What Are The Things To Consider Before Buying a Duffle Bag?

Duffle bags are a great way to carry sports gear or clothes for overnight trips and are considered the best travel bag. They're also really easy to store, which is why duffle bags have become quite popular among people who need to pack light and travel often. There are so many different types of duffle bags to choose from, and each type has its benefits and drawbacks, But before you make your purchase, there are a few things that you should consider first. This blog post will go over some of the most important considerations and everything that you need to know before buying one!

Your Use Case

Your intended application will have a significant impact on the design you select. Before considering any other features, consider why you want a duffle bag by Evatac and what you plan to do with it. All of the other factors come into play here.

Examples of common use cases:

• Weekend camping trip
• Long term travel
• Business travel
• Beach tote
• Gym bag
• Everyday carry bag
• Secondary Bag

Materials & Durability

Duffle bag are frequently tossed around. You can bet airline workers are tossed around in the bottoms of planes due to time constraints, and if you're being honest, you're probably not too kind with them either. As a result, make sure you buy something that will last.

If you're an outdoorsy/adventurous person, you'll also need a more durable duffle or the toughest bag. If you only plan to take your duffle on weekend trips to a city a few hours away by car, durability is less of an issue. Some of the other features they come with are pockets, mesh pockets, padded backpack straps, compression straps, load lifter straps, main compartments, and zippers to keep your belongings safe.

Consider the following elements and how they work together to get the best duffle bags that can handle whatever you throw at them.

The Fabric

You'll commonly see a number followed by the letter D when looking at fabrics (50D, 250D, 1000D, etc.). The D stands for denier, which is a unit of measurement for fabric thickness and weight.

Within the same fabric family, the higher the denier, the more durable, and the heavier the fabric. When comparing two distinct materials, denier won't help you much because they all have unique strengths (nylon is stronger than polyester, for example). However, it serves as a useful baseline.

The Zippers

It's time for some #ZipperTalk, so let's get started. Zippers are extremely important in such a small package. Imagine packing your belongings into your duffel minutes before you need to depart for the airport when thunderclaps and the zipper on the main compartment breaks. A broken zipper on a duffel bag isn't as bad as a broken zipper on a backpack because the damaged zipper is on the top of the bag, so you can still use it. Nonetheless, it is sad and inconvenient.

Look for YKK, SBS, Zoom, and Riri zippers, the most prevalent and trustworthy manufacturers. Also, be aware of zippers that aren't branded—we've had some bad luck with those.

Also, keep an eye on the scale. Zippers are rated from one (small) to ten (big) (large). #5 zippers and higher should do for exterior pockets on smaller duffles, but bigger duffles will likely require something a little more durable. Smaller sizes are fine for internal pockets or those that aren't used as often.

The Hardware

If any of the hardware on your duffel bag breaks while you're out of the country, it'll be a major disappointment.

Again, try to stay away from unbranded hardware. Duraflex, YKK, Woojin, Nifco, and ITW are all reputable brands that should provide you with excellent service. And when it comes to metal vs. plastic hardware, we prefer the latter, especially in terms of long-term viability. But, on the other hand, Plastic may be the way to go if you're attempting to lose weight.

Interior Organization

Duffle bags can be used for a variety of purposes. Some are completely disorganized, while others have numerous pockets and compartments. Are you planning to use your duffle as a gear hauler, put your clothes or even dirty laundry and toiletries in it, and organize the rest of your belongings in a backpack? Or do you want your tactical duffle bag by Evatac to be your lone carry-on? The answers to those questions will determine how much organization you require.

Mode of Carry

Duffle bags are often carried in two ways: briefcase style with top handles and crossbody style with shoulder straps. However, some duffle bags are only equipped with handles. You'll undoubtedly want a shoulder strap if your use case requires a lot of walking—or even standing while carrying your duffel for long periods.

However, not all crossbody straps are the same. A simple seatbelt strap is OK for smaller duffel bags, although cushioned straps are preferred. Our favorite sort of shoulder strap has ample padding that runs the length of the strap, or at least the majority of it. But, again, a major consideration is how far you'll walk with your duffle.

Backpack straps are available on several duffle bags like backpack duffle. Although, strangely enough, these straps aren't as comfortable as backpack straps on a real rucksack. If you're determined to have a duffle but want more carry alternatives, they might be the bag for you. 

Size & Weight

Duffle bags ranging in size from 6L to 150L+ are available in nearly all categories below. Unless you're an extreme minimalist, you won't want to take a 6L duffle on a three-week trip to Egypt (or anywhere else, for that matter). We put a 6L duffel through its paces as a lunchbox to put that into perspective. Unless you're looking for a massive, massive, massive gear hauler, you won't need a 150L duffle.

We usually travel with duffle bags that are 30L to 45L in size, with the occasional 50L or 55L thrown in when we need a bag to hold a lot of gear. Just keep in mind that once you go over 45L, you're out of the carry-on range for domestic flights in the United States. But, of course, your results may differ. We've heard of people bringing substantially larger luggage on board. On the other hand, international carriers frequently have fewer allowances and stricter controls (for both size and weight).

We prefer the lightest duffle bag we can find without sacrificing durability when it comes to weight. Unfortunately, duffle become uncomfortable to carry at far lower weights than backpacks because the burden is not evenly distributed between shoulders and hips. (Unless, of course, you have a duffle backpack hybrid.)

At the same time, because duffle bags are frequently thrown around, you don't want them to be too flimsy. It can be difficult to strike the right balance but don't get too worked up. Throughout this guide, we'll provide you with a slew of duffle bag recommendations that manage to toe that line.

Here are some questions to ponder:

• Do you intend to travel with your duffel bag as a carry-on? If that's the case, it'll need to be the right size.
• How much storage space do you require for your belongings?
• Will you be going with a duffle plus a backpack, or will you require a duffle that can accommodate all of your belongings?
• What is the maximum amount of weight you  can carry?
• What body type do you have?
• What percentage of your time will you be walking?
• Are there aliens among us already?

Your Budget

This should go without saying, but you should consider how much money you want to spend. At Pack Hacker, we often follow the philosophy "buy nice or purchase twice." In the long run, it may be more cost-effective to invest in a duffle that will last a decade rather than constantly replacing a less expensive one.

However, a high price does not always imply a high level of quality. You may be paying for a brand name or a certain style. Our reviews are here to help you decide whether a bag is worth the money.

The amount of time you anticipate to utilize your duffle is also a factor. For example, if you only expect to use your duffle bag every other year, you won't need to spend as much as you plan to use it every day.

Conclusion

You get what you pay for when it comes to duffle bags, especially hybrid duffle bags. So be prepared to invest a little extra money if you want a bag that can be used as a backpack as well as a duffel. However, if you're solely interested in one carry style or the other, there are less expensive solutions. Just be aware of the flaws before purchasing.

Overall, if you're searching for a multipurpose and economical bag, hybrid black duffle bags are a fantastic choice. Just make sure you do your homework and understand what you're getting yourself into!