are free to, and frequently do, swim in during their summertime lunchbreaks. In winter, they ski. Elin points out the mini slope by the tree line where they test out products. To maximize sun exposure in the colder months, lunchbreaks are flexible. A personal trainer comes in to run fitness classes twice a week.

“It’s probably the best workplace you can think of,” says Elin. Henrik nods. “When I started here, it felt like I stopped working.”

“Everybody here is into outdoor activities, and the activities bond people together. The job becomes fun,” says Elin. “This is the first time that I ever met people with the same values…about life.”

“It sounds like, er…we’re making this up,” laughs Henrik.

But it’s clear that they’re not. Back at HQ, workers are finishing up lunch in a communal dining room that looks like the pitch-roofed social quarters of a contemporary ski chalet. Good vibes and productivity flow through the place.

On the final leg, Henrik and Elin reveal their workspace, a cosy nook amidst the labyrinthine split-levels of the Haglöfs chalet cubby house. It’s surprisingly neat, the trademark Swedish blend of style and functionality to induce maximum creativity. There’s a bunch of paper prototypes on a sorting bench, one of which is the RYGGSÄCK N:O 1.

“Fabric is exactly like paper, so if you get the pattern to work in paper, it’ll work even better in fabric,” says Elin. We work a lot in front of the computer, but it’s not until you get this in your hand that you say ‘okay, we can do this.’” Henrik agrees. “It’s loads of fun…like when you were a kid.”

“People want to be able to use the same backpack for back and forth to work, and be able to bike commute, or go on a mountain bike trip after work.”

It’s clear that Haglöfs have a handle on what makes for excellent outdoor gear, but aside from seasoned expertise, an awesome work environment and 100 years in the game, I’m curious what their secret is.

“I don’t think there’s a 100% safe recipe…‘cause you never know when a product really nails it. It’s timing, it’s looks…” Elin chimes in: “…whether you have credibility, the right distribution channels…everything needs to work together.”

“Fabric is exactly like paper, so if you get the pattern to work in paper, it’ll work even better in fabric…”

Henrik is pensive. “The recipe is fairly simple, but it’s hard to…make it delicious.”

By the white wooden floorboards of the Haglöfs HQ reception lounge, you experience the company’s entire legend on a Wall of Fame-style display: sample packs from across the century chronicles with museum-esque murals. They thread an evocative narrative of the journey to date. I see a picture of Wiktor Haglöfs’s wooden shack; then I’m drawn to the ‘80s section, where retro bags meet perms, lipstick, and neon spandex: very ‘ski resort’. And though this wall was probably set up to impress and inform interlopers and outsiders like me, it serves an additional, and just as crucial function: to communicate to, and perhaps remind, its 60-odd (and growing) employees of their company’s founding ethic – the heart and soul of its operations, whether family-owned or not – each and every morning that they come here to create. Elin looks on glowingly. “It was once a family company, and it still has that aura.”

Photography by Honor Kennedy

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The post Haglofs Boda 70 appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

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Boreas Erawan Duffel

The Erawan Duffel is one of those bags that is equally at home heading to the airport or slung in the back of your off-road 4×4. Stowable backpack straps and side handles let you alternate carry methods to accommodate different situations. The shoulder straps can also be adjusted to suit different torso lengths, while additional handy features include a wet/dry pocket for keeping wet items separate from the rest of your gear, external attachment points, plus a waterproof pocket to make sure your valuables stay safe and dry.

Patagonia Black Hole 60L

The Black Hole Duffel has built up a solid reputation in the world of gear bags – and it’s easy to see why. There are several ways to carry the bag, including backpack straps, top handles and end grab handles, making it easy to manoeuvre it in tight spaces or over long distances. The hard-wearing and water-resistant construction keeps the elements at bay, and a choice of interior and exterior zipped pockets keep your smaller items in order. The main compartment has a large opening for easy access to gear, along with internal compression straps, while the exterior daisy chains let you carry extra gear as needed. A particularly nifty feature is that the duffel can stuff into its own pocket, offering convenient storage when the bag is not in use, as well as a compact form if you want to take the duffel in your luggage as a day bag at your destination.

The North Face Base Camp

With a claim to fame as one of the most famous gear bags out there, the Base Camp Duffel has made its presence felt across the globe thanks to its hard-wearing construction and versatile functionality. This plucky duffel is ready to take on carry challenges near and far with its water-resistant build, multiple grab handles and backpack straps, compression straps, easy-access D-zip opening, as well as external and internal pockets for organization.

Red Oxx Safari-Beanos PR4

Tough as an ox, this is the kind of bag that never wants to stop exploring – whether it’s city surroundings or outdoor landscapes. With its rugged build featuring 1000D Cordura and durable #10 YKK zips, it’s ready to work hard and play hard. In addition to a range of day-to-day uses, the bag can also serve as a carry-on companion during your travels. While it’s sure to please anyone after a hard-working, functional and versatile bag, organizers are also sure to dig it thanks to a great choice of pockets.

Nike Eugene Duffel

After a gear bag that looks good in the city? The sleek urban design of the Nike Eugene Duffel gives it an edge over burly bags with aesthetics that suggest they’re designed to go ten rounds with the side of a mountain. But don’t let its urban-friendly looks fool you. The Eugene is ready for action with its water-resistant construction, removable shoulder strap, two sets of top handles, and an exterior zipped pocket that provides quick access to frequently used items. For even greater functionality the duffel packs into its own pouch, saving space when not in use and making it a handy second bag for storing in your luggage during your travels.

Dakine Sherpa Duffle

Whatever’s on the carry agenda, from work supplies to travel gear, this versatile all-rounder can get the job done. A choice of stowable backpack straps, a removable shoulder strap, as well as top and end grab handles provide flexible portability. Organization is also covered, with exterior zipped pockets for quick-access items and an interior mesh pocket. Speaking of the interior, it’s easy to access thanks to the Velcro/zip opening. Plus with a total volume of 53L, you won’t be short of space for travel and everyday use. As an added bonus, this bag isn’t heavy on your bank balance, making it an attractive option if you want a functional piece of kit on a reasonable budget.

MEC Duffle Bag

It’s easy to be drawn into the lure of Everest-ready duffels, with more bells and whistles than a steam train, and a hefty price tag to boot. Going to be scaling Everest any time soon? Didn’t think so. The MEC Duffle is for all the everyday and travel situations you actually do find yourself in – going to the gym, hauling work supplies, grabbing groceries and heading off on weekend getaways. It’s available in five sizes and can be carried using a shoulder strap, as well as top and end handles. Plus the two largest sizes also include backpack straps. The duffel’s exterior zipped pocket is a handy stash point for a wallet, phone, keys and the like. To add even more features to the mix, the duffel folds into its own pocket for easy storage when not in use or to form a compact addition to your luggage. Rounding things off is one of its most attractive features – its wallet-friendly pricing.

Aether Welded Duffle Small

Many duffels tend to forget that there’s a lot to be said for visual appeal. The Aether Welded Duffle Small is not one of them. This stylish duffel offers a softer approach to gear bags with its heathered body fabric, which is complemented by a rubberized base, welded construction and waterproof zippers for protection against the elements. Side and top handles provide carry options and a zippered exterior pocket lets you keep smaller items within easy reach.

Arc’teryx Carrier Duffel 50

Lightweight – check. Excellent water resistance – sorted. Multiple carry options – sure thing. This duffel packs plenty of features into its durable form. Taped seams and a WaterTight zipper with a storm flap protect the contents against inclement weather. Removable shoulder straps can share the load with grab handles on all four sides. Plus a light interior provides enhanced visibility of the contents, so less rummaging and more efficient access to your gear. This is a tough and reliable hauler that works well in a range of work and play settings.

BAD Duffel #4

It’s good to be bad…well, a BAD duffel, that is. Why, you may ask? Because this hard-wearing hauler is built to last so it can enjoy years of adventures with you. With build features including water-resistant 1000D Cordura with taped seams, rugged #10 YKK zippers and reinforced stitching, this duffel will withstand demanding daily use and the not-so-loving caress of baggage handlers. With further features such as locking zippers, an ID holder, compression straps, as well as side and top handles, this duffel is all set to prove its usefulness across a range of casual and challenging carry environments alike.

Black Diamond Demon Duffel

Choosing a cragging bag can leave you between a rock and a hard place. Sometimes they’re hard to carry, not comfortable or lack versatility. Not so with the Demon Duffel from Black Diamond. Grab handles let you carry it easily over short distances, while backpack straps and a hip belt help shoulder the load over longer distances and can be stowed away when not in use. The framesheet and padded back panel offer user comfort, and the full-length zip provides convenient access to the contents, whether you’re using it outdoors or tackling varied carry demands in town.

Exped Tempest Duffel

Expedition duffel, waterproof gear bag, lightweight and protective luggage…the Exped Tempest Duffel is a versatile creature that works around your lifestyle. Its high frequency welded construction combined with a waterproof YKK FlexSeal zipper gives you peace of mind that your gear will stay dry, even if you don’t. Unexpected downpours, monsoons, watersports, escapades in the snow – wherever you find yourself, rest assured you’ll find dry gear afterwards. The duffel is available in three sizes and features a pared-back design to offer an attractive weight to volume ratio. The carry straps can double as backpack straps, and there’s also a grab handle for enhanced portability.

Gustin Waxed Canvas Duffel

This handsome duffel offers a suave combination of relaxed and refined, making it equally great for stylish and laidback holiday carry or serving as a casual-chic about-town bag. Water-repellent waxed cotton canvas partners with full-grain leather and brass hardware to create a tough and attractive bag that will take on even more character as it ages. Three exterior slip pockets provide fuss-free storage for small items, while the main compartment is secured with a #10 YKK zip that opens wide and has two sliders for convenient packing and unloading.

Haglöfs Boda 70

The Boda 70 knows how to haul gear in style. This chic piece of carry wouldn’t look out of place in the office, an airport lounge or hitting the streets as you get on with your day-to-day tasks. The duffel features two exterior pockets and two internal pockets for organizing your smaller items, along with a durable waxed polycotton canvas construction and leather detailing. With its elegant, clean design, this is an appealing choice if you’re looking for something that ticks both the fashion-friendly and practical boxes.

Maxpedition Fliegerduffel

With its ready-for-anything, takes-no-messing vibe, the Fliegerduffel looks like the kind of bag that fares equally well in rugged wilderness and bustling city environments. But it’s not just looks. The tough and water-resistant ballistic nylon construction can handle demanding use, while top grab handles, a shoulder strap and backpack straps provide versatile carry options. Throw in a multitude of pockets and a clamshell opening for fast packing and access to your gear, and you’re sorted for urban and outdoor adventures alike.

OverBoard Waterproof Ninja Duffel

A lot of bags claim to be waterproof when they’re not. This bag is ready to prove its claim wherever, whenever. The roll-top opening and high frequency welded construction keep water at bay, so the duffel can be fully submersed for a short period of time while still keeping the contents dry. Top and end carry handles and a removable shoulder strap take the frustration out of getting the bag from point A to point B. In addition, your bits and pieces are kept in line with internal pockets including a wet/dry pocket, plus an exterior quick-access pocket. Whether you want a waterproof bag for your travels, water-based activities, or daily use, this one lives up to its label.

Red Flag Design Heavy Duty Mark II Duffel

A killer combination of sleek looks, functional design and hard-wearing construction makes the Heavy Duty Mark II Duffel stand out in a sea of average gear bags. Water-resistant zips and an abrasion-resistant Hypalon body protect your gear from scuffs, scrapes and Mother Nature. The durable mil-spec nylon webbing handles can double as grab handles or backpack straps. Stash the items you need within easy reach in the zipped exterior pocket, and when it’s time to pack or access the main compartment you can do so quickly and easily thanks to a large zipped opening.

Simms Fishing Dry Creek Duffel

Whether you’re white-water rafting or caught in a torrential rainstorm, opening your bag to discover soggy gear is a sure way to put a dampener on your mood. However, the Simms Fishing Dry Creek Duffel will float your boat with its waterproof and fully submersible construction. The roll-top construction offers a flexible volume to suit different loads, while external Hypalon attachment points accommodate extra items as needed. Compression straps and a choice of grab handles or a shoulder strap further enhance the functionality of this versatile duffel.

Watershed Yukon

Ever been caught in a storm during a camping trip or your travels and opened your bag to find your gear was completely soaked? Had the unfortunate experience of your mildly water-resistant bag going overboard on a boat trip or getting drenched during water sports? This bag is the one that should have been along for the ride. With its RF welded seams and ZipDry closure, you don’t need to worry if this fully submersible bag takes an unexpected plunge or receives a wet welcome at your latest sightseeing destination. Its generous 70L volume provides plenty of space for multi-day trips or large loads, and compression straps play their part in keeping the contents under control. If you need to carry oddly-shaped or extra gear, external attachment points come to the rescue, making this a bag you can really tailor to diverse environments and carry needs.

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