Used to be that a duffel was a duffel was a duffel. Not anymore. These days, almost every outdoor brand is making one (or several), so we’ve rounded up some of the best duffel bags out there and compared them side-by-side.
We’ve now put over 40 days in the Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Pack, and have continued to find it to be a surprisingly versatile pack that works well for a variety of activities.
The Henty Enduro Backpack combines many of the best qualities of both fanny packs and backpacks, making it an excellent option for most bike rides. Check out our review.
This year, BCA released an all-new lighter and more compact version of their Float airbag system, and we’ve been spending much of this season touring in the new Float 27 Speed pack. Check out our review.
The Airborne Outfitters Bitterroot Dry Bag combines 3 important backcountry tools — a dry bag, a water filter, and a mattress pump — into one compact system. Check out our initial review.
We’ve spent a good deal of time in Scott’s Backcountry Guide AP 30 airbag pack, and so far, we’re impressed. Check out our review.
The Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak backpack does an excellent job of balancing the needs of a ski pack, and offers a few features we haven’t seen on any similar packs.
Trails need maintenance, and that requires a lot of gear. Evoc’s Trail Builder pack makes carrying all that gear a lot more comfortable, and it still rides well when loaded down.
With a water resistant, durable fabric and an easy-access design, Patagonia’s Black Hole 32L Backpack is a great option for an everyday daypack.
The Dakine Drafter 14L is a breathable and comfortable solution for carrying gear on long bike rides (especially for riders who don’t generally like wearing a pack).
Based on Patagonia’s mountaineering-oriented Ascensionist packs, the new Descensionist 40L features a similarly minimalist profile, some ski-specific features, and plenty of capacity in a lightweight package.
After over a year and a half of daily use, the Seagull Commuter Sling has proven to be one of our favorite messenger bags.
The newly redesigned Patagonia Refugio is a well-built daypack with plenty of features that make it great for daily use, yet it isn’t out of place on the trail, either.
Osprey’s revamped Aether is a versatile pack that offers solutions to some of the most common backpacking issues.
The Patagonia Ascensionist 35 is an excellent – though specialized – mountaineering pack.
The Mystery Ranch Pitch 40 is one of the most durable, comfortable climbing packs we’ve used, but that comes with a sacrifice in versatility.
The Stone Glacier Cirque 6200 is the best lightweight, big-load-hauling backpack we’ve used.
The Thule Versant 60L is a mid-sized pack with a simple pocket layout and some useful features, though we’d love to see a couple of minor changes.
The Black Diamond Mission 75 is a lightweight, versatile, big load hauler that climbs very well.
The Dakine Low Rider 5L provides some compelling reasons to ditch your traditional hydration pack for a hip belt.