20 Great Duffel Bags That Can Haul Everything, Everywhere

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Carrying it as you strut down Madison Ave to Equinox in a muscle tee and compression shorts. Having it in hand as you stroll through the airport in a business ensemble. Tossing it in your car trunk before heading off on a weekend escapade. The "it" in question? That great duffel bag that can handle everything, and more importantly, look cool as it does.

Like the ones celebs get papped with, these are easier to grab than your rolling suitcase, and better suited for travel than whatever backpack or briefcase you carry to the office these days. Some have interior storage compartments for all your kicks, clothes, and gadgets. Some are made in the holdall big, undivided interior. Either way, these are the best duffel bags for men—for every budget and every occasion. Durable waterproof duffels, designer leather duffels, duffels for your gym gear—there's a style for everyone.

Armed with this list, you're about to get a workout buddy, travel companion, and storage solution all in one. Don't believe us? Just you wait. Behold, the 20 best duffel bags on the market today because somethings really can do it all.

Novel Duffel Bag

$90 at Herschel

You simply can't escape it. Herschel's old-time, nostalgic logo, that is. The brand just makes good bags. And we're partial to the Novel duffel because it gets it right. From the side access to padded shoulder strap, it also comes so many colors and sizes.

Legacy 25-Inch Utility Duffel

Carhartt, the hunky sex symbol of menswear brands, makes workwear hot and bothered again. Its bags are nine times out of ten tough-as-nails and this one is available in a macho khaki brown. Hence, this duffel is truly ready for whatever it'll face on the go, just like you.

Atlas Duffle

Mack Weldon hasn't been playing the "reinventing menswear basics" card for too long, but it's already made its way to the top by doing nothing other than making better-quality items. And we're booting its Atlas Duffel with insulated and ventilated compartments that can keep your smelly wet gym stuff in check.

Lite Duffel

Bellroy's latest foray into the carryon world is not to be glossed over—seriously, where's the hype? It is dumbfoundedly lightweight but can fit—and organize—an entire cavern. Here's to hoping some celeb will pick it up and turn it into a sleeper hit.

The Garment Duffel

This is a damn innovated duffel, one we have to say is the "jack-of-all-trades" bag. Basically, you lay it out flat first like a garment bag to neatly pack your finest pieces, then simply fold the whole thing over and zip it into shape to create a duffel bag roomy enough for casual clothes, accessories, and even shoes.

Defender 4 Medium Duffel Bag

Whether you're hitting the gym or packing for a real travel journey, Adidas' durable, high-capacity duffel will do the trick. It has a lifetime warranty, water-resistant base, and plenty of pockets to store everything you need, and then some.

One Travel Duffel Bag

For something minimal but effective, this sturdy duffel bag is a foolproof option. The size is the perfect in between, with enough inner storage for all your necessities, but a compact enough volume to fit into overhead storage. And with added features like a TSA-friendly pocket, water bottle loop, and laptop sleeve, it's clear that Pakt thought of everything.

Black Hole Duffel 55L

An easy-open, easy-access duffel made from durable recycled polyester ripstop. Plus, it packs down into an easy carry case. You'll never need another adventure bag.

Waterproof Duffel Bag

Rains should be one of the first brands you check for waterproof accessories—which makes the brand name quite ironic. Its duffel bag in that roughing-it tube silhouette will guard all electronics and fabrics within. Size down or up if you like.

Waxed-Canvas Duffel Bag

This duffel is made in waxed cotton, so it'll age like fine wine. But if patience fails you, take this timeless styling advice: It'll look great with a pair of Chukka or Desert boots beneath it, a waxed trucker jacket—or flannel shirt—above it, and a pair of aviator shades to seal the panache.

Mason Duffel

Tumi's Mason fits the flying-first-class theme like no other. You can just bring it and nothing else, since it's sized to pack the essentials for your business trip to London. But if you're heading to vacation in Hawaii, Mason will sit nicely atop your luggage.

Medium Dry Duffle Bag

If your bumpy outing involves kayaking at a lakeside cabin upstate or fending off crocodiles elsewhere, consider strapping onto Filson's fully-waterproof, no-BS duffel that is as badass-looking as its is badass-functional.

Remus Duffle Bag

Caraa's convertible duffel is so versatile that we proclaimed it as one you can take everywhere. The nylon plus Italian leather facade is a sleek upgrade to sporty canvas, but it's still a duffel at its core, so it can stow your gym, tech, work, and fashion stuff, no sweat.

Cosimo Garment Duffel

Crafted from fine Italian leather emerges the Cosimo. The main reason it's one of our editors' go-to travel products is the convertible design—going from garment bag to duffel in a matter of seconds. Keep your clothing wrinkle free in an exterior that's as luxe as it gets.

Panga Waterproof Duffel

A big ole 75-liter bag to use on your next river trip. Or just a backpack you can check without worrying about the contents inside.

Landon Carryall Bag

We'll do the math for you: Dagne Dover's Landon has 5 x 5 = 25 options (excluding limited editions), from XS in "dune" to XL in "storm". There's got to be one combo in the mix that'll suit your duffel needs. They're stretchy and washable, too.

Nomad Leather Holdall

Nothing, no-thing, beats a leather duffel bag. Sure it's pricey now, but you'll never have to buy another one. Plus, it'll look even better after decades of use. And Métier's use of pockets is truly so smart, it's almost mind blowing.

The Twain

A round of applause for water-resistant waxed canvas, which gives you a polished look that's actually durable. No need to live in fear of airplane turbulence and your ginger ale taking a tumultuous dive onto the duffel at your feet. Yeah, this guy is here to last.

Command the Day Duffle Bag

Because nothing commands you to hit the gym quite like a Lululemon duffel. But feel free to take the Command the Day duffel straight from Equinox to World Trade Center to Upstate, courtesy of its divided space and optimal build.

Canvas Extra-Large Bellport Bag

Ralph Lauren's hybrid Bellport Bag blends the capacity of a duffel into the more compact silhouette of a weekender bag. The result? A country-club chic canvas bag that carries all. It comes in a crossbody strap and you can buckle down the sides for a more versatile silhouette.

What To Look For

There are three things you should prioritize when buying a new duffel bag: size, storage, and style.

Not all trips call for a 75L carrying capacity, and that's okay! Some, however, do, and if you're the kind of guy who likes to fit as much as he possibly can into a duffel, then opting for one with more capacity is a better option. Just be sure to check the dimensions on your duffel, so you're not in for a surprise when airport security says you can't bring it as your carry-on.

When it comes to storage, keep an eye on what additional features and pockets your duffel may have. Some are built for business trips and formal occasions, thanks to their laptop compartments and garment bag functionality. Some are meant for the gym, with separate sweat compartments for dirty clothes and shoes, plus protein shake pockets.

As for style, this is largely based on preference, but do you really want to be that guy on a business trip with an athletic duffel in a sea of leather? I don't think so. Likewise, you don't need to bring your designer, leather duffel bag with a garment bag to your workout. Pick a duffel that's best suited to the occasions you see yourself taking it most.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not about writing how great things are if they aren’t actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups are carefully curated by our fashion, lifestyle, and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to a duffel bag, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own travels, whether that includes hitting the gym or heading to Paris Fashion Week. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these duffel bags are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

You Might Also Like

• Kid Cudi Is All Right

• 16 Best Shoe Organizers For Storing and Displaying Your Kicks