The 8 Best Rolling Duffel Bags for Your Next Trip
Gain the portability of a duffel with the convenience of a rolling suitcase.
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Duffel bags are great for throwing over your shoulder and stuffing into overhead bins on planes, but it doesn’t take long for your shoulder to hurt if you’re lugging a full bag. That’s why we love rolling duffels—bags that give you all the portability of a duffel bag with the option of rolling it across smooth surfaces.
Some have pull-up handles like a piece of spinner luggage, while others just have lightweight wheels with no handle for easy foldability and storage. Really, the only downside of a rolling duffel bag is that they almost always have two wheels, rather than the traditional four. They also slouch more than your average hardside suitcase, which can make it a bit harder to stack a bag on top but far easier to squeeze into an over-the-head airplane bin.
We’ve tested and vetted all of the best rolling duffle bags on the market to help you find your next travel companion.
What to Consider
Size
The most obvious decision regarding which rolling duffel bag to get is its size, particularly whether or not you want checked luggage or a carry-on bag (which is typically up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches). Aside from that, consider how much clothing and gear you usually travel with.
For some duffels with a more fixed shape, how full the bag is doesn’t really matter. But for duffels with more flexible designs and those without telescoping handles, the bag’s maneuverability might change if it’s overpacked.
To fit the most clothes in your rolling duffle bag, think strategically. Start with the big items first (snowboard jackets, pants, etc.). Roll these up and put them on one side of the bag. Then, work your way through the rest of the bag in sections with socks, underwear, shirts, pajamas, and any other gear you need. If you have some spare room left, you may fit a few toiletries in there, too.
Shape
Most rolling duffels have a similar shape akin to an average carry-on bag. However, rolling duffel bags with more of a square shape are usually easier to fit in overhead bins and, often, easier to wear as a backpack, for those that come with double straps. Bags with a rounded, circular shape—the traditional shape for a duffel bag—have more of a vintage look but can be harder to pack or find small items in in a pinch.
![thule wheeled duffel](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thule-lifestyle-1643045937.jpg)
Materials
Most buyers probably don’t pay too much attention to materials, but you should if you’re an active traveler. Look for outer materials that are made with tear-proof and water-resistant details like ripstop, reinforced nylon, and watertight zippers. Last but not least, if you regularly overpack, zoom in on online photos to make sure the zippers look strong and durable before you purchase.
Portability
While there’s something to be said for simplicity, holding all the weight of a packed duffle on one shoulder will probably result in a sore neck after about 20 minutes and some unwanted aggravation. That’s why we love modern-day rolling duffel bags, which have wheels in addition to handles and straps, so you can roll through airports but sling it on your back to go up stairs.
Most of the options we recommend have pull-up handles. A few even have backpack straps to free your hands for extended travel over uneven surfaces. Just remember that a pull-up handle and built-in backpack straps may eat into your storage space inside the duffel.
How We Selected
As a freelance adventure travel writer, Suzie Dundas, who originally authored this piece, has used various rolling duffels for years. She’s broken duffel bag straps in the Japanese Alps and dropped her carry-on in the Indian Ocean during ferry transfers, so she’s real-world tested plenty of duffel bag features. She has tested travel and outdoor gear for brands like TripSavvy, Insider, Backpackers, and Forbes. Dundas tested many of these bags while traveling, and if she hasn’t used it, she’s tried other luggage from the same brand.
To narrow down the list, we relied on our knowledge of useful features gained through years of frequent travel through various airports and countries. We looked at materials and projected durability, whether bags had clever features (like hide-away straps), and whether reviews mentioned any ongoing problems or issues. We also took into consideration things like sustainability, price, guarantees, warranties, and whether a brand’s other products are generally reliable and well-received.
Casey Clark is a freelance journalist who specializes in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Forbes, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com. She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine, SkyLife Magazine, Playboy, Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com. Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com.
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