The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag Is the Only Piece of Luggage I’ve Used for the Last 4 Years

My first North Face Base Camp duffel was purchased ahead of a trip from NYC to Mount Rainier in Washington State for a summit attempt. I had tons of gear to pack, as well as regular clothing for visiting relatives in the days before the climb. I knew I needed something big, but also wanted a bag that was flexible and that did not have preset compartments. I wanted the option of packing my gear, clothing and other essentials in whatever configuration I liked best (I find that organizational luggage just never quite works the way I want it to). Turns out, that is my preferred packing method for more casual travel too, making it a no brainer to add a second, more portable carry-on size to my collection.

That spacious main compartment allows me to stuff or toss things in willy-nilly when I’m in a rush, or to break things into groups using packing cubes to easily grab what I need at a glance. And with a 71L carrying capacity for the M size duffel, this bag can hold a lot of packing cubes. In fact, when stuffed to the gills, the M size runs the risk of being a smidge too large for a carry-on, something you should definitely keep in mind when packing. (That said, the S and XS sizes should be totally fine to use as a carry-on for almost any airline.) There’s also a much smaller zippered compartment on one end for anything you want to keep separate like dirty laundry or smaller items.

The North Face Base Camp duffel comes in six different sizes, ranging from the XS (31L) up to the enormous XXL (150L). The iconic style was designed for backpackers, climbers and other outdoor adventurers who need something durable, weather resistant and spacious to carry anything from ice axes and climbing ropes to tent poles or scuba gear. This also means I never feel I need to be precious with my bag or worry about it when checked for air travel. The main body is made of 1000D recycled polyester with a weather-resistant coating, and the straps are double-stitched, making me feel confident they won’t start to rip even if I overpack my bag. With the addition of a small luggage lock, I feel certain this bag will remain secure and intact no matter what I do with it.

The other thing that keeps me coming back to my Base Camp duffel is the option to carry it with backpack straps. All sizes except the XXL come with removable, adjustable backpack straps so I can be totally hands free while on the go. They’re also ergonomically designed with padding to ensure a comfortable fit. This has proven an absolute game changer for me, whether I’m trying to sip coffee at the airport while scanning my boarding pass or running through Moynihan Station to catch my train. Being both hands-free and comfortable while traveling is the lifestyle I never knew I craved before this duffel came around.

For the smaller sizes, I do wish there was a single shoulder strap option allowing the bag to be carried more like a tote. But I have been able to hack it by attaching one of the shoulder straps across the top of the duffel which works well enough for me.