There is an art to packing a duffel bag when traveling. Those who master it find the exceptional storage capacity and minimal weight makes it the best option for short trips. In this guide, we will reveal tactics for maximizing space and organization when packing a duffel bag, as well as what makes our Knack Duffel Bag superior to your run-of-the-mill duffel!
The lesson we learned the fastest when we began our lives as digital nomads is that choosing the right companion travel bag makes all the difference!
Traditional suitcases offer little in the way of flexibility and organization, not to mention how heavy and awkward they can be to move. After mastering the art of packing it, however, we realized the value of using a duffel bag as our carry-on luggage of choice. A well-designed duffel bag provides similar space as a suitcase but, many times, with more features, comfort, and organization.
- Why Choose a Duffel Bag over a Backpack
- Top 10 Duffel Bag Packing Tips and Techniques
- What to Look for When Purchasing a Duffel
- Problems With the Modern Duffel Bag Design
- FAQs
Why Choose a Duffel Bag over a Backpack
Backpacks and duffel bags serve a similar purpose, but there will be occasions when one provides a better experience than the other. While a backpack usually provides more pockets and organization, a duffel bag has several distinct advantages that might make it the better option for your #ONEBAGLIFE.
>> MORE: Duffel Bag vs Travel Backpack
Greater Storage Capacity
Duffel bags typically provide more storage space than backpacks. Their cylindrical design allows for expansive packing, making them perfect for weekend trips when you need to carry changes of clothes and bulky items.
Unlike backpacks, which often have numerous internal compartments that can limit usable space, duffel bags feature a wide-open main compartment where you can fit more items.
Ease of Packing and Unpacking
One of our favorite things about a duffel bag compared to a backpack is the ease in packing and unpacking it. The larger opening of a duffel lets you see everything you’ve packed at once and access the things you need immediately. This feature is especially useful if you need quick access to certain items, are packing and unpacking multiple times, or frequently rearrange things.
Carry Options
The vast majority of the time, the most comfortable way to carry your bag will be on your shoulders. There are times, however, when you might prefer another option. Duffel bags typically have a top carry handle in addition to the primary over-the-shoulder strap, and some even have convertible backpack-style shoulder straps.
Backpacks, meanwhile, are limited to just the one option of using shoulder straps. This may not come up often, but versatility is always a good thing!
Top 10 Duffel Bag Packing Tips and Techniques
After decades of travel and countless flights, we know that packing your bag efficiently will make all the difference to your trip.
We’ve put together the top tips and techniques we have learned over time that will have you packing your duffel like a pro! This means maximizing space while keeping your items safe and organized for a smooth trip.
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Use Packing Cubes
We cannot say enough about packing cubes. They are an absolute game-changer when it comes to keeping your duffel bag organized! You can use them to group similar items together, such as socks or shirts, or to compartmentalize each individual outfit for grab and go accessibility.
>> MORE: Packing Cube Tips and Travel Hacks -
Use Compression Bags
Compression bags are ideal for reducing the volume of bulky items like jackets or sweaters. They squeeze out excess air and compress the contents, allowing you to fit more into your duffel while also keeping things organized.
Pro tip: Look for compressible packing cubes for the best of both worlds! -
Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling your clothes instead of folding them can save space and reduce wrinkles. This technique works particularly well for t-shirts, jeans, and other casual wear. For delicate items, we recommend placing tissue paper between the folds to keep them wrinkle-free.
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Place Heavier Items at the Bottom
When packing your duffel, always place the heaviest items, like shoes and toiletries, at the bottom. Not only will this help to keep the bag balanced and more comfortable to carry, it will also prevent lighter items from getting smashed, damaged, or wrinkled.
As best you can, try to distribute the weight evenly from left to right so the bag doesn’t put unequal pressure on your shoulders.
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Maximize Internal and External Pockets
As duffel bags typically have less organizational features than a backpack, it is even more important that you maximize the pockets that you do have.
To become a duffel packing pro, you need to get to know your bag inside and out… literally!External pockets provide the easiest access for items you need to get to quickly, such as travel documents and snacks, while internal pockets provide more security for valuable items like a passport or electronics. Knowing what pockets you have available and how best to use them is the key to getting the most out of your duffel bag while staying organized on the go.
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Start With a Packing List
The best way to stay organized is to start organized. We never start packing for a trip without first creating a packing list of everything we need. This allows us to think about where things will go prior to loading them in and ensures that nothing important is ever forgotten.
>> MORE: How to Make a Perfect Travel Packing List -
Bring a Laundry Bag
A laundry bag is one of the most commonly overlooked items to include in your duffel. You can use a laundry bag to store wet or dirty items while keeping them separate from your clean clothes and electronics. This simple addition will help keep your bag organized and your clothes fresh.
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Utilize the Bag’s Full Capacity
If you’re choosing a duffel bag over a backpack, it’s likely that you are doing so because duffels provide so much more space for packing. It would be a genuine tragedy if you gave up the structure a backpack would have provided and aren’t fully utilizing the space you’ve gained from the duffel!
We urge you to use every inch (including the corners!) and to ensure there are no gaps left, if possible. This not only maximizes the bag’s storage capacity but also helps keep everything in place and reduces the risk of items shifting around too much during your trip.
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Protect Fragile Items
Duffel bags do not have a hard shell to protect your electronics, toiletries, or other fragile items. Use a soft pouch or roll them in clothes to protect them. If you are packing a laptop, make sure your go-to duffel bag has a dedicated, padded compartment for added protection and organization.
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Pack for Versatility
As much as possible, choose items and outfits that can serve multiple purposes. Opt for clothing that can be layered and that suits a variety of occasions. Choose versatile accessories, such as a microfiber towel that can double as a blanket or pillow. This approach will maximize space in your duffel while also helping you adapt to changing circumstances during travel.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Duffel
Okay, so now you know how to pack a duffel like a pro. The next step is to run out and get your forever duffel and start traveling, right? Wrong!
There is a world of difference between the most basic duffels and the top-tier ones. One is a glorified gym bag that will be a daily frustration, while the other is a genuine travel companion so helpful that you may end up giving it a name!
Take a minute to read about some of the key factors you should consider when shopping for that perfect duffel:
- Size and Capacity
- Material and Durability
- Comfort and Portability
- Organizational Features
Size and Capacity
Duffels come in various sizes, from small weekend bags to large multi-week travel bags. For daily use, such as hitting the office followed by the gym, a duffel with a capacity of around 20-30 liters should provide enough space for a change of clothes, shoes, and work items.
For longer journeys with multiple outfits, such as a weekend getaway, you’ll want something in the 30-45 liter range. Of note, anything within this range will still meet the carry-on size limitations for most airlines.
Part of the Knack commitment to our One Bag Life ethos is our bags’ patented hidden expansion compartment. This key feature allows you to convert your Knack duffel bag from 24 liters to 40 liters instantly, providing space for up to 5-6 outfits when expanded!
If you plan on being away for 5 days or more at a time, you will need something in the 45+ liter range. As you will most likely be required to check any bag this large, it will typically be better to opt for a suitcase instead to benefit from the protection of a hard shell and the ability to roll your heavy bag rather than carrying it.
Material and Durability
Since it will carry a heavy load, and will spend most of its time on the floor, you really want your duffel (and especially its bottom) to be made of abrasion, tear, and puncture-resistant materials like nylon or polyester. While other materials, like canvas and leather, are also durable, they are also heavier than nylon or polyester and the extra weight really adds up when you have packed a lot in your duffel!
It is also important that your duffel has reinforced seams and high-quality zippers, such as YKK zippers, as these contribute to the bag’s overall durability.
The Knack Duffel uses a lightweight, 420 denier, high-density nylon fabric woven with high-twist yarn for exceptional durability, tested to carry loads up to 40 pounds! And the lining fabric in the Knack Duffel is anti-microbial so you don’t have to worry about damp or dirty items getting your bag moldy or smelly.
Comfort and Portability
Given that one shoulder will carry the full load of your duffel, it is important to have a comfortable shoulder strap with generous padding. It’s also helpful to have a fully adjustable shoulder strap that is long enough that you can wear it across your body (which keeps it from slipping off your shoulder).
If you will be flying with your duffel bag often, you will also want it to have a removable shoulder strap that can be packed away in case you ever need to check your duffel.
The Knack Duffel ticks all of these boxes and even goes a step further. In addition to a removable and adjustable over-the-shoulder strap, it also comes with a hidden backpack shoulder straps built in! This allows you to transport your duffel however is most comfortable and even alternate options on the go.
Organizational Features
While most duffel bags are black holes, the Knack Duffel comes with numerous internal organizational features and pockets to keep your gear in order. These features also help keep your essentials within easy reach and prevent a disorganized mess.
FAQs
Can a duffel bag be used as carry-on luggage?
Yes, many duffel bags are designed to meet airline carry-on size restrictions. However, always check your airline’s specific guidelines, as dimensions and weight limits can vary.
How do I clean my duffel bag?
Cleaning your duffel bag depends on the material. For most nylon or polyester bags, you can spot-clean with mild soap and water using a soft cloth or sponge. For canvas duffels, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, as they might require more specialized cleaning.
Are there duffel bags with wheels available?
Yes, duffel bags with wheels are available but come with some inherent drawbacks. While wheels allow the convenience of rolling when traversing a flat surface, they are also much heavier to lift when that is not an option. Some duffel bags feature convertible shoulder straps instead which keep the bag lightweight and easy to travel with.
Can you use a duffel bag as an everyday bag?
A thoughtfully-designed backpack will typically be the better choice of everyday bag than a duffel. An equally-sized duffel bag will offer more packing space than a backpack, but the lack of compartmentalization makes them difficult to keep organized and less comfortable to carry.
Is a duffle bag too big to be considered a personal item on flights?
There is no rule disqualifying duffel bags from being a personal item on airplanes, but they are typically too big to meet the airline’s personal items policy. Most US airlines allow personal items, like duffel bags, as long as they can fit under the seat in front of you and do not exceed 18” x 14” x 8”.
Note that most airlines allow a personal item in addition to a carry-on and each have unique size restrictions that vary across different airlines.
