Travel Products Luggage + Bags Suitcases + Duffel Bags The 5 Best Carry-on Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed From lightweight to wheeled options, here are the best duffels for your next flight. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Since living overseas in 2018, Anna has been a travel writer and began reviewing products in 2021. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 21, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova A duffel bag is an incredibly useful piece of luggage that can fit just as much as a standard suitcase (if not more) and can compress down for hassle-free storage. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or flying overseas, there are plenty of options for carry-on duffels that are comfortable to carry and easily fit in an overhead compartment. To find the best carry-on duffel bags on the market, we returned to our extensive testing insights from when we evaluated 30 duffel and rolling duffel bags of all shapes and sizes based on traits like organization, maneuverability, and durability. We combed through the top-performing bags to find the options that fit the standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch airline regulations for carry-on bags to pick out our favorite ones for your next flight. We love the Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffle Bag thanks to its well-built design that boasts an eco-friendly, TPU-coated recycled polyester exterior. And it can compress down into a small pouch making it easier than ever to store a piece of luggage. We also found options for lightweight, convertible, and budget-friendly bags, too. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag at REI Jump to Review Best Budget: Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Style: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Wheeled: Samsonite Just Right Weekend Wheeled Duffel at Ebags.com Jump to Review Best for Business Trips: Ted Baker Albany Rolling Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag 4.4 Patagonia View On REI View On Backcountry.com View On Patagonia.com Our Ratings Capacity 4/5 Design 4/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It can collapse into a built-in bag for easy storage. What to Consider It has a rugged and outdoorsy look. Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffle is one of the most durable carry-on bags we’ve tested. Made of recycled polyester and water-resistant TPU coating, we think this duffel bag is equipped for any adventure whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a frequent flier. In testing, the bag first appeared to have a small capacity but once we started filling it with clothes, it proved to fit a lot more than initially thought. The opening flap has a mesh pocket on the inside for storing undergarments or toiletries, and there’s an exterior pocket on the side perfect for phone chargers and wallets. We love that the duffel can compress down into a smaller bag included so it can be easily stored without taking up too much space. We found the tote bag straps comfortable to hold onto and the bag includes detachable padded backpack straps to convert the duffel into a backpack. This makes the duffel bag extremely versatile for hiking, camping, or walking through an airport. The exterior proved to be as resilient as it looked, showing no signs of damage after it was dropped from a ladder several times. There weren’t any scuff marks, zipper damage, or scratches to the shiny coated exterior. Our tests lead us to believe that this bag will last over time making it ideal for all types of traveling. Price at time of publish: $159 The Details: 22.5 x 13 x 8 inches | 2.19 pounds | 40 liters | Recycled ripstop polyester | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Best Budget Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Gonexsport.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Why We Love It It has plenty of pockets to stay organized. What to Consider The main compartment is on the smaller side. If you like to stay organized while traveling, opt for the Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag with its abundance of pockets for every travel item you could need. We love that you can separate your shoes from your clothes with two side pockets that can also fit books, jackets, or other bulky items. Plus, there are several front and back zippered pockets, as well as a few slip pockets to easily grab a passport or phone. While the main compartment is a little smaller than we would’ve liked, it was still able to hold a solid amount of clothes with room in the larger pockets to add more, if desired. Both the shoulder strap and tote handles were comfortable to hold and it was easy to maneuver the bag, leading us to think it would be an excellent duffel for navigating busy airports or other crowded areas. The cotton canvas material held up perfectly against several drops from a ladder and it absorbed the impact keeping all the packed contents safe. We think the value of this budget-friendly duffel bag is unmatched thanks to its superior performance during testing. Price at time of publish: $43 The Details: 17 x 11 x 10 inches | 2.8 pounds | 50 liters | Cotton Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova The 10 Best Weekender Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Style Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag 4.2 Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Babylist.com View On Crate & Barrel Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Durability 3.8/5 Value 3.5/5 Why We Love It It's a premium duffel bag packed full of helpful features like a laptop pocket, a trolley sleeve, and expandable corners. What to Consider The fabric wrinkles a bit. Made out of sleek neoprene material, Dagne Dover's large Landon Carryall is a must-have for traveling in style. The lightweight neoprene fabric is soft and flexible so you can easily pack it to the brim for a long weekend using the extending corners for more of a tote bag look or leave the corners buttoned to the side for a more compact shape. With helpful features like a trolley sleeve, a 13-inch padded laptop sleeve, a water bottle pocket, and a removable shoe bag, this premium duffel bag is fit for all types of adventures both long and short. We noticed some slight creasing in the soft-sided bag so it's possible that the fabric may crinkle if it's stored in a cramped position but this is by no means a dealbreaker for a well-made and durable-feeling weekender. Price at time of publish: $215 for large The Details: 16.5 x 11 x 9 inches | 2 pounds | 29 liters | Neoprene Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova The 12 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Wheeled Samsonite Just Right Weekend Wheeled Duffel 4.9 Samsonite View On Ebags.com View On Samsonite.com View On Ebags.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The duffel can easily be wheeled, carried as a tote bag, or slung over the shoulder. What to Consider It's on the smaller side so it's best for shorter trips. This 3-in-1 Samsonite weekender bag is the ultimate versatile duffel thanks to its ability to be carried in three convenient ways. The bag has two discreet wheels and a retractable handle which is ideal for strolling through the airport or, if you're in a hurry, the duffel can be carried as a tote bag or tossed over the shoulder with the detachable shoulder strap. The wheels and handle feel exceptionally sturdy and had no issues gliding over both smooth and rough surfaces. Although this duffel bag has a smaller capacity than others we tested, it has a ton of helpful pockets for staying organized, including a spacious front pocket with a USB port for staying charged on the go. The duffel also comes with a removable wristlet for storing smaller items on the inside, a padded tablet sleeve, and a convenient trolley sleeve for placing it on a suitcase for longer trips. Price at time of publish: $220 The Details: 21.8 x 12 x 12.5 inches | 4.8 pounds | Nylon | USB charging port TRAVEL + LEISURE / JESSICA JULIAO Best for Business Trips Ted Baker Albany Rolling Duffel Bag 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It This large rolling duffel has a black matte finish and it's outfitted in elegant rose gold hardware. What to Consider It may not fall under the carry-on size restrictions for some airlines due to its larger depth. Traveling for work? This polished Ted Baker rolling duffel is large enough to fit enough items for a week away and it's exceptionally easy to carry or wheel through airports or hotels. Although the duffel has a generous capacity, the material and aluminum frame is lightweight enough that it's not cumbersome to travel with and the top handle straps make it easy to hoist the bag into an overhead bin. The retractable handle and wheels can be hidden thanks to the discreet zipper pockets on either end of the bag so it can be carried as a tote bag, too. For a secret pop of color, the interior is lined with a silky blue butterfly print that complements the elegant rose gold hardware outfitted on the exterior. There is one exterior flap pocket and several interior pockets for extra storage and the corners of the bag fold up if you need a bit more space while traveling for work. Price at time of publish: $425 The Details: 22 x 14.5 x 11.75 inches | 6.3 pounds | Polyester Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Other Carry-on Duffel Bags We Liked There were plenty of top-performing carry-on duffel bags we tested and there were a few that had high scores but didn't quite make the cut for our list above due to some minor inconveniences found during testing. Lo & Sons The Catalina Deluxe: The dual-compartment bag is ideal for storing clothes in the main section and shoes in the smaller bottom section, and the duffel has a detachable messenger strap and trolley sleeve for carrying it in several different ways. However, the capacity is very small so it would be better suited for a weekend trip rather than a weeklong vacation. Away The Everywhere Bag: This duffel boasts key storage for organizing travel essentials and there are designated pockets for a water bottle and laptop. We wish the duffel was a bit bigger as it could only fit a few outfits and a toiletry bag but it's still an excellent option for short trips. Our Testing Process We tested 30 carry-on duffel bags in our New York City lab, and to determine the best options, we combed through detailed tester insights from our top-performing bags that fit the standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on dimensions set by most airlines. To evaluate each duffel, we rated the bags on a scale of one to five based on organization, maneuverability, and durability. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova First, we recorded the dimensions and weight of each bag before we tested capacity by packing the duffels with five shirts, five pants, two jackets, two pairs of shoes, a mug, and a toiletry bag. The duffels that scored a five for organization had plenty of storage solutions and enough room that made packing intuitive and hassle-free. After packing up the duffels, we walked around with the duffel bags, carrying them with the tote handles, shoulder strap, or backpack straps, if applicable. Our top-scoring bags for maneuverability were comfortable to hold and distribute the weight evenly to prevent unwanted pain or aches while traveling. Durability is a crucial factor when it comes to luggage so our testers threw each duffel off of a ladder several times to check for scuffs, scratches, or damages to the contents inside like the breakable mug. Duffels that scored fives for durability showed no signs of damage and kept the contents safe. Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Lastly, our testers were unaware of the cost of each bag prior to testing and were only made aware after the series of tests were complete. Then, they judged the overall value of the duffel to determine if it performed accurately or better than advertised to evaluate its worth. Tips for Buying a Carry-on Duffel Double-check the dimensions Before you invest in a duffel bag to carry on, you’ll want to check the dimensions of the duffel bag and the size limit of the airline you plan on traveling with. While most airlines use the standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch limit for all carry-on bags, the specific dimensions can vary a few inches depending on the airline, and for international travel, and some duffels can be further compressed to fit into sizing bins. Consider your organization needs For travelers prioritizing storage solutions, consider a bag with plenty of inside and outside pockets for smaller items. If you prefer to use packing cubes, a duffel bag with a large main compartment might be better suited for cubes. Duffels that have lots of outside pockets and compartments might have less interior space in the main compartment so you’ll want to factor that into your organization preferences when choosing a duffel bag. Frequently Asked Questions What size duffel bag counts as a carry-on? The standard carry-on dimensions for most airlines are 22 x 14 x 9 inches. While it can vary by airline, it’s important to check ahead of time to avoid checked bag fees in case your bag is too large. Can I bring a duffel bag and a backpack on an airplane? Depending on the airline and airfare type you purchase, a carry-on duffel bag will count as your one carry-on item and a backpack or purse will be your allotted personal item. If you purchase the most basic fare of some airlines like United or JetBlue, you may have to pay extra for a carry-on item. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Commerce Writer, Anna Popp, tests and writes about T+L’s best travel products. She has been a travel writer since living overseas in 2018 and began testing products for various publications in 2021 before joining T+L in 2022. Anna collaborated with travel editors to determine the results for the best carry-on duffels based on a series of tests completed by our expert product testers in our New York City lab. The 8 Best Duffel Bags of 2022, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit