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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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Are there any key insights that guide your stuff? What do you know that most others haven’t realized?

I like to remember that not everyone has a different bag for every different activity that they do. It’s often the case that the bag that takes you hiking at the weekend also takes you to work during the week.

What are your main channels for your creative inspiration?

I try to be open to inspiration as much as possible but I definitely gravitate to other disciplines when I’m stuck. Things like furniture and automotive design for form, and footwear and apparel for construction. I like to start every day catching up on blogs and online content, so tools like Pinterest and Tumblr are great for a quick creative hit.

Where is your most creative space and why?

I generally do my best work either after hours at the office, or in my own space at home. I was always the guy who got things done late at night when there are less distractions and I’ve continued that pattern to date.

Any unusual places or circumstances where you got an idea for a new innovation in carry? Do you get a lot of ideas in the shower or the corner market foraging for organic dragon fruit?

I tend to find ideas all over the place. Mostly while travelling and moving around, interacting with packs/luggage in real life situations. A lot of the ideas come out once I get home and start reflecting on where I’ve just been and the activity I’ve been doing.

Who do you look to in the bags world? Who does rad stuff (brands or designers)?

In terms of the big brands, I think Gregory are killing it right now. Their stuff has been strong for the last few seasons and I’ve watched the brand really re-invent itself recently. Smaller brands-wise, I’ve been a big fan of Trakke for some time now too. Those guys are making some lovely stuff.

Are there any trends or things folk do in carry that drive you nuts?

Over-engineering of a solution. Our industry is pretty guilty of over-thinking some things in the strive to differentiate from others.

You’ve worked with a number of different teams and brands. What are some of the ingredients that help you make better designs? Is it about good managers or good customers?

I read an article about working culture just recently and would put that up as the key. If the culture in a team is collaborative, inclusive and progressive, then all the other things seem to fall into place. For sure, there are infinite other nuances to creating good carry but if everyone is trying to achieve the same thing, that’s when the good stuff happens.

What are your tools of the trade?

I always start with paper/pencil. I work much quicker that way and am less precious about ideas. From there I’ll get into illustrator and/or sewing.

What materials do you most like to work with? Are there any new materials you’re experimenting with? Anything that will break the time-space continuum?

We typically work with all the traditional nylons and polyesters that you would expect, but you might be surprised at the sheer number of options you have when selecting them. Recently I’ve been doing a lot of work on our lifestyle collections and it’s been fun to dive into some non-traditional pack cloths.

What sort of brief do you love to get?

My favourites are the ones where there is no definite outcome from the start. Not 100% open-ended but open to interpretation and discussion as the project develops.

Do you like working as a team or going solo?

Team every time. By far and away the best situation for me is when collaborating in a small team of fairly like-minded individuals. I say fairly, because I think it’s important for each team member to bring something to the table that’s unique to them. The best designs that I’ve worked on are definitely collaborative efforts and involve the manufacturer right from the beginning.

Do you have to go to the maker to make a good bag? Can carry design work remotely?

I think you can make a good bag remotely, but in my experience, you can only make a great bag once you get on the ground with the manufacturer. There are a lot of unique challenges in construction that can only be overcome when you all get around the same table and solve things together.

How do you test your product? What do you look for when testing?

We have a team of trusted individuals whose opinions we value really highly when it comes to testing. They range from ambassadors, to staff members, to everyday users we have met and established relationships with. The list is forever changing but the core remains the same.

How many prototypes do you go through before release?

Totally depends on the complexity of the project but we average 3-5 as a rough guide.

What products are you most proud of?

At MEC, we have a lot of established products that have stood the test of time. The products I’m most proud of are the ones that have challenged the status quo and opened up new categories for us. For example, the Agens collection was a big step for a ‘Mountain’ brand but opened the door for a bunch of exciting new lines coming down the pipe….

Do you have any favorite tips or habits for carrying better, either EDC or when traveling?

Roll, don’t fold.

You’ve been in the game for a long time. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about design and secondly about the carry industry?

Barrett touched on this in his interview, but everything is a moving target when it comes to design. Be it technology, trends or activities…everything is always jostling for position. The most important thing I’ve learned is to keep questioning your pre-conceived opinions and make sure you’re designing for the end user, not just for yourself.

What carry product (of your own creation, or anyone else’s if you feel like being generous) do you enjoy the most? What makes it enjoyable?

My buddy got an older Leica camera with the made-to-measure leather case when we were at university. I’ve always noticed them since then. The simple material choice and craftsmanship of the case means it has aged beautifully with use. I like that kind of a considered solution.

Can we see a pocket dump?

Sure. It’s pretty standard for most people I think: phone, keys, wallet, bike lock, lunch, notebook, pen.

While you’ve got the camera out, would you mind taking a photo of your workspace, and perhaps identifying any tools or personal items that help you most in your creations? Specific drafting pencils or a lucky charm or an explanation of why your workspace is so tidy and ours is…something not describable using the terms of polite conversation?

My desk at the office is pretty cluttered but is the opposite at home. The setup is similar though – I like to have a space to draw and spread things out that is away from the computer and then pinboards etc. to collect all the clippings and new tech that comes by.

What bags do you run with daily?

I generally try to use one of my recent developments, to give it some field time and also because that’s usually the one I’m most excited about. Day-to-day I’m a backpack guy though, not a messenger bag guy.

What kinds of hobbies do you pursue when you aren’t creating wonderful new carry products? Have you created any carry craft specifically for that hobby, or do you intend to in the future?

When I’m not at work, you’ll find me on my snowboard in the winter and road-tripping in my van or on my bike in the summer. The options are fairly endless in this corner of the world and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface after 4 years of being here. I get to design for these activities and many more as part of my job so I feel pretty lucky to legitimately do that.

Are there any materials you used to like, but now find impractical for your creations?

Hypalon. I used to use it a lot but the environmental impact of it means we don’t use it in our products at MEC anymore. That environmental responsibility is a huge driver for the whole team.

What wouldn’t the layperson know is essential to a good carry product? We all tend to appreciate convenient pockets, for example, but is there anything that we wouldn’t notice about an excellent carry product off-hand but a master of carryology always would?

Probably the price! A huge part of commercial carry design, and any other design, is to get that innovation delivered at the price that it needs to be. I think all carry designers rub up against that particular challenge in our industry.

If you weren’t making carry products, what would you likely be doing for a profession? Or do you have another passion that your carry creations help you enjoy more fully?

I’d love to say I’d be some kind of athlete but realistically I think I’d be travelling around trying my hand at anything and everything. Just as long as I could be creative, I’d be okay.

What’s next for you?

Literally: off to Asia in a few days to see our factories and work on the new designs.

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